Jeremy Messersmith Launches Hennepin's 'New Century Sessions' Series Tonight

Hennepin Theatre Trust previously announced that lauded local singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith will launch the New Century Sessions, a new Minnesota music series giving artists a chance to not only play, but to share the evolution of their work. The series will run at the Trust's intimate New Century Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. The concert featuring Messersmith with Twin Cities band Cjell Cruze opening, is set for 7 p.m. tonight, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013. Doors open at 6:30.

Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 30 and range from $19 to $25 with a limited number of VIP packages available for $39. Tickets can be purchased online at hennepintheatretrust.org, by calling 612.455.9501 or in person at the New Century Theatre Box Office (615 Hennepin Ave., ground floor of City Center in downtown Minneapolis).

The New Century Sessions, sponsored by Park Nicollet Health Services, will showcase six performances, including this one. Set in the New Century Theatre in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the series builds from the success of previous "Acoustic Century" concerts, offering artists the option of going beyond acoustic.

"Artists and their work are at the heart of developing the Hennepin Cultural District," commented Tom Hoch, President/CEO of Hennepin Theatre Trust. "So we wanted to offer some of Minnesota's most talented musicians the rare platform to share stories about their life and creative process in a comfortable venue like the New Century Theatre and as part of this special partnership with Park Nicollet Health Services."

"Music nourishes the human spirit and promotes healing and comfort for our patients," said David Abelson, M.D., president and CEO of Park Nicollet Health Services, noting that Park Nicollet offers music therapy at its Frauenshuh Cancer Center, Struther's Parkinson's Center, Melrose Center for eating disorders and Methodist Hospital. "We are excited to be supporting local community artists, and celebrating the power of music with local artists who inspire, comfort and heal through their storytelling and music."

Jeremy Messersmith is a Minnesota-based independent singer/songwriter who carefully crafts songs that narrate life. With multiple recordings and national buzz to his credit, his star continues to rise with performances for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on separate occasions. Born in Charleston and raised in Washington State, Messersmith moved to Minneapolis in 1999 to attend university. He has since released what he calls a "life-cycle trilogy" of albums, with his 2006 first full-length release,"The

Alcatraz Kid," earning him a nod as the "premier under-30 songwriter in the Twin Cities" by City Pages. Messersmith then captured the attention of Semisonic/Trip Shakespeare's Dan Wilson, also the respected songwriter for the likes of Adele and Taylor Swift, who produced his follow-up album, The Silver City.

It was recognized in a press poll as the second-best album in the Twin Cities in 2008, losing only to the rising star of hip hop act, Atmosphere. In 2010, The Reluctant Graveyard bookended his trilogy of lifelong observations with songs like "Lazy Bones" and "Organ Donor," and sonically continued on the '60s chamber pop path. It was named one of the Top 10 Albums of 2010 by NPR, Top 25 Videos of 2010 by Paste Magazine and also won the Star Tribune Critics' Poll for Best Local Artist.

In 2012, Jeremy embarked on a "Supper Club Tour" combining pot luck dinners with living room shows and selling out events nationwide.Local and national attention continues to grow with NPR, college and other stations around the country playing his music, supplemented by U.S. tours and sold-out shows in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.

Messersmith has been featured on NPR, NPR's Car Talk, iTunes, NY Times, New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Wired Magazine, Boing Boing, USA Today, World Cafe Live on WXPN, Independent Film Channel, MTV's "The Real World," NBC's "Chuck," ABC's "Ugly Betty" and Showtime's "The United States of Tara." His songs have LAO been featured in a French film and a Norwegian commercial. For more information visit jeremymessersmith.com.

The New Century Sessions featuring Jeremy Messersmith is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013 at Hennepin Theatre Trust's New Century Theatre. (615 Hennepin Avenue, Mpls., 55402). Tickets go on sale at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 30, 2013 and range from $19 to $25 with a limited number of VIP packages for $39. All prices include applicable facility fees. Tickets can be purchased online at hennepintheatretrust.org, by calling 612.455.9501 or in person at the New Century Theatre Box Office (ground floor of City Center in downtown Minneapolis).

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic Orpheum, State, Pantages and New Century Theatres, is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to arts-inspired community cultural development. We achieve our mission by presenting a rich mix of live performances, creating inspiring arts education experiences and advancing a thriving Hennepin Avenue Cultural District in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Trust's activities include presenting Broadway touring productions and the related Broadway Confidentialseries, concerts, comedy, speakers and other variety entertainment plus educational initiatives including our SpotLight Musical Theatre andSpotLight Critical Reviewer programs for high schools, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Family Day events.