Tag Archives: The Freier Department

New bands to perform at VBF 2024

K-Libre24

K-Libre24

K-Libre24 is a Twin Cities-based, eleven-piece Latin Orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean such as salsa,merengue, cumbia,and bachata. K-Libre24 was formed to provide great dance music for the Twin Cities and surrounding regions. The musicians of K-Libre24 represent some of the finest musicians in the Twin Cities Latin music community. K-Libre24 performs locally and around the region at restaurants/bars, Latin festivals, private engagements, and other locations and events. This is the first time that K-Libre24 has appeared at Vintage Band Festival. They will be performing on Friday, July 26 at 5:30 pm.

The Freier Department

The Freier Department is a seven-piece band that plays nasty Funk, swingin’ Jazz, and driving Latin music. Ethan Freier, leader and trombonist, has been a band director in Northfield for 25 years while continuing a busy freelance schedule in the Twin Cities. Ethan is joined in the horn section by Rich Manik on saxophone and Bob Case on trumpet. These are horn players that can blow! The amazing rhythm section of Bill Chouinard on bass, Northfield resident Steve Jennings on drums, Chris Olson on guitar, and Ted Godbout on keys will keep the grooves deep and the jazz smokin’. Freier’s arrangements of classic funk and jazz tunes are fresh and exciting. The band released an album in 2021 titled “Dysfunktion”.

When you hear this band, you’ll know why these are some of the most sought after musicians in the Twin Cities. The Freier Department will be on the Wenger Showmobile Stage in Bridge Square on Saturday, July 27 at 2:00 pm.

Vintage Band Festival Announces 2024 Festival Schedule

Vintage Band Festival has selected the roster of bands and the complete schedule of VBF 2024 which will take place in Northfield, Minnesota July 26-27, 2024.

VBF 2024 will be a 1+ day affair with music on Friday night and all day Saturday. Friday the music will kick-off at 5:30 pm and Saturday the music will start at 9:00 am and continues non-stop until 10:00 pm.

All performances will be along the banks of the Cannon River in Downtown Northfield.

New to the festival in 2024 are five bands: The Freier Department, Beasley’s Big Band, the Medalist Concert Band, the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band, and K-Libre24. The other bands have performed at VBF before, but for some it’s been more than five years.

Here is the complete schedule for the weekend.

FRIDAY               July 26, 2024  

5:30                    K-Libre 24 *        

7:00                    Mariachi Mi Tierra         

8:30                    McNasty Brass Band                               

SATURDAY        July 27, 2024

9:00                    New Prague Area Community Band  

10:00                  Dirty Shorts Brass Band           

11:00                  Sheldon Theatre Brass Band  

12:00                  Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band *     

1:00                    Minnesota State Band

2:00                    Freier Department  *     

3:00                    Bavarian Musikmeisters          

4:00                    Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble            

5:15                    Medalist Concert Band *            

6:45                    Brass Messengers        

8:30                    Beasley’s Big Band *    

 *first appearance at Vintage Band Festival 

Riverwalk Market Fair will be sharing Bridge Square with Vintage Band Festival on Saturday. There will be more than 30 vendors in the park from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm showcasing fresh produce, baked goods, visual artists, textiles, jewelry, and more.

Visit the Vintage Band Festival website often to get updates and background information about the performing ensembles.