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Grand old party time
Celebrity appearances aren't all endorsements.
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After the business on the convention floor is done each day, country singer John Rich won't be the only one ready for "Raisin' McCain." Nearly 200 parties and other events spread throughout the metro area ensure some entertaining downtime for different tastes -- if you can snag tickets to these mostly private affairs.
Most of the marquee-name concerts are in downtown Minneapolis. At 9 p.m. Sunday, good ol' boy Sammy Hagar rocks First Avenue courtesy of the Southern Delegation, while Connecticut delegates will be enjoying a presumably more refined "Evening in Venice." On Monday night, the Beach Boys headline a kickoff concert at International Market Square, just west of downtown, while Smash Mouth plays the Aqua Nightclub and LeAnn Rimes is at Trocaderos. If you're checking out the Minnesota State Fair that night, Toby Keith plays the grandstand.
On Tuesday, the Minnesota Agri-Growth Council hosts AgNite, featuring the 1970s-'80s power rockers Styx ("Mr. Roboto," anyone?), at the Minneapolis Depot. At Trocaderos, country star Rich -- whose song about McCain is likely to attain anthem status this week -- will be joined by Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy.
The Creative Coalition, a group of big Hollywood names who also attended the Democratic National Convention, will stage a concert Wednesday night co-sponsored by Target Corp. at the Depot, featuring the Charlie Daniels Band. Annette Bening, Spike Lee, Maggie Gyllenhaal and hometown girl Rachael Leigh Cook are some of the film stars coming to town with the nonpartisan coalition, which works to call attention to issues such as arts education, health care and homelessness.
The coalition is made up mostly of Democrats. But playing political convention gigs doesn't necessarily define performers' personal politics, nor those of the groups who book them.
Why is Clinton-era hitmaker Smash Mouth ("Walkin' on the Sun") playing at an event sponsored by two D.C.-based conservative grass-roots groups -- Citizens United and Coalition for a Conservative Majority?
"Because they're a fun band and they were available," said Will Holley, press secretary for Citizens United, which makes sociopolitical documentary films. "There's no symbolism attached."
Media reports have characterized the Republican National Convention as being light on star power, but conventiongoers may catch a glimpse of some unannounced notables.
"There are many celebrities who have declared themselves Republican, from Kid Rock to Patricia Heaton," said Robin Bronk, director of the Creative Coalition. "This is right in the middle of peak TV season, so they can't all commit in advance."
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