All-star benefit Sunday at Dakota for 16-year staffer

Davina & the Vagabonds, Debbie Duncan, Dennis Spears, Lucia Newell and more will perform to help one of the club's own, who was beaten and robbed.

December 3, 2011 at 3:14AM
(The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Davina Sowers will be among Sunday's performers at the Dakota. / Star Tribune file
Davina Sowers will be among Sunday's performers at the Dakota. / Star Tribune file (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Dakota is hosting a benefit Sunday night for one of its own -- and one of its longest-serving staffers. Karl Schwartz, a 16-year bartender going back to the jazz haven's St. Paul location, was robbed and beaten a few weeks ago, according to club reps. The injuries amounted to steep medical bills and weeks away from his job among the Dakota's bar staff.

Toward that end, the jazz haven was able to drum up an impressive roster of its faithful regulars to perform for Schwartz's assistance, including Davina & the Vagabonds, Lucia Newell, Ashleigh Still, Debbie Duncan, Dennis Spears, Ginger Commodore, Lee Blaske, Mark Weisberg, Bobby Commodore and more to come. The music kicks off around 7 p.m., preceded by a silent auction starting at 5:30 p.m. The suggested donation cover charge is $10. Click here for more details.

about the writer

about the writer

Chris Riemenschneider

Critic / Reporter

Chris Riemenschneider has been covering the Twin Cities music scene since 2001, long enough for Prince to shout him out during "Play That Funky Music (White Boy)." The St. Paul native authored the book "First Avenue: Minnesota's Mainroom" and previously worked as a music critic at the Austin American-Statesman in Texas.

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