The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center’s 2026 Concert Series continues with a live performance by Erik Keranen on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7:30 p.m.

Held in the Cultural Center’s intimate listening-room-style gallery space, the concert will feature an evening of original music from a songwriter with deep roots in West Central Minnesota. Doors open at 7 p.m.

A graduate of New York Mills High School, Keranen returns to the community where his musical journey began, bringing with him songs inspired by life on the road, the outdoors, and the landscapes that continue to shape his work.

Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, with Cultural Center members receiving a $2 discount. Student tickets are $5. Seating is first come, first served. Guests can also enjoy a cash bar and snacks during the performance.

Growing up in New York Mills, Keranen played trumpet in the Concert Band, guitar in the Jazz Band, and sang in the Choir. Before graduating, he performed with local groups including Limited Edition, Jim Sunstrom and the Country Aires, and Fire and Rain. Today, based in Grand Junction, Colorado, Keranen has independently released two albums of original music and continues to write songs for the modern rambler.

With stripped-back acoustic guitar, soulful harmonica, and heartfelt storytelling, Keranen bridges the gap between past and present. Fans of Steve Earle, Gram Parsons, and Bob Dylan will appreciate his authentic songwriting and Americana-inspired sound, while his genuine stage presence creates a memorable live music experience for audiences of all kinds.

“We’re especially excited to welcome Erik home to New York Mills for this concert,” said Executive Director Betsy Roder. “There’s something meaningful about bringing a local artist back to the community where his musical journey began. His songs reflect a deep connection to place, travel, the outdoors, and the experiences that shape us.”

This concert also offers audiences a unique opportunity to see the Cultural Center’s historic building in the midst of an exciting transformation. Phase 1 of the Cultural Center’s Cultivating Community Capital Campaign is underway, with work including the complete replacement of the building’s historic front windows and doors with custom, energy-efficient windows and restoration of the front façade.

The Cultural Center will remain open throughout construction, with the project expected to be completed in September. Concert attendees should enter through the back entrance, accessible from the parking lot. The entrance includes an accessible ramp, and event signage will help guide visitors.

“We’re excited that our audience will get an up-close look at the progress on this important project,” Roder said. “The work underway is an investment in the future of arts and culture in our community, and we’re grateful to continue welcoming people into the Cultural Center throughout the construction process.”

Advance tickets are available through the Cultural Center’s website, or tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information, call the Cultural Center at (218) 385-3339.

Get tickets: kulcher.networkforgood.com/events/103731-erik-keranen-concert.

Learn more about Erik Keranen and his music at facebook.com/erikkeranenmusic/.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through an operating support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund.