Super Bowl LII is just over two months away, and another major entertainment was made Friday.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, along with the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee (MNSBHC), unveiled the first 19 of many performers and musical acts who will put on free concerts at **Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon**, the MNSBHC's 10-day festival along Nicollet Mall that will be free and open to the public.
Several artists with personal and professional ties to Prince are confirmed to perform and are expected to honor the late Minnesota-born icon. The Revolution, Sheila E. and Morris Day and the Time will perform on Monday, Jan. 29 at the Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain, which will be located on Nicollet Mall at 8th Street. This evening, dubbed "Prince Night," will conclude with a community sing-along of Prince's legendary song "Purple Rain."
Select "Prince Night" performances will be shown on NFL Network, ESPN2, and NBC Sports Network as part of their telecast of Super Bowl Opening Night fueled by Gatorade from Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul.
The Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain will formally open on Friday, Jan. 26 with Tony Award winning icon Idina Menzel performing the song "Let It Go," from Disney's *Frozen. *
Vikings Legend Esera Tuaolo also is included in the lineup of performers.
Tuaolo, a recent contestant on NBC's *The Voice, *was drafted in 1991 and started his career as a defensive tackle in Green Bay before spending four-plus seasons with the Vikings. He also played for the Jaguars, Falcons and Panthers before retiring following the 1999 season. Tuaolo remains a resident of Minneapolis and is a familiar face around U.S. Bank Stadium. He has performed the National Anthem and also performed during halftime of the Vikings "Crucial Catch" game on Oct. 22.
Other artists announced as performers include Bob Mould, Cobi, Dessa, The Jayhawks, The Jets, Mint Condition and Stokley, New Power Generation (NPG), New Power Soul, Soul Asylum, Sounds of Blackness, The Steeles, Stokley Williams, The Suburbs and VocalEssence.* *
"We're honored to help bring together musical artists that represent the Minnesota Sound, during a time when the eyes of the world will be focused on our state and communities," said Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. "Minnesota has given the world so much culture and musical artistry; we're excited to present this talent during the 10-day festival leading up to Super Bowl. Whether you're a fan of country, gospel, rock, hip hop or soul, the lineup of music and talent we are curating will have something for everyone to enjoy and celebrate."
Starting on Friday, Jan. 26 and each day following in the lead-up to Super Bowl LII on Sunday, Feb. 4, various musical acts will perform free concerts for guests of Super Bowl LIVE.
Schedule line-up and details will be confirmed on a continuous basis in the days ahead. Fans should stay tuned to **www.mnsuperbowl.com/sblive** for the latest information about the many activities throughout the 10-day festival.
"We are so excited to unveil these first 19 musical artists who will perform for our residents and visitors during the 10-day festival," said Maureen Bausch, CEO of the Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee. "Between these musical performers, art, entertainment, dancing and of course, football, Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon will have something for everyone. This venue is our greatest opportunity to showcase Minnesota's Bold North lifestyle and culture to the world."
In addition to the local and national musical acts that will perform each day at the Verizon Up Stage at Ice Mountain, each night Native American groups from across Minnesota will "drum down the sun" as an example of how the MNSBHC will showcase the diverse community and culture of our thriving state during our 10-day festival. And each evening, as festivities on Super Bowl LIVE presented by Verizon come to a close, Minnesota dancers from around the state will perform the "Last Dance" to close out the event.
