Spoken Word and Hip Hop Artist
Friday, July 27th 7:30 pm
New York Mills VFW Outdoor Stage

NYM Education Foundation Bean Bag Tournament before concert @5pm

Desdamona, a spoken word and hip-hop artist, will be performing outdoors at the NYM VFW Post 3289 on Friday, July 27th at 7:30 p.m.  This concert is being held in conjunction with the NYM Education Foundation’s Bean Bag Tournament, which precedes the concert. A family-friendly water balloon toss and art activities are also being planned. All activities are outdoors behind the VFW where there is plenty of green grass, picnic tables, and a covered pavilion area. All ages are welcome.

Desdamona’s writing and performances focus on themes of domestic violence, self-esteem, individual identity, being an outsider, and being a woman in hip-hop. The message is as strong as her sense of rhythm. She often employs beat-boxing to go with her flowing rhymes and smooth vocals. She is one of the founders of B-Girl Be, the first international festival celebrating women in hip-hop, fighting against the objectification of women in music and society. She won the Minnesota Music Award for “Best Spoken Word Artist” five times. Come to her show to enjoy a night of speaking out and banging beats!

“She’s a role model. She’s a woman who’s working hard. She’s doing her own thing. She’s not fitting into what other people expect out of her. She’s supporting other women and especially girls, and she’s collaborative. And that’s what B-Girl Be is about, women working together on an equal plane.”
-Theresa Sweetland, Intermedia Arts Programs Manager

The New York Mills Education Foundation is a non-profit organization whose goal it is to support the New York Mills Public School. The Bean Bag Tournament is a fundraiser to further these efforts. The Education Foundation, Cultural Center and VFW are partnering in hopes of expanding the reach of all three organizations and to offer a fun community event including games, live music, food, drinks, and the opportunity to connect and enjoy our beautiful region in an outdoor summer setting.

The Bean Bag Tournament will begin at 5:00 p.m. and is a Race to 21, bracket style tournament. Registration fee is $30 per team, includes entry for the bean bag toss and the concert to follow. The top three teams will win cash prizes: 1st place: $250; 2nd place: $150; 3rd place: $100.

Sign up for the bean bag tournament by clicking here: Bean Bag Tourney Registration

The VFW will be providing a full grill with burgers, brats, and a STEAK FRY for sale, and the outside bar will be open as well.

Concert Admission / Watch the Tournament for just $10 for adults! Buy tickets online below, or call the Center at (218) 385-3339. Children 12 & under are free; high school student admission only $5. Must register and pay for Bean Bag Tournament separately ($30 tourney registration DOES include entry into the Concert for team of 2).

Buy Concert Tickets here: Desdamona Tickets

This event is held outdoors at the NYM VFW: 120 S Boardman Ave, New York Mills, MN 56567. In the event of bad weather, the concert will be held at the New York Mills Cultural Center (24 Main Avenue North, New York Mills).

All Ages Welcome! Open to all!