One-Night Only Performance. Award winning storyteller, playwright, actor, and author Kevin Kling has been called a Minnesota state treasure. His work is infused with an innate sense of humor and reflects the life challenges he has surmounted, including a congenital birth disorder and partial paralysis from a near-fatal motorcycle accident.

A unique and entertaining evening with two of the Twin Cities’ truly tried and tested showmen. T. Mychael and Kevin have shared local stages for decades. Their friendship hit the ground running, bonded by growing up with brothers, the glitz and glamour of showbiz, and a love of community, faith and healing. From this rich trove, they have created an evening of songs and stories forged in irony, humor, heart and soul.

Kevin Kling became nationally recognized for his popular commentaries on NationalPublic Radio’s All Things Considered and regular appearances on TPT’s Almanac. Regional audiences have enjoyed his long-running annual Tales From the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log and The Love Show. Additionally, his recent hit play Invisible Fences (with musician Gaelynn Lea) won the 2016 Tiny Desk Concert contest. Also, that play returns to Minnesota at the Zeitgeist stage in Duluth in November 2024. He is currently writing a new theatrical piece with polar explorer Will Steger.

Both Kevin and T. Mychael performed in the Minnesota Orchestra’s “Home for the Holidays”, featuring Kevin’s story of the same name. Further, Kevin has written five books and has received the Whiting Award, NEA Grant and Minnesota State Arts Board funding. Additionally, he has received the McKnight Award and Bush Fellowship. In 2014 Kevin was named the Minneapolis Storyteller Laureate by Mayor RT Rybak.

T. Mychael Rambo is a long-standing pillar of the Twin Cities arts community. He is a three-time Emmy-winning actor, vocalist, arts educator and community organizer.

T. Mychael has made an indelible mark in the Twin Cities. To that end, he has performed principal roles at such theaters as the Guthrie, Ordway Theatre and Illusion Theatre. He also regularly appears at Mixed Blood, Park Square Theatre, Ten Thousand Things, Children’s Theatre and Minnesota Opera.

Recommended for Fans of Luther Vandross, Garrison Keillor, Marvin Gaye and Al Green.

Osseo Cross Country Alumni Presents its annual “Back in Orange & Black" concert featuring Kevin Kling and James Hersch. Event fundraiser is free and open to the public.

We are offering FREE master classes on Mallard Island on July 31 with violin wizard Randy Sabien, master storyteller Kevin Kling, pianist and song leader Dan Chouinard and Soul Collage with Marian Moore. Keep reading for more information. Registration is limited and preference will be given to local residents.

MALLARD ISLAND MASTER CLASSES July 31 (or August 1 in case of bad weather)All classes will take place on Mallard Island in Rainy Lake. Pick up and drop off will be at Tilson Bay public landing.

All classes are FREE thanks to the support of the Marshall N Knudson Family Community Fund and the Oberholtzer Foundation, but participants are welcome to leave a donation to help pay the teaching artists.

For registration or questions, send an email to mallardmasterclass@gmail.com. Please include Name, Phone, class of interest. You’ll be contacted with more information. Class sizes will be limited by the capacity of the Mallard Island pontoon boat and the size of the teaching spaces. Classes are geared for adults but younger people may inquire.

9:30-11am—Randy Sabien, Violin Workshop. Randy created the String Department at Berklee School of Music in Boston and headed that dept. at McNally Smith College of Music for several years. He has given violin workshops all over the world, touching on fiddle, jazz and blues techniques. 11-11:30 tour of island back to landing by noon

10-11:30—Marian Moore, Soul Collage Marian works with groups and individuals as a facilitator and coach in the fields of philanthropy and social justice. Soul Collage is an art-based path to self-discovery and beautiful Mallard Island is the perfect setting. 11:30-12 tour of island back to landing by 12:30

1:30-3:00pm-- Dan Chouinard, Why We Sing. Besides being one of the most sought-after accompanists/collaborators in the Twin Cities, Dan leads several community sing alongs on a regular basis. A little history, a little philosophy, a LOT of singing. 3-3:30 tour, back to landing by 4

2-3:30 Kevin Kling, The Power of Story. World famous storyteller, author and playwright Kevin Kling has gathered tall tales and legends from all over the world and woven them into hilarious and poignant stories from his own life and experience. Spend some time at the foot of the Master. 3:30- 4 tour back to landing by 4:30

A free concert featuring these artists will take place on August 2nd, 7pm presented by Open Range Concerts Up North at Faith United Church.