RNC Events and Celebrities Coming to Minneapolis, St. Paul

The stars will be descending on humble St. Paul and Minneapolis next month. We've had some national exposure during Super Bowl and World Series events, but the Republican National Convention promises to lure a celebrity presence, including not only political big wigs, but singers, bands, Hollywood actors and actresses.

Many of the star-studded events will be held in conjunction with the RNC, which runs from September 1 - 4, 2008. The Republican National Convention will be held at Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center. Approximately 45,000 visitors are expected to be visiting during the convention. Various websites are announcing a growing number of celebrities due to appear very soon. Most of the events listed below are private, invitation-only events. The RNC will be in St. Paul and most of the private parties will be held across the Mississippi River, in downtown Minneapolis.

A lot of Minnesotans are not real excited over all the fuss, but for those who might wish to have a chance at seeing a celebrity, this is a perfect opportunity.

Entertainers Expected to Appear at the RNC

According to the NY Times, John Rich of Big and Rich fame, is expected to perform in the Xcel Energy Center during the RNC. He wrote a song called 'Raisin' McCain' that he wrote for Senator John McCain's presidential campaign. Appearing with him will be Gretchen Wilson and Cowboy Troy.

The Beach Boys and Sammy Hagar are also going to perform.

Hollywood Celebrities and Bands That Will Be in the Twin Cities during the RNC

According to a tentative schedule published by the Sunlight Foundation, the following performers are scheduled to be in Minneapolis and/or Saint Paul:

9/1 Smash Mouth, Aqua Nightclub
Beach Boys, Atrium at International Market Square
Bobby Yang and Big Head Todd, 7:30 pm, The Fine Line
LeeAnn Rimes and the Bellamy Brothers, TBD

9/2 Gretchen Wilson, John Rich, and Cowboy Troy 9/2 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tracaderos
Styx - TBD/Minneapolis 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
Super Diamond & Boogie Knights, The Fine Line

9/3 "A" list unnamed musical star 9/3 9:00pm Epic Nightclub
The Star Tribune is reporting that Daughtry (American Idol) and rock band will play at Epic on 9/3.
Super Diamond & Boogie Knights 9:00 pm - 2:00 am, The Fine Line
Charlie Daniels Band, The Depot 9:00 pm

According to the Minnesota Independent the following stars are scheduled to be in St. Paul:

Annette Benning
Quentin Tarantino
Spike Lee
Susan Sarandon
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Neil Patrick Harris
Dana Delany
Matthew Modine
Alan Cumming
Cheryl Hines
Rachel Leigh Cook
Wendie Malick
Barry Levinson

The Minnesota State Fair in St. Paul will also be operating on the first day of the RNC. The headliner at the Grandstand on Sept. 1 at 7:30pm is Toby Keith. Also appearing are Carter's Chord, Trailer Choir and Mica Roberts. One more event that is open to the public is a concert by Rage Against The Machine, at the Target Center in Minneapolis. Tickets are $60.

Keep your camera ready if you are clubbing around the Twin Cities the first week in September.

I'm working on wrangling a couple of invitations myself.