SimpleGifts – Looking Ahead to 2021

The Young and the Rest…

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming shows!

2021 Parkway Series

Click link to watch
Feb 14th with Michael Monroe
Feb 21st with Jennifer and Joe
Feb 28th with Kathleen Johnson
March 7th with Nicholas David
March 14th with Laura MacKenzie
March 21st with Jeff Arundel
March 28th with Chris Koza
April 4th with Willie Wisely
April 11th with SOFIA
April 18th with Turn Turn Turn
April 25th with Annie Mack
May 2nd with Peter Mayer

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Donations to support SimpleGifts during this challenging time are greatly appreciated.

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin
Experience “The Young & The Rest…”!

Meet the Band
SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin presents: The Young & The Rest...

Watch Video
Enjoy the Experience
Exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system.

Watch Videos

1 2 3

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin
Experience “The Young & The Rest…”!
The Young & The Rest...
Enjoy the Experience
Exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system.

1 2 3

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound.

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound.

2021 “The Young & The Rest…” Schedule!

“The Young and the Rest…” is all about women bringing new life to music made famous by men. Clearly a tribute, this show is better described as a girl-powered reboot of acoustic hits and deep tracks by Neil Young, CSN, America, The Eagles and more by the siren-voices of SimpleGifts (Heather Moen/Karen Paurus/Amy Courts) with a Celtic twist provided by Laura MacKenzie (whistles/flutes/bagpipe). Acoustic guitar by Billy McLaughlin with top-shelf bass and drums. Not to be missed among your tribute show choices! (See video below)

2021 Shows to be announced

About SimpleGifts

As long-time fans will tell you, SimpleGifts makes musical magic by bringing a modern flair to traditional Christmas carols and hymns. Staying close to the heart of Christmas by avoiding commercial and pop holiday repertoire has become the trademark of this award winning six-piece ensemble.

SimpleGifts combines violin, Celtic flutes and bagpipes, piano, acoustic guitar and percussion with angelic three part female vocals to create a “modern Old-World” sound. There is nothing ordinary about the arrangements this team delivers both in the studio and in concert. Seen by over 20,000 live audience members last season, this group continues to grow in popularity throughout the Upper Midwest and has successfully transitioned from their early days in coffeehouses and small listening rooms to prestigious performing art centers and larger churches.

In 2018 the group started to expand their shows to year-round with a new project entitled The Young & The Rest… An acoustic tribute to Neil Young and the rest of your favorite artists who defined an era and whose popularity endures – Crosby, Stills and Nash, The Eagles, Joni Mitchell, America and more.

With little media attention, SimpleGifts is arguably the most successful MN holiday-themed project celebrating exclusively traditional hymns and carols interpreted in modern arrangements. Fueled by grassroots fans since 2001, the 18th Annual SimpleGifts 2019 Holiday “Christmastide” Tour includes close to 20 concerts between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve in the Twin Cities metro or close proximity. Music from the group’s most recent CD “This Christmastide” and previous five critically acclaimed releases will be featured. The ensemble’s previous CD, Wintergrace, is characterized by local music critic, Jim Walsh:

“…one of the most elegant and listenable Christmas collections of this or any year — “WinterGrace” from the Billy McLaughlin-led local collective SimpleGifts” – MinnPost

With exceptional set and lighting design and an impeccable sound-system, SimpleGifts puts community celebration ahead of commercialization – pulling the audience into the sublime side of traditional repertoire in a truly meaningful Christmas event. Expect modern arrangements with an “Old-world” feel highlighting Billy’s signature acoustic-guitar, angelic three-part harmony vocals, bagpipes, Celtic flutes, violin, piano and tasty atmospheric percussion.

Click here to read Musician Profiles

With All Our Deepest Love and Gratitude!

Heather Moen Garborg Portrait 2019 - St Paul Photo Co

Heather Garborg Moen has displayed her heart with abundant love in SimpleGifts for over a decade. She now is displaying that same love to focus on her family — husband Lee, daughters Adeline and Esther. Heather is stepping away from the spotlight that she commanded with talent and charisma after contributing greatly to the evolution of SimpleGifts. I can’t be happier for her and equally sad for this chapter in all our lives to end!

Let’s all send love and cheers to Heather — the voice, the violinist, the pianist and Norwegian advocate; my long-time “co-pilot” and dear creative friend; nothing is meant to stay the same forever — but we sure DID make magic with you — and that magic lives on!

God Bless you Heather!
– Billy

Upcoming Shows

may

14feb(feb 14)4:00 pm02may(may 2)4:00 pmThe Parkway Theater presents Billy McLaughlin's Church of the Lost Souls

Event Details

Every Sunday, February 14 – May 2, 2021 @ 4:30pm – Minneapolis MN

The Parkway Theater

4814 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417

COST: $29 advance; $39 door

Performance Series Debuts with Eclectic Variety Show Flavor, Featuring Local and National Guest Artists.

It’s not really a church. And you don’t have to be lost or found to attend or tune in. But a new livestream concert series beginning on Valentine’s Day hopes to raise spirits and share the love of music. The Parkway Theater presents Billy McLaughlin and “The Church of the Lost Souls,” featuring members of SimpleGifts (including versatile singers Kathleen Johnson, Karen Paurus, Amy Courts, and Celtic multi-instrumentalist Laura MacKenzie), and a stellar slate of Special Guests for 12 consecutive Sundays, beginning at 4:30 p.m. CST, February 14 through May 2, 2021.

A special Q&A with Billy and the week’s guest artists will follow each performance, providing audiences with the opportunity to connect even further with the musicians in The Parkway’s intimate theater setting.

The roster of special guests includes:

2/14 — Michael Monroe

2/21 — Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz

2/28 — Kathleen Johnson

3/7 — Nicholas David

3/14 — Laura MacKenzie Celtic
Celebration

3/21 — Jeff Arundel

3/28 — Chris Koza

4/4 — Willie Wisely

4/11 — SOFIA

4/18 — Turn Turn Turn

4/25 — Annie Mack

5/2 — Peter Mayer

In-person Tickets

>> https://theparkwaytheater.com/all-events-summary

Livestream

>> https://billymclaughlin.com

Time

February 14 (Sunday) 4:00 pm - May 2 (Sunday) 4:00 pm

Location

The Parkway Theater

Calendar GoogleCal

09may4:00 pmMother's Day in Marine-On-St-Croix, MN - CANCELED

What people are saying:

My first and definitely not my last visit to the Marine on St Croix Town Hall to spend time with SimpleGifts... what a fantastic night of wonderful music, angelic voices, extraordinary talent and humor... and the ambiance of that old 1875 hall....what an experience... thank you!

K. Zaspel

As 'newbies' we thoroughly enjoyed your performance last night in Zumbrota. We are looking to make this an annual tradition!

B. Meinhardt

Thank you for making the pilgrimage to perform in Albert Lea this morning! As always, a most enjoyable set... again, Thank You!

G. Robinson

This was one of the BEST concerts I've seen. Great Christmas music. I highly recommend it for all.

H. Stone

I have seen simple gifts perform nearly every Christmas for several years now and they never cease to amaze with their amazing talent and sheer musical inspiration.

J. Beckman

Just listening to the new CD. It is beautiful! Wonderful job to all of you. Looking forward to seeing the show at St. Stephen!!

Jennifer V.

Thank you for a great show last night in Omaha! This MN-girl transplant is thankful for a taste of home down here in NE.

Janna A.

Your CDs make heavy rotations every Christmas season..in fact we're already playing your music! Have a blessed Christmas to all of you.

Chad and Tabitha A.

"Great show this afternoon! My girls and I are such big fans! Thanks for starting out our holiday season perfectly!

Mary A.

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SimpleGifts – Looking Ahead to 2021

The Young and the Rest…

Stay tuned for more info on upcoming shows!

2021 Parkway Series

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin presents: The Young & The Rest...

Enjoy the Experience

SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin

The Young & The Rest...

Enjoy the Experience

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

Minnesota’s Modern Old-World Sound

2021 “The Young & The Rest…” Schedule!

About SimpleGifts

Click here to read Musician Profiles

With All Our Deepest Love and Gratitude!

Upcoming Shows

Event Details

Event Details

Time

Location

Event Details

Event Details

Mother’s Day in Marine

Time

Location

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