Rochester, MN
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201 4th St. SE
Suite 170
Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: 507-328-2200
TTY/TDD: More Information
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Passport Sessions
Music With Roots. Sounds That Travel.
Est. 2010
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Passport Sessions in 2025!
These free concerts brought diverse sounds into the heart of Rochester - from Indigenous hip hop to Turkish orchestra music. We’ll be back in summer 2026 with more new sounds.
Lineup announcement coming spring 2026.
Passport Sessions is a summer music series that celebrates cultural connection through sound.
Each featured artist brings a distinctive musical tradition shaped by identity, heritage, and place. Styles range from hand-drummed rhythms and string traditions to vocal forms passed down across generations.
Performers share their work in two ways: through a free public concert at Thursdays Downtown, and through daytime performances for students in Rochester Public Schools’ Summer SACC (School Age Child Care) program.
This series invites audiences of all ages to listen, learn, and connect through music.
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Planning Your Visit
At the Event
Salsa del Soul (World Music Series)
@ Rochesterfest
- Date: 06/25/2019 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
- Location: Soldier's Field Park
300 7th St. SW
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
- Intro Text The sounds of the Caribbean will permeate the Southeast Minnesota air for two very special days in June as we celebrate the history, artistry, and infectious magic of Salsa dance music! Featuring Salsa del Soul, a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean. Salsa del Soul was formed with the purpose to provide great dance music for Minnesota Salsa fans. The musicians of Salsa del Soul represent some of the finest musicians in the Twin Cities Latin music scene. The styles of music they perfom include Son, Son Montuno, Plena, Cha-cha-cha, Bachata, Timba, and, of course, Salsa!
- Artist Website URL http://www.salsadelsoul.com/
The sounds of the Caribbean will permeate the Southeast Minnesota air for two very special days in June as we celebrate the history, artistry, and infectious magic of Salsa dance music! Featuring Salsa del Soul, a Twin Cities-based, nine-piece orchestra performing various styles of dance music from the Spanish-speaking regions of the Caribbean. Salsa del Soul was formed with the purpose to provide great dance music for Minnesota Salsa fans. The musicians of Salsa del Soul represent some of the finest musicians in the Twin Cities Latin music scene. The styles of music they perfom include Son, Son Montuno, Plena, Cha-cha-cha, Bachata, Timba, and, of course, Salsa!
The two-day mini residency will feature a free Pop-Up Mini Concert at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, MN, a free Salsa Music Dance Party, including free Salsa dancing lessons courtesy of Dahl Dance, on the Treasure Island Resort & Casino Stage at Rochesterfest, as well as a pair of Salsa Music Workshops, one focusing on Latin percussion and the other on the Latin horn, to take place in the South Tent of the Rochesterfest festival grounds in Soldier Field Park.
RESIDENCY SCHEDULE:
***Monday, June 24***
FREE POP-UP MINI CONCERT
Paramount Theatre in Austin, MN
7:30pm – 8:30pm
Sponsors: Riverside Concerts, Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Austin Area Arts, Mayo Clinic
***Tuesday, June 25***
SALSA MUSIC/DANCE WORKSHOPS
Rochesterfest Festival Grounds - Soldiers Field Park - South Tent
In preparation for the evening’s Salsa Dance Party featuring great live music from Salsa del Soul, members of the band are providing two musical workshops in the afternoon, while Dahl Dance will provide Salsa dance instruction in the evening.
3:00pm – 4:00pm – Latin Percussion/Drumming Workshop. Salsa del Soul’s music director, Shai Hayo will lead a percussion workshop for 10 to 12 area musicians. Participation by invitation only. General public is welcome to observe.
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Latin Horn Workshop. Salsa del Soul’s principal trombonist, Scott Agster will lead a workshop 5 to 10 area musicians. Participation by invitation only. General public is welcome to observe.
5:45pm – 6:30pm – Salsa Dancing Workshop. Dahl Dance presents Salsa Lessons. Come down and learn how to salsa dance from Dahl Dance instructors just before the Salsa Dance Party with Salsa del Soul. Wear comfortable shoes/sneakers and dress accordingly as we’ll be dancing in front of the stage.
Sponsors: Riverside Concerts, Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Mayo Clinic, Rochesterfest, Dahl Dance
SALSA DANCE PARTY featuring SALSA DEL SOUL
Rochesterfest Festival Grounds - Soldiers Field Park
Treasure Island Resort & Casino Stage
7:00pm – 8:30pm
Riverside Concerts presents ‘Salsa Del Soul’, a Twin Cities-based 9-piece band that performs various styles of hot Latin dance music, including salsa! Come and join our Salsa Dance Party at Rochesterfest!
Sponsors: Riverside Concerts, Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Mayo Clinic, Rochesterfest, Centerstone Plaza Hotel & Twigs Tavern and Grille
Brought to you by the Friends of Riverside Concerts with additional support by the Mayo Clinic. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support Grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Passport Sessions Lineups
Going to a Passport Show:
Supporters & Partners
Passport Sessions is a City-funded program presented by Rochester Public Music. Our partners play a key role in extending its reach by helping us share performances that spark curiosity, celebrate cultural traditions, and connect communities across Rochester.
2026 sponsorship opportunities are now available. Visit our Supporters & Partners page or email publicmusic@rochestermn.gov to learn more.
2025 Funding Partners
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Grant Support: Thomas X Event
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
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2025 Venue Partner
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Presented in partnership with Thursdays Downtown
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2025 Youth Program Partner
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Host sites for youth concerts through Summer SACC
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