2023 was very exciting indeed!!

We started the year by getting "back out there" and supporting our beloved friends and fellow artists in performances all over the Twin Cities — including beautiful shows by Gary Rue & Leslie Ball, the High 48s, and some great shows at Strike Improv Theatre.

Next, Dennis and Jim hosted a Sweethearts Show at Crooners up in Fridley.  We were thrilled to share the stage with some gorgeous singers, and we even got to perform one of our own songs, "Romance," from Honeywine's newest album.

Speaking of, in May we hosted a CD release event for that CD, A Desert in Bloom (available for purchase here as a CD and here as a digital download).  This unique event featured musical performances by Honeywine vocalists Dorian Chalmers, Dennis Curley, and Becky Schlegel, as well as Honeywine guitarist Gary Rue; we were also joined by special guest Anthony Ihrig, founding member of the Bluegrass band The High 48s and co-host of the hit YouTube show "Back Catalog Listening Party."  Anthony interviewed Honeywine lyricist Jim Robinson and composer Dennis Curley, as well as the other performers.  We talked about the origins of the group, the creative process that went into creating the new songs, and so much more!

Finally, we closed the year strong with our holiday variety show, Spiked!  This year's regular cast once again featured Brave New Workshop alums Jim Robinson, Katy McEwen and Joshua Will plus local sketch comedy and improv favorite Maureen Tubbs, with music from Dennis Curley (The Explainers, Country Roads), Dorian Chalmers (Church Basement Ladies, The Mancini Players), Natalie Nowytski (Orkestar Bez Ime, Follow the Firefly), Scott Keever (The Sweet Colleens, solo artist) and Marc Bohn (Tim Sigler, Jim Stairs Band).  This year we were honored to be joined by guest artists Adrienne O'Shea, Doug Anderson, Tane Danger, Todd Menton, Prudence Johnson, and Lori Dokken with Erin Schwab — what an incredible group!  We also took the show all around the Twin Cities, with performances at the North Garden Theater in St. Paul, Crooners in Fridley, and the Black Forest Inn and Parkway Theater in Minneapolis!

What else?  A ton of shows featuring Dennis and his various bands (check out Dennis' calendar here), plus monthly improv workshops led by Jim!

We can’t wait for 2024 — watch this space!