“Spontaneous moments of raucous musical joy” is literally the ERB tagline and it’s hard to think of a moment more spontaneous or joyful than this chance encounter with the beautiful newlyweds @a.summer.grove and @joshuaflowgrove at the @maydayminneapolis parade last weekend. So glad the SousaCam was rolling!
*record scratch* You’re probably wondering how we ended up in this situation…
In the 17-year history of the Extraordinary Rendition Band, we’ve played in a whole lot of parades. We’ve also crashed a few weddings. But we had never done both at the same time — until this weekend.
This is Summer and Joshua. These lovebirds got married Sunday morning on their way to the Minneapolis Mayday festival. They and their friends slotted in right behind us in the parade. So ERB became their wedding band over their walk down the aisle to Powderhorn Park!
There was already magic in the air throughout the Mayday festival, but getting to play for and dance with the happy couple was truly a highlight of our trip to Minnesota.
Congratulations, @a.summer.grove and @joshuaflowgrove ! And thank you @worksamplethis for sharing these amazing shots of the citywide wedding reception!
Our first event of the weekend in Minnesota was the May Day workers’ march for labor rights and against ICE. (Not to be confused with the city’s Mayday parade a couple days later.)
It’s one thing to hear about the passion and solidarity of activists in the city. It’s another to spend a few hours living it.
Thank you to the parade organizers for inviting us to be part of the march, to the people of the Twin Cities for your courage and strength, and to our friends and parade-mates in @forwardmarchingband for spending the afternoon jamming with us in the streets!
First two photos courtesy of @gyslandphotography
I captured some video clips as well from yesterday’s May Day Parade in Minneapolis, it really did feel special and so positive - everyone there was feeling the energy. There’s been so much positive feedback and love from the images I posted yesterday (thank you 🙏🏼). However, there was a lot of negativity as well, mostly on Facebook, which is where the trolls reside, I guess. It boggles the mind that someone can view these images and not feel a sense of joy. A sense that together, as a people, regardless of sex, race, age…whatever, that we’re all connected and striving towards making this world a better place.
Look, here’s the thing, haters are gonna hate - that’s something everyone, throughout history has dealt with, but love and compassion will win out, it always does. Ignore the hate, instead know that you all are on the right side of history - particularly here in Minneapolis. Keep doing what you’re doing folks, truly you are an inspiration to so many. #minneapolis #mayday #maydayparade
Wow.
Today we woke up back in Rhode Island after a truly transformative weekend in Minnesota.
We will have much more to say, share, and reflect on in the coming days after our experiences at the MinneHONK! and Mayday festivities, but for now, we want to thank @minnehonk_fest , @brasssolidarity , and the good people of Minneapolis for welcoming us into your community and modeling the virtues of kindness, generosity, and solidarity.
The Extraordinary Rendition Band from Providence, RI, mesmerizing the crowd with cool funky chops at May Day Parade in Minneapolis. @erbband #maydayparade #mplsmayday2026 #minneapolis #whosestreetsourstreets
