Local musicians coming together to celebrate the songbook of Bob Dylan

The times might be a'changing, but love for Bob Dylan is written in stone. For the last few years, Rochester musicians have marked Dylan’s birthday with a celebration of his music, and this year, the event moves from out of a basement and into a palace. Or at least a castle.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, May 24, Castle Community, 121 N Broadway, will host the fourth annual Bob Dylan Birthday Tribute.

The evening is slated to feature roughly 20 area musicians performing their renditions of Dylan songs. It’s a chance to hear re-imagined classics, as well as local artists stretching their stylistic boundaries — and occasionally collaborating — to pay homage to the Minnesota icon.

This year’s lineup features plenty of sonic diversity. My Grandma’s Cardigan will likely infuse a Dylan song with rich harmonies, while Mike Terrill, who plays under the moniker Fires of Denmark, might adapt a Dylan song for synthesizer. Other acts, like Tony Cuchetti, JT Thompson, and Becca Tesch, will have their own takes, too.

According to local musician and event organizer Jeremy Jewell, the sound system, stage, and lighting rigs at Castle Community will elevate the event to a new level — one befitting the legacy of Dylan.

“In my opinion Bob Dylan is one of the most important figures in popular music,” Jewell told us. “Right up there with Elvis, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, and the Beatles.”

Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. They can be purchased through My Town My Music.

Bryan Lund covers politics and culture for Med City Beat.