You know you're a well-loved figure in the Twin Cities music community when they have to turn a little benefit concert in your honor into a full-blown music festival.

That's what is happening with two fundraiser events scheduled in the coming months. One is for Semisonic and New Standards bassist/co-vocalist John Munson, who is recuperating from a stroke. The other is a two-day benefit bonanza to create a grant in memory of superfan and music vlogger Paul Engebretson, aka Front Row Paul, who died of pancreatic cancer at age 68 on March 25.

Here's the info on each of these meaningful bashes.

Munson Fest

When: May 1.

Where: Fitzgerald Theater, 10 E. Exchange St., St. Paul.

First-Avenue.com
Munson Fest is scheduled May 1 at the Fitzgerald Theater to help Semisonic and New Standards bassist John Munson while he recuperates from a stroke.

Who's playing: Chan Poling and Steve Roehm of the New Standards, Aby Wolf, Matt Wilson and his Orchestra, the Dust of Suns, Dylan Hicks, plus "special guests."

Why: Munson, 58, suffered a stroke on Feb. 23 and has been undergoing acute rehabilitation since then to regain speech and motor skills. One of the hardest-gigging musicians in town — the acts on the bill are all ones he regularly performs with — he has been left without his main income.

Tickets: $25-$45, axs.com.

Front Row Paul Fest

When: May 31 & June 1.

Where: Palmer's Bar (patio and inside), 500 Cedar Av., Mpls.

Who's playing: Who isn't playing?! Sixty-some acts have lined up for the two-day event, including the Shackletons, the Hypstrz, the Silent Treatment, Melismatics, Mood Swings, Belfast Cowboys, Cindy Lawson, Robert Wilkinson, High on Stress, Mad Mojo Jett, Zeppo, Katy Vernon, Bev, Products Band, the Silverteens, 99ers and the musician/booker lining up all this talent, Christy Costello. Engebretson was literally a known fan of all of them.

Why: A grant is being set up in Front Row Paul's honor to pay for studio time once per year for a rising band at Flowers Studio, whose founder Ed Ackerson of Polara fame also died of pancreatic cancer in 2019. In addition to the nonstop barrage of live music, a silent auction also will be held for the good cause (donations to which are being invited).

Tickets: No advance tickets; you have to show up early, like Front Row Paul always did (noon start each day). A $10 minimum donation will be requested. More info on the Facebook event page.