Good Luck to Paul and Steph!

Dancing @ Norway Hall, Duluth, MN – 30 Dec 2011

More similar photos here.

Twenty-four original bands starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. See the schedule on the PDD Calendar or at the Beaner’s Central website.

Winter thunder needs no rain.
A harbor view shows its maker plain.

Doe anyone got deets on snow cover outside Finland? I’m heading into the woods for the day on Sunday. Yak Trax, snowshoes or both?

This summer I took the folks out west to visit family and began what I hope may become a growing gallery on PDD. Shots of the PDD sticker/logo and where it has traveled (or been spotted).

The Mount Rushmore shots turned out ok ….

Perfect Duluth Day sighting at Mount Rushmore

But it’s the accidental pictures with the roaming, wild asses that turned out to be even more of a treat for me.

Wild Ass PDD Sighting, South Dakota

Now, who’s got some more?

Minnesota’s only living Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, Duluth’s Mike Colalillo, died last night.

My wife and I have been throwing around the idea of a bathroom remodel. I’ve been on the hunt for a clawfoot tub that won’t break the bank and I think I’ve found one. Of course, I’ll need to inspect it personally with my “keen” sense of quality, but if all goes well, I may very well buy it. The photo and description indicate a need for refinishing. I’m wondering if anyone around Duluth has tackled this on their own and has some advice on a budget friendly solution or if anyone has had a local company refinish one for them (prices?). Any other advice or warnings would be great as well. Thanks!

Greetings from the Homegrown Music Festival steering committee! The Winter Fiasco kicks off 2012′s Homegrown: The Apocalypse band registration, which runs January 15 – February 15. Band registration is online only (unless you’re Jim Hall). Also, Prøve Gallery is hosting a Duluth / Superior rawk poster art show during the Fiasco. If you have art you would like to display, please contact Richard Hansen: richard [at] soundunseen [dot] com. Spanks!

January in Duluth is fast approaching (a refresher on what that project will be)! As always, twenty-four short hours at a time. During the month, I’ll be posting on PDD regularly to ask for suggestions/recommendations/answers, as this seems like the exact right place for Duluth-related ideas. In fact, I’d like to start the project with your input.

I’ll be driving to Duluth on Jan. 1 and 1/2/12 will be my first full day in town. So, rather than begin with an obvious orientation hitting the most major landmarks/places/people, on that day, I’m hoping to start the project a little backward — with experiences that are hidden/concealed/secret/obscured. Experiences you recommend.

Whatever your favorite Duluth-minutia happens to be, I want in (whatever you’re willing to share, of course). Whether it be a quiet conversation with a person that represents Duluth perfectly or a favorite car dealership jingle or a quiet, tucked away street with familiar houses or a hilarious joke scratched in a restaurant’s bathroom stall. Be an expert of your own trivia. I just have one request — I don’t mind climbing fences, chatting my way into a back room, or any of that, but I’d prefer that I can reach your suggestion without trespassing (too blatantly).

I’ll do my best to try out as many suggestions as possible on 1/2/12 and record the results. Thanks in advance!

(You can also just e-mail me anytime at <januaryinduluth @ gmail.com> with any suggestions on anything else I should be checking out while I’m around. The website will be coming very shortly too!)

This looks like fun. Some friends of mine are going. Deadline is on the horizon! –db (more…)

From the Star Tribune: “Why are we more boozy?”

“Many residents in the Upper Midwest are descendants of northern Europeans, and that’s an area of heavy alcohol consumption,” said Peter Nathan, a professor at the University of Iowa who has been studying alcohol use patterns and effects for more than 40 years. “The long, cold winters keep people inside more than in other parts of the country, so that contributes, as well.”

• The sign is up at Tycoons Alehouse and Eatery and a New Year’s Eve opening is planned with Cry on Cue playing.
• The Zeitgeist Arts Café is opening for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. starting Jan. 1. Signature drinks including bloody Marys made with bacon-infused vodka will be available. In step with the brunch at the café is a new series of Saturday morning family movies at Zinema 2. The first one is 1979′s The Muppet Movie on Jan. 7 at 10:30 a.m.
• Ledge Rock Grille in Larsmont has a new Carribean menu on Thursday nights.
• The old Italian Village in West Duluth is now Gannucci’s Italian Market. It has expanded into the neighboring space and now includes a pizzeria. (See below.)

I woke up this morning with a jingle in my head from a certain collision center on Haines Road. Infectiously annoying, toe-tappingly fun to sing along in the car or shower type of song… So can anyone with musical inclinations or a better understanding of the animal nature of the brain tell me why the Arrowhead Autobody song is so ear wormy?

“Don’t just call anybody!”

The Homegrown Music Festival seeks 2011 festival photos for the 2012 Field Guide. For more information and where to send CDs, email: adam [at] transistormag [dot] com. No watermarks, please. Thank you!

(more…)

The electronic dance music scene in Duluth has been growing for years. There are many local organizations that are aiming to bring electronic dance music to the masses, and work with the city to provide unique nightlife entertainment. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact DS @ FreqLabs.com, or “Friend” us on Facebook at DS Frequency.
(more…)

This morning at a meeting among Perfect Duluth Day’s owners, it was decided to change PDD’s commenting policy. Effective immediately, only PDD members may comment on posts. New commenters must join PDD and log in to make comments. This is not in response to any particular situation, but rather a change we have been contemplating for quite some time. We believe it will improve the website in the long run.

It sounds harsher and more dramatic than it actually is. For those who are currently without a PDD membership, registering is a simple, easy process. All current members will simply be prompted to log in before commenting.

Feel free to ask questions, whine like a baby, or celebrate the new policy in the comments below. After registering and/or logging in of course.

Discovered on a late afternoon walk.

Free download at spinoutrecords.com.

Saturday is New Year’s Eve and there are tons of events going on around Duluth to ring in the New Year. Some of the highlights: The Peking Acrobats are joined by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Dubh Linn hosts a New Year’s Ball with magicians, djs, fire dancers, prizes and more. Twenty five original acts take the stage at Beaner’s New Year’s Eve All Day Bash starting at 7 a.m. Dirty Horse, The Black Eyed Snakes, and The Acceleratii play at R.T.’s. Looking to end the year laughing? The Teatro is holding a New Year’s Night of Comedy with a special show, improv and more.

Monday, Dec. 26
It’s the Last Night of the Bentleyville Tour so pack the kids up and head down for the last time. There will also be a fireworks display at 6:30.

Thursday, Dec. 29
Presently Skyward and Sleep Until Morning encourage audience members to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters at their show at Amazing Grace. Walt Dizzo hosts a 5-hour Year End Special on 91.3 FM KUWS featuring the best songs from 2011.

Friday, Dec. 30
The long-awaited and highly controversial Marc Gartman Ween show plays at Pizza Luce.

Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your nightly and New Year’s Eve needs.

This will be the first Christmas I won’t be spending in Duluth since I moved there with my family in December 1991, and I’m missing it so. I’ll never forget how much snow there was that year! Growing up in Duluth shaped me in so many ways, from the way I treat my fellow man, to the water I drink (nothing compares to dear Superior), to the music I listen to and write.

This is an original Christmas song I wrote that makes me think of and miss our fair Zenith City. I figured if I couldn’t be there, I’d share it with the city that made me. I hope this finds you all with lots of snow and love. Listen, download, share, and please enjoy.
Lamps by Adam LeBlanc
“Lamps” by Adam LeBlanc

I drove down Tower Avenue in Superior today and saw the sign for Kenny Wong’s Oriental Express was gone! Instead, it says there is some sort of hibachi place coming soon.

Did Kenny Wong’s go out of business, or is it changing to a new format? They had some great food there, and as a former employee, I’d like to know what’s going on!

Here’s an interesting read from the Sept. 25, 1921 Duluth News Tribune.

(more…)

Twin-Cities based Seven & Sixty Productions is working on a video featuring contributed footage that captures “what is truly unique about winter in Minnesota.” If you like shooting snowflakes and pond hockey and whatnot and want to contribute, read the guidelines.

Merry Christmas From The Hog Damage Collective and The Clubhouse recording studio!

The Hog Damage Collective Presents: Christmas at The Clubhouse

The Duluth News Tribune reports that Duluth East graduate and former WDIO photojournalist Bryan Koop directed photography on this little project.

Hit YouTube video of Twin Cities flash mob was directed by Duluth East grad

Thanks to all the pagan drummers and bonfire tenders, the sun came back up this morning. From Park Point, it was rising right over the mouth of the Amnicon River. Where was your solstice sunrise?

Here are a few musings on the topic.

Happy winter!

Last night I stumbled on a fun article at BobDylan.com and wrote a bit a-bout-it at Ennyman’s Territory.

For what it’s worth, if you still don’t have Dylan’s Christmas in the Heart, 100% goes to charitable causes. Here’s my review of this CD from when it was introduced in 2010.

Meantime, may everyone in Duluth have a bit of Christmas in their hearts this year … and Let It Snow.

MPR: $300M initiative to clean up Great Lakes

Congress has approved $300 million to continue a multiyear program aimed at fixing some of the Great Lakes’ most severe environmental problems. Some of the money is expected to benefit Lake Superior and Duluth.

Check out my new video, and come see Hobo Nephews this Friday at the Rex with Two Many Banjos.