April 2012 - Page 7 of 118 - Perfect Duluth Day

Twin Ports Arts Align

Apr 10, 2012 2 Comments

Last night I spent a few hours in the boardroom of the Duluth Art Institute, where artists, representatives of arts organizations, and hangers on like myself met to talk about ways to better align local arts. The result, Twin Ports Arts Align, is a group that is 85 percent energy so far — a webpage, a Gmail account, a Facebook page, all set up by Crystal Pelkey of Zeitgeist and an engine behind Nerd Nite — with Kristin Duckart of the DAI.

What would you want to see in a group whose primary mission would be the support and facilitation of local art? So much of the work is just getting the key players to the table; Arts Align should just be applauded for getting us this far. What is next? I’m thinking they need someone to get their hands dirty — about 1-2 PR interns. What steps would you like to see next?

Art

Racism in East Hillside

Apr 10, 2012 16 Comments

I am working on an investigative piece right now on racism in the East Hillside and I want to hear peoples opinions on it. Do you think racism is an issue in Duluth’s East Hillside? Have you seen it firsthand or experienced it yourself? I recently talked to someone who had seen an act of racism on the DTA. Has anyone else witnessed racism on the DTA?

Random

Trampled by Turtles – “Alone”

Apr 10, 2012 12 Comments

The new Trampled by Turtles video premiered on the Country Music Channel. This was really a pleasure to see, both as a Duluthophile and a music lover. Our boys just keep getting bigger (and better). “World Premiere” music videos surely don’t have the same appointment television mystique that they did back in the early 80s on MTV, but still. This is cool.

Dave Simonett’s MN tattoo and various Duluth scenes and landscapes all have uncredited cameos. Feel free to do the “Where in Duluth?” game on them. I could only figure out a couple on my own.

Music, Videos Trampled by Turtles

Duluth SoundCloud Sampler

Apr 10, 2012 1 Comment

What locally relevant new songs on SoundCloud are you liking? Here are a few finds.

Bull Feathers — “Shake” (Cougar Conley and the Virgin Marcus!)

Haroula Rose — “Duluth” (Mason Jennings cover)

Film festival seeking volunteers

Apr 09, 2012 No Comments

Do you like film, music and art? How about free tickets to movies, bands and art exhibits?

The Duluth Superior Film Festival (formerly Sound Unseen International Duluth) is looking for volunteers. The festival runs May 30 through June 3, 2012 and consists of film, music, and art events.

Where in Duluth?

Apr 09, 2012 6 Comments

Random Where in Duluth?

This week: pylons, quirky history, silent films and beer

Apr 09, 2012 4 Comments

You know what they say about there being two seasons in Minnesota. And if winter is over, it must be road construction season. The I-35 Mega Project returns and the city is doing work on Kenwood Avenue and 46th Avenue West. Start remembering all of your alternate routes.

Sarah Vowell (writer, radio personality, and voice of Violet from The Incredibles) is speaking at Mitchell Auditorium.

Also at St. Scholastica is a free silent movie film fest showing Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis.

The noir play, A Steady Rain, opens at the Teatro Zuccone featuring the very talented Zachary Stofer and Scott Mallace.

And, oh yeah, beer. The Gitchee Gumee Brewfest is back at Wessman Arena.

So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know!

Events

Duluth and Isle Royale, c. 1933

Apr 08, 2012 9 Comments

A film of Duluth and a trip to Isle Royale by my Grandpa Henry.

Videos Aerial Lift Bridge, Great Lakes Ships and Shipping Industry, Incline Railway, Isle Royale

It’s interesting, but is it art?

Apr 08, 2012 No Comments

Portrait of Joyce (Blue View)

Art history has taken us into some very interesting and sometimes strange terrains and spaces these past 150 years. What’s amazing is how much pop culture has been influenced by fringe and almost unknown artists in terms of the wider public, just as our clothing fashions are influenced by events that took place last year on a runway in Paris.

Kozy Fire III: The Building That Refused to Burn (Down).

Apr 07, 2012 9 Comments

What’s up with people trying to burn down the Kozy? Anyway, I wasn’t all that surprised to come upon the eerily familiar site of firetrucks flanking the decrepit shell of our beloved Kozy last night. In retrospect: WTF??? Does anyone else think that restoring the property (NOT to its 2010 condition, silly!!), and making it a hub for the new/improved, swinging (yet still fringe) First St. business district is a good idea? Bring on the snide remarks (Constructive comments are also welcome.).

News and Current Affairs Pastoret Terrace / Kozy Apartments and Bar

The Fractals – “Car Farmer”

Apr 07, 2012 1 Comment

Live on the PlayList, April 5.

Music, Videos The Fractals, The PlayList, WDSE-TV - PBS North

Zoo Animal on the Local on KUMD

Apr 07, 2012 No Comments

Zoo Animal was on the Local this past Wednesday, performing some tunes and talking with DJ E about preparing for their performance providing the score for The Passion of Joan of Arc at Zinema 2 (second show is tonight at 7). Listen to the podcast here.

Events, Music

So it begins … again

Apr 06, 2012 11 Comments

The Homegrown Field Guide arrived today! They will be distributed over the next week to all of your favorite venues and local businesses. An online copy will be available shortly.

Music, Recommendations Homegrown Music Festival

The DAI needs your beans

Apr 06, 2012 1 Comment

Does anyone have beanbag chairs they want to loan the Duluth Art Institute for a couple months? We’re serious, even though this photo makes it look like we are not.

(FYI, image Google search “bean bag chairs” and you will find some delightful internet memes waiting to happen)

Art

Is this Heaven?

Apr 06, 2012 24 Comments

Eight months or so ago I woke from my first nights stay in Duluth and slipped quietly down to the sand beach of Minnesota Point. Coffee in hand, sun gently coming up, and that now-familiar hum of the city in the background, I was excited to begin learning about my new hometown. And there in the wet sand, was etched “Is this Heaven?”

As a matter of fact I do earnestly believe in divine intervention and communication, and I took this message to me as a personal directive to find the answer to that question.

Eight months later I am still working on it. My heaven is not perfect, but it is generally a kind and gentle place. It is concerned for the weakest of inhabitants, and also for the Earth that we all share. For the most part it is clean and respectful and welcomes all.

I continue my quest to answer that question by joining the PDD community for what I believe to be some of the most important research of Duluth to date. Thanks for having me.

Uncategorized Sappy

April 2012 Posts