Jim Richardson (aka Lake Superior Aquaman)
Tons of People’s Free Skate Rink Freakout Footage
Video by Lane R. Ellis
Going out today to rebuild the rink
This week will be cold but relatively free of precipitation, so any rinkspace recovered will likely survive a few days. It looks like a blasted moonscape out there right now, but a couple hours of shoveling will uncover the byways of our lost civilization, that culture of pure leisure we established whose spirit survives. (more…)
People’s Free Skate Rink
Tomas Soderberg’s video scrapbook from the People’s Free Skate Rink on Saturday. This event was the culmination of a rolling 7-day spontaneous party on foot-thick ice over 40-foot-deep water. Featuring DJ Kevin Craig, in a set he shared with Pete Biasi / Raw Space. Footage includes the snowy owl that buzzed us in the final frames.
Today’s a great day to skate the biggest lake in the world
Photo by Jon Choi
The People’s Free Skate Rink on the ice sheet near Leif Erikson Park is still open and fabulous, but the weather’s turning the next couple days so take advantage today-tomorrow while you definitely still can. I think you’ll like what we’ve done with the place, an ice maze of islands and slollums. Don’t need skates, just come bask in the view of the city and the sky. After dark the snow turns pink in the city lights, a premier hangout for the adventurous. See you there!
Return of the People’s Free Skate Rink
Max Moen and I did this once before in 2014. This will be open as long as weather permits maintaining it. It is on Lake Superior directly off Leif Erickson Park from the stage, about a quarter mile. It is marked with orange cones which hopefully no one will eff with. Ice is around a foot thick, you could drive a train on it. This is the premier skate course in town, a hundred feet long with many twisty paths. Even if you don’t have skates, it is a great excuse for a party. Bring bikes, kites, beach chairs, flags, capes, etc.
A Walk on the Lake and the Things We Saw
Lake Superior Aquaman reporting. Co-starring my buddy Meghan AKA The Meg
Tried Skating to Wisconsin
Made it to 35th before impassable stacks of plate ice.
Jerree Small and Marc Gartman sing the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down” at Sir Ben’s
Forgive the bar noise. Summer 2018
Jim Richardson is Dead: Long Live Lake Superior Aquaman
Just kidding, I’m not really dead. But it has been a summer without an Aquaman. Some might call me Lake Superior Absentman. I’m sorry I went dark for a while. After several years of spending nearly every summer day at the water’s edge, this summer I barely touched it. There are many reasons why and the PDD community is the place to unpack them.
Interview with the Richardson Brothers
Ryan Welles interviewed the Richardson brothers today on his “True Stories and Other Damage” podcast. In it, we detail the history of how we got to Duluth 20 years ago, and provide an overview of the creative projects we have been involved with here, from Gonzo Science to Mr. Nice to Lake Superior Aquaman. Other topics include our perennial concerns of psychedelics, UFOs, Dadaism, and several things in between.
Five-star Customer Review of Richardson Brothers Duluth-based Amazon Kindle Book
Thought you should know about this. We published a novella on Kindle a while back and this review just appeared. The novella is Menno Zwonk: Amish Outlaw, which we excerpted in the Transistor over the course of several years:
This hyperfantastic shitstorm of a story will make about as much sense as anything in 2018 without the frightening public policy implications. Filled like an overflowing park garbage can on Memorial Day weekend with biologic catastrophes, double and triple crossing henchmen, some forgivable juvenalia, ungodly sea mutants, Duluth references, and hope in the form of ecoterrorist lesbians, the Meatco minions can’t possibly know who really works for who as experiments become kill triggers plowing through law enforcement and launching giant lamprey. Can’t wait for Book Two.
Superior Siren – “Nightmare”
From the new self-titled Superior Siren album. Production and cinematography by Killy Kay.
Lake Superior Aquaman’s Duluth
[arve url=”https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=13xUzaotRXCX4Q5tX_01IiJbDvUmJEYW5&hl=en”]
Explore this interactive map for the bounty of our Northlandic Atlantis. Containing hundreds of photos, video and links, this is a virtual tour of the area with a focus on water, wildlife, history, and recreation.
“Rock Star in My Living Room”
Duluth’s MRS (Moriah Robyn Skye), who also plays in the band Paper Parlor. This impromptu selection from her original rock opera is called “Sordid Affairs.” Videoed in Chris Homan’s living room by Jim Richardson. Moriah’s next gig is at Sir Ben’s on December 22nd.
Lake Superior Aquaman Interview on DNT’s Pressroom Podcast
In which I field a bunch of excellent questions.
I have taken the liberty of transcribing this, below the fold.
Fish Cam: Meditation Mix
Nearly an hour of long underwater camera shots, with the natural water sounds which folks find so soothing about this footage. Fish occasionally swim through. Also a couple mergansers towards the end. Put this on, go make some tea, and chill.
Nat Harvie Trio – “Nat Harvie’s Birthday”
Directed by Caitlin Nielson. Crowdfunding campaign info at indiegogo.com.
Shrooming in Duluth’s Lake Place Park
A notable fairy ring of large white puffballs, ending with the biggest ‘shroom I’ve ever seen, bigger than a basketball or a human head. Lake Place Park.
The Weird Thing
What is… The Weird Thing? It can be seen bobbing up and down in the water just off Duluth’s Lakewalk, between Fitger’s and the Vietnam Memorial. Could it be… the 125-year-old ruins of Duluth’s first breakwater wall? Spoiler Alert: (more…)
SUP Yoga on Lake Superior
I teamed up with Padma Yoga teacher Emily Ostos to make this. Stand Up Paddleboard supplied by Duluth SUP.