David Beard Posts

Arts Funds in and to Duluth: Minnesota State Arts Board I

The Minnesota State Arts Board has released the names of the funded programs for 2013. Over the next few days, I’ll post the programs which name Duluth as a site or location. Most of this funding comes from the Legacy Amendment, the sales tax that supports environment, arts and cultural heritage activities.

Pigeons, Poisons and Wildwoods

Wildwoods received what we believe to be a poisoned pigeon (this post is a downer; read at your own risk).  From the staff at Wildwoods:

Graduate Study in the Twin Ports

I am lucky enough to have been declared the director of graduate studies in the Master of Liberal Studies degree at UMD.

It made me think that a guide to local grad programs would be helpful. So I built one. Which programs listed below are you an alumnus from?  And what advice might you have for new students?

Networking, Wine and Cheese

Last night, Kate and I went, as representatives of Wildwoods to the Minnesota Council of Non-Profits Member Appreciation event.

State Fair: New excitement, musty history

It’s almost time for the Minnesota State FairIdaho Nachos, Deep Fried OlivesSynthetic Ice Rinks … all awesome! Duluthians look at me like I’m nuts when I say I secure a hotel room every year and spend 3-4 days at the fair every year. I used to spend 4-6 days, when I lived in St. Paul. I love the fried food, I love Lililan Colton’s crop art.

Roller Derby Results

Last night, at Hodgins Berardo Arena in Coleraine, on the Iron Range, there was roller derby action.

Grand Rapids, which like Duluth now fields two derby teams (the Attackonites and the Iron Range Maidens), struggled valiantly against the dual powerhouses of Harbor City Roller Dames’ Shipwreckers and Nautikills. Last time, I got tagged by the Dames for talking too much trash (c’mon, I grew up watching wrassling, cut me some slack), and I didn’t even see this bout, so I’ll let someone else do color commentary in the comments. Little help, please?

A Day of Art and Craftiness

Saturday was a day of art and craftiness, and I mean that in more than one way.

Calling Bluebird Enthusiasts

If you are in good bluebird habitat, have had bluebirds on your property, and would be willing to help Wildwoods “soft release” four juvenile bluebirds, please email us (duluthrehabber @ yahoo.com) or Facebook message us. Soft release entails offering live mealworms a few times per day and calling the young birds back with a feeding call we will teach you. Please help us transition these birds back to nature. Thanks!

Art at the Zeitgeist

Like Ed Newman, I was at the opening at the Zeitgeist on Wednesday for AJ Atwater. Unlike Ed, I am not a talented writer. So, I link you here to Ed’s account. For myself, I found that the pieces were amazing: they played with my sense of depth. At moments, some of the color seemed to be a rip through the canvas; some of the fields of color seemed to recede into the wall. There is a technical awesomeness to this work.

Lost Cat

Via SirJeff for a friend: Full grown grey tabby cat lost in East Hillside near Sixth Street and 11th Avenue. Answers to Abigail, or friendly voices. Very friendly. Has claws, but are trimmed. No collar. We miss her very much and hope she comes home soon. Any info please call – 218-310-7050.

Split Rock Review

From Crystal S. Gibbins, recent transplant to Duluth:

Split Rock Review is an online magazine founded in the Northwoods of Minnesota in 2012, among log rollers, hikers, anglers, and dawn treaders. Its name is inspired from the historic landmark on Lake Superior’s North Shore.

Local(ish) author Roy C. Booth wins recognition

Novelist and playwright Roy. C. Booth is from Hibbing and still has family there, and he’s the special guest at the 21st annual Diversicon (held in St Paul, MN). Roy will share the stage with Jack McDevitt, Catherine Lundoff, and posthumous guests Cordwainer Smith and Peter Cushing.

Changes to Arrowhead Regional Arts Grants

There are major changes coming in grant funding in the arts in our region. This notice will help explain some of them.

StageNorth comes a wee bit South to Teatro Zuccone

Kate and I have often said that, if there were a suitable academic job there for both of us, we would move in a second to Washburn — halfway between Bayfield/Madeleine Island and Ashland, and so just close enough to wonderful things, but just far enough, away, too, to enjoy the quiet things: the best used bookstore north of Minneapolis and of Madison, one of the best bakeries (although there are so many great bakeries in northwestern Wisconsin, it is hard to choose), a cultural center with antique shops, local arts and crafts, and a gallery space that, among other things, hosted the awesome “No Reservations” exhibit last year. And a DQ. Every small town has a DQ.

Last night, I got a taste of the next best thing in Washburn:  StageNorth Theater.

Where in Duluth? (B)

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!