Art
Make Art, Protect Water
Last year, a group of musicians came together in Duluth to record a compilation album titled Industry. Peace. Environment. to raise awareness about sulfide mining and the permanent changes that upcoming decisions could have on the landscape they love. The album features original recordings by Charlie Parr, Snöbarn, the Murder of Crows and many others. The Arrowhead Story, a collective of creative folks interested in sharing the stories of land in Northern Minnesota, is issuing a call for art to adorn the album. Submissions can be in any medium, and should reflect a theme of tension between nature and industrial development. The submission deadline is June 27. For details and submission information, contact Deanna at everyrivertothesea (at) gmail.com.
The Industry. Peace. Environment. album release party will be on Sept. 7, with a pre-release show at Beaner’s Central on July 20.
Does Crispin Glover’s film It is Fine! Everything is Fine romanticize the rape and torture of women?
In the wake of the screening of Crispin Glover’s film, “It is Fine! Everything is Fine,” as part of the Duluth/Superior Film Festival last weekend – a film that romanticizes a man’s explicit sexual fantasies of the rape and torture of women – I have some questions for progressive Duluthians who were there and for our community as a whole.
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Firebrick?
I’m trying to locate some firebrick in town for an outdoor oven project I’m constructing. The best kind would be free, but I would be willing to pay a small amount for any straits that you may have laying around from that fireplace project or whatnot. I can certainly make good use outta used or slightly damaged bricks, granted they have at least one good side that I can put face up. I have made calls to several places around town, but would really just like to find a person around who has more than they need and wouldn’t mind me taking some (18) off of their hands. I’ll have you over for pizza when its constructed! Thanks in advance!
Board Openings at ARAC
The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council has several openings on its board of directors. It is seeking applications from individuals who reside in Cook County, Koochiching County, Duluth, as well as one or two at-large representatives, and possibly one college student liaison.
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What is North by North?
Can someone tell me what North by North is? (more…)
Great Gatsby got his start in Duluth
The blockbuster movie remake of Fitgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, doesn’t mention Duluth … but the book does (chapter VI). Check it out on Jim Heffernan’s Blog.
Lake Superior Writers 2013 writing contest winners announced
Lake Superior Writers is pleased to announce the winners of its 2013 Open Theme Writing Contest. The winners and their entries are:
Kathleen Roberts, poetry: “American Dream,” “The Fisherman” and “The Soldier”
Jill Hinners, short-short fiction: “Tending”
Jim Brakken, creative nonfiction: “Justice.” Also, Brakken is the author of The Treasure of Namakagon, a fact-based 1883 lumberjack adventure available at badgervalley.com, amazon.com, and many museums and shops in the northland. (more…)
Serenity Rings: A Custom Chainmaille Accessories Shoppe
Hello! This is a quick invitation for folks to explore my new Kickstarter project. We are looking to fund the new “North Woods Collection,” in which are five classic weaves of stainless steel chainmaille jewelry.
If you love chainmaille as much as we do you can check out my new ETSY online shoppe. For instant gratification, we have several items available in EG steel at the moment.
If you secretly harbor chainmaille desires, send me a PM and we’ll do what we can to fulfill your chainmaille fantasies. Thanks for exploring this project!
Encounter with the Ennyman
Ed Newman interviews several local artists and writers a month at his blog, Ennyman’s Territory. So I thought I’d return the favor. (more…)
Giant steps are what you take … walking home from Opera on the Moon
This was my first English-language opera. I’ve attended other operas (Kate is a fan of Verdi, and that is the limit of my opera experience, lots of Verdi), but I’d never been to an opera where I understood what was going on without a teletype screen.
And I loved it. (more…)
Tremont Hotel
Poem by Sheila Packa; video by Kathy McTavish.
PDD Banners
On June 29 PDD will be awarding $100 to the person who submits the best new banner. Everyone who has submitted one since Jan. 1 will be eligible. Pre-2013 banners will be pulled from rotation on June 29, but will be kept in archival storage and maintained by nice librarians with white cotton gloves at Google Plus. Banners from 2005-2009 can be found here.
We’re also looking for new Homegrown banners. Those submissions will be eligible for the same $100 prize. For full details on banner submissions, click here. The basic info is the image must be 960 pixels wide by 167 pixels high. The Perfect Duluth Day logo will be added by PDD’s art department. Send them to banners @ perfectduluthday.com
Poetry Motel’s Don’t Know Shit
Patrick McKinnon’s Poetry Motel released Don’t Know Shit on Bandcamp the other day.
Perfect Duluth Sound
The “Lake Superior ice sheets breaking at Brighton Beach” post reminded me how much I want some clean recordings of the amazing things the lake does with its ice. Does anyone in our PDD community have some field recording gear (418, 702 or the like)? And would this person be willing to head out on a sound hunt for these phenomena? We could barter some of my recordings or work something out. That crazy ice stuff just doesn’t happen in Seattle. I was back in Duluth in December with gear, but the conditions weren’t right. Here’s hoping…
Merch Madness
Kate and I walked downtown for Merch Madness and we found some friendly shopkeepers, some great deals, and some yummy food. (more…)
Magic Smelt Workshops
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The smelt are coming!
The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe is pleased to announce the opening of our 2013 Smelt Run Puppet Parade workshop, at 134 W. 1st St, between Pineapple Arts and Bella Flora! (more…)
Everyone in the arts was out last night
There were openings at Ochre Ghost, Washington Gallery, and Prøve. I spent the night at Prøve listening to Snöbarn.
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Local artist is IFP new media finalist
Catherine Meier, new media artist and local filmmaker, is a finalist for the Independent Filmmaker Project New Media Project Grant. Only one of these is awarded for the whole state. (more…)
4x photo submission deadline extended
The 4x (meaning “4 by” as in 4×6 print, or 4×26 print) exhibit at the Duluth Photography Institute has extended the deadline for its call for submissions until Monday, March 4. This exhibit is open to everyone. Just attach your 4xsomething print to a stiff backing, put your name and contact info on the back, and drop it off or mail it to the DPI. We are accepting drop-offs on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m., and Monday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more important details, please see the “Events” page of the DPI website or call Brian at 218.393.2468.
Duluth Art Institute seeking volunteers
If you love art and want to get involved in your community, why not become a Duluth Art Institute volunteer? The DAI is currently seeking individuals to assist in its galleries and to help out with its docent program. Visit the website to learn how you can help out.
Claire Stewart – “Duluth, My Home Town”
A nifty animation by Dave and Jean Kirwan set to a 1961 jingle about our fair city. This took first place in the 2013 Playground Short Shorts Film Festival this weekend.
An official Magic Smelt transmission
Last week, Neptune was spotted by a PDD contributor making various proclomations. If you were wondering what was up, it’s this video. The Magic Smelt Puppet Troupe has launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise money to put on free workshops for people to build puppets, masks and costumes for the Smelt Parade on April 21st.
The Kidnappers Foil: 1938 Duluth Footage
Starting in the 1930s, Melton Barker traveled across the United States filming The Kidnappers Foil for the next 40 years. No, he did not take this long to film one movie, instead he filmed the same movie in every town that he visited, perhaps hundreds of times. I’m not sure if this was part of a “home movie” business plan, or if he was ripping people off with promises of fame, but nonetheless, it’s now part of movie history.
In 1938, he stopped by Duluth to film, and though the main film is missing, there are two scenes featuring Duluthians. Maybe you have a famous grandparent and never knew it? (more…)
David Bowen exhibit at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Duluth mixed-media artist and associate professor at UMD David Bowen has his “Underwater 2013” exhibit on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts. (more…)
Sea creature proclaims smelt cometh
I saw a commercial being made for the upcoming Smelt Festival while walking in Canal Park today. The sea creature character was booming out a pretty funny pronouncement from the Smelt Queen promising puppetry, puppet making and smelt-y fun in exchange for funding.
It’s stuff like this that makes me love this town.