Art
Extra! Extra!
Hey there – have you ever dreamed of being an extra in an independent film? Well here’s your chance! 4 Track Films is currently shooting a new romantic comedy entitled The Life Of Riley and we’re looking for folks to come out this Sunday night (3am-10am) for a club scene we will be shooting at RT Quinlan’s. There will be music, merriment and a state of the art Red One camera to ogle. If interested please call 218.336.1372 or email [email protected].
Can Someone Please Explain to Me…
why if you want to see Sweeney Todd, or any Playground performance, you can’t buy tickets in advance? Oh wait, you CAN buy tickets in advance online but you have to pay a $2.50 convenience fee per ticket. Wouldn’t it be more convenient to skip the fee and just sell tickets in advance at the door?
I really just don’t get why every other theater in town can sell tickets in advance but the Playground insists on using this odd system.
So, really, can anyone explain this to me? Because I don’t get it.
The Great American Trailer Park Musical

Joyful and unashamedly vulgar, The Great American Trailer Park Musical has been called South Park meets Desperate Housewives, and Jerry Springer set to music by theater critics around the country. (more…)
Ride the Rubber Chicken Charter to Applefest this October!

On Saturday, October 3, make it a beautiful fall day of crunchy apples and corny jokes as KUWS Radio and Rubber Chicken Theater invite you to ride in style to Applefest in Bayfield aboard the Rubber Chicken Charter.
The Rubber Chicken Charter will leave from Wessman Arena on the campus of UWS at 11:00am, and gets back to Superior at 10:30pm. There will be plenty of time in beautiful Bayfield to enjoy the sights and sounds of Applefest, then, at 5:00pm, you will be in the audience for the LIVE broadcast of The Rubber Chicken Radio Hour. The show will be performed smack dab in the middle of Applefest, right on the main stage. The show will feature local musicians from Big Top Chautauqua, a Brett Favre apple sketch or two, and other fun surprises.
Cost to ride the Rubber Chicken Charter is just $20. Seating is limited, so reserve your spot today by contacting Kim Gustafson at KUWS Radio ([email protected], 715-394-8530). Credit cards are accepted.
Renegade Duluth makes “the Network”
I had given up on much Duluth art being discussed ever on MPR, after forever of hearing the Pioneer Press’ Dominic Papatola’s eye-rolling, painfully self-conscious weekly host chats, (yes, “host chat” a la Regis and Kelly, only if you added a condescending air to their blather). But then they added this interesting feature “Art Hounds” which is a great step in the right direction, only they’re very Twin Cities centric, as is standard for “the Network.” THEN, today I heard a familiar voice: Lucie Amundson, who is (if I’m not mistaken) a PDD and/or Park Point regular. Haven’t heard her on the “network” since election day. They should use her more. Good work, Lucie. Would love to hear you do stories in person sometime!
https://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2009/08/13/art-hounds/?refid=0
She talks about the new renegade theater show, hopefully there is a link there ^ and you can click and listen …
Opens This Thursday!

Music & Lyrics by William Finn
Book by William Finn and James Lapine
Directed by Andy Bennett (more…)
Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy
When: Thursday, August 20, 2009
Where: Superior High School
2600 Catlin Ave.
Superior, WI
Time: Doors open at 7:00
Tickets: $5 donation at the door
Brought to you by CHOICE, unlimited.
Romeo and Juliet’s Tragic Comedy is an outreach production by the BOLD-choice Theatre Company (Battling Obstacles Living with Disabilities). The production reveals the abilities and talents of persons living with disabilities to audiences, opening new channels for dialogue and providing a venue to “talk” across barriers.
For more information visit www.choiceunlimited.org or call the Arts Program Coordinator, Annie Roseen, at 218-724-5869
Glensheen Festival of Fine Art and Craft
Glensheen’s 15th Annual Festival of Fine Art and Craft takes place on Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
More than 80 artists, free admission, free parking, and a free shuttle bus from UMD
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Thursday through Saturday, August 6 through 22, 2009 – 7:30pm
Tickets: $15 available at the door beginning at 6:00pm
Or purchase advance tickets online starting July 23, 2009
Sweeney’s waiting. I want you bleeders.

Aurora Baer at Carmody
Every Tuesday 9:00 -1:00 pm. Folk, blues and jazz performed with vocals, guitar and harmonica. Come check it out!
Duluth Art Institute Space Talk Tuesday

Tuesday, July 28th at 5:30 pm
Duluth Art Institute Galleries
FREE
What else is out there? Are we the only ones? Explore some of these big questions with staff from the Alworth Planetarium as they guide you through an exploration of our solar system’s planets and moons.
Cinderella X 3
3 cultures, 3 stories, 1 timeless tale of hope and goodness in the face of adversity…
Presented by the East Hillside Youth Theatre Camp
SHOW TIMES:
Thursday, July 23, 1 pm
Friday, July 24, 1 pm & 7 pm
Saturday, July 25, 7 pm
at the Harbor City International School Theatre 332 West Michigan Street, Duluth. Admission is FREE, donations welcome.
Sponsored by: CDBG, College of St. Scholastica, Duluth Parks & Recreation, Grant Community School Collaborative, Grant & Nettleton Magnet Schools, ISD #709 EEAC, ISD# 709 African American Cultural Center, ISD #709 Asian Pacific Cultural Center, The Incredible Exchange, MDE 21st Century Community Learning Center, Northern Lakes Second Harvest Food Bank, Ordean Foundation, St. Mary’s Corporate Contributions, ISD #709 Title 1, True North Americorps, United Way of Greater Duluth, VISTA, Y.E.S. Duluth, YWCA of Duluth, and individual donations.
Starving Artist Barter??
Dear Duluthians,
You might have seen some of my art at Bohemia Arts, and if not, please do come see it, because if you like it: I am hoping to trade existing paintings, commissions, and/or mural work for a) a decent bike b) a canoe in working order c) a kayak that floats and/or d) misc hauling equipment and useful accessories for said objects. Or other awesome stuff to trade for might be considered too…
Thank you kindly,
maria sippola

Cracked Egg Improv, a wing of Rubber Chicken Theater, debuts this Thursday

Every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 8pm, starting July 23rd, come to Dubh Linn Comedy Pub and watch us make it up as we go along. Just five bucks. That is a lot of intentional comedy for five bucks. (I know, I know. You get more from City Hall every day and that’s free, but what can you do?)
www.RubberChickenTheater.com or (218) 213-2780 for more info.
Free Movie Monday
40 years ago, humans made their mark in the lunar dust…

FINAL FREE MOVIE MONDAY
Monday, July 20th
Duluth Art Institute
6:30 Gallery open house
7:30 Screening – In the Shadow of the Moon
FREE
Enjoy a free open house of the Duluth Art Institute galleries before watching “In the Shadow of the Moon”. Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Stephen Armstrong share their personal experiences in this 2007 documentary that celebrates curiosity, courage, and the wonder of our universe.
Use the back entrance to the Depot to enter events. This program is part of two months of enhancement programming surrounding the Duluth Art Institute’s exhibit “Beyond: Visions of Planetary Landscapes ” from the Smithsonian Institution. Learn more at duluthartinstitute.org
Hey Artists!!!
Bohemia Arts is revamped and revitalized, and is looking for artists to show work. We are currently seeking artists for monthly featured shows, general showing, teaching, and demonstrations. Still not sure what we are? We’re a fine art supply store, gallery and studio, and proud to be run by a group of volunteer local artists. Come check it out!
Bohemia Arts 22 N 1st Ave W Downtown Duluth 722-2919
M-F 10-5:30 Sat 10-2

Second season of comedy series
Hello. I am interested in scheduling some pre-production meetings for the second season of an independent web-based comedy series. The catalyst for the series is from the first season, about a failed writer and actor who had the misfortune his old college roommate hiring a documentary crew to follow him around for a week. This week caused him great embarrassment, termination from his job, and eviction from his apartment. Worst of all, it gave him a false sense of stardom. This series picks up after the incidents of that week. The character seeks a fresh start, and tries to get his ‘reality show’ back online with no knowledge of video production, no budget, and no direction other than his preposterous ambition of launching a dramatic/action film career.
U R Invited: First Hand Experiences, A Retrospective
During the month of July, it has become my good fortune to be able to share my art with a wider audience. The venue is The Venue @ Mohaupt, which includes offices and a nice large room for art openings and other special events. Thanks to the invitation of Martin Sawinksi (3Five Designs), who is a strong supporter of the creative arts in Duluth, more that 130 original pieces are now installed.
The paintings, drawings and mixed media pieces will be at 2024 West Superior Street thru the end of July. A special Open House will be held on Tuesday, July 21, from 6 – 9 pm and all lovers of the arts are welcome.
First Hand Experiences is primarily a presentation of recent paintings and drawings in the modernist style, but includes a variety of pieces from my early development. My ï¬rst art classes at the Cleveland Museum of Art in my early elementary school years established patterns of observation that have remained with me to this day. The show is both fun and, at times I hope, thought provoking.
For more info, visit https://www.facebook.com/thevenueduluth?ref=ts
Since much of my work has been created for the purpose of illustrating my blog, you might want to check that out, too, and catch a glimpse of a few things that are currently hanging at The Venue.
Space Train will launch in three weeks, get your ticket to the stars
Thanks all for the Tang cocktail suggestions, now more on the main event:

Friday, July 31
9pm to 1am
SPACE TRAIN with music by Tangier 57
$25 per person includes free adult drinks & dinner
Join live music from Tangier 57 as you set out on our rocket ship to the stars (well, just a train to look at stars, but use your imagination). We’ll launch at 9pm from the Depot, arrive at Larsmont beyond the lights of the city, disembark and stargaze with experts from the Arrowhead Astronomical Society, then return home by 1am. You’ll be served pizza (remember ‘the horta’ episode from the original Star Trek?) and two free drink tickets – wine, beer, and a special “tang tang” cocktail concoction courtesy of PDD suggestions.
Call or email the Duluth Art Institute to get your tickets today – 218-733-7560 or [email protected]
Dink Tank McCounaghey Camp Out
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXTJ3JEIZg8
Thanks so much to everyone who donated!
Renegade’s Latest Production, Opening 7/9
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYJ0A7UGbKU&feature=player_embedded
Call 218-336-1414 for tickets or visit www.renegadecomedytheatre.com
Peace out, Duluth!
Maybe you’ve read this post from my Facebook note, but in case you haven’t succumbed to that monster …
As some of you already know, I will be moving out of town soon to be with the love of my life, the wonderful and lovely Rebecca Zaban, in St. Paul. (more…)
The Chicken Hat Plays, July 10 & 11 in Proctor
The Chicken Hat Plays July 10 & 11 at Proctor Area Community Center – 7PM Both Shows

Rubber Chicken Theater presents 16 world premiere plays, all created in one weekend….It’s The Chicken Hat Plays, sponsored in part by Pizza Luce. (more…)
“On a Mission from God”
The effects of the state budget deficit will be felt by many, but one example I’ve been talking about is the potential loss of Hibbing Community College Theater. (Disclosure: I work for HCC as a communication instructor).
HCC has developed a top notch two-year theater program and community theater series. For years it has demonstrated to the blue collar Iron Range the importance and possibility represented by the fine arts. Unfortunately, the program is now on the chopping block. But the community isn’t taking this lying down. A deal was struck that if some money could be raised externally the program could continue in some form.
For one night only, a big show will be held that could save a precious community treasure from budget cuts. Yes, that is exactly like the plot of the 1980 musical “The Blues Brothers.” Which is why the cast of HCC’s 2004 production of the Blues Brothers is reuniting for the show. The HCC Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers band is top notch, as good or better than any of the other revivals you might see touring the country and is predominantly stocked with Minnesotans.
We need to fill this massive, historic hall to save theater at HCC. Consider a road trip to Hibbing to send a message in support of the arts.
HCC Theater Support Gala
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 2
Hibbing High School Auditorium
(easily the most impressive high school auditorium in the country, and Dylan played there before he was Dylan)
First, enjoy the hilarious promotional video featuring Elwood Blues (Hibbing’s Jaime Tintor, an actor in L.A.). This is well worth the click.
HCC Theater Support Gala featuring the Blues Brothers: July 2 in Hibbing
Send this out. Tell your friends. Tweet and Retweet. Blog and Share. Every town has something to fight for in this unfortunately political battle, but this one is awfully important to the towns of the Iron Range, knocked down by the economy and in need of the healing power of the arts. Tell the people: “We’re getting the band back together.”
Follow some hilarious updates all next week at my blog MinnesotaBrown.com

