Kozy Fire III: The Building That Refused to Burn (Down).
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.).
Zoo Animal on the Local on KUMD
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.
So it begins … again
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.
The DAI needs your beans
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)
Is this Heaven?
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.
Why can’t this happen at Bayfront?
New St. Paul fest starting out big
Two bands that have packed Xcel Energy Center in the past will stretch out on St. Paul’s Harriet Island this summer as headliners for the River’s Edge Music Festival, an inaugural two-day event whose organizers hope will draw 40,000 people daily.
Arty metal kings Tool and bohemian jazz-rockers the Dave Matthews Band — mainstays of the summer concert circuit — will top out the June 23 and 24 lineups, respectively. Some of the other 30 or so (mostly rock) acts assembled by concert promoter Live Nation include the Flaming Lips, Mutemath, Coheed and Cambria, Brand New, Diplo, Scissor Sisters and local bands Poliça and Motion City Soundtrack.
Writing Life
I just finished a two-hour long open house in the Department of Writing Studies (where I work at UMD). (more…)
So long, Southgate Bowl
Since the Southgate Bowl in Cloquet is shutting down to make way for a Walgreens, it seems fitting to pay tribute. Best wishes to Gerry and Rose Pollard, who opened the place in the 1970s.
Time-lapse video of Superior’s North Shore
This is a pretty cool compilation of time-lapse videos taken over the past few weeks along the North Shore. Definitely an early spring on the shore. I’m still trying to figure out what that lightning flash thing is at 1:07 during the Aurora activity, some kinda gamma ray flash or something. Pretty sweet.
The Boundary Waters
Two videos by Alex Horner — shot Sept. 24, 2010 — with music by Duluth’s Steve Horner. (more…)
Homegrown Rawk and/or Roll: Sparhawk’s Mix
It’s available now on Bandcamp, and you can name your price. (more…)
Duluth Piano Restoration
Has anyone had an antique piano restored in the Duluth area? I am looking to have a 1907 upright restored and thus far have an estimate from Master Piano. It seems to me it would be worth getting more than one estimate for such an extensive and costly undertaking. I understand Streblow is another option. I am wondering if there are any additional companies to consider or if anyone has any experience working with either of these companies.
Coyote CD Project on Kickstarter
Coyote is hard at work on a new album. Our goal is to record our latest batch of original tunes before Marc hits the road in June. We’re taking the leap and have set-up a Kickstarter page with rewards / “pre-sales” of the upcoming CD and such. Ryan Dahlberg made a little movie to tell you all about it.
Duluth Album Releases in 2003
It’s not a complete list, just what we could easily pull together. If you know of a record we missed, mention it in the comments or email paul @ perfectduluthday.com. (more…)
This week: State of the City, urban chickens, baseball and Joan of Arc
Monday, April 2
Mayor Don Ness presents the State of the City Address at the DECC… for reals this time.
Tuesday, April 3
Learn how to raise urban chickens at the Whole Foods Co-op and get some soup and the bowl it comes in at the 19th annual Empty Bowl Second Harvest Food Bank fundraiser.
Wednesday, April 4
You can see Jim Hall at Thirsty Pagan and still have time to make it across the bridge to see Charlie Parr and Devil’s Flying Machine at Tycoons.
Friday, April 6
Spring is in the air and a young man’s thoughts turn to baseball! The Bulldogs and the Saints both have games today, and admission is free!
Friday and Saturday, April 6 & 7
Hear the classic 1928 silent film, The Passion of Joan of Arc, scored by the Minneapolis band, Zoo Animal at the Zinema 2.
The PDD Calendar Transition Team
Left to right in our photo are outgoing editor Abigail Schoenecker, intrepid intern Emily Haavik and … announcing the new PDD Calendar editor – Lawrence Lee.
(more…)
8-Bit Duluth
Can anyone give me a walkthrough of the dungeon underneath the Seaway Hotel?
The Ball Slashers (Live Debut!)
What? Yeah I started a rock band. We’re called the Ball Slashers and we’re going to open the show at RT’s next Friday. Poor Howard (Howlin’ Andy & Vince Cadillac) and Hard Feelings are in the middle, and the Blood Shot (my old band!!) are last. Come on down, we’re here to provide the blast of high octane rock and roll that this town is devoid of. Cheers!
Buffalo Bill Cody, his little sister Helen, and Duluth
There are a lot of rumors and facts about Buffalo Bill Cody and his connection to Duluth. In this post, we examine the subject as deeply as anyone would possibly want to.
In short: Buffalo Bill Cody financed the Duluth Press Building in the friendly West End. There used to be a Cody Hotel in West Duluth named after Buffalo Bill, and he is the namesake behind Cody Street.
Here’s a link to a story I wrote in 2002 about Buffalo Bill’s little sister for the Area Woman magazine, which provides a good general background: Area Women in History: Helen Cody Wetmore (more…)
Helen Cody Wetmore: More Than Just Buffalo Bill’s Little Sister
The reminders are all over the city, but still, few people know that Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody had business interests in Duluth one hundred years ago. His sister, Helen Cody Wetmore, lived in Duluth back then and convinced the famous frontiersman and Wild West showman to invest in the Zenith City. She also made a name for herself as an advocate for women achieving what she called “their rightful spheres in church and state.” (more…)
Blue Laws are Stupid, Post #5
I apologize for not being as vigilant with this as John Ramos has been with his countdown, but here’s the latest sad news on one of the most idiotic laws ever:
Bring Lucy Home Benefit
Lucille June Moe-Brummer was born Dec. 13 in Scottsdale, Ariz., to Sandra Moe and Charlie Brummer. Unfortunately, life for Lucy was an uphill battle from day one. Lucy had a degenerative genetic disorder that caused her to have significant brain atrophy within the first two months of her life. This is an extremely devastating and rare condition which is not treatable. We were hoping to get Lucy back to Minnesota, hence why the benefit is called “Bring Lucy Home,” but unfortunately time was not on our side.
There are still many medical costs to take care so the benefit is still on! Come join us this Saturday, March 31, from 1-5 p.m. at Mr. D’s in West Duluth. There will be a silent auction, raffles, spaghetti feed, and an acoustic performance by Lake Avenue. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance or at the door the day of the event.
To learn more about Lucy’s story go to caringbridge.org/visit/lucillebrummer or facebook.com/LucyJune3.