Selective Focus: Pre-summer PDDs

Select photos from Instagram spanning mid-May to mid-June 2023, all hashtagged with the name of a certain website. #perfectduluthday (more…)

PhotosInstagramSelective Focus

Hyper Glaze

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LSl2g5N4PU

John Holden and Matt Norby warn that their latest video contains hyper-glazed data poisoning. “Do not upload it to sites that train modules on user submissions,” the YouTube video description notes. “It will degrade the overall system and cause generated output to be less stable and less accurate. You don’t want to be the one to ruin AI content for everybody.”

ArtMusicJohn HoldenMatthew Norby
Glensheen
Pier B Resort: Courtside Concerts

Round-up Bar and Grill plans new patio space

Round-up Bar and Grill owner Mike Ronning stands outside the site of a new side patio. Landscaping, furniture, games and a small stage will be built on the site of the former Fine Frog Emporium. (Photo by Mark Nicklawske)

A longstanding Duluth bar known for its family-owned roots and connection to country music will add a new outdoor patio after an adjacent antique store was condemned and torn down earlier this year.

The Round-up Bar and Grill, 415 E. Fourth St., will construct space for outdoor dining and bar service along with a small stage on the east side of its building this summer. Fencing and signage have already been assembled and final landscaping work, lighting and furniture installation is expected to take place in the next few weeks. (more…)

News and Current AffairsRestaurantsBars / Drinking EstablishmentsCentral Hillside

The Remnants of Daniel Greysolon’s 17th Century Childhood

In two previous posts, I described how to get to the hometown of our city’s namesake, Daniel Greysolon Sieur Du Luth, and wrote about visiting his childhood home. This final post in the series shows some of the places Daniel Greysolon would have almost certainly been familiar with during his youth in the French town of St.-Germain-Laval. It concludes with a few of the more modern sites of the town. (more…)

HistoryPhotosSieur du Lhut
Vision Pro: Clear Vision
Pizza Luce: The Bulgogi

Historical Research by Accident: Nostalgic Newsstand Sale Adverts and Fisk Tire

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. (more…)

HistoryRandom

Beyondbliss with Lyla Abukhodair – “Dance Without Somebody”

Born Deaf, the new album from Beyondbliss, is scheduled for release June 30. The second single, “Dance Without Somebody,” features Lyla Abukhodair. The video was created by an artificial intelligence art program.

MusicVideosBeyondblissLyla Abukhodair
Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival
Weis Eye Center

Advertisements from the Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Buying a Franklin

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. (more…)

HistoryAutomobiles

Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards 2023 Nominees

Lake Superior Writers has announced the titles of the 24 books nominated for 2023 Northeastern Minnesota Book Awards. For the past three decades, the awards have recognized books that substantially represent the history, culture, heritage and lifestyle of northeastern Minnesota. (more…)

News and Current AffairsBooksLake Superior Writers
Glensheen
FDLTCC: Hot Summer Nights with Corey Medina

The Social House in Canal Park is open

The Social House, a casual restaurant in Duluth’s Canal Park district, held a soft opening over the weekend and officially opened this morning. The location is the former Famous Dave’s at 355 S. Lake Ave. (more…)

News and Current AffairsRestaurantsCanal ParkThe Social House

Advertisements from the Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Almond Truffles

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. This one is too much of stretch, maybe. Norris Candies was housed in Atlanta, Ga. I love the flapper art, the art deco (or is it art nouveau) style of the ad and the fashion.

If I wanted an almond truffle today, I would visit Hepzibah’s in Canal Park, Rocky Mountain, or Duluth Candy. In Superior, I would visit Sweeden Sweets. Did I miss any source?

History
FDLTCC: Hot Summer Nights with Corey Medina
Downtown Duluth: Movies in the Park

PDD Quiz: Hartley Park

Test your knowledge of Hartley Park with this edition of the PDD quiz. Sources include Zenith City Online, the Minnesota Digital Library, and the Hartley Nature Center website.

The next PDD quiz, reviewing June 2023 headlines and happenings, comes your way on June 25. Submit question suggestions to Alison Moffat at [email protected] by June 20. (more…)

HistoryOutdoorsPDD Quiz

Marty Marflow and the Melody Makers (featuring the Calhoun Sisters) – “Duluth St. Paul & Winona”

There are a few songs on Perfect Duluth Day’s list of songs with “Duluth” in the lyrics or title that are not available online. The one we highlight here is “Duluth St. Paul & Winona” by Marty Marflow and the Melody Makers (featuring the Calhoun Sisters), which was released 20 years ago. (more…)

MusicDuluth Songs
Fond-du-Luth Casino: Wednesday Top it Off
Glensheen

Mystery Photos: Handsome Men at Ely Studio

The identities of the four gentlemen in this photo are not known, but the postcard is marked as having been shot at the Ely Studio. Photographer Cook Ely operated in Duluth from roughly 1895 to 1914, with a stint in St. Paul somewhere in the middle. Ely Studio was located at 2030 W. Superior St. — the corner where the Anderson Furniture building stands today.

This photo sold recently on eBay, where it was titled “RPPC Handsome Men w Hats Ely Studio of Duluth Studio Real Photo Postcard.”

HistoryEly StudioMystery PhotosPostcards

Minnesota Historia: The Ope Files

The story of a UFO that ran into a deputy sheriff’s car in Marshall County may have inspired The X-Files. But since this is Minnesota, it’s being calling the “Ope, I’m Just Gonna Scooch Right Past Ya Here” Files.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

HistoryVideosDocumentariesMike ScholtzMinnesota HistoriaUnidentified Flying ObjectsWDSE-TV - PBS North
Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival
Vision Pro: Clear Vision

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Strathmore Paper

Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines from the Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale. The sale is in the rearview mirror, but the Library Sale will be here faster than you think. (more…)

Random

Selective Focus: Photos on Film

Photography exhibit in the windows of 313 West Superior St.


There’s a temporary photo show hanging in the windows of the old Bagley Building downtown, 313 West Superior St. The photos are all shot on film – a variety of formats from an equal variety of cameras.
(more…)

ArtPhotosBagley & Company JewelersdowntownSelective Focus
Glensheen
Vision Pro: Clear Vision

Saturday at the Urban Farm was a blast

Northern Expressions Arts Collective leader paints cool rocks in the hot sun. 

I attended the event held Saturday at the Urban Farm at Lake Superior College. It was a blast, bringing together vistas from Eco3 and volunteers from Northern Expressions Arts Collective. NEAC is an amazing organization that blends creativity, community, nutrition, and health for families.

Previous coverage of this weekly event is wdio.com. The Eco3 Urban Farm was also very alive during Earth Week. Maybe I’ll see you there on a coming Saturday?

Random

Advertisements from the Duluth Public Library Nostalgic Newsstand Sale: Sealex Linoleum Floors

The Duluth Public Library’s Nostalgic Newsstand Sale was a source of many things to write about. Here is another advert from my collection of now-recycled magazines. (more…)

History
Dubh Linn Irish Pub: Pro Comedy Tour
Weis Eye Center

Iron Range Outlaw Brigade – “The Ballad of Jimmy the Outlaw”

Iron Range Outlaw Brigade is working on a new EP, but singer/guitarist Kirk Kjenaas has compiled the nostalgic video embedded above, which features a smattering of band photos from the past 15 years.

The song is from the band’s 2011 debut album Shootin’ Shells & Raisin’ Hell, but this version was recorded live in 2014 by Andrew Lambert at Yo’r Mudders Place, which is now the Ore House, in Gilbert.

MusicVideosIron Range Outlaw Brigade

Kirsten Aune puts kaleidoscopic spin on textile folk art

Kirsten Aune is preparing work for a group art show she co-organized with her sister for the Nordic Center for FinnFest. “Inspiraatioita: Finnish Art and Design in Minnesota” will be on display July 27-30. Read more about it from MPR News.

Art
Fond-du-Luth Casino: Wednesday Top it Off

Two Harbors healthcare organization wins national attention

The Commonwealth Fund spotlights Two Harbors’ Wilderness Health in its recent feature on “How Regional Partnerships Bolster Rural Hospitals.” (more…)

RandomHealth CareTwo Harbors

Hidehiro Otake, Photographer of the Northwoods

Hidehiro Otake first passed through Duluth in 1999, following a literal had-while-sleeping dream. He had been a college student and budding photographer living in Tokyo when he dreamt one night that he was in a cabin in an evergreen forest and outside was a wolf gazing back at him. (more…)

OutdoorsPhotosPhotographers
Vision Pro: Clear Vision
Glensheen

EmbalmingEva – “RBMK”

Duluth synth act EmbalmingEva‘s debut video is directed and edited by Marcel Hones with creative direction and styling by Catherine Karakas.

MusicVideosEmbalmingEva

MN Moder – “Love Letter”

The new video from Duluth-based hip-hop artist Zachary Moder, aka MN Moder, is a love letter to music with visuals by Montclair Media.

MN Moder performs at Wussow’s Concert Cafe on June 7 as part of the weeklong Pete Fest.

MusicVideosMN ModerMontclair Media
Dubh Linn Irish Pub: Pro Comedy Tour

Minnesota Historia: Boomtown!

The history of Minnesota’s Iron Range is full of boomtowns. That word usually refers to any town that grows rapidly due to economic prosperity. But in the case of Eveleth, “boomtown” took on a more literal definition. Twice.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

HistoryVideosDocumentariesIron RangeMike ScholtzMinnesota HistoriaWDSE-TV - PBS North