American Rebels – “Love Song” (Live on The PlayList)

Duluth band American Rebels performs “Love Song” on the April 16 episode of WDSE-TV’s The PlayList.

Upcoming gig: Wednesday, April 29, 11:30 p.m., at Mr. D’s Bar & Grill during the Homegrown Music Festival.

Music, VideosAmerican Rebels, The PlayList

Selective Focus: Bed(s?)

Kip Praslowicz

Kip Praslowicz, untitled

When I announced the next week’s theme to be “bed,” I certainly did not intend that to be singular- that Kip Praslowicz would represent the only submission at hand. However, it does now occur to me that our artistic community might be reticent regarding anything that resembles prurience, at least publicly. Lesson learned, beloved new home. (more…)

Art, PhotosSelective Focus
FDLTCC: Pumpin Run

Denfeld Lip Dub 2015: “It’s In My Soul”

VideosDenfeld High School

Poplar River Falls Aerial View – Lutsen Ski Area

Poplar River falls is just north of Lutsen Ski Area and the Superior Hiking trail crosses the river at the apex of the falls.

Outdoors, VideosDrone Videos, Liftoff Aerials, PDD Drone
Vision Pro: Year End 2026
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine

Duluth Handyman Recommendations

I do most things myself, but we are working on some remodeling projects and exterior repair on a house we purchased this winter. There are a few things I would rather have someone else do with more expertise. Anyone have a suggestion?

Recommendations

Duluth Band Profile: Gin Street

GIN STREET ThumbGin Street takes youth and energy to give audiences a highly interactive show. The group opens up about a sense of community inside and outside the band. Click on the image above to hear the interview.

MusicBand Profiles, Gin Street
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine

The Yin Yang Building

Impossible to remain silent

Photos

Baptism River “High Falls” Aerial View -Tettegouche State Park

Aerial drone video of “High Falls” on the Baptism River. The Baptism River “High Falls” in Minnesota’s Highest waterfall at 60 feet. During spring run-off it flows heavily and is a great time to visit and hear the thunderous roar of the falls. Mid-summer you can swim the pool at the base of these falls. Tettegouche State Park is one of the best campgrounds on the North Shore of Lake Superior. https://dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/tettegouche/

Outdoors, VideosDrone Videos, Liftoff Aerials, PDD Drone
Glensheen Lantern Tours 2026

Duluth Band Profile: Woodblind

Woold Blind Thumb Woodblind delivers acoustic driven Ska into the North Woods. Jason Wussow and Veikko Lepisto explain how the song “Big Voice” brings sunshine into the world. Click on the image above to hear the interview.

MusicBand Profiles, Woodblind

This Week: nerds, boogers, robots and more

Untitled design
Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:

The Nerds are having another Nite at Teatro Zuccone, the 22nd annual Empty Bowl fundraiser is at the Depot on Tuesday, The Boogers are at the Duluth Public Library, there’s a fundraiser for the Duluth East robotics team and the Miller Hill Mall is the site of the Kelly Services Job Fair.

The Tom Lehrer revue Tomfoolery opens at UWS, the Shrine Circus comes to town, Episode 14 of Kirov by Night goes down at the Underground, lawyers rock Clyde Iron and DS Pride honors Dan Hanger at Greysolon Plaza.

Random
Vision Pro: Year End 2026
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine

Selling 2.5-inch squares for fun and profit

always be closingFor the first time in three years, Perfect Duluth Day has an opening on its advertising sales force. Click here for the full job description. In addition to healthy financial remuneration the position comes with tremendous prestige and the occasional pastry item.

RandomHelp Wanted

Literary Northland

awpThis week has been a week of literary experiences for me, from International Falls to Minneapolis, from Icebox Radio to Holy Cow Press.

I drove with friends from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council to International Falls. It was both planning/working/friendly talking time with Ashley (grants manager) and Bob (executive director) and time to visit friends in International Falls. (more…)

Art
Vision Pro: Year End 2026

Wildwoods: Deer and Eagles

From Wildwoods: a heartwarming, yet bittersweet story about people who saw animals in trouble and decided to do something about it. Then, a depressing story, so sad.

ww3 ww2 ww1 (more…)

RandomWildwoods Rehabilitation

Northern Lights on Lake Superior’s North Shore

The sky was dancing last night.

Outdoors, VideosNorthern Lights
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine
Glensheen Lantern Tours 2026

Homegrown Field Guide 2015

Homegrown Field Guide 2015

Cover art by Heidi Blunt.

Music, News and Current AffairsHeidi Blunt, Homegrown Music Festival

42 Days in Duluth: Kip’s Memory Card Dump

Photographer Kip Praslowicz “went a little crazy with the burst mode” and filled his memory card in under two months. This video shows all the photos, from Feb. 26 to April 8, set to random free music available on YouTube.

Photos, VideosMemory Card Dumps
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua
Glensheen Lantern Tours 2026

Selective Focus: Trees

Hansi Johnson

Hansi Johnson, untitled

I’ve heard there is an austere beauty to deserts, though I have never lived in one. Still, I can’t imagine, being from the North, a landscape without trees, or being without their practical, aesthetic, poetic, mythical, and allegorical implications — all there is of oxygenation, fuel, foliage, building, climbing from our simian origins, tree of life, the axis mundi, tree of knowledge… (more…)

Art, PhotosSelective Focus

When the geeks inherited the Earth

[This post originally contained an embedded video that is no longer available at its source.]

Ten years ago today the fourth iteration of Geek Prom was held at Pizza Lucé. The G4 cable network sent the Attack of the Show crew to Duluth to capture all the excitement. (more…)

History, VideosGeek Prom
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine
Pizza Luce: Butternut Squash

Duluth Band Profile: The Farsights

Thumbnail The Farsights take one part storyteller and one part punk for a rocking good time. Phil Jents, Ryan Nelson and Brynn Sias explain how they developed the band’s sound. Click on the image above to hear the interview.

MusicBand Profiles, The Farsights

The Red Door brightens Duluth’s East Hillside

Photos by Jamie Merideth

Photos by Jamie Merideth

Hibbing native Sharon Kangas has been a Head Start teacher and cosmetologist. Now she’s an entrepreneur. In September 2013 she opened the Red Door, an ornate consignment shop in Duluth’s East Hillside neighborhood. (more…)

News and Current AffairsCentral Hillside
Ashwabay Alliance / Big Top Chautauqua
Vision Pro: Year End 2026

I want to raise and slaughter sheep in my Duluth backyard

Lambs rather … I enjoy the old-world taste of their meat and find it difficult to procure at my local super mart. I feel their presence would reduce the amount of lawn mowing while cutting down on my risk of heart attack or stroke as they sooth me with their constant bleating and licking of salt from my fingers. I’m talking like one or two maybe, but there is some (dumbass) rule in zoning preventing me from doing this legally, or they’d be everywhere. What if it was small and I kept a muzzle on it at night?

RandomQueries

Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Awesomeness

Do you want to see what your regional arts council is funding in your community? Check out the list below, congratulate friends and neighbors who won money, then take a look at the bottom of this message for more about ARAC. (more…)

RandomARAC
Glensheen Lantern Tours 2026
Pizza Luce: Butternut Squash

Homegrown Photo Show Wants Your Photos

Homer Bass

It is open call for entries this year for the Homegrown Photo Show. Any photos you have that somehow relate to the Duluth Music scene are eligible. Deadline for submissions is April 10th. Additional information and entry system can be found at the following url.

https://www.duluthhomegrown.org/homegrown-photo-show-2015/

PhotosHomegrown Music Festival

Duluth Band Profiles: Ire Wolves

ThumbnailIre Wolves mixes a healthy blend of melody and metal. Guitarist Mike Trepanier and bassist Dustin Fennessey explain the theme behind The Ascetic. Click on the image above to hear the interview.

MusicBand Profiles, Ire Wolves
Pier B Resort: Rise and Dine
Glensheen Lantern Tours 2026

Jade Fountain purchased by owner of neighboring restaurant

Jade Fountain

Bill KalligherBill Kalligher has been owner of Gannucci’s Italian Market for four years. During that time the three-decades old West Duluth eatery expanded in both size and scope, and in October was featured on the cable television show Diners, Drive-in and Dives. Last week Kalligher expanded his holdings by acquiring one of the area’s oldest restaurants, Jade Fountain.

Located at 305 N. Central Ave., two doors down from Gannucci’s, Jade Fountain has been a staple in West Duluth since George Wong opened it in 1968. Wong sold it in 1997 to Sick Cheung Lee, who had just immigrated to the United States. Lee died in November and his widow Kwok Chun Mak was looking to sell. (more…)

News and Current Affairs, RestaurantsGannucci's Italian Market, Jade Fountain