Bob Monahan Posts

Duluth record labels boosted the scene, but are going extinct

Compact discs and cassettes of releases from Duluth record labels fill a plastic bin at the Perfect Duluth Day headquarters. (Photo by Paul Lundgren)

Mark Lindquist, the chief purveyor of local albums at the turn of the millennium, thinks he can succinctly describe the difference between the best-known Duluth record labels.

“Chair Kickers’ put out the most gorgeous records,” he said. “Spinout had the most professional. Chaperone had the coolest. And Shaky Ray had … the most.”

Five years after it opened, Red Herring Lounge slated to close

Red Herring Lounge owner Bob Monahan posted on Facebook today that “barring some sort of wildly unforeseen circumstance” his music club in Downtown Duluth “will close its doors permanently on June 10.”

Hostel du Nord opens Oct. 25

Duluth’s first modern hostel opens Oct. 25. Hostel du Nord, located in the former Garon Bros. Jewelers building at 217 W. First St., will offer an alternative to traditional lodging options.

Video Archive: Haus Meeting live at Mr. Movies

Perfect Duluth Day’s Scott Lunt was there to record the action on Dec. 12, 2007, when Haus Meeting performed its famous concert at the Plaza Shopping Center Mr. Movies.

The video stars Luke Holden, Bob Monahan, Rebecca Holden, Jeremy Ehlert and various Mr. Movies customers.

Bob Monahan launches Downtown Duluth hostel project

Red Herring Lounge owner Bob Monahan stands outside the former Garon Brothers jewelry store at 217 W. First St. Monahan plans to renovate the building and open a 46-bed hostel.

Visitors to Duluth can soon add a hostel to the growing number of lodging options available in the Twin Ports. Nightclub owner Bob Monahan and an undisclosed partner purchased the former Garon Brothers Jewelry store at 217 W. First St. and plan to open a 46-bed hostel in the space next spring.

Bob Monahan gives Duluth music scene ‘some backbone’

Bob Monahan Duluth photo by Colin Michael SimmonsThis week’s issue of the Twin Cities tabloid City Pages is dubbed “The People Issue” and focuses on “18 who make Minnesota a better place to live.” Among those featured with the likes of Minnesota Vikings tight end and humanitarian Kyle Rudolph and craft beer entrepreneur Kathleen Culhane is Duluth’s Bob Monahan, owner of Chaperone Records and the Red Herring Lounge, referred to as “Duluth’s music mayor.”

Perfect Indoor Concert Venue: Red Herring Lounge

PDDPerfectIndoorConcertVenueLogoWhen it comes to picking the best indoor concert venue, there are a lot of things to consider — seating, acoustics, general vibe, etc. There might be plenty of room for argument on just about any criteria, but in one facet Duluth has a clear winner. It would be tough to dispute that any local concert hall, club or coffee house has consistently brought more high-caliber talent to its stage in the past two years than the Red Herring Lounge. Among the top four in PDD’s poll, the Herring pulled out a clean win with 35 percent of the vote.

Red Herring Lounge opens June 5

The Red Herring Lounge has a grand opening planned for June 5-7. For some history on the old building at 208 E. First St., check out the 2013 “Rocket Bar Renovation” post.

Rocket Bar Renovation

The ragged building at 208 E. First St. in Downtown Duluth is being gutted of debris in preparation for renovation. Bob Monahan and his father, Robert H. R. Monahan, plan to open an “artist friendly” cafe/lounge on the main floor later this year, with a recording studio in the basement level. They have already replaced the roof on the 127-year-old building, which they are in the process of acquiring from Jack Arnold through a contract-for-deed agreement.

Fundraiser for Patrick McKinnon

Please join us for a fundraising and book release event for Patrick
McKinnon on Sunday, August 16, 7:00 pm at Teatro Zuccone, 222 E.
Superior St. in Duluth. Patrick, cofounder of Poetry Harbor and Poetry Motel, recently had a large non-cancerous brain tumor removed and needs help with expenses.

Readings by Jim Northrup, Al Hunter, Denise Sweet, Kyle Elden, Devin McKinnon, Bob Monahan, Ellie Schoenfeld, Deb Cooper, Cal Benson, Liz Minette, and Sheila Packa. Music by The Cherry Ferris Wheels, Andy & Vincent, Kathy McTavish, and Jim Hall.

$10 – $ 10,000 suggested donation. If cash is short and good wishes are what you’ve got, that’ll get you in the door, too. Also, Pat has a new book which will be released the night of this fundraiser – The Save My Butt Book: Poetry by Patrick McKinnon.

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