Guides and Lists Posts

Duluth Broadcast Television Station Guide for 2016

Duluth TV station logos

Below is an updated look at what’s on the television dial in Duluth after the reorganizing at KBJR/KDLH. Don’t let the big “3” fool you on the new KDLH logo (which doesn’t have the letters KDLH on it, but does have the CBS eye); the CBS affiliate is now on broadcast channel 6.2. If you are watching with a satellite dish or cable, then the KDLH/CBS station is channel 3.

Perfect Duluth Day Outdoor Summer Concert Primer 2016

Those who prefer the safe confines of walls and a sturdy roof can check out Kiss or the Beach Boys this summer at Amsoil Arena or David Liebe Hart at the Red Herring Lounge, but ’tis the season for music under canopies or wide open to the elements.

Bayfront Festival Park and Big Top Chautauqua are hosting the usual slew of major acts throughout the summer, along with local music being showcased through smaller concert series, such as the Chester Creek Concert Series and Bayside Sounds at Barker’s Island Pavilion. With multiple shows scheduled every week throughout the summer, it’s hard to choose which ones to make time for. Here’s a look at some 2016 outdoor concert highlights.
 

June 14
Teague Alexy
Chester Bowl Park
The Chester Creek Concert Series launches its 34th season with a performance by poetic rock musician Teague Alexy.

June 17
Grandma’s Marathon Big Top Opening Night
Canal Park
Multi-platinum rock band Smash Mouth headlines this year’s opening night to Grandma’s Marathon weekend.

June 18
Brandi Carlile
Big Top Chautauqua
Singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile makes her way back for another year at the Big Top stage.

Carts, Pop ups, Trailers, Trucks & Tricycles: Duluth Mobile Food Guide for 2016

PDD Food Truck Guide 2015

Let’s face it: there’s nothing quite like dining al fresco on a perfect Duluth day. But area patio dining options are limited. Plus, they can be crowded and expensive. Those looking for a quick, reasonably-priced bite while relaxing outside can embrace the local food truck phenomenon. Several mobile eatery options have popped up to fill new niches since last year’s rundown. Find out more about these restaurants on wheels, when they’re around and what they have to offer in our 2016 guide.

Duluth-area Coffee Roasters in 2015

Brian Barber's Coffee BeansThe coffee industry has undergone significant changes in the past couple of decades, as an increasing number of specialty roasters enter the market. The Duluth area is now experiencing what some call the “third wave” of coffee. The first wave of coffee was about convenience and mass production (think instant coffee, like Folgers). The second wave of coffee involved the rise of chains like Starbucks, where consumers were introduced to fresher and better quality beans and the experience of drinking in coffee shops.

Duluth Album Releases in 2016

Dirty Knobs - 30,000 DaysDirty Knobs
30,000 Days
Available on Bandcamp
(Jan. 5)

Gin Street - Model HomesGin Street
Model Homes
Available on Bandcamp
(Feb. 4)

Kyle Ollah - Wouldn't Mind Working from Sun to SunKyle Ollah
Wouldn’t Mind Working from Sun to Sun EP
Available on Bandcamp
(Feb. 5)

2016 Duluth-area Beer Festival Primer

Beer-FestAs craft beer continues to explode in popularity in the Twin Ports and beyond, local beer tastings and beer-centered festivals proliferate. Below are some highlights of beery upcoming events in the region. The name of each event links to the PDD Calendar entry for that event; the links in the event descriptions link to the official event webpages.

gcbrewfestSMFebruary 27 – Grand Minnesota Taste-Together
Grand Casino, Hinckley

The sixth annual Grand Minnesota Taste-Together features over 160 different craft beers from local, regional and national breweries. The event culminates with a concert featuring The Voice’s Madi Davis and English folk-punk group Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls. Twin Ports Nightlife organizes the festival.

bockfestMarch 10-12 – Bockfest
Fitger’s Courtyard, Duluth

Bockfest is an annual German celebration of spring that has been taking place at the Fitger’s Complex since 1995. This family-friendly, outdoor event runs from Thursday evening through Saturday night and includes fun games and traditions like the black forest torte-eating contest and the big dip into Lake Superior. There will be music, food, a campfire and Split Rock Bock, a seasonal beer made by Lake Superior Brewing.

GGBBrewfest2016LogoApril 16 – Gitchee Gumee Brewfest
Wessman Arena, Superior

Sample over 100 beers from 25 different breweries from the Midwest and beyond at the area’s longest running beer-tasting event, the Gitchee Gumee Brewfest. VIP and regular admission tickets are available. The event is in its 19th year and typically sells out.

Guide to Duluth-related Blogs in 2015

Bloggers

The craft of writing personal blogs probably hit its stride in Duluth around 2005 and started dying out around 2010. It’s been a long time since the days PDD carried a feed of local blogs, which became unnecessary once subscription news-aggregator applications became available. There is still a strong set of Duluth-area writers and photographers dedicated to kicking out text on a regular basis, however, and we profile them here so you can check them out and add them to your feeds as you wish.

List of Duluth-area restaurants that are closed on Mondays

Sorry closedMany years ago I made the blunder of driving a friend out to Eddie’s in the outskirts of Superior on a Monday to discover it was closed. Last week some friends were texting about a meetup at the Spirit Room. The final text read: “Spirit Room is closed. Thirsty Pagan!”

In an effort to prevent other Monday-dining disappointments, and because PDD loves lists, here is a rundown of the eating establishments in the area that are closed on Mondays. If you notice a place is missing from the list, shout it out in the comments.

Duluth Album Releases in 2015

Moors & McCumber
Pandemonium
(Jan. 1)
Available on Bandcamp

Feeding LeRoy - Love is a GambleFeeding LeRoy
Love is a Gamble EP
(Jan. 16)
Available on Bandcamp

Adam Sippola - Rising PointAdam Sippola
Rising Point
(Jan. 24)
Single “How Do You Know” available on adamsippola.com

For Another YearThe Christopher David Hanson Band
For Another Year

(Jan. 26)
Available on iTunes

Four Mile Portage - Can't Find HomeFour Mile Portage
Can’t Find Home

(Feb. 1)
Recorded by Eric Swanson at Sacred Heart Music Center
Available on Bandcamp

Duluth Album Releases in 2012

Compiled here is an incomplete list of Duluth-related music releases from 2012.

Duluth Album Releases in 2011

Compiled here is an incomplete list of Duluth-related music releases from 2011.

Duluth Album Releases in 2010

Coyote
When it All Comes Down
(Jan. 9)
Available on Bandcamp

Ryan Van Slooten
All But My Soul
(Jan. 26)
Available on Bandcamp

The Boomchucks
Self titled
(February)

Duluth Album Releases in 2009

Ben Durbin’s Modern Antiques
Sweet Precious Time
(Feb. 20)
Available on YouTube


The Moon is Down
The Moon is Down’s Excellent Adventure
Automation Records Media Conglomerate (March 19)

Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank
Traveling Show
Available at consideritcorrespondence.com

Duluth Album Releases in 2008

Number One Common
Secrets Lies and Alibis
(Jan. 1)
Available on Bandcamp

Tangier 57
Last Night Never Happened EP
(March 7)
Available on Bandcamp

The Keep Aways
Decay
(March 7)
Available on Bandcamp

Two Many Banjos
Trouble in Paradise
(April 23)
Available on CD Baby

Duluth Album Releases in 2007

Trampled by Turtles
Trouble
(March 19)
Available on iTunes

Low
Drums and Guns
Sub Pop Records (March 20)
Available on Bandcamp

The Hotel Coral Essex
Glisten
(April 27)
Available on Bandcamp

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