Abigail Schoenecker
This week: Apps and Ales, gardening and car delights, and more
Monday, March 26
Thirsty Pagan hosts its second Appetizers and Ales event with featured beer to complement Wide World of Wings wings.
Thursday, March 29
Enjoy an evening of wine and music at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College’s Taste of the Vineyards. More Fun Than Bowling, put on by a UMD student run theater group, opens at the Teatro and runs through the weekend.
Friday, March 30
The Tisdales release their third album Supercaldera at R.T.’s. Today through Sunday, gearheads and car lovers can get their fill at Motorhead Madness at the DECC.
Saturday, March 31
Featuring 3 DJs from California, the California Love Tour hits Clyde Iron. Kickoff the gardening season at third annual Spring Fling at Peace United Church.
There’s plenty more events where those came from on the PDD Calendar.
This week: Jeremy Messersmith, an airplane show, the 4onthefloor, and more
Wednesday, March 21
Celebrate the Equinox at Chester Creek Cafe with a set vegetarian meal and music by Nikki and the Ruemates. Support a good cause and listen to some talented women at the same time at the Twin Ports Female Acoustic Show.
Friday, March 23
Minneapolis musician Jeremy Messersmith plays at Tycoon’s. Dink Tank at the Movies takes on The Happening Friday and Saturday. Rabble rousers, the 4onthefloor and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples take the stage at R.T.’s.
Saturday, March 24
Folk singer Dar Williams plays at Sacred Heart. The Duluth Radio Controlled Club will host a Radio Controlled Airplane Show and answer questions in the Miller Hill Mall. Eight writers create eight one-act plays overnight and premiere them at The One Day Chicken Hat Plays at Harbor City International School.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your Duluth event needs.
This week: St. Patrick’s Day, Ides of March, Les Miserables, and more
Tuesday, March13
Nerd Nite is back at the Teatro with topics ranging from My Little Pony to calculating Easter.
Thursday, March 15
Les Miserables opens at the Duluth Playhouse and runs until the 25th. Some of the area’s best chefs are coming together to kill you at the Death by Chocolate event at Greysolon which will raise money for Arc Northland.
Friday, March 16
Luce gets taken over by local bands covering various other bands tonight and tomorrow with The Ides of March. Respect Your Old Man Poetry Slam will feature music, food, a silent auction, and poetry (obviously).
Saturday, March 17
Get your Irish on at one or more events going on around town tonight. R.T.’s is hosting a St. Paddy’s Day Meltdown with Cars & Trucks, the Acceleratii and Equal Xchange. Listen to traditional Irish music at Clyde with McInnis’ Kitchen and more. Duhb Linn Irish Pub has a plethora of Emerald Isle events including music, a buffet (today and tomorrow) featuring Irish cuisine, a mashed potato eating contest, green beer, and the unveiling of a new microbrew.
As always, keep checking the PDD Calendar for rad goings on around the Twin Ports area.
This week: Atmosphere, A Prairie Home Companion, Nerdigras, and more
Tuesday, Feb. 21
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with fellow nerds at Nerdigras.
Thursday, Feb. 23
Atmosphere returns to Duluth for his second annual Welcome to Minnesota Tour.
Friday, Feb. 24
North End Arts Gallery presents an exhibition of work by emerging artists called Culture Zoo. Communist Daughter plays Luce with The Keep Aways.
Saturday, Feb. 25
Trampled by Turtles and the Grand Rapids High School Jazz Ensemble join Garrison Keillor in a live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion. Wear your best ’80s ski apparel for Spirit Mountain’s Bad Fashion Ski Party 5: Ultimate ’80s Flashback.
As always, keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your night out needs.
This week: Valentine’s Day, Anti-Valentine’s, hip-hop, boats, and more.
Tuesday, Feb. 14
Glensheen hosts its second Valentine’s Dinner for the lovers. Enjoy a classic romantic movie before eating a romantic dinner on a romantic night with your romantic partner at the Teatro.
Wednesday, Feb 15
The Duluth Boat, Sports, and Travel Show, in conjunction with the Northland Outdoors Duluth Deer Classic, kicks off today and goes until Sunday at the DECC.
Friday, Feb. 17
Whether single, sick and tired of the lovey-dovey couples, or just looking for some good music, Uptown Boys and Crew Jones play the Anti-Valentine’s Day/Transistor’s birthday bash at Tycoon’s. UWS’s University Theater brings Jack and the Beanstalk to the Manion Theater. Rhymesayers rapper Brother Ali plays the Mitchell Auditorium. Also opening tonight is Iph…, a modern retelling of Euripedes’ Iphegenia in Aulis at the St. Scholastica Theater.
Saturday, Feb 18
Minneapolis hip-hop artist Prof plays Luce.
As always, keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your event needs and happy Valentine’s Day!
This week: celebrity dancing, dioramas, scuffling cupids, and more
Monday, Feb. 6
Temple Grandin, doctor of animal science, bestselling author, and advocate for people with autism speaks on the St. Scholastica campus.
Thursday, Feb. 9
Celebrities duke it out for another year of the Celebrity Dance Challenge. It’s opening night of the multiple Tony award winning musical Spring Awakening at the Teatro.
Friday, Feb. 10
Music and miniatures combine again for Diorama-rama at Sacred Heart. Don your best Renaissance garb for a Valentines Madrigal Dinner which will also take place Saturday night.
Saturday, Feb. 11
Martin Zellar plays a CD release show at Luce with Charlie Parr opening. Take your pick of Valentine’s Day related events to get you in the mood to either love or love to hate the upcoming holiday, starting with a special match between the Harbor City Roller Dames and the Chippewa Valley Roller Girls in a cupid scuffle. Enjoy a romantic dinner at Glensheen after taking a tour of the historic site. Lastly, take in some art based on love, a puppet show, lasers, and more at Love at the Snoodle.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for events!
This week: musical birds, pipe raffle show, Bassgate and more


Tuesday, Jan. 31
Legacy Glassworks holds its January Pipe Raffle Show with Joshua Grose, Kyle Scherz, Three Song Sunday, and Bliss & Sitter.
Wednesday, Feb. 1
Kevin Kling will be presenting a lecture and discussion on storytelling at the library before heading to Sacred Heart to perform his musical For The Birds.
Thursday, Feb. 2
Local, young DJs spin tracks at Stargate all night at Bassgate.
Friday, Feb. 3
Mr. Kickass and Fearless Moral Inventory play Roscoe’s Pioneer Bar.
This week: much music, good eats, interesting tales and more.

Monday, Jan. 23
Minneapolis group Caroline Smith and the Goodnight Sleeps take over Papa Charlie’s at Lutsen Mountains.
Wednesday, Jan. 25
Treat yourself to a seven course dinner courtesy of Chef Bruce Wallis of Sara’s Table.
Friday, Jan. 27
R.T.’s hosts the Equal Xchange Reunion Show also featuring Fearless Moral Inventory and Aaron Gall & the Likely Story. Minneapolis group Machine 22 headlines at the Thirsty Pagan with local talent Excuse Me, Princess and the Thunder Brothers opening.
Saturday, Jan. 28
Some of the areas most talented writers and performers come together for a night of storytelling at Teatro’s Zenith City Tales: Stories of New Beginnings. Silent woods, groomed trails, iced ponds, and snowshoe access to unique areas of Hartley await at the Candlelight Ski, Skate, and Showshoe event at the park.
This week: Homegrown Winter Fiasco, Delicate Grace, Gallery Celebration
Wednesday, Jan. 18
The Duluth Art Institute at the Depot hosts a Gallery Celebration with four new exhibitions and music by Tangier 57.
Friday, Jan. 20
Can’t wait for Spring to get your local music fix? Homegrown takes over the town for their Winter Fiasco. There will be poster art on display with music at Prøve Gallery. Mary Bue and Bliss & Sitter perform at Sir Ben’s. Carmody plays host to the People Say Fox and the Crunchy Bunch. The new venue of Tycoon’s will have Murder of Crows and the Acceleratii. Next of Kin and Jason Wussow & Friends play at the Rex. All free and all awesome.
Saturday, Jan. 21
The Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra performs pieces by deFalla, Rodrigo and Dvorak with Delicate Grace. Paul Metzger, Ring Toss Twins and If Thousands play at Short Circuit Duluth II at the Teatro.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for more events.
This week: Spamalot, Charlie Parr, bridal show and more
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Monty Python’s hit musical Spamalot comes to the DECC.
Friday, Jan. 13
The 4onthefloor, Dirty Horse and Hattie Peterson play at Tycoon’s. The Duluth Playhouse brings The Neverending Story to the stage. Charlie Parr is back in Duluth and ready to release a new CD at Sacred Heart. Four Mile Portage opens with special guests guaranteed to share the stage with Parr.
Saturday, Jan. 14
Get ready for your big day at the 24th Annual Duluth Bridal Show at the DECC. Comedians Tommy Thompson and Linda Aarons lay down some face-melting humor at Dubh Linn’s.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for more events.
This week: Snowball Festival, movie matinee, Revolution 5 and more
Wednesday, Jan. 4
Lutsen Mountain’s Snowball Festival kicks off today and lasts through Saturday. This year’s festival features Dead Man Winter, Roster McCabe, Wookiefoot and more.
Friday, Jan. 6
Zstudio’s Grand Opening will host free classes throughout the day with a master class in the evening. The Fractals play at Player’s Sports Bar.
Saturday, Jan. 7
Zinema 2 kicks off its Family Saturday Movie Matinee series with The Muppet Movie. Minnesota’s premiere Beatles tribute band, The Revolution 5, plays at the Teatro tonight and Sunday.
Sunday, Jan 8.
Yoga North will have free classes and more at their annual winter open house.
Keep checking the calendar for more awesome area events.
This week: New Year’s Eve, Marc Gartman covers Ween, a special Walt Dizzo broadcast
Saturday is New Year’s Eve and there are tons of events going on around Duluth to ring in the New Year. Some of the highlights: The Peking Acrobats are joined by the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra. Dubh Linn hosts a New Year’s Ball with magicians, djs, fire dancers, prizes and more. Twenty five original acts take the stage at Beaner’s New Year’s Eve All Day Bash starting at 7 a.m. Dirty Horse, The Black Eyed Snakes, and The Acceleratii play at R.T.’s. Looking to end the year laughing? The Teatro is holding a New Year’s Night of Comedy with a special show, improv and more.
Monday, Dec. 26
It’s the Last Night of the Bentleyville Tour so pack the kids up and head down for the last time. There will also be a fireworks display at 6:30.
Thursday, Dec. 29
Presently Skyward and Sleep Until Morning encourage audience members to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters at their show at Amazing Grace. Walt Dizzo hosts a 5-hour Year End Special on 91.3 FM KUWS featuring the best songs from 2011.
Friday, Dec. 30
The long-awaited and highly controversial Marc Gartman Ween show plays at Pizza Luce.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your nightly and New Year’s Eve needs.
This week: Solstice Celebration, a Christmas Vigil and a Pagan Feast
Tuesday, Dec. 20
Psychedelic soul duo, Svoh, plays at Amazing Grace.
Wednesday, Dec. 21
Chester Creek Cafe hosts a Pagan Feast with jazz cellist Kathy McTavish and Duluth Poet Laureate Sheila Packa and lots of good eats.
Thursday, Dec. 22
The Marshall Alworth Planetarium at UMD celebrates the Winter Solstice with shows every half hour and hot cocoa.
Friday Dec. 23
The Tisdales Holiday Bash at R.T.’s also features special guests Aaron Gall & The Likely Story, Lion or Gazelle, and Hannah Rey.
Saturday, Dec. 24
Churches United in Ministry or CHUM will be hosting a Christmas Vigil on the steps of Duluth City Hall to remember those in our community without homes and to hear the message of hope for a new year.
Sunday, Dec. 25
Merry Christmas everyone!
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for all your New Year’s events.
This week: Celtic Thunder, Nerd Nite, holiday shows and more
Tuesday Dec. 13
Celtic Thunder brings its Heritage Tour to the DECC.
Wednesday, Dec. 14
Learn about the death of a sitcom and see the Duluth East Daredevils Robotics Team demonstrate the design, process and operation of its championship winning robot, Archie, plus many other nerdy happenings at Nerd Nite XIII.
Thursday, Dec. 15
SimpleGifts with Billy McLaughlin brings Holiday music to Sacred Heart.
Saturday, Dec. 17
There is a plethora of holiday events going on tonight starting with the Harbor City Roller Dames second annual Intra-League bout which divides the team into the Nut Crackers and the Slay Belles. Old Knifey and the Cutthroats Third Annual Holiday Variety Show will feature bands, dancing, comedy, Santa, and lots more. Bring your kids and their dolls to Glensheen for a special Holiday Tea. American Rebels, the Surfactants, and Atlas Mts. perform at Lake Ave Cafe in a Pre-Holiday Rock Extravaganza and Norm’s Bloody Christmas show will feature ColmeKill, Climactic, Jaundice and Impaler.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for events!
This week: Avenged Sevenfold, The Nutcracker, Rubber Chicken and more
Tuesday, Dec. 6
The College of St. Scholastica counts down to the lighting of its Christmas trees with a candlelit event.
Wednesday, Dec. 7
Avenged Sevenfold plays at Amsoil Arena.
Thursday, Dec. 8
Dink Tank, Duluth’s only resident sketch comedy act, is back with Return of the Dinks.
Friday, Dec. 9
Two productions of The Nutcracker open tonight. One at the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids and the other at the DECC. In its second week is Rubber Chicken Theater’s fourth annual holiday sketch-comedy revue. This year it’s titled “The Running (Unopposed) Man, or, Another Fine Ness You’ve Gotten Us Into”
Saturday, Dec. 10
Lower Chester Park re-opens with ice skating, concessions and a proclamation from the mayor. R.T. Quinlan’s hosts a night of indie rock with A Winter Downpour headlining.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for continuously awesome events.
This week: opening shows, Christmas concerts, a polar bear birthday and more
Wednesday, Nov. 30
Matt Ray and Those Damn Horses headline Legacy Glasswork’s November show with a free raffle. The Duluth Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP) and Ecolibrium3 host the grand opening for DEEP’s One-Stop-Energy-Shop and Community Sustainability Classroom.
Thursday, Dec. 1
Target Behavior, opening at UMD, is a seriocomic look at a young girl coming to terms with who she really is. Lorie Line presents her “Christmas Bells and Ringing” concert at the Mitchell Auditorium.
Friday, Dec. 2
Disney Live! presents Three Classic Fairy Tales at the DECC Symphony Hall. Some Girl(s), a play by Neil LaBute opens at the St. Scholastica Theater. Katie McMahon brings her Celtic Christmas show to the Mitchell Auditorium.
Saturday, Dec. 3
Join the Lake Superior Zoo in celebrating Berlin the polar bear’s birthday. Support the Duluth Public Library at the all-day book fair at the Miller Hill Mall Barnes & Noble.
Keep checking the PDD Calendar for new events.
This week: Hairball, Thanksgiving buffet, the New Standards and more
Tuesday, Nov. 22
The Harbor City International School hosts a night of cultural experiences.
Wednesday, Nov. 23
Aftershock is playing at a Pre-Thanksgiving party at the Gopher Restaurant and Lounge. Gallus, Old Knifey and Snobarn play a show at Luce.
Thursday, Nov. 24
The DECC is hosting its 21st annual free Thanksgiving Buffet.
Friday, Nov 25
Find some great snowmobile action at the Duluth National Snocross at Spirit Mountain. There will be two nights of rock at Clyde Iron with Hairball performing Friday and Saturday. The What Four opens on Firday. Hypnotist Gabriel Holmes brings his act to Teatro Zuccone.
Saturday, Nov. 26
Hairball night two with opening act Menace. The jazz trio from Minneapolis, The New Standards, plays at the Mitchell Auditorium. Local group, Excuse Me, Princess plays a CD release show at Beaners.
Check the PDD Calendar for more events!
This week: Art Unveiled, Bentleyville, Motion City Soundtrack, and lots more
Here comes Christmas! On Friday the Christmas City of the North Parade starts its route in Canal Park. If you can’t make it, you can still catch the action by watching it on KBJR-TV channel 6 and online at northlandsnewscenter.com. The seasonal frivolity doesn’t end there for the weekend. Bentleyville’s opening night is on Saturday. This year there are more lights than ever before and, as always, free cookies and hot chocolate. Other events going on this week:
Wednesday, Nov. 16
Art Unveiled features more than 40 paintings at the Duluth Depot. Want to learn about The Golden Girls and other awesomely nerdy things? Check out Nerd Nite at the Teatro.
Thursday, Nov. 17
Diet Folk performs at Fitger’s Brewhouse.
Friday, Nov. 18
The local DJ collective Crunchy Bunch spins at the Rex Bar. Bare Bones, a student choreographed dance performance, starts tonight and also plays tomorrow.
Saturday, Nov. 19
Minnesota group Motion City Soundtrack plays at the Reif Center. The Harbor City Roller Dames are back in town going against the Babes of Thunder from Thunder Bay, Canada.
Keep on checking the PDD Calendar for more events and enjoy your week!
This week: Intergalactic Nemesis, art auction, and No Bird Sing
Tuesday, Nov. 8
Don’t forget to get out to your local polling station for the General Election with six city council seats up for grabs.
Thursday, Nov. 10
There are two art events going on Thursday night. The Duluth Art Institute hosts a night of art, free drinks and free food at the Depot. The Gallery Celebration showcases artists from the Ochre Ghost Gallery. The Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) will hold an art auction at Clyde Iron with dinner and desserts, live entertainment and community ally awards. Intergalactic Nemesis at St. Scholastica is a live-action graphic novel featuring three actors providing sound effects, voices, and music.
Friday, Nov. 11
Manheat, Junkboat, and the Acceleratii take over Luce for an album release show. If you’re looking for a laugh, three local comedians will do some stand-up at Aces in Superior.
Saturday, Nov. 12
Four actresses and four musicians interpret the words and music of Patti Smith, Tina Turner, Loretta Lynn and Belinda Carlisle in Celebrity Autobiography at The Play Ground. Get your fill of deliciousness and vote for your favorite at the 4th Annual Wine, Beer and Pizza Competition at Midi. If you’re able to make it out of the door when you’re done, No Bird Sing, Chastity Brown Band and Gallus will be at Luce.
Keep checking the Calendar for your daily happenings.
This week: All Souls Night, dueling pianos, Loup-Garou, and more
Monday, Oct. 31
It’s Halloween and if you’re not too burned out from being all undead and partying from the weekend, there are still some great events going on tonight. It’s the last night for the William A. Irvin Haunted Ship before the ghosts leave port. In Hermantown, there’s a Haunted Garage and down the hill Whole Foods Co-op is hosting a Halloween party. Lastly, Big Wave Dave and the Ripples are putting on a Halloween show at the Rex and there will be a Dueling Pianos Halloween show at Greysolon.
Wednesday, Nov. 2
It’s All Soul’s Night with a big celebration at the Depot.
Friday, Nov. 4
Two Texans, Tom Freund and Jess Klein, take the Amazing Grace stage. Also, Portage and Wisconsin Built join Loup-Garou for a show at Luce.
Saturday, Nov. 5
It’s a music and art show at “2104” with Minneapolis band Painted Saints and Duluth artist Jason Huntzinger.
There are always new events being added to the Calendar, so keep checking back.
This week: Halloween parties, Chinese dancers, Murs, and more
There are a lot of great Halloween events going on all week. If you’re looking for something to do with the kids, the Glensheen Jack O’ Lantern Spooktacular starts on Thursday and continues until Sunday. On Friday, the Superior Public Library hosts Wizard of Oz Trick or Treating and there’s also a Family Halloween Carnival at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior. The Hartley Nature Center will put on Howl-o-ween on Saturday and The Great Lakes Aquarium will host Scarium at the Aquarium on Sunday.
For the older trick or treaters, the fun kicks off on Thursday with UMD’s Zombie Fest which will feature professors talking about all things zombie. On Friday, Black Bear Casino Resort hosts The Booo-bie Bash featuring a Van Halen cover band. There’s a lot of options on Saturday night with Nightclub of the Living Dead at Grandma’s Sports Garden, a Halloween Dance Party at the Teatro, and a Haunted Hangar on the Hill party up at the airport.
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This week: Enger Tower, boxing, theater
It’s a good week for theater with four plays opening around Duluth. On Thursday, The Foreigner opens at the Mainstage Theatre at the Marshall Performing Arts Center on the UMD campus. On Friday, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow opens at the Duluth Playhouse along with the The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the same venue. Audience participation and showing up in RHPS costume is encouraged. If you’re looking for a less raucous affair, the Minnesota Ballet will be performing Dracula for two nights only starting Friday.
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This week: Low, White Iron Band, horses
Monday, Oct. 10
Sir Benedict’s plays host to Jasson Wussow & Friends.
Thursday, Oct.13
Equus, a play about a boy and his horse, premieres at the Play Ground. Warning: the show contains mature subject matter.
Friday, Oct. 14
A benefit for Life House’s Adopt-a-Kid program will feature a concert from Low and food from New Scenic Cafe. Also, Martin Zellar pays homage to Neil Diamond with a tribute concert at Grandma’s Sports Garden.
Saturday, Oct. 15
Those rowdy boys from the city, White Iron Band, are back to play a show at the Rex.
Keep on checking the PDD Calendar and get off your duff and do something!
This week: Turtles, apples, beer train, and boo at the zoo
My computer is back and better than ever after a brief stint of illness (thanks to Mr. Lundgren for taking the calendar helm for a few days) and I’ll be able to highlight some of the upcoming events this week.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
The Chester Park United Methodist Church will host its annual Roast Beef Dinner which will also feature homemade apple pies.
Thursday, Oct. 6
Trampled by Turtles will take the Clyde Iron Works stage with Charlie Parr opening and Mayor Ness hosting the event with all proceeds going to music programs in Duluth Public Schools. Bayfield’s 50th Annual Apple Festival kicks off today and promises apples, music, apples, art, and more apples.
Friday, Oct. 7
Coyote, a side project of Marc Gartman and Jerree Small, will have its CD release party at Teatro Zuccone with Yester opening.
Saturday, Oct. 8
There will be many Halloween events coming up. To kick it off, Saturday is the first day of Boo at the Zoo at the Lake Superior Zoo. Bring the kids out in their costumed glory to see the animals. After you’ve worn them out, hop on board the Fall Beer Tasting Train, a 2.5-hour ride featuring local breweries and brewpubs.
There are plenty of other events going on in the area this week and I’m adding new ones every day so keep on checking the PDD Calendar and keep on sending me events that you’d like to see included in the calendar.
This Week: Country Comedy, Roller Dames, One Week Live
Starting today, Beaner’s kicks off One Week Live which lasts the whole week and includes 20 groups and a singer/songwriter competition. The event showcases local acts and is a celebration of Beaner’s 10-year anniversary.
Thursday, Sept.22
Composer Linda Tutas Haugen and librettist Joan Vail Thorne tell the story of the legendary Native American princess Pocahontas in Pocahontas: A Woman of Two Worlds.
Friday, Sept. 23
Rodney Carrington brings his blend of comedy and music to the DECC.
Saturday, Sept. 24
The Harbor City Roller Dames kick off their season going up against the Delta Delta Di-North Star Roller Girls from Minneapolis.
Check out the calendar for more events going on this week and in the future.






























































