Art
Ads for Amazon
Cleverly disguised as an ad for a fantastic book by an amazingly talented artist and writer, Chris Monroe. I work hard to promote the many excellent books I come across – a great number of them from within this region: blogging (at least semi-regularly), writing a weekly newsletter and talking to people through facebook and twitter and, most rewardingly, at the store – talking about books and authors that I love and that people have shared with me. It’s hard to then see a book that I’ve worked to introduce people to being used as a way to drive money to amazon.
I’m not saying you need to buy it at the store where I work. Or buy it at Fitgers. Or buy it up at the Mall. Or even that it’s the end of the world to buy it from amazon. But I do want to confront this notion that amazon is either neutral or the only game in town (which it most decidedly is not since it has nothing to do with our town whatsoever) when it comes to links about media, especially books. IndieBound lets you search all books in print and then, after you’ve learned a bit more about them, lets you find a locally owned, independent store of your choice. You can search for varieties of local businesses across the US. You can add you favorite local businesses. Authors can affiliate themselves with IndieBound and receive a portion of the sale (not being an author, I have to rely on rumor that the terms are more generous than amazon).
I’m not advocating amazon abstinence, but really try to measure your options more carefully. Get excited about local businesses. Get excited for local events. Celebrate our musicians, writers, actors, publishers, artists, etc. who really make this area so wonderful.
“from Duluth to Balad” Premiere March 5th
Crispy Kale Productions (aka Michael Latsch) is premiering his new documentary “from Duluth to Balad.” The video is sponsored by Veterans for Peace, Chapter 80 and the Northland Anti-War Coalition. It goes up Thursday, March 5th at the Friends Meeting House, 1802 E. 1st St at 7:30 PM. Admission is free, and the showing will be followed by Q+A with the producer.
The documentary uses historic photos and modern combat footage to tell the story of how the wing started making deployments to Iraq in 2005. It examines the costs of that deployment, asks if Duluth can find a different way to sustain its economy.
see the trailer at crispykale.blogspot.com. Questions, contact mlatsch@gmail.com, 218-260-7047
Featured Artist for March at Bohemia Arts
print by nick brakel
Nick Brakel will be displaying Spirit Boxes and Prints of recent work for the month of March at Bohemia Arts.
There will be an artists’ reception held Saturday, March 7th from 6-9pm. Join us for refreshments and speak with Nick about his work. Music by Dan Dresser, Stephanie Dykema, and Dave Mehling.
Hope to see you there!
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Bohemia Arts
Fine Art Supplies*Gifts*Gallery
22 N 1st Ave W Downtown Duluth
722.2919
*Though we are clearancing the store, there are more art shows to come, through May 2009. We hope you’ll help us go out with a bang by coming out and supporting your local artists!
What’s up at the Red Lion?
The Zinema will open in June, according to this Business North article.
“An Exceptionally Funny Show” – DNT
Just a reminder that there are only two weekends left to catch this outstanding comedy by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lindsay-Abaire.
Thurs-Sat, Feb 19-28th, all shows at 8pm
Tickets $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors.
Visit www.renegadecomedytheatre.com for more info or call 218-336-1414 for tickets.
BOLD-choice Theatre
Tonight is the Public Premiere of BOLD(Battling Obstacles Living with Disabilities)-choice Theatre’s Production of ROMEO AND JULIET’S TRAGIC COMEDY. It is at the Fregeau Auditorium at Marshall School, 7:30pm. Please come and celebrate the arts and diversity in our community!
White Man’s World DVD Release Party
Feb. 19
5-8pm
Red Star Lounge
DVDs available for $20 (also get your copy of God Rocked & Newton’s Disease!)
Drawing demo for kids
The Duluth Children’s Museum has an ongoing program called “Books Alive!” I’ll be doing a drawing workshop for kids (up to age 6) this Friday at 10:30 AM. At the Duluth Children’s Museum in the basement of the Depot.
Have kids age 9 to 12? Or know someone who does?
They can pick up an official Art Jam poster entry at Papa Murphy’s (Kenwood, Superior, West Duluth) and return it by March 13 for a free mini pizza!
St. David’s Day Open Reading
St. David’s Day Open Reading
on St. Valentine’s Day
Saturday, Feb. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Somers Lounge, College of St. Scholastica
Come read an original poem, or one written by someone else. Limit three minutes per reader.
Click here for more info and to become a fan of the Spirit Lake Poetry Series on Facebook.
An Extended Conversation with Jim Northrup
Please help us celebrate the DVD release of WHITE MAN’S WORLD with this dvd extra, featuring local author Jim Northrup.
An Extended Conversation with Jim Northrup from Carrie Boberg on Vimeo.
White Man’s World – DVD Release Party
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Red Star
5-8pm
See ya there!
The Blue Crab is the new Red Lobster
There’s something stirring at The Blue Crab, and it’s NOT the handful of regulars wondering what the hell that awful racket is. The band is called Total Freedom Rock (formerly The Rat Root River Band) and they want to show you what music can be, every Thursday at 10:30! Joining TFR tomorrow night is: Hydro Bliss (playing the Winter Carnival at Lakeview Castle)
If you can’t make it tomorrow, come down next Thursday for a musical experience/experiment that is sure to delight and/or freak out the most disconcerted music lover. New special guests every week! Blue Crab- 1909 W Superior St.
Free Screening of GOD ROCKED at CSS
God Rocked DVD
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
7pm – Science Auditorium, College of St. Scholastica
FREE to CSS Students & Faculty (with ID)
Everyone else $5
Hope to see you there!
Tangier 57 & Batteries at Carmody
Tangier 57, 9 to 11 p.m.
Batteries, 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Minnesota Book Awards 2009 Duluth Finalists
Books by Tony Dierckens (Crossing the Canal) and Chris Monroe (Monkey with a Toolbelt) are finalists in the Minnesota Book Awards.
Huzzah and congratulations!
For those not going to the Mitchell…
Beaner’s has been kind enough to let me display roughly 40 new drawings and paintings. Reception is this Thursday @ 6:00. They’ll be up on the wall through February.
The EP will be a free download: “Bone Black: improvisations on amplified harmonica”, but you have to actually go to the reception to get the URL.
My good friends Clint Boylan and Toby Churchill will be playing music throughout the night as well. It’s really worth it just to see them.
Wait… Did I mention all of this is free?
Sammy.
p.s. (pdd 3.0 is nifty)
Rubber Chicken Improv
Rubber Chicken Improv has been strutting its stuff on local stages now since the troupe started up last year. The group has been performing shows at venues around the Twin Ports and even took on Dudley Riggs in the Twin Cities last November at a local fundraiser. (Mayor Don Ness was on hand to present the trophy to Rubber Chicken for besting the Minneapolis improv troupe in one of the shows!) And now, Sharon Dixon Obst and her crew of improvisational comedians would like to share their funny business with folks in the Northland.
Every Sunday from 2-6pm at the Proctor Area Community Center, Sharon and her improvisational troupe get together in a relaxed and friendly environment to work on their art, learning new improv games and becoming more closely knit as a team. These meetings are free and open to the public, no matter what the age or the profession. “Even if someone has no intention of joining us onstage, learning improv has many benefits,” said Obst at a recent rehearsal. “Anyone, in any walk of life, can use the skills improv teaches, such as creative problem-solving, building teamwork, and speaking effectively in front of a group.”
Some participants who have learned from Rubber Chicken Improv include a medical administrator, a high school principal, a doctor, and communications instructors. “It’s open to anyone and everyone who wants to give it a try,” said Obst. “So come on and join us this Sunday!”
As mentioned, Rubber Chicken Improv is being headed up by Sharon Dixon Obst. Sharon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and has been working steadily in theater since she took her first acting class 32 years ago. She has been a writer, a performer, a producer, a director, an acting/vocal coach and teacher in the Duluth/Superior area for the past 16 years. Sharon has also been a guest lecturer at The College of St. Scholastica on Improvisational Theater.
To make reservations for the Sunday Improv Get-Togethers, please call (218) 213-2780, or email Brian@RubberChickenTheater.com.
(Pictured left to right) Rubber Chicken Improv Director Sharon Dixon Obst is ready to accept the Improv-A-Looza Late Show Championship Trophy from John Haynes, the director of the Brave New Institute at Dudley Riggs, and judges Matthew Feeney and Duluth Mayor Don Ness.