Videos
Minnesota Historia: Alexander Miles, Elevator Action Man
In the 1800s, elevator doors were often left open to chance. The last person to use those doors might remember to close them. Or they might not. Then a real estate developer in Duluth invented automatic elevator doors and made the whole world a safer place to elevate. But that was just another day in the incredible life of the richest black man in the Midwest, Alexander Miles.
Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.
Exploring the Abandoned Boase Elementary School
Boase Elementary School in Hoyt Lakes, about 40 miles north of Duluth, was built in 1956 and has been abandoned since the last classes were held there in 2002. In the video above, Duluth Urbex explores the building’s crumbling classrooms.
Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners – “Juniper”
The new video from Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners is the band’s submission to National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest for 2024. The video was recorded live by Ben Anderson at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.
The song is from the band’s 2021 album Juniper. A new record is in the works for a planned release later this year.
Daniel Durant’s Super Bowl National Anthem ASL Performance
Actor Daniel Durant, the Duluth native who starred in the Academy Award-winning movie CODA, performed the national anthem in American sign language at the Super Bowl on Sunday. But the telecast showed only Durant’s introduction before focusing on singer Reba McEntire.
The video above, via the YouTube channel of the Sign Language Studies program at Southwestern Illinois College, shows Durant’s full performance.
Minnesota Historia: Lost Train of Pine City
According to local legend, a train derailed in Pine City in the 1800s. It plummeted down a steep embankment into the impossibly deep Devil’s Lake, where it disappeared forever. There is no evidence this ever happened, but that hasn’t stopped people from looking for the train. How does a legend like this persist? And grow? And add circus animals for some reason?
Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.
Almanac North: EmbalmingEva Profile
This WDSE-TV Almanac North online-only segment profiles EmbalmingEva ahead of its Valentine’s Day show with Superior Siren at Sacred Heart Music Center.
Almanac North is a weekly public affairs program on PBS North that provides in-depth conversations around issues and events that affect the region.
Minnesota Historia: Minnesota in the Civil War
Minnesota was the first state to offer troops to the Union during the Civil War. And it was home to the last Civil War veteran when 106-year-old Albert Woolson died on Aug. 2, 1956. For a state so far from Gettysburg, Antietam and Bull Run, Minnesota’s history in the Civil War is full of surprises.
Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.
Shane Nelson w/ Maxi Childs Trio – “Love You from a Distance”
Superior’s Shane Nelson has a new music video. The track “Love You from a Distance” is from his upcoming album The Music Saved My Life, recorded at Sacred Heart Music Center. The song features Maxi Childs on backing vocals, Steve Netzel on bass, Ron Koivisto on electric guitar and Jerry Siptroth on drums. The video is by Bo Allen of Bo Allen Productions.
Minnesota Historia: Inventing Pizza Rolls
Scandinavian cookbook author Bea Ojakangas developed pizza rolls while working for Jeno Paulucci in Duluth. But she hasn’t tasted one for 50 years. This video reveals what she thinks of pizza rolls today.
Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.
Wolves and Other Wildlife on the Mithrandir Trail
The Mithrandir Pack of wolves is the primary traveler seen on this trail camera footage from Voyageurs National Park, shot last summer and fall, but an array of other critters also pop in. (more…)
Steve Solkela – “If Heaven Don’t Have Saunas, I Don’t Wanna Go!”
Duluth’s Steve Solkela is back from touring Finland and has a new music video for one of the first songs he wrote back in his high school days.
EmbalmingEva – “Purity”
Duluth synth act EmbalmingEva released the video for “Purity” in December. It’s directed by Henriette Blade. The duo opens for Superior Siren on Valentine’s Day at Sacred Heart Music Center.
Big Into – “(Neil Young is) Thinking in the Negative (Again)”
So the story goes, Neil Young recommends chewing pieces of peppercorn to reduce marijuana-induced anxiety. And Big Into has a new song and video about that.
Pronoya – “Sever”
Duluth metalcore band Pronoya has a new single, “Sever,” and plans to release an EP this summer. The next gig for the group is the Duluth Mid-Winter Metal Melter on Jan. 19 at Wussow’s Concert Cafe.
Superior Porchfest 2023 Recap Video / 2024 Application
Planning has begun for the 2024 season of Superior Porchfest. Organizers are looking for performing musicians and neighborhood pop-up porch hosts. An open-call application is online at superiorporchfest.org.
Porchfest is a free, family-friendly music and art series in which attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and/or simply stop by to enjoy the show. The performances are typically held either on a residential porch or at a city park.
Nimrods: Prophecy of the Six Trailer
The Nimrods have won the American Birkebeiner Giant Ski Race a record five times. But just when it looked like their skiing days were over, fate had other ideas.
Yes, another Nimrod giant ski movie is premiering at the Park Center in Hayward on Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and showing again during Birkie Week. All proceeds benefit the Share Winter Foundation to support youth winter sports programs.
Duluth’s Revitalization: The St. Louis River Area of Concern
Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant produced a video series featuring five cities along waterways deemed “areas of concern” that are in various stages of the cleanup process and are experiencing revitalization. This video highlights Duluth and the St. Louis River and features Minnesota poet Moheb Soliman.
Perfect Duluth Day’s Best Videos of 2023
Let’s all be kind and rewind. We’re looking at the best videos that appeared on Perfect Duluth Day in 2023. Sometimes chosen for the quality, sometimes for the concept, sometimes … we don’t know why we find them appealing. (more…)
NFC Championship Game of 1973: Vikings vs. Cowboys
It was 50 years ago today — Dec. 30, 1973 — when the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Dallas Cowboys at Texas Stadium to win the National Football Conference Championship, sending the team to its second of four Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s.
The 27-10 upset of the Cowboys preceded a 24–7 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium in Houston.
Greg Cougar Conley – “Our Someday”
Greg Cougar Conley has a new album, Cougar Country, set for release Dec. 29. The video above delves deep into the KSTP-TV St. Paul archive for footage of the maestro’s 1962 debut on the Minneapolis-Moline Power Implement Company Variety Hour.
Sydney Hansen – “Kringle Tingle”
Duluth native Sydney Hansen has a new, original Christmas song. “Kringle Tingle” was written with Corey Lee Barker and produced by Kent Wells.
Big Into – “Deep Snow Full Moon”
Iron Range natives Curtis Kraft Mattson and Jozef Conaway find what they are looking for in the latest video from their nerd-rock duo Big Into. The track is from the band’s upcoming EP.
Frau Holle’s Werkhaus
Frau Holle’s Werkhaus is Duluth artist Joellyn Rock‘s latest mixed-media installation, on display at the Tweed Museum of Art through February as part of the University of Minnesota Duluth’s faculty and staff exhibition Everything & Nothing. It was first exhibited in the group show Catching Up / Resurfacing at Joseph Nease Gallery. (more…)