R.I.P. Duluth~Superior Magazine
Sad to see the Duluth~Superior Magazine cease publication, announced today in a Duluth News Tribune story. DSM made Duluth feel classy. Jim Heffernan comments on his blog (Jim Heffernan’s Blog) on his six year stint writing for this print magazine headed by former Duluth News Tribune publisher, Marti Buscaglia.
Portage – Columns
The band Portage was formed in Duluth, but is now located in Minneapolis. Band member Trent Waterman shot and directed this video. Portage plays at Amazing Grace Bakery & Cafe on May 2 during the Homegrown Music Festival.
Mont Du Lac Ski & Recreation Area
Mont Du Lac Ski Area
I learned to ski at Mont Du Lac with my dad back in the early 1980s. I just came across this picture of the new chalet at the top of the hill and wow! This looks stunning. Apparently it is called the Trophy Lodge. Is it open yet? Has anyone been inside? Is the bar/restaurant open? I’m sure this old news but it sure looks nice. I really need to get back out there and make some turns to check it out. Lots of great memories of skiing with my dad, close calls and goofing off with friends. I remember Ridge Run but wasn’t West and East Bowl called something else back in the day? There also used to be a lift and run off the back side of ridge run.
Mont Du Lac Ski Trail Map
Jolly Fisher: “If it swims, we have it.”
Jolly Fisher is one of Duluth’s best-remembered old restaurants. It was in business for 50 years, from 1942 to 1992. The original location was at 15 E. Superior St., where the Duluth Technology Village sits today. After 1979 it was at 10 W. Superior St., presently the Minnesota Power Plaza.
Jumbo fried shrimp was the specialty, but as the slogan noted, Jolly Fisher had everything that swims. Chet and Mary Turnbull were the original owners, followed by Paul Andrews. “Skipper Andy” and Gloria Maras ran it for its last 30 years, until competition from Red Lobster proved to be too much.
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When the Dames opened for Melvins
On March 19 and 20, 2004, a little Duluth band called the Dames opened for Melvins at Grumpy’s Bar & Grill in Coon Rapids. Unlike a lot of old, abandoned blogs, Tony Bennett’s Journal is still parked on the web with the story of his brush with the influential punk metal band.
They’re my heroes, you know. They’re my band. Just like there are tons of rockers out there with old Metallica or Kiss or Led Zeppelin fixations (me included), the Melvins are up there just like that. They’re an obsession for me. So it’s a little weird suddenly standing there with all three of them, shaking hands and having Buzz say “Yeah, I remember you guys from last year; you were good.” And then following that up with “Did you cut your hair?”
Yes, king Buzzo asked me about my hair. Does it get weirder than that for a Melvins nut from Duluth? I don’t know.
Goat Pro Camera
Spankie eating cheese balls.
Homegrown 2014 schedule released
The schedule for the 2014 Homegrown Music Festival, April 27 to May 4, is now available on the Homegrown website. PDD’s Homegrown Chick App also has the schedule formatted for easy viewing on smartphones. There are 200 acts in this year’s festival. Plot your future bar hopping, and rest up for now.
Duluth Band Profile: Red Mountain
Red Mountain surrounds listeners with an eclectic blend of sounds and rhythms. In this interview, band members talk about how the song “Chad” began as a friend’s dream. Red Mountain is working on a follow up to its debut album Scowl Lightly. Click on the image above to listen.
This week: green beer, green art and bluegrass
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
Today is St. Patrick’s Day and to celebrate there’s a Ceili Irish Dance at St. John’s Episcopal Church, a family friendly party at Clyde Iron, a not family friendly party at Dubh Linn and other events. What are you doing today to celebrate? Let everyone know in the comments.
UMD is hosting a free three-part seminar this week on Teaching the Holocaust. This is designed for K-12 teachers and runs Tuesday through Thursday.
Yoga North is starting a bunch of new five and ten week classes this week, including Beginning Yoga starting today and The Chemistry of Joy starting on Wednesday.
Renegade opens its new rock musical, Next to Normal, at the Teatro Zuccone this Thursday and it runs three weekends.
The Cabin Fever Bluegrass Festival is back at the Inn on Lake Superior and runs Friday through Sunday.
Local artists are displaying their earth-friendly wares at the Treasures of the Earth – Green Art Fair at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Saturday.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know.
Duluth’s “Underground Historian”
The SubStreet Underground website released one of it most compelling stories yesterday. It’s about the demolition of a St. Paul power station.
While the story is about St. Paul, the photographer/archivist/storyteller behind the project is Duluthian Dan “Glass.”
Duluth Mystery Photo: Father Daughter?
We’ve had some good luck identifying locations and other details of mystery photos, but this one is a doozy. We have no clues at all, other than the assertion that it was shot in Duluth and whatever can be gathered by looking at it. Good luck. It looks like a late winter shot, so it seemed appropriate for this week, as the snow melts.
Harbor City Rollerdames
The Harbor City Rollerdames double-header was intense, tonight — both games at times much closer than I would have expected.
1st Game: Shipwreckers vs. Mankato Area Derby Girls
Shipwreckers 239 to MAD Girls 170
2nd Game: HCRD Nautikills vs. Sioux Falls Roller Dollz
Nautikills 176 to Sioux Falls 170
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Duluth News Tribune website redesign
The DNT’s new website rollout seems to be going exceedingly well. Day three …
Duluth Band Profile: Ryan Van Slooten
Ryan Van Slooten mixes the undertones of rock with the subtle touches of heartland music. In this interview he opens up about how the song “Crazy Earth” connects him to his fans. He is currently writing the follow up to his album Victory March. Click on the image above to listen.
Homegrown 2014 T-Shirts
Pre-sale T-shirts for the 2014 Homegrown Music Festival are now available. Artwork is by the wonderful Heidi Blunt. Be aware: unless you are a volunteer for the festival, this is the only way you can get a shirt this year. Pre-sale closes at the end of March.
Glen Avon outdoor hockey is postcard classic
In an era of kids walking from heated SUV seats to climate-controlled arenas, Duluth is home to one of North America’s last all-outdoor youth hockey leagues. (Story via KARE-11.)
Do you find green beer to be bilious?
This ad is from 1906.
Dad’s Acid – “Red Surf”
This music video from Duluth band Dad’s Acid kicks a reasonable amount of ass. The footage is from the film They Call Her One Eye.
Northern Lights Express Survey
There is a survey listed on the Minnesota Department of Transportation page for the Northern Lights Express(NLX). The Northern Lights Express is a proposed high-speed passenger rail project that would provide rail service between Minneapolis and Duluth. If constructed, NLX will operate on approximately 155 miles of existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail corridor.
The survey closes on March 15. It doesn’t take long to fill out.
Wired’s 15 Most Fascinating at SXSW – Duluthian Mike Scholtz
Mike Scholtz and Amy C. Elliott
Wired magazine posted “The 15 Most Fascinating Filmmakers and Stars at SXSW” and right up there with Tilda Swinton, Robert Rodriguez, and Jon Favreau is our very own Mike Scholtz and his partner on Wicker Kittens, Amy C. Elliott.
Wicker Kittens premiered at SXSW, and apparently got great response. Here’s the trailer.
“Plumb” by Caleb Wood
Caleb Wood drew columns of freehand animation directly onto the gallery wall at Duluth’s Prøve Gallery for this snappy little video.
Smokers needed
The School of Medicine at UMD is enrolling smokers for a “quit smoking” research study. All participants will receive one-on-one counseling for smoking cessation and will work with staff to set and prepare for a quit day. Effects of stress and appetite are also evaluated and all participants are compensated for their time. For more information please call 218-726-8896.