Chester Park Summer Concert Series 2011
Finally a Tuesday evening nice enough, and I can hear the band over in the bowl warming up from my deck.
City of Duluth Parks and Recreation, KQDS Radio and the Chester Bowl Improvement Club present the 29th annual Chester Creek Concert Series, Tuesday nights from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Chester Bowl Park. Admission is free. (more…)
Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant 2011
IFP Media Arts is pleased to announce the call for entries for the Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant for emerging directors. The deadline for application is Sept. 12. Applicants must submit a 7-page screenplay, a reel, a budget, a production plan, a resume, and other supporting documentation. For application and instructions please visit: ifpmn.org.
Michele Bachmann for President
After making the official announcement today that she’s running for President of the United States, Michele Bachmann told Fox News: “Just like John Wayne was from Waterloo, Iowa — that’s the kind of spirit that I have, too.”
One little problem: The famous star of western films is from Winterset, Iowa — 150 miles from Waterloo. Serial killer John Wayne Gacy lived in Waterloo, though.
Renting in Duluth (near UMD)
Greetings, people of Duluth. I am not one of you. But I will be soon. My wife and I are moving to Duluth in August, and are in the middle of house/apartment/duplex/hobbit-hole hunting. Reviewing PDD for tips, I have learned that ShipRock should be avoided, and that people really like to argue about the Hillside neighborhood. Any more … constructive advice? Great rental experiences? Recommended companies to go through? Places other than Craigslist to look for listings? Questions to ask before signing the lease? Any and all advice is appreciated!
Ness Campaign Kickoff Events
Help kick off the campaign to re-elect Mayor Don Ness!
Wednesday, June 29
Noon Kickoff Speech and Reception
11:30am – 1 pm @ The Great Lakes Ballroom at the Holiday Inn
Mayor Ness will speak at 12:15pm
After Work Reception
4:30pm – 6pm @ The Zeitgeist Arts Café – 222 E. Superior St.
Meet and Greet with Mayor Ness and friends!
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Putting out my shingle?
My husband and I are returning to our Minnesota roots by moving to Duluth in the next week or so. I’ve been a piano teacher for 16 years now. I’ve got friends and contacts in Duluth that keep assuring me that if I “put out my shingle” I’ll have a full studio in a snap.
What I can’t figure out is how exactly I do that. In my old neighborhood in Chicago I made a pretty flier and put it on people’s doorstep the first year I taught — after that it’s been word of mouth.
Anybody have any ideas for me?
Drew Digby vs. Esther Bubley
Don’t miss the greatest showdown since Ali vs. Foreman.
versus 
Tonight (Monday, June 27) at 5:30pm in the Duluth Art Institute Galleries join Drew Digby for a free tour and talk of the Esther Bubley exhibit. Journalism, photojournalism, and the dignity of work: discuss.
PDD Gravatar Poll Championship
[poll id=”8″]
This poll is now closed. The results were:
Don Ness — 49.2 percent
Bev — 19.7 percent
TimK — 16.6 percent
Hot Shot — 14.4
Bound: A Photography Exhibit
Justin Sinks’ latest project was 2 years in the making. Bound is a study of shadow and contrast. He chose bondage because of the beauty and the juxtaposition of tough, fibrous ropes tight against smooth, fragile skin. He used black and white to enhance lines and patterns of rope created against the human body and to eliminate distractions present in color images. Please note this exhibit does contain material some might find objectionable and may not be suited for a younger audience.
The Duluth Photography Institute will be having a free public reception of these images at the DPI facility, 405 E. Superior St., Duluth on Friday, July 1 from 5-8 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Snacks and refreshments will be served.
For more information on Sinks, go to his Facebook page. For more information about the DPI project and to become a member, please visit duluthphotographyinstitute.com or call Brian at 218-393-2468.
Where in Duluth?
I was out for a hike today and found this.
I did not go investigate to see if there really were girls … it kinda reminded me of that one “Kids in the Hall” headcrusher sketch.
Duluth Kayaking – Saturday Evening Paddle
After checking out the great Park Point Art Fair this evening, what a gorgeous night Perfect Duluth Paddle.
Scottish Fest – June 25
Saturday, June 25 · 9:30am – 1:30pm
Fitger’s Courtyard
600 E. Superior St., Duluth
Saturday is the annual Duluth Scottish Heritage Association Highland Dance Competition. Pre-Premier Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. Duluth Scottish Heritage Assn. Pipes & Drums Band will perform in Fitger’s at Noon. Premier Competition Begins at 1:30 PM with awards ceremony to follow. The public is invited to attend; all events are free to the public.
Beer Festival – Lutsen – July 9
As a reminder to all those beer lovers out there, Hopped Up Caribou Beer Festival is happening in Lutsen on Saturday, July 9. Tickets are $25 and the breweries and brews listed below will be there. There will also be live music by Joe Paulik as well as Eric Frost & Friends.
Details at hoppedupcaribou.com. It’s going to be a good time!
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Far West Fest June 25 & 26
Saturday, June 25 from 8am – 1am
Sunday, June 26 from 9am – 5pm
1300 block of Commonwealth Ave – Gary
Coyote at Rhubarb Fest 2011
Coyote at Rhubarb Fest (11th Avenue East and London Road) 1 p.m. set!
7th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival
Is this going to be fun?
7th Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival
June 25, 9 AM to 4:30 PM
11th Ave East and London Road, Duluth
Admission is free!
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The best breakfast downtown …
… I might have had this morning. At least, best per-dollar, with the awesomest staff: the Coney Island.
On April 10, 1921 Gus Saites, a Greek immigrant, had a few hundred dollars and an idea. He would head to Duluth from St. Paul and open a restaurant on East Superior Street in the bustling town of Duluth Minnesota. Nearly 90 years later this idea continues uninterrupted in the same location and under the same tin ceiling as on that spring day in ’21.
A Summer Night of Sondheim
Join Renegade’s friends Adam Sippola & Carolyn LePine with Evan Kelly, Susanne Wilfahrt and Patrick Colvin on June 24 and/or June 25 for an evening of music from composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.
Tickets are $10, and all ages are welcome. Reserve your seat online at teatrozuccone.com, or get them the day of the event at Teatro Zuccone. The box office opens at 6pm. Doors open at 7:30pm, and the show starts at 8 pm.
Join Renegade Improv afterward both nights for 10:30 Main Event Shows. For more information and weekly schedules, check out 3dayweekendmn.com.
M’haha Window on “History Detectives”
Duluth’s “Minnehaha” Tiffany window (sometimes referred to as the “Hiawatha” window) designed by Duluth’s Ann Weston-and a watercolor associated with it-will be featured on next week’s “History Detectives” on PBS North. Look for Wade Lawrence, former director of Glensheen, for his expert analysis of the window.
Here are the air times/dates/PBS description:
Tuesday, June 28 – 7pm on PBS North
Tuesday, June 28 – midnight on PBS North
Saturday, July 2 – 6pm on PBS 2ndChance
Sunday, July 3 – 5pm on PBS North
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Seen on a run along Grand Portage Trail, Jay Cooke State Park
False Soloman’s Seal
Yellow Lady Slippers
Also seen in bloom, but not photographed: strawberries, mertensia, wild roses, the last of the large flowered trillium, thimbleberry, and buttercups.
The sun is shining and the trails should be drying out if the weather holds. Perfect time to get outside and discover what wildflowers the trails in and around Duluth hold!
Cold Water Surfest with Crew Jones
Saturday, June 25, at 10 p.m., Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar presents Cold Water Surfest with Crew Jones for free!
First Street Renaissance
Vietnamese Iced Coffee
My heart broke when the European Bakery closed (though I admit only shopping there once a month wasn’t much help in keeping it open). It relit today.
I had an awesome lunch at Saigon Cafe (114 W First St., Duluth, MN 55802). At $6.99 for all you can eat, the $2.99 for the Vietnamese coffee was an easy treat.
(Vietnamese Coffee is the reason I keep condensed milk at home: also known as ca phe sua da or cà phê sữa dá), it is made with dark roast coffee individually brewed with a small metal French drip filter into a cup containing sweetened condensed milk, stirred and poured over ice.) (more…)
Duluth’s Retro Antique Mall
You may have noticed a new antique store has opened at 118 E. First St. in Downtown Duluth. It’s a pretty crazy collection. In one corner is some of the remaining used book inventory from R. O. Carlson’s famous store, next to it is stuff from the old Molly’s Bar in Superior … and on and on. There are about 10 different people selling stuff in there, one of whom is Doug Moen, best known for his massive collection of retro clothing. (more…)
Fun and flowers this weekend at Jay Cooke State Park
It’s Duluth’s own backyard state park. In half the time it takes to drive to Gooseberry, you can get reach this big park straddling the rugged St. Louis River valley. You could even ride your bike out the Munger Trail.
Head out to Jay Cooke State Park this weekend and check out the lady’s slippers that are blooming. Or get up early for a birdsong walk with Larry Weber. The St. Louis River should be raging under the Swinging Bridge. These ideas and more are on my blog.
Note, none of the reservable campsites are available. If you zoom up to the park tonight or early Friday, you could still snag one of the first-come, first-served campsites.