Charlie goes to Oz
If you’re like most Americans, I imagine few of you are familiar with Paul Kelly but I have a dozen of his cds and think he’s great. I’m seen him referred to as Australia’s version 0f Springsteen. From an email to his mailing list about an Australian May tour:
Joining him on the road is Charlie Parr from Duluth, Minnesota, whose style bears the influence of hours spent listening to country blues records and Smithsonian/Folkways field recordings. Charlie’s finger picking, freewheeling tune, ‘1922 Blues’ is the soundtrack to the recent, hugely successful Vodafone TV campaign. Charlie plays original and traditional folk tunes, plus blues covers by the likes of Mississippi John Hurt and Charley Patton, favouring National resonator guitars, 12-string guitar and banjo in his performance.
His self-taught mix of slide, finger-picking and quasi-frailing technique come together with a voice that’s low on drama and high on impact. Dignity, and the struggle to keep it, are central themes in Parr’s songs. The gamblers, the union workers, the criminals and the sinners that wander around his songs come straight from real life observation. The stories he tells get into some dark spots; that place where regret and remorse part company.
Cliff Dwellers Spin/Fact Check
As an Alien Anthropologist I think it’s worth pointing out that the original “cliffdwellers” were actually really advanced, built really amazing houses, and had some fairly sophisticated technologies and social structures. The term “cliffdwellers” doesn’t really work as an insult–it’s like saying “you advanced people who know how to build really cool houses, make great pots and baskets, feed yourselves using your own knowledge, and know how to keep mice outta the corn bin.”
Here’s some info:
https://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/northamerica/anasazi.html
Attn Duluth Bloggers
…and other folks creatively using e-technologies.
The Blandin Foundation and E-Democracy.Org are bringing an “unconference” to Duluth, April 3-4, 2009.
The unconference is supported through an online discussion for people using new media technologies to build community across Greater Minnesota.
Learn more and join from https://e-democracy.org/mnvoices
Not exactly Bigfoot prints, but …
This trail struck me a little strange. I’m referring to the roughly 20-inch-wide path that’s been cleared in the middle. As if tracking some strange beast, I’m trying to figure out what cleared that path. (more…)
Footnote
Economist Edward Glaeser recently wrote in the NYT Economix blog about the declining population of the Rust Belt. I found the accompanying graphic entertaining.
“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!
2009 Mother’s Day Walk/Run Registration Open
Online registration for the 25th anniversary Mother’s Day Walk/Run is now open at https://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1694010
How to enter the inaugural Homegrown Music Video Festival
This year’s Homegrown Music Festival will feature a night of locally produced music videos using songs by local bands.
If you are interesting in creating a video for the festival, there are some things you should know. (more…)
Twitterpated 2009
21+ at the Lakeview Castle ^CLICK FOR DETAILS^
Now That’s More Like It
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: “The home secretary has excluded both Fred Phelps and his daughter from the UK. Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behaviour by inciting hatred against a number of communities.”
Ye olde Duluth/Superior rivalrie
“At Lake Superior’s Head: The Rival Cities of Duluth and West Superior, NYT, 5 October 1891.
Among other things, we learn that “cliff-dwellers” was a term of abuse for Duluthians.
Why did the Rubber Chicken cross the bridge? To do this show!
Rubber Chicken Theater and The Shack Dinner Theatre partner up for the show “QED” by Peter Parnell.
Starring Brian Matuszak and Cheryl Skafte
Directed by Minden Anderson
March 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22 at the Shack.
Tix: 715-392-DINE
Info: 218-213-2780, www.RubberChickenTheater.com
As Starfire says: “It’s only a bridge. Get over it!”
Minneapolis leaks a secret
The Alpha Centauri from Minneapolis is coming to Beaner’s on March 27 to release the long awaited second album. It’s going to be awesome. Some of you may have seen TAC at the Norshore and Luce a few years back. Check out the link to the lead singer’s otherworldly studio in Minneapolis that includes an extraordinary list of artists that he’s produced.
Glory Shine Janitorial Cleaning Company Van Hits Street Sweeper
There was no debris resulting from the accident.
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!)
Care package for Laurie Viets
Laurie Viets, native Superiorite and former DJ/Director for KUMD’s RPM show is confined to her hospital bed in Chicago for quite awhile. I’d like to organize a care package from the Northland for Laurie. She is pretty well stocked on magazines and books right now. I’m thinking crosswords, sodukus, hand held Yahtzee, those fun books with the invisible yellow magic markers, whatever. Music is fun, anything to brighten her room, stuff for Canyon (baby name). Even just mail is entertaining! Anything to break up the monotony would be appreciated.
If any of you have suggestions please let me know here or at, (igmossberger at hotmail dot com). I can setup a time and place for a drop-off. Laurie, if there’s anything you’d like, don’t be shy please let us know. God Bless.
Duluthians, how are you liking the fancy DTV so far?
WDIO dropped its analog signal and went fully digital last night. Folks with digital televisions (or with converter boxes) have to rescan channels in order for WDIO to come in. The station will not be at full power until Feb. 20. In the meantime, don’t break your rabbit ears.
From My Big Box of Photos | 2004
The 2004 Green Man was probably my favorite year. Sure the first one had it’s torrential rains and gale force winds and the last one had record breaking temps and gale force winds but 2004 was great. (more…)
Friday at Beaner’s: Crew Jones and Equal Xchange
Hey, third time’s a charm, right?