North Shore Arts Scene

January! When snow falls, and it starts getting lighter every day. The trails and hills are groomed and ready, and artists hunker down to start making for the coming year.

This January is no exception, although the deep snow and ice this early in the season is somewhat unusual. What is not unusual are the opportunities to get together, watch movies, listen to lots of live music, and get things done in the studio.

We have two movie opportunities this month: North House Folk School is running a movie series every Thursday night and the Grand Marais Pubic Library is screening films on Friday nights.

This week, North House Folk School will host the Back Country Film Festival on Thursday, Jan. 10, featuring a variety of films of the backcountry, human-powered recreation and environmental preservation.

Hosted by Superior Highlands Backcountry and produced by the Winter Wildlands Alliance, the film festival will promote the work of compelling storytellers. Doors open at 6 p.m., films start at 7 p.m. There will be raffles and silent auction. Admission is $10, kids are free. All invited.

On Friday, the Grand Marais Public Library will host Friday Night Reels and screen a documentary about Mister Fred Rogers starting at 6 p.m. The film, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” takes an intimate look at Mister Rogers, his work and his views on how to get along with each other. Check out the trailer here:

The film will be screened at 6 p.m. Free. Come early to make sure you get a seat.

On Saturday, the Grand Marais Music Collaborative will host an open mic at Wunderbar starting at 7 p.m. The Music Collaborative brings local music students and experienced music instructors together, fostering the region’s next generation of musicians. The entire GMMC board will be at the event, and many will bring their instruments. The Open Mic will be hosted by Joe Paulik and Pat Flack.

The public is invited to this once-a-year event. It should be a fun evening of music and talk.

On Sunday, the Grand Marais Playhouse will hold a meeting at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts about next summer’s Summer Repertory line-up at 6:30 p.m.. Two shows will be performed in repertory on the weekends from July 18 through Aug. 11. A musical or a farce will be selected based on the interest of the group. For more info, contact Sue Hennessy at 387-1284, ext 2 or send an email to: sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com

And on Monday, the Playhouse will hold auditions for the play “Quilters” at 3:30 p.m. at the ACA.  This is the annual community youth production with an emphasis on high school actors. There are roles for six women of high school age as well as an adult.  Musicians are also needed for this play. For more information, contact Sue Hennessy at sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com. She can also be reached at 387-1284.

And at noon on Wednesday, Jan. 16, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host an informational session about this year’s 100-Day Project, The project, developed by an artists’ group in Michigan, invites artists to commit to an artistic pursuit for 100 days — whether it’s writing a book, crafting cartoons, working a new musical composition or just playing with art. The process develops new skills and habits and can be transforming for participants. It’s also fun.

To find out more, come to the Art Colony at noon on Jan. 16. The actual 100-Day Project starts on Jan. 20. For more info, contact the Art Colony at 387-2737.

Exhibits:

 This is the last week to see the exhibit, “Remains of the Lake & the Northern Landscape” at the Johnson Heritage Post featuring a collection of black and white photographs by John Gregor focused on Lake Superior and landscapes by Tami Phillippi.

The exhibit has been well-received and continues through Jan. 13. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

An exhibit of George Morrison prints is currently on view at the North Shore Winery.

The Cedar Coffee House in Two Harbors will also mount an exhibit of George Morrison’s prints, with the opening reception set for Jan. 18. Stayed tuned.

A new exhibit has opened at Tettegouche State Park, featuring a variety of work by the Finland Group of Painters, including watercolors and oils.

The exhibit in the Great Hall continues through January.

In Duluth, the “Quiet Simplicity” exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art continues, with a painting by Richard Emil Miller added this week.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery, 250 Park Ave.,  has extended its exhibits through Jan. 19 due to public demand. On view are a film,”Qaleidoscope” Untamed: The Annual Regional Juried Show and Comet Chaser: Sarah Mason: A Retrospective.

The exhibits at Def Sup continue through Jan. 19.

At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, this is the last weekend to see “Reclaimed,” an exhibition of hand-restored axes, hatchets, and sledges by Curtis MacKay Wilson of Fablewood Homestead.

The restored artifacts are important pieces of material and cultural history of Northern Ontario, as well as examples of skilled restoration techniques.

Upcoming:

 Learn to waltz, two-step, foxtrot and swing dance with Ann and Wayne Russ this winter. The couple will be teaching dance classes at the 4-H Building at the Community Center from 7:15-9 p.m. starting Jan. 22. Singles welcome. For more info and to register, call 218 370-8949 or email russ@boreal.org

The Art House B&B will host a House Concert with Iron Range musicians Sara Pajunen and Sam Miltich at 7 p.m. Jan. 24. Tickets are $10 at the door. Refreshments will be served.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will host solar plate printmaker Dan Welden and photographer Craig Blacklock in a series of workshops, exhibits and artist talks in February. Stay tuned.

 

Grand Marais photographer, Bryan Hansel, will give a presentation at the Grand Marais Public Library Feb. 20. His topic?  “100 Days on the Road: The Life of a Landscape Photographer.” Here’s a Google map of where he traveled to take photos and teach workshops last year.

Here is one of the images he captured:

The presentation is free. Stay tuned.

Opportunities:

 More than 20 artists from every medium turned up for the first organizational meeting of the North Shore Arts League at the Johnson Heritage Post on Tuesday. The group discussed how and if they wanted to organize an artist network and support group. The decision? Yes! A steering committee was formed  to guide organizational structure in its early days. The steering committee members are Natalie Sobanja, Maxine Linehan, Bob Swanson, Julie Arthur and Kathy Weinberg.

The group also decided to have a group show at the Johnson Heritage Post in April. The next organizational meeting is set for Jan. 24 from 5-7 p.m. All artists invited. For more info, contact Kathy Weinberg at klweinberg@gmail.com

A call for artists of every age has gone out for the spring exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post sponsored by the Spirit of the Wilderness Church. The exhibit opens in March. The theme this year is “Thin Place.” For more info, contact Greg Mueller at glmuellerstudio@gmail.com and stay tuned for details.

And finally, a call for artists has gone out for the Bimidji Sculpture Walk.

The sculpture festival is held in June. This is the 20th year the event has been held on the streets of the town. Selected artists will receive a $500 honorarium. For more info, click here.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Jan. 10:

• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Pete K, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 11:

• Briand Morrison, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre and Ton Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Pete K, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 12:

• Harris Mills, The Cove, Best Western Plus Superior Inn, 5-8 p.m.
• Frozen Britches, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• Common Ground, Poplar River Pub, 7 p.m.
• Grand Marais Music Collaborative, Open Mic, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre and Tony Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 14:

• Chris Koza, Singer/Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 15:

• Jim & Michele Miller, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Boyd Blomberg, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 16:

• Singer/Songwriters Sarah Morris Trio, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

We found lots of photos this week. Here’s a selection:

First, wildlife:

 

 

 

 

 

We found these northern light shots.

 

And snow:

And grey beauty.

And some wonderful sunrise/sunsets:

 

 

 

 

And a double sunset/double exposure:

 

And finally, this shot, which certainly tells a story…

Heidi Pinkerton caught this scene when she was out driving the other day. When she got out of her car, the wolf left, but the deer stayed in that freezing river for another hour before venturing onto dry ground, she said.

So that’s it for this week! Enjoy your weekend!

(If you’ve enjoyed NorthShore ArtScene this week, consider making a donation today. And thank you!)

 

 

Welcome to 2019!

We’re excited to report that winter has clamped down on the North Shore with more than a foot of fluffy white snow, coating the trees in splendor and the trails with deep coverings for skis, snowshoes, fat tires and mukluks.

It’s a great harbinger for one of the most popular sled dog races on the North Shore, too –the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race , which starts 8 a.m.  on Saturday at Trail Center, with a full complement of enthusiastic mushers and sled dogs.

There are several exciting things to do and see before then.

First up is the launch of the Friday Night Reels, the winter film series at the Grand Marais Public Library on Friday at 6 p.m. when it will screen the film “Neither Wolf Nor Dog,” based on the novel of the same name by author Kent Nerburn. This is a great opportunity to see the film because it is not in general circulation yet. Check out the trailer here:

The screening is free. All invited.

Also on Friday night, the Finland Group of Painters will open an exhibit in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park with a reception at 7 p.m. Friday. Exhibitors include oil painters Gary Olson, Marc Smith and Deb Birkeland and watercolorist Sandy Maxwell.

The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, continues through January.

Also on Friday, Papa Charlie’s and Lutsen Mountains will host the 4th annual Ski Party featuring singer/songwriter Erik Koskinen and Trampled by Turtles on Friday night and Superior Siren and Lissie on Saturday night. On Friday night, Koskinen plays at 9 p.m., Trampled by Turtles at 10:45 p.m. Here’s a video of a favorite Trampled by Turtles song:

Doors open at 8 p.m. on Friday night. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door. For more info and tickets, click here.

The Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race begins and ends at Trail Center this weekend. It is a continuous race consisting of two legs of equal distance, separated by a mandatory layover. There are two classes in the race: a 12-dog, 100-mile race and an 8-dog, 65-mile race. The races begin at 8 a.m. at Trail Center.

Temps won’t be nearly as cold as they were last year. At the start in 2018, the temperature was -27℉, according to local reports. This year, it will be considerably warmer with a projected high of 37℉.

The race will feature lots of great mushers, including Ryan Redington, who has won the past two Mail Runs and also won last winter’s John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. Also competing this year is Ryan Anderson, who has won the Beargrease three times, most recently in 2017. Local mushers include Erin Altemus, Frank Moe, Matt Schmidt and Mary Manning, to name a few.

Check out this video about the start of the Mail Run:

Everyone is invited to come watch. The race will also be covered on the event’s Facebook page here as well as team tracking on the race website, here.

Also this weekend,  the 3rd annual Norpine Fat Bike Classic will be held. The long course is 24 miles long, the short course is 16 miles. The racers will compete  predominately on the Norpine cross country ski trails.

The mass start is at the Superior National clubhouse at 10:30 a.m. For details about this weekend event, click here.

Indoors, look for the first organizational meeting of the North Shore Arts League at the Johnson Heritage Post on Tuesday, Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All fine art artists are invited, including painters, writers, sculptors, potters,  photographers and fiber artists — in short, any artist who may benefit from having a go-to network is welcome to attend. The group will discuss organizational details as well as make plans for a group show at the Heritage Post in April. Participants are welcome to bring their lunch. For more information, click here. 

And then on Wednesday, the Grand Marais Public Library will begin it’s Winter Wednesday series with the reading of Henrik Ibsen’s play, “An Enemy of the People” in conjunction with the Grand Marais Playhouse. This is an opportunity for participants to gather together to read and/or just listen to the play in an informal setting. All invited. The event starts at 6 p.m.

Exhibits:

 The exhibit, “Remains of the Lake & the Northern Landscape” featuring black and white photographs of historic sites on Lake Superior by John Gregor and colorful North Shore landscapes by Tami Phillippi continues at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The exhibit continues through Jan. 13. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Betsy Bowen Studio and Galleries will be open on Friday and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all winter. The studio features a variety of local artists’ work as well as Bowen’s woodcuts. And it’s an active studio as Bowen continues to make woodcut prints.

Lauri Slanga has work at Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen.

This is the last weekend to see Anne Labovitz’ exhibit, 122 Conversations, at the Tweed Museum of Art. It closes Jan.6.

The Joseph Nease Gallery in Duluth is exhibiting work by Allison Aune.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has a number of exhibits this month, including “Exorcism” by Carl Beams.

 Upcoming:

 North House Folk School will hold Thursday Night Film screenings starting next Thursday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. This week’s films: The Backcountry Film Festival, featuring a compilation of films orbiting around human-powered outdoor winter experiences. Doors open at 6 p.m. The films start at 7 p.m. $10 admission, kids are free. There will also be a raffle and silent auction.

Hovland’s annual Winter Gathering & Dance will be held at the Hovland Town Hall from 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 with the SplinterTones. All invited. Sponsored by the North Shore Music Association.

The Robert Burns Dinner honoring the Scottish poet’s birthday will be held Jan. 26 at The Wunderbar. The event includes piping in the haggis,  a full-course dinner, poetry readings, and a sing-a-long.

Reservations are required and must be made by Jan. 19. For more information and to make reservations, contact Jeff or Mary MacDonald at (218) 387-1221 or creative@boreal.org

And the Grand Marais Art Colony will host a series of Winter Reading Groups, which will read a book and discuss it within the group. Each group will meet on Jan. 29 and then again on Feb. 21. Open to all. The suggested donation is $10, and registration is open through Jan. 22.

The morning groups meet from 9:30-11:30 a.m., the evening groups meet from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Founders Hall at the Art Colony. Click on the listings below to learn more.

• Winter Morning Reading Group: The Blue Arabesque: A Search for the Sublime by Patricia Hampl with facilitator Nina Simonwicz.
• Winter Morning Reading Group: The Death and Life of the Great Lakes  by Dan Egan with facilitator Ann Possis.
• Winter Evening Reading Group: The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World  by Lewis Hyde with facilitator John Books.
• Winter Evening Reading Group: Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by  Lisa Cron with Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux.

Homage

And last, but not least, we are sad to report that internationally acclaimed potter, Warren MacKenzie, has died. He was 94.

In his lifetime, MacKenzie taught hundreds if not thousands of students about how to make pots. and dedicated his life to crafting clay into usable, functional and beautiful vessels. He is the father of the Minnesota pottery tradition, which combines Japanese, English and American techniques and values into making a pot. His creative life is honored all over the world. In 1981, he was named one of the 12 greatest potters in the world, and his work is featured in museums and collections world-wide. His studio is in Stillwater.

For a great story about MacKenzie’s life and wonderful photographs of him and his work, click here.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Jan. 3:

• Eric Frost, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 4:

• One Less Guest, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• JohnRuss, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Jon Kalberg, Poplar River Pub, 7 p.m.
• Ski Party with Erik Koskinen, 9 p.m., Trampled by Turtles, 10:45 p.m. Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 5:

• SonofMel, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Woodblind, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Ski Party at Papa Charlie’s, Superior Siren, 9 p.m., Lissie, 10:45 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 5:

• Open Mic with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 5:30 p.m.

 Monday, Jan. 6:

• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Erik Koskinen, Singer/Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

 Tuesday, Jan. 7:

• Joe Paulik, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic at Papa Charlie’s with Boyd Blomberg,  7 p.m.

 Wednesday, Jan. 8:

• Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Lots of photos this week. Let’s start with a vegetable.

And a droplet of water:

And a burning meteor in the sky: (Look for it)

And clouds:

And an ice mushroom:

And a bear cloud:

Surfing at Stoney Point at -10℉.

 

And a few wildlife shots:

:

 

 

And lots of icy shots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a good weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s pretty quiet in Cook County this week, which is good. It gives us all a chance to recharge.

There’s plenty of snow, with more to come, making it picture-perfect for the Holiday Season. The night life is pretty good, too. Look for great music at all the venues over the weekend, and lots of New Year’s Eve parties on New Year’s Eve. (See schedule, below).

For Thursday, Dec. 27, consider participating in a “Let’s Paint” at Lutsen Resort. The wine-art event is hosted by Kathy Fox Weinberg from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday. Participants will learn the basics of painting landscapes with acrylic, and walk away with a landscape painting featuring the resort’s historic Poplar River Bridge. The best part? You don’t have to be an artist to have an awesome time (or drink wine).

The cost of the wine-art event is $40. All invited. For more info and to register, click here.

And from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, North House Folk School will hold an open house to view a Tiny House built in the Boat Barn, the new classroom at North House. It is located in the Morton building behind Dockside Fish Market. The Tiny House, a Mark Hansen-inspired design, was built with timbers milled at Hedstrom Lumber Company by instructor Andy Keith and resident artisans Angela Robins and Mike Loeffler.

Art Museums, galleries and shops have different hours over the next week… many will be closed, at least, on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, but when they’re open, here’s what you can see:

“The Remains of the Lake & Northern Landscapes” with photographs by John Gregor and Tami Phillippi continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Jan. 13.

Gregor’s stunning black & white photographs document old industrial sites on Lake Superior, while Phillippi’s North Shore colorful landscapes inspire. It’s an interesting exhibit.

The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Betsy Bowen’s Studio and Galleries is open all winter, Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Holiday Art Underground show continues at the gallery through the first of the year.

This is the final week to see two exhibits at the Duluth Art Institute: Patrick Luber’s “Exceptionally Ordinary,” and Darren Houser’s “Real-Unreal.” They close Dec. 30. Also on view, “Alien Ship” by Stephanie Wilcox, a pencil and ink drawing.

The Duluth Art Institute‘s Annual Member Show opens Jan. 24. Stay tuned for details.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery continues its three exhibits: “21 Pillows,” an installation by Cheryl Wilson-Smith, From the Permanent Collection; Carl Beam’s “Exorcism,” “Reclaimed,” an exhibition of hand restored axes, hatchets, and sledges and “Lessons: The Artistry of Learning.”

The exhibit “Lessons: Artistry of Learning,” features work by artists dedicated to the accumulation and sharing of knowledge, and includes works by Moses Amik Beaver (1960-2017), Zoe Gordon, Sarah Link, Jean Marshall, Riaz Mehmood, Crystal Nielsen, Frank Shebageget and Mavourneen Trainor.

The exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery continue through March 3.

Upcoming:

 The Grand Marais Public Library will hold two winter programming lineups this year: Friday Night Reels, a series of films screened on Friday nights. The series starts on Jan. 4, and Winter Wednesdays, a series of presentations Jan. 9.

Next Friday, Jan. 4, “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” will be screened at 6 p.m.. It based on Kent Nerburn’s novel. Because “Neither Wolf Nor Dog” is only available for licensed viewing, this may be the only chance people from Cook County will have to see the film without having to travel to a more metropolitan destination where it might play in an arthouse style theater. Free. Here’s a trailer:

 Friday. Jan. 4., 6 p.m., Grand Marais Public Library. Free.

The first Winter Wednesday event is scheduled to be a reading of a play, Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” in conjunction with the Grand Marais Playhouse. Stay tuned for details.

Also next weekend, the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race will be held at Trail Center. This is always an exciting time for mushers and is a fun race to watch. Details next week.

Also, a new exhibit opens in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park with a reception on Friday, Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. The exhibit features work by the Finland Group of Painters: Gary Olson, Marc Smith and Deb Birkeland, oil painters, and Sandy Maxwell, watercolorist.

The exhibit will continue through January.

The first organizational meeting of the North Shore Arts League will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post from 11 a.m to 1 p.m on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

According to a statement about the meeting, “artists are integral to the culture and history of the North Shore, while also playing a important role in today’s economy. To thrive and assure a vibrant art force, it is important that artisans have a nurturing, supportive community dedicated to their personal, social, educational and informational needs. The arts league will be a self-facilitated group organized by artists for artists. It will be organized as the group desires and based on the needs of the group.” All artists are welcome.

At the first meeting, the group will be considering and deciding on its first show/member exhibition with space offered by Johnson Heritage Post for April 12-May 5, 2019. For more info, click here.

Music:

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, Dec. 27:

• Apres-Ski Acoustic with Bug Dope, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Papa Charlie’s, 6:30 p.m.
• Maria Nickolay, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 28:

• James Moors, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 29:

• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• Jon Cron, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Dance Party with DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 30:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• James Moors, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, www.michaelmonroemusic.com, 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 31:

• New Year’s Eve Celebration, Cascade Lodge Pub, 5-9 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve, Gunflint Lodge, 5:30-11 p.m.
• Boyd Blomberg, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concerts, rural Grand Marais, www.michaelmonroemusic.com, 7 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve at Grandma Ray’s, Rich Mattson & the North Stars, 8:30 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Karaoke, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• New Year’s Eve Dance Party with DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 1:

• Timmy Haus, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 2:

• Singer/Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 3:

• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 4:

• Ski Party Weekend at Papa Charlie’s, Erik Koskinen, 9 p.m., Trampled by Turtles, 10:45 p.m.

Photographs:

 We found a few photos this week. Here’s a selection:

Let’s start with wildlife–all birds this week.

 

 

 

 

Catching wildlife….this is one in the series by Christian Dalbec.

The Winter Solstice:

Winter landscapes:

 

 

 

 

 

Lighthouses:

 

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least, this photograph, taken by a high school student as part of a photo assignment… a chicken at dawn.

Happy New Year! Best wishes for 2019.

(BTW: If you’d like to help support NorthShore ArtScene, you can donate at the button below. And thank you!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Winter Solstice! And Merry Christmas! Lots to celebrate this weekend!

There are lots of Winter Solstice celebrations scheduled for this week, as winter makes its official entry into our calendars. And Christmas is Tuesday!

And although it is wintery on Lake Superior (see photo, above), it’s been much warmer on the shore. That “heat wave” (around 32 degrees) is scheduled to last for awhile, or at least until Christmas. so getting out for events and/or final shopping should be pretty easy.

First up this week is a great opportunity for Cook County artists to learn about grant opportunities offered by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.

On Friday, Dec. 21, Holly Hackett-Rich, the grants manager at ARAC, will talk about its artistic grant programs at the Grand Marais Art Colony starting at noon. All artists are invited, whether they’re dancers or potters or writers, or sculptors or fiber artists, printmakers, painters or poets — the grant programs are open to all.

Local artists who have recently been awarded ARAC grants include Corrie Steckelberg, Hovland; Mary Beth Garmoe, Grand Marais; Greg Mueller, Lutsen; Mike Smieja, Grand Marais; Melissa Wickwire. Grand Marais, Elizabeth Belz, Grand Marais; Briand Morrison, Grand Portage and Neil Sherman, Grand Marais.

Hackett-Rich will give a presentation and then be available for questions. This is a free lunch-time event, and participants are welcome to bring their own brown bag lunch. To learn more about ARAC, click here.

And Russell DuFresne, who’s playing a Tom Petty Tribute Show at the Wunderbar on Friday night will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse to talk about his music and play a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m. on Friday nights.

Not to be missed,  the Good Harbor Hill Players will present its annual Winter Solstice Shadow Puppet Show at North House Folk School on Friday night starting at 6 p.m. This show is always a great community event, and includes live music, crazy plots, funny shadow puppets, a bonfire, a potluck and a surprise or two.  The title of this year’s show? “Vexed by Beavers.”

The bonfire is lit after the show and the audience is invited to toss in their “gloomies,” handwritten notes about things they’d rather forget, things they want to change in the coming year, even things they are thankful for. Then everyone retires to the Blue Building for a celebratory potluck. (Please bring your own utensils.) All invited. Free.

If you’re going to be in Duluth on Friday night, check out the Downtown Duluth Winter Solstice Arts Walk which features exhibits, music, glass blowing, photography, card-making, art shopping and more from 5-8 p.m. in a variety of studios and galleries downtown.

Click here to see a map of all the venues.

This is the final weekend before Christmas, and it’s going to be pretty quiet in Cook County, as people make final preparations and shop for the Tuesday event.

At The Big Lake on Saturday, starting at 3 p.m., the shop will celebrate the first full moon of winter with the Cold Moon Fest. There will be refreshments, kids crafts, drawings and more starting at 3 p.m.

The Full Moon in December is traditionally called the Cold Moon.

There’s lots of great live music for the rest of the week, too, see the music schedule, below.

Exhibits: 

The exhibit, “Remains of the Lake & the Northern Landscape” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Jan. 13. The exhibit includes beautiful black and white photographs by John Gregor detailing industrial “leftovers” in Lake Superior as well as a series of colorful landscapes by Tami Phillippi.

The Johnson Heritage Post is open from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Also on exhibit is the Holiday Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen Gallery and Studios, featuring work by more than 30 local and regional artists.

The gallery is open from 11 a.m. 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. After Christmas, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m Thursday through Saturday, all through the winter.

At Tettegouche State Park, watercolor painter Dennis Murnyak is exhibiting a selection of his work in the Great Hall.

The exhibit continues through December.

The Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth continues its exhibit, “Intersections,” featuring work from its collections of Native American art.

The Duluth Art Institute is exhibiting a variety of art at the Duluth City Hall through March in collaboration with the Duluth Public Arts Commission.

In Thunder Bay, this is the last weekend to see the Definitely Superior Art Gallery‘s exhibits, the annual juried exhibit of DefSup members as well as works by Sarah Mason.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has opened a group exhibition, “Lessons: The Artistry of Learning.” which will be on view through March 3. The exhibit showcases works by seven artists from Thunder Bay and the region, including pieces by the late Moses Amik Beaver (1960-2017).

Upcoming:

Lots of places have scheduled New Year’s Eve Parties on Dec. 31. Check out them out here. And stay tuned for details next week.

Trampled by Turtles will be at Papa Charlie’s Friday, Jan. 4, to perform as part of Lutsen Mountains Ski Party Weekend, Jan.4-5. Erik Koskinen will also play on Friday night.  Details and tickets, here.

Here’s a video of this exciting band.

Also coming up that weekend, the popular Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race, sponsored by Trail Center Jan. 5.

A new arts organization is forming to provide networking for artists in the county. The North Shore Arts League will have its first organizational meeting at the Johnson Heritage Post from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8. All artists welcome.

And finally, the Winter Gathering and Dance with the SplinterTones will be held at the Hovland Town Hall Jan. 19. It is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association.

Window Shopping:

Here is just a taste of a few tidbits you will find at galleries and shops in the county this weekend.

Music:

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, Dec. 20:

• Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats– Holiday Show, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 21:

• Matt & Laurel, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• A Very Petty Christmas with Free Falling, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 22:

• Matt & Laurel, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 23:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 25:

Merry Christmas!

Wednesday, Dec. 26:

• Apres-ski Acoustic with Boyd Blomberg, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Tim Fast, Gun Flint Tavern,  7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Bay, 8 p.m.

Photographs:

We are so lucky to have great local and regional photographers who are willing to share their work with us. Here are some of the photos we found this week:

First, wildlife:

Paul Sundberg met this momma bobcat and her kitten the other day.

Then another one showed up.

 

 

Here’s a photograph that looks like it’s been photoshopped, but the photographer says it wasn’t… just happy chance. He was taking photos of this Snowy Owl perched on the roof of a hospital in Superior, Wis., with the moon behind it, when an airplane flew into the frame.

Frozen water:

 

Here’s one from another Big Lake… Lake Michigan.

 

Rushing Water:

 

Curling water:

Quiet water:

Beauteous skies:

Meteor skies:

The moon as ornament:

And finally, what you do when the lakes freeze over.

Have a great weekend, everyone! And Happy Holidays!

(Holiday giving? Donate to NorthShore ArtScene today. And Thank You!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never underestimate the creativity of people in Cook County. This weekend is no exception. On tap is the Dark Sky Festival, Wunderbar’s Holiday Market, a Curry Cook-off and Broadway Showcase, and a Holiday Character Dress-Up Contest, just to name a few things scheduled for this weekend.

Let’s start with author Tim Cochrane, who will give a presentation about his latest book, “Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais: Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade” at the Heritage Visitor Center at the National Monument in Grand Portage from 2-4 p.m. on Thursday. All invited. Free. The book is available at local booksellers as well.

On Thursday night, Wunderbar hosts more than 20 artists, artisans, local businesses and galleries for its second annual Holiday Market.

Local artists at the Holiday Market include painter Anna Hess, potters Hannah Palma, Natalie Sobanja and Kari Carter, weaver Julie Arthur, illustrator Kari Vick, felter Mary Reichert, author Rose Arrowsmith Decoux and Mueller Studio and Sannerud Studios Furniture. Local galleries and shops, even a few restaurants will be there. Open to all.

On Friday and Saturday, Grand Marais will host the first annual Dark Sky Festival, honoring the fact that Cook County has one of the darkest skies in the nation.

UMD’s Traveling GeoDome, which provides guided tours through the night skies, will be set up at Voyageur Brewing Co. on both days. The GeoDome will be open from 5-9 p.m. on Friday and from 8-10 p.m. on Saturday. There will be telescopes set up outdoors as well, weather permitting. On Saturday, photographers Bryan Hansel and Travis Novitsky will host “Dueling Photographers,” a friendly showing of their nightscape photographs. The “duel” will be held at North House Folk School from 5-6:30 p.m.

At 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jim Rock and Joel Halvorson will present “Native Skies: The Stars and Indigenous Peoples,” also at North House. After the presentations, there will be a bonfire and s’mores as well as more stargazing, weather permitting, and the GeoDome will re-open at Voyageur’s. And finally, Wunderbar will Twilight Zone Move Marathon starting at 9 p.m.

Also on Saturday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will hold Community Ink Day, a chance to learn about making prints and create one of your own. It will be held in the Art Colony’s print studio from 1-3:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited, but children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. This is a drop-in event — no registration is required — but a $5 donation to cover materials expenses is requested.

And, an added perk for the weekend, the annual Curry Cook-Off and Broadway Showcase, a fundraiser for the Grand Marais Playhouse, will be held at the 1st Congregational Church on Saturday, Dec. 15.

This is always a tasty event, in more ways than one. This year, 10 different curries will be in competition, and the public is invite to vote for their favorite. The tasting feast is followed by holiday and Broadway music performances by  local actors. The curry tasting starts at 6:30 p.m, the showcase is at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary. The event is a fundraiser for the Playhouse. It will hold a membership meeting at 5:30 p.m before the event. For details, click here.

Also on Saturday night, Voyageur Brewing Co. will hold a Holiday Character Costume Contest and Elves off the Shelves Party starting at 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to come dressed as their favorite holiday character, whether Frosty, Rudolph, the Grinch, Santa or ??? Best costumes will win gift cards, judging is at 7 p.m. Bring along your elf and some props to create a winning scene for a prize. Judging is at 7:30 p.m.

In Duluth, raku potters Richard Gruchalla and Carrin Rosetti will be having their annual Christmas sale at their studio in Duluth  Dec. 14-16, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

The raku artists are well-known in Grand Marais. They hold a “Do You Raku? We Do” event at Siverston Gallery every fall. Their studio in Duluth is located at 1600 London Rd. It’s at the east end of the building, lower level.

On Wednesday, Dec. 19, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host “Community Conversations with Neil Sherman: Let’s Finish It!” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Sherman, a plein air painter, will lead a discussion on how to finish two-dimensional pieces with the most appropriate and long-lasting framing materials. He will be demonstrating as well. Everyone invited. Free.

Also on Wednesday, Voyageur Brewing Co. will host the Artisan Spotlight and Sale from 4:30 pm. to 6:30 p.m. at the brewery. The artists include potter Kari Carter and jewelry maker Terry Lord-Lewis.

The Artist Spotlight and Sale runs from 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Exhibits:

The exhibit, “Remains of the Lake & the Northern Landscape”continues at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit features work by photographers John Gregor and Tami Phillippi. Gregor’s pieces feature his work in black and white highlighting Lake Superior’s past. Phillippi’s photographs focus on colorful northern landscapes.

 This is a highly regarded exhibit and a must-see. Gregor shows us parts of Lake Superior we’ve never known about or noticed, while Phillippi celebrates the beauty of the North Shore. The exhibit continues through Jan. 13. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

A new exhibit has opened in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park. Watercolor painter Dennis Murnyak has a wide variety of work on view.

Murnyak’s exhibit will be up through December.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibition of Manifest’o, an installation by Jonathan Thunder. There are three animation vignettes featuring Anishanaabe stories:” Supernaut Becomes The Water Lily”; :The Mishu Bizhiw Awakens” and “Goldfinch Counts Leaves.”

Three are three exhibits currently on view at the Duluth Art Institute: Patrick Luber’s, “Exceptionally Ordinary,” Darren Houser’s, “Real-Unreal” and Nik Nerburn’s,  “Nik Nuerburn is a Camera.” All the exhibits continue through Dec. 20.

Also, Alyssa Johnson has opened a photography exhibit at the Red Herring Lounge entitled “Once Upon an Imagination.”

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery has opened three new exhibits this week including “21 Pillows,” an installation by Cheryl Wilson-Smith, “Lessons: The Artistry of Learning” and “Carl Beam’s Exorcism,” from the Permanent Collection.

Window Shopping:

Upcoming:

One of the finest celebrations of the winter: The Winter Solstice Shadow Puppet Show by the Good Harbor Players is Friday, Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. outside at North House Folk School. All invited. Free.

The Shadow Puppet Show always includes great puppets, a funny storyline and music. And not to forget, the bonfire to throw in your “gloomies” and a community potluck afterwards. Partiipants are asked to bring their own plates and silverware to the potluck. Stay tuned for details.

The 2019 Winter Plein Air Retreat at YMCA Camp Menogyn is set for Jan. 27-Feb. 1 this year, with an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post to open Feb. 1.

The application deadline is Dec. 24. To find out more and to apply, click here.

Music:

Here’s the music for this week:

Thursday, Dec. 13:

• Maria Nickolay, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 14:

• Nate Weiler, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Shakey Ground, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Snowball Music & Ski Festival, Papa Charlie’s,  Jon Wayne & The Pain, 9 p.m.; WookieFoot, 10:45 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 15:

• Snowball Music & Ski Festival, Papa Charlie’s, Smokin’ Joe, 12:30; The Limns, 2 p.m., Jon Wayne, 4 p.m.; Heatbox, 9 p.m., Wookiefoot, 10:45 p.m.
• A Hovland Family Christmas,  Hovland Town Hall, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 16:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Open State with Joe Paulik, 6 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 17:

• Holiday Show with the North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 18:

• Gordon Thorne, Poplar River Pub, 68 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 19:

• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 6:30 p.m.

We found some interesting photos this week. Here’s a selection:

Wildlife:

 

Catching wildlife:

Ice photos:

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Superior:

 

Potpourri:

 

 

 

And, a photo for the season.

Enjoy your weekend!

(Greetings everyone! If you enjoy receiving NorthShore ArtScene every week, please consider giving a donation today. Thank you!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The holiday season is in full swing on the North Shore.  This week look for two holiday concerts, an art opening, an artisan spotlight, art shopping, art exhibits and more.

First up is a new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post which opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m on Friday, Dec. 5, and then continues through Jan. 13.

Entitled “Remains of the Lake & The Northern Landscape,” this exhibit is pretty amazing. On the one hand, it features a collection of black and white photographs by John Gregor documenting what historic sites on Lake Superior look like today, as well as colorful landscapes and macro-photography by Tami Phillippi.

Gregor’s photographs are stunning and unusual. The photographer, who has worked around the world and runs Cold Snap Photography from his studio in Two Harbors, traveled to parts of the Big Lake that used to be thriving commercial enterprises that are no more. Here is an example:

  The exhibit features his exploration of Lake Superior’s past in a black and white format, giving the photographs a strong historical feel. At the same time, we’re intrigued by the settings, which say “Beautiful Lake Superior,” even in B&W.

Phillippi’s photographs, on the other hand, document the North Shore in all its colorful beauty.

The exhibit continues through the holiday season, closing Jan. 13. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

Also on Friday, SVEA, the fantastic a cappella singers, will present a Holiday Concert at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 7-8:30 p.m. The event will feature a cappella Swedish folk songs as well as poetic storytelling, sweet treats and mulled wine.

SVEA is Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Tina Hegg Raway, Elunia Steckelberg, and Erika Ternes. Suggested ticket price is $10 per person, $20 family. All invited. It should be a great show.

Saturday is pretty busy this weekend, too.

It starts off with two fun glass classes for students at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Entitled “Youth Glass Selfies,” the class features instruction by Nancy Seaton on how to make a “selfie” out of pieces of glass. The pieces will then be fired in the glass studio kilns and be ready for pick-up the next day.

 There will be two sessions: at 9 a.m., for students from 7-11 years-old, and at 1 p.m., for students from 12-16 years-old. For more information and to register, click here or call the Art Colony at 387-2737. Cost of the class is $38.

Also on Saturday, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux and Kari Vick will be at Drury Lane Books to sign their book, “The Sock Goblin” from  11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

There’s an added perk: Arrowsmith DeCoux might read sections from the book if asked.

And finally on Saturday,, take a chance to learn about pottery with a partner or friend and make a few things in the ceramic studio with Natalie Sobanja. The class, entitled “A Night Out in the Studio with Natalie Sobanja” will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s ceramic studio. Couples, singles and friends are welcome to join her in the studio to learn the ins and outs of wheel throwing and hand building. Their pieces will be available for pick-up a week later. Dessert and wine will be served. The cost is $70 and includes all supplies. Call 387-2737 to register or click here.

And, not to forget, this is the weekend the Borealis Chorale and Orchestra will present its Christmas Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church with performances at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, and Monday, Dec. 10. The concert features more than 70 singers and musicians who will perform a variety of traditional songs as well as compositions by composer/conductor William Beckstrand.

With the theme “Songs of the Season,” the performance will include Beckstrand’s “People Look East” and “Grace on Grace,” John Rutter’s “Donkey Carol,” and Daniel Pinkham’s “Christmas Cantata” accompanied by brass ensemble. Gifted local soloists, youth and adult, will also perform. All invited. Free, but freewill donations are accepted. For more information about the Borealis Chorale, click here. The event is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association. (Hint: Come early to get a good seat.)

And next Wednesday, Dec. 12, three artists will be participating in Voyageur Brewing Co.’s Artisan Spotlight and Sale, which is held in the brewery from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The artists include potter Natalie Sobanja, weaver Julie Arthur and bead painter Jo Wood.

 Exhibits:

 In Duluth, plein air artist Matt Kania’s one-man show continues at the Zeitgeist Cafe in Duluth.

The exhibit, entitled “DOing: A Labor of Love” features portraits of artists and artisans doing what they love. It continues through Jan. 11.

Also in Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art has opened a new exhibit of work by first year art students at UMD. Entitled “Fresh Foundations: Elements and Principles,”the exhibit continues through December.

The Tweed’s other two exhibitions, “Intersections,” works by Native American artists in the Tweed collection, and “Manifest’o,” a multi-media installation by Jonathon Thunder, continue as well.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery is featuring two exhibitions: “Untamed: The 30th anniversary Juried Exhibition,” and the “Sarah Mason Retrospective.” The exhibits continue through Jan. 13.

Upcoming:

 The Wunderbar Holiday Market, featuring 20 artists, artisans and vendors, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 5-7 p.m. at the Wunderbar. Stay tuned for details.

Dueling Photographers: Bryan Hansel Photography and Photography by Travis Novitsky, a presentation by two of the most talented night photographers in Cook County, will be from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at North House Folk School.

The presentation is part of the Dark Sky Festival, Dec. 14-15. Stay tuned for details and/or click here.

The Hovland Family Christmas Concert will be held in the Hovland Town Hall starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15.

Art Shopping

 Here are this week’s ideas for art shopping for the holidays. Photographers Bryan Hansel, David Johnson, Thomas Spence and Nace Hagemann are all offering calendars this year. Click on their links to find out more.

Joy and Company has a great selection of new art supplies.

 Sivertson Gallery has small, framed giclee prints by the North Shore’s favorite artists.

And there are lots of things to choose from at Betsy Bowen’s Gallery and Studio, including these charming bottles by Bob LaMettry.

 Music:

Here’s the live music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Dec. 6:

• Joe Paulik, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 7:

• Maria Nickolay, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• SVEA Holiday Concert, Grand Marais Art Colony, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 8:

• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Christopher David Hanson Band, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 9:

• Briand Morrison. Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 5:30 p.m.
• Borealis Chorale and Orchestra Christmas Concert, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 10:

• Borealis Chorale and Orchestra Christmas Concert, Bethlehem Lutheran Church,  7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 11:

• John Russ, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

We found some great photos this week. Let’s start with some wildlife shots:

 

 

 

And living on the wild side….

Not exactly wild, but wild.

A wild Lake Superior …

 And here are some other great photos we found:

 

 

 

 

 And this week, we sort of broke a rule and are posting photos that are not from this area. But the photographs were so beautiful, we couldn’t resist.

Here’s the first one:

And here’s the second:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Greetings everyone! If you enjoy receiving NorthShore ArtScene every week, please consider giving a donation today. And thanks!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grand Marais will be hopping with holiday events and sales for the next few weeks.  Here’s what’s happening this weekend.

First up is the Sneak Peek of the Holiday Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen’s Gallery Studio on Friday from 5-7 p.m. The show, which features work by a variety of local and regional artists, technically opens on Saturday, Dec. 1. The Sneak Peek on Friday night is a perk, and includes a chance to get the first look at the variety of work on display as well as enjoy refreshments and a glass of wine with neighbors and fellow art lovers — and Betsy! The show continues at the gallery through Dec. 23.

Also on Friday, the annual Christmas play mounted by the Grand Marais Playhouse at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts opens for a weekend run.  “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” features a cast of more than 30, including adults and children. The play is a vast community celebration of the holiday season. Plus that, it’s a pretty funny.

“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” runs through this weekend. It opens on Friday with a performance at 7 p.m. There are performances at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, and at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 youth (12-17) and $1 for children under 12. Advance tickets are on sale at grandmaraisplayhouse.com. The Sunday 4:30 p.m. performance is donation at the door. Advance tickets for Sunday are regular price.

In other Friday news,  Angela Robins will open an exhibit, “Chasing the Curve,” chronicling her experiences as a resident in North House Folk School’s Artisan Development Program at 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

Robins is both a woodturner and a woodcarver, and she pursued her craft from Maine to Scandinavia during the program sponsored by North House. She will give an artist talk at 7 p.m., where she will highlight the projects, people and places from her year and a half as a student, teacher and traveler. Her work will be on display as well. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m. All invited.

Also on Friday, folksinger Jim McGowan will be a guest on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday to talk about his music and play a few songs. Lee Svitak Dean, co-author of the “Great Minnesota Cookie Book” will also be a guest via phone, where she will talk about the cookies we love to eat this time of year and how to make them.

And, a little farther afield, Kristofer Bowman of Upstate MN is opening a new shop in Minneapolis, “Show & Tell”  on Friday.

The shop will feature lots of well-loved small makers as well as new goods. It is located at 5257 Chicago Ave. S., in Minneapolis. To see its new Facebook page, click here. UpState MN in Grand Marais will re-open after Memorial Day.

And Neil Sherman is one of the artists featured at the Grand Hill Gallery Holiday Show in St. Paul.

He joins six other Minnesota artists for the exhibit, which opens with a reception at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 29, and runs through Dec. 24. The Grand Hill Gallery is located at 333 Grand Ave. in St. Paul.

Saturday will be a great art/artisan shopping day in Grand Marais.

First up is the Northwoods Fiber Guild’s Holiday Sale & Open House at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Saturday. The doors open at 9 a.m. in the Founders Hall, which will be overflowing with beautiful handmade items. From mittens to scarves, hats to sweaters, handmade books and more, this exhibit by the Fiber Guild members is always a must-see.

There are perks, too. Members bring in delicious cookies and bars, there’s a hand’s on learning area where participants can make cool things. There are also weaving and spinning demonstrations. All invited.

Santa’s Workshop, hosted by the Grand Marais Girl Scouts, will also be held on Saturday in a new location: the Cook County Community Center. It starts at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast. A chili lunch and a bake sale will also be held. There is a special shopping area for children, and the Girl Scouts will be selling crafts. Santa comes at 11 a.m for pictures.

This is the second year that the Grand Marais Craft Bazaar will be held at the Cook County Senior Center, featuring artists and artisans from the Hovland Arts Festival, the Grand Marais Market and other talented artists from the community. Artists include Grand Marais potter Hannah Palma Laky and Hovland jewelry designer Terry Lewis.

The Bazaar features pottery, felted items, wools mittens, photography, glass jewelry and more. It is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All invited.

And finally, author Tim Cochrane will be featured at Drury Lane Books on Saturday at 5 p.m., to talk about and read from his newest book, ““Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais: Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade.”

Through the words of long-ago witnesses, “Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais” recovers the overlooked Anishinaabeg roots and corporate roots of Grand Marais. Using journals from 1823-25, it reveals how the lives of local fur traders and the area’s indigenous people were shaped and influenced by Lake Superior and its watershed. It is a fascinating read. Open to all. Free.

And last, but not least, a fantastic film about “Hoji,” the Canadian ski legend who effortlessly skis down impossible mountains. Produced by Matchstick Productions, the film documents Eric Hjorleifson’s (Hoji’s) daring skills on white, fluffy terrain. The film will be screened at Papa Charlie’s on Saturday. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., the film starts at  7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Watch the trailer. You will be amazed.

HOJI – Official Trailer 4K – Matchstick Productions from Matchstick Productions on Vimeo.

In Duluth, Glensheen Mansion will hold it’s annual Winter Village on Saturday and Sunday, featuring more than 40 vendors from the Duluth area, a bonfire, music and more.

And on Monday in Duluth, Matt Kania, a Duluth plein air artist who is a favorite in Grand Marais, will open an exhibit at the Zeitgeist Atrium Gallery, 222 East Superior St., with a reception from 5-7 p.m. The exhibit is entitled “DOing: A Labor of Love.”

The exhibit continues at the Zeitgeist through Jan.11.

And on Wednesday, the Local Artisan Spotlight and Sale at Voyageur Brewing will feature the work of fused glass artist Nancy Seaton and potter Joan Farnam.

The Artist Spotlight event at Voyageur’s is from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 5.  All invited.

Exhibits:

 This is the last weekend to see “Listening to Lichen & Sculptural Baskets|Elise Kyllo and Patricia Beilke” at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibits features a wonderful variety of felted pieces by Kyllo as well as creative baskets by Beilke.

 

The Yellow Bird Fine Art Gallery is currently exhibiting tea pots by local and regional artists, including work by Canadian potters Fritz Lehmberg and Tim Alexander.

Wisconsin potter Even Hestegan also has work in the show as does a 15-year-old potter, Ben Matten.

The Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Gallery Store will be mounting a new exhibit of member artists’ work that opens this Saturday.

Grand Marais artist Kim Knudsen has work at Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen.

In Duluth, “Intersections,” an exhibit of Native American art from the Tweed Museum‘s collection continues through December.

Holly Johnson Beaster, a former program director at the Grand Marais Art Colony, is exhibiting the work she did last year for the 100-Day Project at the Pilgrim Congregational Church in Duluth.

The 100-day project challenges artists to create every day for 100 days to stimulate their creativity. For more info on the 100-Day Project, click here. The Grand Marais Art Colony is sponsoring the project, too. For more information, stayed tuned. Call the Art Colony 387-2737. There will be an informational meeting about the project at noon on Jan. 16.

Upcoming:

Wonderful music experiences are planned for next week–The SVEA Holiday Concert at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Friday, Dec. 7. This concert features Swedish folk songs and Christmas treats and stories. SVEA is Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Tina Hegg Raway, Elunia Steckelberg, and Erika Ternes. The group sings 4-part harmonies and read poetic translations of traditional Swedish folk songs. All invited. A $10 donation is accepted.

And then, on Dec. 9 & 10, the Borealis Chorale and Orchestra will present a Christmas Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church featuring 70 talented Cook County singers and musicians under the directorship of composer/conductor William Beckstrand. The music starts at 7 p.m. Stay tuned for details.

Music:

Thursday, Nov. 29:

• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Maria Nickolay, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 30:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Wunderdogs, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Space Monster, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 1:

• Pete K, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Space Monster, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 2:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 4:

• Fred Anderson, Poplar River Pub, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.

We found some interesting photos this week. Let’s start with wildlife:

First, this great photo by Christian Dalbec,which really shows the beautiful wing patterns on a mature Bald Eagle.

And this great shot of a snowshoe hare —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, this beauty:

Enjoy your weekend!

(Greetings everyone! If you enjoy receiving NorthShore ArtScene every week, please consider giving a donation today. And thanks!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

This weekend marks the official beginning of the holiday season all over the country, and Cook County is no exception.

It begins on Thanksgiving Day, with Thanksgiving meals at venues all over the county, including the Wunderbar Thanksgiving event, which includes a Thanksgiving buffet, family friendly football, a kiddo craft tables and more. Gunflint Lodge and Lutsen Resort also feature a Thanksgiving meal. Naniboujou is open this weekend as well. Other restaurants are open, too. Click here for more info.

And not to forget the free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the First Congregational Church in Grand Marais on Thanksgiving Day. This is the 45th  year the Congo Church has sponsored this traditional meal, served family style in the downstairs Social Hall at the church. The meal begins promptly at 1 p.m. and is always delicious. It’s also free, thanks to the generous donations from church members.

The church is located at the corner of Third Avenue West and Second Street in Grand Marais. Information about home-delivery, take-out meals and rides to the dinner is available by calling the church office at 387-2113.

On Friday, the day kicks off with author Mary Casanova, who will sign her new book, “Hush Hush. Forest” at The Big Lake from noon to 1 p.m.

“Hush Hush, Forest” includes woodcuts by Nick Wrobewski. Casanova will also be signing her other books at the shop.

A Christmas Market will be held at the North Shore Winery on Friday, as well, featuring music by Briand Morrison and a variety of local vendors. Look for great gifts, food and wine tasting during this event, which runs from noon to 6 p.m.

The famous Twice-around-the-block Christmas Parade in Grand Marais begins at 5:30 p.m. on Friday night. Entitled “Oh Ole Night,” the parade celebrates the community’s Nordic heritage à la Sven & Ole. Businesses, friends and others decorate floats or themselves to reflect their Scandinavian heritage. It’s always a lot of fun. After the parade, there will be a tree lighting in Harbor Park followed by fireworks. There’s an after-parade party at Voyageur Brewing, too, with complementary hot chocolate as long as it lasts.

Also on Friday night, the New Standards Holiday Show is on-stage at Papa Charlie’s starting at 8:30 p.m. Celebrating its 12th anniversary season, the show rings in the yule with a unique twist on traditional holiday concerts – one part variety show, one part homage to the season, one part irreverent, free-wheeling spectacle. The trio is joined by a supporting cast replete with vocalists and instrumentalists – and as always – a dazzling lineup of special surprise guests.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $26 the day of the show. Click here for tickets.

Saturday is Shop Local day, and it will be really busy all over Cook County. Start the day by checking out the Hovland Arts Festival Christmas Sale in the Hovland Town Hall. It starts at 10 a.m. and runs through 4 p.m. with lots to see.

This Christmas Sale features work by a wide variety of art and artisans including photography, fiber art, birchbark weaving, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, glass creations, beeswax candles and more. The event is held at the Hovland Town Hall in Hovland. To find out more about it, click here.

The annual Holiday Craft Sale at the Cook County Community Center is from  11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The sale features holiday baked goods, wood carvings and handmade wearables.

New this year: An open house and sale at 108 1st Ave. West (just up  from the library) featuring prints and artwork by Noah and Aaron Prinsen as well as furniture and unique gift items by Dave and Aaron Prinsen.

This open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 1. All invited to stop in for a cup of coffee and see the artwork.

The Holiday Craft Market at Voyageur Brewing Co. will be held from 1:30 -4:30 p.m. on Saturday featuring work by a number of local artists, including pottery by Hannah Palma Laky, ceramics by Melissa Wickwire and fiber art by Julie Arthur. Hannah will also be the featured artist next Wednesday, Nov. 28, in the Taproom at Voyageur’s.

The 2nd annual Light Up Lutsen! event will be held from from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday featuring receptions and welcomes by the local businesses in downtown Lutsen as well as food and lots of gift choices.

At 4 p.m., there will be a bronze pour at the Mueller Studio, followed by Christmas tree lighting and music with Pushing Chain. All invited.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Potters Guild will hold its annual holiday sale at the Baggage Building Arts Centre at Marina Park in Thunder Bay from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Potters Guild was founded in 1975 and has a mandate to help and promote each other. The show will feature a wide selection of pottery and pottery styles.

Exhibits:

 The exhibit, “Listening to Lichen & Sculptural Weaving|Elise Kyllo and Patricia Beilke” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Dec. 2.

The exhibit features an amazing collection of felted pieces by Kyllo as well as inspiring baskets and sculptures by Beilke. The Heritage Post is open from Thursday through Sunday during the winter.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is featuring a great selection of Native American art from their collection, entitled “Intersections.” It also is showing a multi-media installation by Jonathan Thunder.

 Upcoming:

Next weekend is just as busy with holiday art openings and events.

On Friday, Nov. 30, Angela Robins will open an exhibit chronicling her experiences as a resident in North House Folk School’s Artisan Development Program. From woodturning to woodcarving, Maine to Scandinavia, she will highlight projects, people and places from her year and a half as a student, teacher and traveler.

Robins will give an Artist Talk at 7 p.m. Nov.30 at North House. The exhibit continues through Dec. 15.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, the Northwoods Fiber Guild will hold its annual Open House and Holiday Sale at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

This sale features a wide variety of fiber work, from knitting, felting, paperwork, weaving and more. It’s also a great sale for holiday shopping. There are demonstrations, a craft table and lots of homemade holiday treats. The doors at the Grand Marais Art Colony open at 9 a.m. The sale runs until 2 p.m.

The Art Underground Holiday Sale will be held at Betsy Bowen Studios and Gallery with a Sneak Peak at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 30. The exhibit is open on Dec. 1 and continues through Christmas, and features work by more than 30 local and regional artists.

The Grand Marais Craft Bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at the Cook County Senior Center featuring pottery, felted items, photography, jewelry and more. All invited.

And, at the Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis, Lee and Dan Ross will be exhibiting their work in an upcoming show entitled “Sense of Place.” Other artists include Joshua Cunningham,  Paula Schuette Kraemer, Tom Maakestad, Barbara McIlrath, William Murray, Carl Otvedt, Amy Rice,  Gaylord Schanilec, Clara Ueland and Larry Welco.

The exhibit is being held in collaboration with the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine. The opening reception is from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 1. The gallery isolated at 25 Groveland Terrace in Minneapolis.

And finally, the Grand Marais Playhouse will present the play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts with performances at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 and at 1:30 and 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

FYI:

So, we’ve all been told that Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic in search of a new spice route. But did you know he was looking for a new way to get black pepper, a favorite and expensive European luxury?

We all know he didn’t find that route, nor did he find black pepper. But listen to what he did find and what happened next in this special Audio Postcard from WTIP Community Radio.

Music:

Friday, Nov. 23:

• Briand Morrison, North Shore Winery, 1 p.m.
• The New Standards Holiday Show, Papa Charlie’s, 7:3o p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 24:

• Pushing Chain, Mueller Studio, Lutsen, 5 p.m.
• Michael Monroe Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Jon Kallberg, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 25;

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 27:

• Timmy Haus, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

And here are some photos we found this week:

First, wildlife:

 

 

 

Here’s one from New York City. This Mandarin Duck created a sensation when it showed up.

And lots of water…

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone! And enjoy your weekend!

(Interested in supporting NorthShore ArtScene? Click on the link below.)

Winter has arrived and the fun starts on the North Shore with Winterer’s Gathering at North House Folk School, an action-packed event that draws people from all over the country. Also this week, Empty Bowls, a fundraiser to help feed the hungry in Cook County is set for Thursday, there’s a panel discussion on Lake Sturgeon and an art show to go with it, an author talk, a gala art opening in Duluth and a Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party in Silver Bay. Here are the details:

First up is the Empty Bowls fundraiser on Thursday, Nov. 15.

Each year, Empty Bowls works to raise awareness of and funds for the Cook County Food Shelf and other community organizations addressing Cook County’s critical hunger needs. It features a simple soup and bread meal provided by local restaurants as well as beautiful handcrafted bowls made at the Grand Marais Art Colony. There’s also a bake sale with homemade goodies. There are two seatings: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. The soup meal is $5. Bowls are $10 and up. This is always a fun community event, and the soups are delicious. All invited.

Winterer’s Gathering at North House Folk School celebrates the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional life-ways in the North.

The event draws people from all over the country to celebrate all things winter. It features winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, a gear swap, dancing, an Arctic Film festival, speakers, winter skill presentations and more.

On Friday, look for coursework and presentations, the screening of several films, including the award-winning film “The Eagle Huntress,”  (4 p.m. Friday), as well as skill shares and more. The Intern Portfolio Gallery, which highlights the work and creativity of North House interns, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 7 p.m., there will be a contra dance with Over the Waterfall, and the Cold Snap Poetry Slam will be at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the Great Gear & Ski Swap is held at 10:30 a.m. in the Commons at North House. This is a good place to find everything from wool sweaters to ski equipment and is open to all. There will be lots more presentations and films, including the screening of “Virginia, Minnesota,” at 4 p.m., which includes scenes from Grand Marais and cameos by local residents. Check out the trailer here.

VIRGINIA MINNESOTA – Trailer from Daniel Stine on Vimeo.

At 6 p.m.on Saturday, there’s the Winterer’s Gathering Chili Feed followed by a presentation by Sam Cook, the recently retired outdoors writer and columnist for the Duluth News-Tribune. Cook will give a presentation entitled “Why We Couldn’t Move Back to Kansas.”

He is also teaching a writing class during the event. He will be interviewed on WTIP’s The Roadhouse” on Friday night. (BTW: Brothers in Arms will also be on the WTIP show to talk about their music and play a few tunes.)

To see the complete schedule of events during Winterer’s Gathering, click here.

There’s lots more happening in the community this weekend, too.

On Friday at 5 p.m., author Tim Cochrane will give a presentation on the release of his new book,  “Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais: Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade” at the Johnson Heritage Post.

Cochrane will give a slide presentation, read passages from the book, and answer questions. He has worked as a backcountry ranger, historian, anthropologist, and superintendent for the National Park Service in Alaska, Minnesota, and Michigan. He has worked extensively with Native American tribes, most recently with the Grand Portage Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa as superintendent at Grand Portage National Monument. His books include “A Good Boat Speaks for Itself”  (Minnesota, 2002) and “Minong–The Good Place: Ojibwe and Isle Royale.”

At 7 p.m. on  Friday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host a panel discussion about lake sturgeon, the leviathans of freshwater fish, which are slowly coming back into our lakes and streams, thanks to the Clean Water Act and rigorous reintroduction projects involving habitat restoration and stocking. The Art Colony is featuring an exhibit of work by artists from all over the country who were asked to do their take on this great fish. Entitled “Black Gold” and curated by Ryuta Nakajima and Darren Houser of the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s Department of Art and Design, the artwork in this juried exhibition is from numerous artists who are helping to mark this success, record history, and inspire the next aquatic conservation effort.

Houser will be joined by Sharon Moen, senior science communicator for Minnesota Sea Grant and Don Schreiner, fisheries specialist for Minnesota Sea Grant for the panel discussion at 7 p.m.

The exhibit has prints of posters and drawings … and photographs.

The exhibit continues at the Art Colony through Nov. 28. The Art Colony is open daily from 9 am. to 4 p.m.

If you like to dance, the Northern Lake County Arts Board is hosting the Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party at the William Kelley Auditorium in Silver Bay starting at 7 p.m. Friday.

Exhibits:

“Listening to Lichen & Sculptural Weaving/ Elise Kyllo & Patricia Beilke” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery through Dec. 2. This is a not-to-be-missed exhibit, with extraordinary work by both artists.

 

Winter Hours at the Johnson Heritage Post are 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art opens two Native American-focused exhibits this week: “Manifest’o,” an animated series of panels by Jonathan Thunder which focuses on the bridge between two worlds, myth and art, , and “Intersections,” a new exhibition derived from the museum’s extensive collection of works by Native American artists. Artists include George Morrison, Patrick Desjarlait, Carl Gawboy, Dyani White Hawk, and Andrea Carlson, Jim Denomie and Karen Savage, to name a few.

There are a number of exhibits at the Duluth Art Institute, too, including “Exceptionally Ordinary” by Patrick Luber.

Luber’s work explores the relationship between religious symbols and art through time. The multi-media exhibit continues through December.

And, across the border, there are less than two weeks left to see Christi Belcourt‘s exhibit, “Mother Earth: A Retrospective” at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Belcourt’s exhibit ends Nov. 25.

Upcoming:

 Next weekend, we can look forward to the start of holiday sales and events, Stay tuned for details, but here’s a short list:

• Christmas Market at the North Shore Winery,  noon to 6 p.m., Friday, Nov. 23
• Oh Ole Night Parade, downtown Grand Marais, tree lighting, parade, fireworks, start st 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 23
• The New Standards Holiday Show, Papa Charlie’s, Friday, Nov. 23, 7:30 p.m.
• Hovland Art Festival Holiday Sale, Saturday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Holiday Market at Voyageur’s Brewing, Saturday, Nov. 24.  1:30-6 p.m.

FYI

The Grand Marais Art Colony offers lots of opportunities to dip your toes into art this winter: artist talks, panel discussions, min-classes, artist services and winter reading groups are just a few things on the pallette. For more info, click here.

Music:

Thursday Nov. 15:

• Joshua Schmidt, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Maria Nickolay, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16:

• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Jon Miller and the Home Brews, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17:

• Joshua Schmidt, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Jon Miller and the Home Brews, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Aftershock, Grand Portage Lodge  Casino, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 18:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 20:

• Gordon Thorne, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Here are a few photos we found this week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, this beauty:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(P.S. Consider making a donation to keep this blog a vital part of your source for art news on the North Shore. Click on the link below, and Thank You!)