North Shore Arts Scene

Hollow Rock Beach by Bill Donovan.

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:

Split Rock Harbor by John Gregor.

  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.

Hollow Rock Sunrise by Tami Phillippi.

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.

The SVEA holiday concert is at the Art Colony on Friday night.

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.

Students are invited to make a glass “selfie” at the Art Colony on Saturday.

 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.

Author Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux and Illustrator Kari Vick will be at Drury Lane Books on Saturday to sign their book, “The Sock Goblin.”

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.

The Borealis Chorale and Orchestra will perform a Christmas Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 & !0. Free, but donations are welcome.

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.

Natalie Sobanja will feature mugs and jars at the Artisan Spotlight.

Julie Arthur will be showing her weaving at the Spotlight sale.

Jo Wood will have her bead painting pieces at the Spotlight sale next Wednesday.

 Exhibits:

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

Parisian Portraitist by Matt Kania. Part of his exhibit at the Zeitgeist Cafe entitled “Doing: A Labor of Love.“

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.

A few of the works in the freshman student show, Fresh Foundations” currently on exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art on the UMD campus.

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.

“Dances with Sweet Grass 2015″ (detail) by Leah Yellowbird is one of the works in the “Intersections” exhibit at the Tweed.

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.

One of the painting in the Juried Exhibition at the Definitely Superior Art Gallery in Thunder Bay.

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.

Photo by Bryan Hansel. He is one of the photographers who will be featured in the Dueling Photographers presentation at North House Folk School Dec. 15.

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.

Joy and Company has just received a new shipment of art supplies.

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

“My place and the Milky Way” by Dave Gilsvik, is available in a small, framed giclee at Sivertson Gallery.

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

Bottles by Bob LaMettry are at the Betsy Bowen Studio.

 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:

Our beautiful visitor is back by Ritalee Walters.

Ravens by Nace Hagemann.

Good morning, sleepy head by David Johnson.

The cutie: American Marten by Paul Sundberg.

And living on the wild side….

Jake Boyce surfing on the wild side by Kirk Schleife.

Not exactly wild, but wild.

Snowman and the lighthouse by Paul Boatman.

A wild Lake Superior …

Winds, Waves, Winter … Wow by Dawn LaPointe.

 And here are some other great photos we found:

Surf’s Up by Mary Amerman.

The November beach by Jan Swart.

It’s a frosty Tuesday by Roxanne Distad.

Happy Holidays by David Johnson.

Wave and ship by Michael Mayou.

 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:

Ole Salomensen of Arctic Light Photos in Norway, took this awesome shot of northern lights turning a pitch-black valley emerald green. It was posted on www.spaceweather.com

And here’s the second:

Dance of the Great Egret by Philippe Rouyer. Rouyer is based in France.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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

The Cascade River is starting to freeze up by Bryan Hansel.

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.

The Art Underground Holiday Sale opens at Betsy Bowen’s Studio this weekend with a Sneak Preview on Friday from 5-7 p.m.

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 cast of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” More than 30 community members, including students, are in the play, which opens on Friday at 7 p.m. Performances are at 5 p.m. on Saturday and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“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.

Angela Robins will exhibit her work, “Chasing the Curve” in an exhibit at North House Folk School Nov. 30. The opening reception is from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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.

Kristofer Bowman’s new shop, Show & Tell, opens on Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is located at 5257 Chicago Ave. S. in Minneapolis.

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.

“The Sun Sets Again,” oil, 12″ x 18″, by Neil Sherman, is one of the pieces that will be in the Grand Hill Gallery Holiday Show which opens on Thursday.

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.

The Northwoods Fiber Guild’s Holiday Sale & Open House is at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Saturday. It runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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 Grand Marais Craft Bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Senior Center on Saturday.

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.”

Tim Cochrane will talk about and read from his newest book, Gichi Bitobig, Grand Marais” at Drury Lane Books from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday.

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.”

One of the paintings in Matt Kania’s show, “DOing: A Labor of Love”‘ which opens at the Zeitgeist Atrium Gallery in Duluth on Monday.

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.

Fused glass totems by Nancy Seaton.

Single scoop ice cream bowls by 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.

One of Elise Kyllo’s felted pieces on view at the Johnson Heritage Post.

A basket by Patricia Bielke on view at the Heritage Post.

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.

Tea pots by Tim Alexander (front) and Evan Hestegan are at Yellow Bird Fine Art Gallery through Dec. 23.

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.

The Grand Marais Art Colony Gallery Store features work by member artists. A new exhibit opens on Saturday.

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

“Four Fish” by Kim Knutsen. Stitched original on stretched canvas.

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

A George Morrison wooden sculpture is in the “Intersections” show at the Tweed Museum of Art.

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.

Holly Johnson Beaster is exhibiting the drawings she did for the 100-Day Project last year 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.

Bald Eagle by Christian Dalbec.

And this great shot of a snowshoe hare —

Snowshoe hare by Dan Newcomb.

An early adult male Snowy Owl  finds plenty to eat on the North Shore by Michael Furtman.

Backyard visitors by Thomas Spence.

Nature’s own touch by Matthew Pastick.

The High Falls in Grand Portage by Barbara Lokken.

Feeling the Gray by Lin Salisbury.

Cascade River State Park by Paul Sandberg.

Along the Aquasabon River in Terrace Bay, Ont. by Lisa A. Jacques.

And finally, this beauty:

That little shack at Sunset by Christian Dalbec.

Enjoy your weekend!

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

Rainbow sunrise by Jan Swart.

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 Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the First Congregational Church at 1 p.m. on Dec. 22. All invited. Free.

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.

Mary Casanova will sign her new book at The Big Lake Nov. 23.

“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.

The New Standards Holiday Show is at Papa Charlie’s on Friday Night.

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.

The Hovland Arts Festival Christmas Sale is Saturday, Nov. 24 and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.

The house: 108 1st. Ave. W.

The art: A print by Noah Prinsen. He will be showing new work at the Open House.

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.

Hannah Palma Laky is one of the artists doing the Holiday Craft Market at Voyageur Brewing on Saturday.

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.

Light Up Lutsen! will be held from 2-6 p.m. in downtown Lutsen on Saturday.

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.

Bowl by Joanne Kelly. She is one of the potters who will be exhibiting at the annual Thunder Bay Potters Guild Sale this weekend.

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.

A sculptural weaving by Patricia Beilke is on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

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.

This painting by Jim Denomie is one of the works on exhibit in the “Intersections” exhibit at the Tweed.

 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.

Angela Robins will exhibit her work, “Chasing the Curve” in an exhibit at North House Folk School Nov. 30. The opening reception is from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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.

The Northwoods Fiber Guild Open House and Holiday Sale will be at the Grand Marais Art Colony Dec. 1.

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.

This bison print by Lee and Dan Ross was recently featured in the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine and will be in the Groveland Gallery exhibit.

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?

Christopher Columbus left from Europe in search of a new trade route to get black pepper.

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:

Bobcat kittens try out ice in Kansas by Joyce Shupe.

Juvenile Great Gray Owl by Heidi Pinkerton.

Belted Kingfisher at Silver Creek by Edward Lee.

A Canada lynx contemplates a creek crossing by Thomas Spence. Spence noted that the lynx changed its mind and went further up-stream to cross without getting its feet wet.

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

Mandarin Duck in NYC  by Karyn Tuercki.

And lots of water…

A window into winter–Illgen Falls by Terry Season.

The Flute Reed in early winter by Sandra Updike.

The North Shore by Julie Dodge.

Snowfall at Four-Mile Creek by Thomas Spence.

A brief Brighton Beach sunrise by Jeffrey Doty.

At Tettegouche State Park by Jake Schlagheck.

Sliding into Monday by Christian Dalbec.

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

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

Lighting the beacon at Split Rock Light House Nov. 10. Dawn LaPointe took this photo last year.

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.

The Empty Bowls fundraiser will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on Thursday, Nov.15. There are two seatings: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.

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.

Winterer’s Gathering will be held at North House Folk School this weekend, Nov. 16-18.

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.”

Sam Cook will give a presentation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at North House.

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.

Tim Cochrane will give a presentation about his new book at 5 p.m. Friday 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.

A print of one of the lake sturgeon drawings currently on view in the Founders Hall at the Art Colony. The prints are for sale for $25 each.

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.

One of the prints in the “Black Gold ” exhibit at the Art Colony: Vladimir Putin kissing a young sturgeon. The sturgeon is a valued source of caviar in Russia, and the world, hence the title of the exhibit–Black Gold.

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.

The Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party will be held at the William Kelley Auditorium in Silver Bay on Friday night.

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.

A felted lichen piece by Elise Kyllo, one of many intriguing and often playful shapes crafted by this artist.

An antler basket by Patricia Bielke. She has a number of antler baskets are well as sculptural pieces on exhibit.

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.

Karen Savage’s blue otter is one of the pieces in the “Intersections” show at the Tweed. It opens with a reception on Thursday evening at 5 p.m. and continues through December.

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

One of the pieces from “Exceptionally Ordinary” by Patrick Luber, currently on view at the Duluth Art Institute. Photo by Ed Newman.

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.

Fall Harvest, 2011-2015 by Christi Belcourt.

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

Dip your toes into art this winter at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

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:

Warmer winters means the gray fox is hanging around the North Shore now. Photo by Paul Sandberg.

First-of-the-winter pine grosbeak by Michael Furtman.

Wild turkeys are heading north, too. An inquisitive deer checks out these birds. The photo was taken in Michigan by Sandra Updike.

A magnificent tree. “Cedar in Snow” by Sandra Updike.

Take a moment to meditate by Kathleen Gray-Anderson.

Fireweed and the silver sea by Jennifer Trowbridge.

Sunset at Canal Park by Curt Brown.

Morning hike at Devil’s Kettle by Chelsea Pusc.

Sunrise at the Grand Marais marina by David Johnson.

And finally, this beauty:

“Subtle” by Jamie Rabold.

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!)

Tumbling Wave by Christian Dalbec.

The Lake Superior Storm Festival, the “Listening to Lichen” exhibit, and an opportunity to paint a bowl for Empty Bowls is on tap for this weekend. Later in the week, an artist talk at the Grand Marais Art Colony, an exhibit of sturgeon drawings and a panel discussion on the iconic fish of Lake Superior are scheduled. Here are the details.

The Lake Superior Storm Festival, an annual festival that honors the power and beauty of the Big Lake, kicks off with a winter storm showcase on Friday evening at Ben Franklin, Stone Wilderness Supply and Chelsea’s Aprons at 6:30 p.m. Then at 7 p.m., WTIP Community Radio will air a special Small Change Trivia show with tricky questions about Lake Superior and its storms.

David Johnson took this awesome storm photo earlier this year. The Lake Superior Storm Festival honors the power of Lake Superior.

Then on Saturday, the Wave Dash will be held on the beach at Lutsen Resort. (Hopefully, the waves won’t be quite like the one pictured above), and participants will be rewarded with the chance to warm up by a bonfire on the beach.  Then, Liz Minor of the Great Lakes Observatory will speak about storms and Lake Superior at 3 p.m. at the resort.

At 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jim Shinners, an expert on shipwrecks in Lake Superior, will give a presentation at the Johnson Heritage Post with Stephen Daniel on Lake Superior Storms & Shipwrecks. These are fascinating stories. Here’s a recording of Shinners recounting the story of a shipwreck just off 5-Mile rock in 1953.  Shinner will also host 10 a Lakeside Poem and Remembrance Ceremony on Artist Point at 10 a.m. on Sunday. All invited.

And just to remind you of an artist’s take on Lake Superior, here’s a wave tile by Melissa Wickwire that is at the Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen.

Wave tile by Melissa Wickwire.

The Johnson Heritage Post opens a new art exhibit this weekend, too. Entitled “Listening to Lichen & Sculptural Weaving: Elise Kylo and Patricia Bielke,” the exhibit features a fantastic collection of felted pieces by Kyllo and basket sculptures by Bielke.

Felted painting by Elise Kyllo in her exhibit “Listening to Lichen.”

Sculptural basket weaving by Patricia Bielke, also in the Johnson Heritage Post show.

This is the first time that Kylo has exhibited her body of work at the Heritage Post, and her exhibit includes felted pieces, paintings and poems. She is also featuring an interactive table where people can try needle felting and add their own lichens to a landscape. There are also photos explaining the felting process and a hunt-and-seek table for kids and adults to explore. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9. The exhibit continues through Dec. 2.

On Saturday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host Paint-A-Bowl for Empty Bowls in the Founders Hall starting at 11 a.m.

Susan Bragstad painted this bowl for Empty Bowls a few years ago. The public isn invited to try their hand at the Paint-A-Bowl event on Saturday.

Participants will have a chance to paint a bowl with lively colors, which will then be fired and donated to the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, which will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church on  Nov. 15. The Paint-A-Bowl event starts at 11 a.m. and continues until all 30 bowls are painted. Come early! A $5 donation is requested to cover materials cost. All welcome. You can register at 387-2737 or just show up.

On Thursday, Nov. 15, there will be two seatings for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, which raises money to help the hungry in Cook County. The seatings will be from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m. The event features soups and breads, a great variety of handmade bowls, as well as a silent auction and bake sale. The soups are donated by local restaurants.

A few of the bowls that will be at the Empty Bowls Fundraiser Nov. 15.

Funds from last year’s Empty Bowls event were distributed to the Cook County Food Shelf, Birch Grove Community Center’s WE Connect, Cook County Youth Agency Coalition, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, local schools, Snacks and Packs, and the Violence Prevention Center to help nourish those in need.

There’s still time to sign up to volunteer, donate baked goods and/or become a sponsor. For more info, click here.

On Wednesday, Nov. 14, pastel artist Linda Ricklefs Baudry will give an artist talk at the Grand Marais Art Colony from noon to 1 p.m.

“Passing II” (detail) by Linda Baudry. The artist will give an Artist Talk at the Grand Marais Art Colony from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 14.

She will share about her artistic journey and how she draws inspiration from both the internal and external worlds. Free. Open to all.

Exhibits:

 Black Gold, a Great Lakes Conservation Exhibit, has opened in the Founder’s Hall at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Black Gold, an exhibit of prints of the lake sturgeon by a variety of artists, has opened in the Founders Hall of the Grand Marais Art Colony. A panel discussion about the Lake Sturgeon will be held at the Art Colony at 7 p.m. Nov. 16.

The juried exhibit focuses on the sturgeon, Lake Superior’s iconic fish, which have become scarce since the 1900s due to stressors, including overfishing and polluted waters. Today, thanks to the Clean Water Act and rigorous reintroduction projects involving habitat restoration and stocking, lake sturgeon are faring much better. A panel discussion about the exhibit and the lake sturgeon’s future will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the Art Colony. Stay tuned for details.

Painter/illustrator Keith Morris and photographer Jim Ringquist are exhibiting their work in the hallways of the North Shore Hospital and Care Center.

Painting by Keith Morris, one of his many works now on exhibit at the North Shore Hospital and Care Center.

An exhibit of photographs by Elizabeth Blair continues in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

Bog birch and cedar 5 by Elizabeth Blair.

Blair’s exhibit showcases her macro photos taken in small pools in a cedar forest. The exhibit continues through November.

Two new exhibits have opened at the Duluth Art Institute, including new work by Patrick Luber and Darren Houser.

“Hanged Man at the Veil of Paroketh,” adigital print and lithograph by Darren Houser, is one of the pieces in the new exhibist at the Duluth Art Institute.

Jonathan Thunder’s animated installation at the Tweed Museum of Art continues.

One of the tableaus in Jonathon Thunder’s installation at the Tweed Museum of Art.

Check out this short video clip to see what it looks like in motion.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery‘s Christi Belcourt retrospective, “The Power of Mother Earth” continues through Nov. 25. Here’s her take on the lake sturgeon.

“What the sturgeon told me,” by Christi Belcourt.

It is said the sturgeon wait until the frogs sing before they spawn. Belcourt observes that river pollution has damaged sturgeon habitat and that we must do all we can to protect the waters and restore balance for all creatures in these natural places.

Upcoming:

North House Folk School‘s Winterer’s Gathering is next week, Nov. 16-18, featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear swap, dancing, film festival, speakers, and more.  This is a classic event to welcome the season of snow. To find out all the details, click here.

One of the highlights of the event is the Arctic Film Festival held throughout the weekend. Here’s a trailer from one of the featured films: “Virginia, Minnesota,” which was partly filmed in Grand Marais. Check out the trailer below:

VIRGINIA MINNESOTA – Trailer from Daniel Stine on Vimeo.

The film will be screened at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov, 17  in the Blue Building at North House.

Holiday Sales:

There are lots of holiday sales scheduled for the season. Here’s a list with dates. Stay tuned for details.

• North Country Craft Bazaar, Schroeder Town Hall, Nov. 17
• Hovland Holiday Arts Festival, Hovland Town Hall, Saturday, Nov. 24.
• Craft Showcase, Voyageur Brewing, Sunday, Nov. 25. Individual artist showcases set for Wednesdays.
• Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Open House & Sale, Grand Marais Art Colony, Saturday, Dec. 1.
• Art Underground Holiday Sale, Betsy Bowen Gallery & Studios, Dec. 1, with Sneak Peak Nov. 30.
• Community Art Showcase, Cook County Community Center, Dec. 1.

Check here over the next few weeks for lots more details.

Kudos:

Co-Directors at the Grand Marais Art Colony named: The Grand Marais Art Colony announced this week that Lyla Brown has been named the Executive Director of the organization, joining Artistic Director Ruth Pszwaro in co-directing the mission and direction of the Art Colony.

Lyla Brown has been named the Art Colony’s executive director.

Ruth Pzswaro has been named the Artistic Director of the Art Colony.

Brown comes to Cook County from Kent County, Maryland. Her experience has focused on a variety of issue areas, such as housing, civic engagement, land conservation, youth development and human services through her leadership roles in nonprofits and international development over the past 20 years. 

Pszwaro, who was the Program Director at the Art Colony, has already taken on her new role of Artistic Director. She has also served as Interim Executive Director since July.  She is entering her fifth year of stewarding the Art Colony mission. Together, the co-directors will manage operations, guide the board of directors, and lead strategic planning. While Pszwaro will focus on programmatic development and artistic direction, Brown will oversee communications and external relations, including fundraising and grant writing.

Brown will join  Pszwaro at the Art Colony Nov. 16.

In other news, The Big Lake, founded by Abby Tofte, was just named the Best Gift Shop in Minnesota in a Reader’s Choice survey for Lake Time Magazine.

Abbey Tofte’s shop, The Big Lake, was chosen as the Best Gift Shop in Minnesota in the Lake Time Magazine’s recent reader survey.

Betsy Bowen was recently featured in an article in the Minneapolis Star  Tribune entitled “Witnessing the Natural World Fuels Grand Marais Artist’s Work.”

Betsy Bowen in her Grand Marais studio.

Read the article here.

Music:

Thursday, Nov. 8:

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

Friday, Nov. 9:

• Joe Paulik, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Rays, 6 p.m.
• Tony Peterson and Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 10:

• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Tony Peterson and Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Circuit Breakers, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 11:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 13:

• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.

Photographs:

Here are some of the great photos we found this week:

Wildlife:

Golden eagle migrating through Hawk Ridge, Duluth by John R. Kelsey.

A rare cinnamon ruffed grouse by Paul Sundberg.

Bald Eagle with lunch by Matt Herberg.

My first otter by Jon Wood.

Sculpture has many purposes. Shelter is just one, by Marcia Hyatt.

Grouse by Sarah Hamilton.

Landscapes, Skyscapes and Waterscapes:

Sky over Lake Superior by Mary Lou Williams.

Morning Sunrise by Jan Swart.

This weekend at Split Rock Lighthouse by Matt Pastick.

Lake. Superior Sea Stack by Dan Dorland.

And leaves:

Frosty oak leaf by Charmaine Wistad.

And finally, a ghost ship:

A ghost ship in Two Harbors by Matthew Pastick.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

BTW: We are taking donations to help keep this blog a vital part of your art news source. Click below for more info.

Jack-O-Lantern Sunrise, Oct. 31, 2018 by Lin Salisbury.

This week:  Bluegrass Masters weekend, making root beer from wild plants, an art opening and a harvest festival.

First up, learn how to make your own wild-crafted root beer at North House Folk School on Thursday night. The skillshare workshop, entitled “Roots, Berries, Bark + Flowers: Brewing Wild Root Beer,”  will held in the Blue Building at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. The participants will use a ginger culture for fizz and brewed hand-harvested plants to create an old-fashioned, delicious root beer.

Handcrafting root beer from wild ingredients will be demonstrated at North House Folk School in a skillshare workshop at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1.

The skill share is free and open to the public. There is a materials fee of $15 for those who might want to bring the starter and ingredients home to try in their own kitchen. All invited.

And then, look for the 28th annual Bluegrass Masters Weekend at Lutsen Resort Friday through Sunday. The event features bluegrass vocalist Valerie Smith and her Grammy-nominated band Liberty Pike.

Bluegrass singer Valerie Smith and her band, Liberty Pike, are featured at this year’s Bluegrass Master’s weekend. They will give a concert at 8 p.m. Saturday night.

The event features three days of small-group jamming, a day of bluegrass singing workshops (Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and a concert by Liberty Pike on Saturday night at 8 p.m. The workshops on Saturday cover all kinds of topics for vocalists, including how to choose the right songs for your voice, trouble-shooting problem songs, how to phrase a bluegrass song and more. The concert with Smith and her band starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 kids and are available at Lutsen Resort. Everyone is invited to stop by and hear the music this weekend! For all the info on the event, including the workshop schedule, click here.

Here’s a clip of Valerie Smith singing one of her great songs, “Red Clay Halo.”

Also this weekend, the North Shore Winery will hold its 3rd annual Harvest Festival from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3. The day features tours of the wine-making process, music by Jon Kalberg and wood-fired pizzas by D&D Catering, weather permitting. All invited.

And on Wednesday, the Grand Marais Writer’s Guild will hold a Silent Writers Meet-Up from 4-6 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center. The event is free and open to anyone, 13-adult, who would like to take a time-out to just write. No talking, just writing. Free. All welcome.

And finally, the Grand Marais Library and the Grand Marais Playhouse are collaborating to host a play reading at the library at 6 p.m. Nov. 7.  The event features a reading of “The Enemy of the People,” by Arthur Miller, adapted from Henrik Ibsen’s play.Attendees can read a part or just sit and listen. Open to all. Free.

Exhibits:

 This is the last weekend to see the exhibit, “George Morrison/Surrealist Forms & Other Drawings” at the Johnson Heritage Post. Morrison’s family are exhibiting works from their own collection, archival prints and some George Morrison originals.

Painting by George Morrison.

The exhibit continues through Nov. 4.  The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Inuit Premiere continues at Sivertson Gallery featuring prints, sculptures and carvings by Canadian Inuit and Alaskan Siberian Yupik artists.

Deep in Thought, stonecutter print and stencil by Ningiukulu Teevee is one of the Cape Dorset prints at Sivertson Gallery.

Of special interest: the 2018 Cape Dorset Annual Print Collection and a great selection of sculptures by Bill Nasogaluak.

The North Shore Hospital and Care Center, which welcomes exhibits by local artists, has just opened a showing of work by illustrator and painter Keith Morris and photographer Jim Ringquist. The exhibit continues through January and the public is invited to stop by and look at the work.

“Oatmeal Again” by Keith Morris, is one of  Morris’ drawings in the show. He also is exhibiting paintings.

High Falls by Jim Ringquist, a compilation of 35 different photos, is in the exhibit the hallways of the North Shore Hospital. Ringquist has a wide variety of photographs in the exhibit.

Tettegouche State Park has opened a new exhibit for the month of November featuring the macro photographs of award-winning photographer Elizabeth Blair.

Rainbows 6, photograph by Elizabeth Blair, is one of the pieces on exhibit in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

An opening reception for Blair will beheld at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 2 in the Great Hall at Tettegouche. The exhibit continues through November.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is featuring a multi-media animated installation by Ojibwe artist Jonathon Thunder.

Jonathon Thunder’s animated installation, “Manifest’o” is at the Tweed Museum of Art.

The animated installation comes with messages that exist on two planes: the ephemeral (or transcendent) and the physical. The stories that these animated vignettes represent are based on the Indigenous people’s memory of this region of the continent.

In Thunder Bay, Christi Belcourt’s retrospective, “Uprising: The Power of Mother Earth” continues through Nov. 25 at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

“The Earth is My Government” by Christi Belcourt, is at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

 Upcoming:

There are lots of things going on in November, and we really can’t do justice to all of them here. Just stay tuned and we’ll tell you about them. However, here are a few.

The Johnson Heritage Post opens a new exhibit, “Listening to Lichen & Sculptural Weaving: Elise Kyllo and Patricia Beilke” with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.

Listening to Lichen and Sculptural Weaving opens at the Johnson Heritage Post Nov. 9.

Paint-A-Bowl for Empty Bowls will be held at the Grand Marais Art Colony starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Susan Bragstad painted this bowl for Empty Bowls a few years ago. The public is invited to try their hand at it on Nov. 10 at the Grand Marais Art Colony. 

More than 30 bowls will be available to paint Nov. 10, and instructors will be available to help, if needed. The bowls will then be fired and donated to the Empty Bowls Fundraiser to help to hungry, which will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church Nov. 15. All welcome to try their hand at painting a bowl. A $5 donation  materials cost is requested.

The Winterer’s Gathering & Arctic Film Festival will be held at North House Folk School Nov. 16-18. The event celebrates the crafts, customs, landscape, history and stories of winter travel and traditional lifeways in the North. Featuring winter-centric coursework, a winter tent camp, gear swap, dancing, film festival, speakers, and more, this is a classic event to welcome the season of snow.

The Arctic Film Festival is fantastic. Here’s a. trailer of “The Eagle Huntress,” one of the films that will be shown that weekend.

Duluth News-Tribune’s columnist and writer Sam Cook is the featured speaker. For the schedule of events during Winterer’s Gathering, click here. Stay tuned for more.

And, in Silver Bay, the Buddy Holly Winter Dance Party will be held at the William Kelly Auditorium at 7 p.m. Nov. 16. The event is sponsored. by the Northern Lake County Arts Board. Stay tuned for details.

 Music:

 Thursday, Nov. 1

• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 2:

• Bluegrass Masters Weekend, Lutsen Resort, jamming, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Jon Kalberg, North Shore Winery, 2 p.m.
• Ian Alexy, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• The Gin Strings, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik Band, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 3:

• Bluegrass Masters Weekend Workshops, vocal/bluegreass workshops, Lutsen Resort, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets on-site.
• Bluegrass Masters Concert with Valerie Smith & her band, Liberty Pike, Lutsen Resort, 8 p.m. Tickets on-site.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• SplinterTones, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• The Gin Strings, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 4:

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

Monday, Nov 5:

• Celtic Slow Session, Mountain Thyme Music, Wunderbar, 7-9 p.m.

Photographs:

We found some interesting photos this week.

First, wildlife:

Ambassador Wolf, Boltz, at the International Wolf Center in Ely. Photo by Heidi Pinkerton.

Bohemian waxwing by Jeff Grotte.

Immature Rough-Legged Hawk by Christian Dalbc.

Twig eater in the rain by Thomas Spence.

Water:

Abstract reflections on the lake by Roxanne Distad.

First Light, Tofte by Wendy Olson Holdman.

Temperance River by Bill Donovan.

Sky, clouds and water by Roxann Berglund.

The amazing tricks water does by Christian Dalbec.

Hunter’s Moon by Paul Sandberg.

Lake Superior– another view by Jeffrey Doty.

Trees:

The slider had to go left by Jamie Rabold.

Leaves by Mark Tessier.

Trail through the tamaracks. Photo by Paul Pluskwik.

And finally, this photo of very strange clouds.

Fall streak holes or hole-punch clouds, spotted near Houston, Texas.

Apparently these types of unusual clouds are caused by ice crystals and swirling winds.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

“Chasing the gold” by David Johnson.

This is the weekend to celebrate our connections to art and art-making. The Inuit Premiere at Sivertson Gallery opens this weekend with the Dorset Fine Arts 2018 print release, stone carving demonstrations and throat-singing, Tim Young will hold an Artist Talk and Painting Silent Auction at Cook County Higher Education and the Arrowhead Center for the Arts will feature a Flamenco dance performance, just to name a few.

Let’s start on Thursday at 12:30, when Jack Becker, founder and director of Consulting + Creative Services at Forecast Public Art, will lead an informational session on Public Art and Placemaking at the Cook County Community Center. He will lead a discussion on the community’s role in supporting public art and peacemaking initiatives.

Check out this interview with him:

As a public artist, administrator and veteran consultant, Becker specializes in developing projects for communities of all sizes. He has a special interest in projects that connect ideas and energies of artists with the needs and opportunities of communities. Free. Bring your lunch and join the conversation.

Friday is a busy day! First up, Inuit artist Bill Nasogaluak, will be giving stone carving demonstrations at North House Folk School from 2-4 p.m. on Friday.

Inuit stone carver Bill-Nasogaluak, will give carving demonstrations at North House Folk School on Friday from 2-4 p.m. He will also be at Sivertson Gallery all day Saturday and will participate in the Fireside Chat on Saturday night.

Nasogaluak is a master stone carver, and is here as a guest for Sivertson Gallery‘s Inuit Premiere. At 3 p.m., the very popular Inuit throat singers Taqralik Partridge and Nina Segalowitz will hold a throat-singing performance at North House. They will also perform on Saturday at Sivertson Gallery at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Inuit throat-singers Nina Segalowitz & Taqralik Partridge, return to Grand Marais for the Inuit Premiere. They will perform at 3 p.m. on Friday at North House Folk School and at 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday at Sivertson Gallery.

These two throat-singers are just totally fun to watch. They will also be participating in the Saturday night Fireside Chat at the gallery.

Another highlight of the Inuit Premiere is the unveiling of the new prints from Cape Dorset. Every fall since 1959, Dorset Fine Arts, a marketing arm of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative, has released an annual limited-run print collection.

The collection is released only through approved galleries around the world, and for the past 18 years, Sivertson Gallery has had the privilege of being one of them. “We are the only authorized Cape Dorset Fine Arts gallery in Minnesota,” says owner Jan Sivertson. “We can’t wait to unveil the 2018 collection and celebrate with our guest artists from the far north.”

Sivertson Gallery‘s 18th annual Inuit Premiere is Oct. 26-27.

The gallery will host a 2018 Cape Dorset Print Fine Arts release party from 6-8 p.m. on Friday.

On Saturday, the Inuit Premiere continues, with artists in the gallery as well as throat-singing performances at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. A Fireside Chat, set for 6 p.m. at the gallery, will feature stone sculptor Bill Nasogaluak, throat-singers Nina Segalowitz, Taqralik Partridge, and other special guests. This is always such an inspiring event. All invited. Refreshments will be served.

Friday has other events as well.

Curtis and Loretta will be on WTIP’s the Roadhouse to talk about their music and play a few songs. They perform at the Grand Marais Public Library on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Also, Inuit throat singers Nina Segalowitz and Taqralik Partridge as well as Inuit sculptor Bill-Nasogaluak will be on the show to talk about the Inuit Premiere. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

Also on Friday, painter Tim Young will hold an Artist Talk and Silent Auction at Cook County Education from 7-10 p.m.

New work by Tim Young will be featured at a special event at Cook County Higher Education on Friday from 7-10 p.m. He said he has been inspired by his Finnish roots.

Entitled, “My Hand Paints,” the event will feature a collection of new paintings. Proceeds will go towards the expenses associated with Tim’s adoption of a group of siblings. Everyone invited. Refreshments will be served.

If you’re traveling on Friday, consider stopping by the Clair Nelson Center in Finland for a Lumberjack Dinner and Concert with the Lost Forty from 5-8 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the center

The Lost 40 will play for the fundraise at the Clair Nelson Center in Finland on Friday night.

Tickets for the dinner must be purchased beforehand at 218-353-0300. Show only (includes homemade pie) tickets are $5.

Friday night is a big night in Duluth, too, as the monthly Downtown Arts Walk is scheduled in a variety of galleries and studios in the city.

At the Joseph Nease Gallery, choreographer Laura Goodman and painter Karen Owlsey Nease will discuss their collaboration on a ballet for the Minnesota Ballet at 6 p.m. The gallery is located at 23 1st Ave. in Duluth.

Choreographer Laura Goodman and painter Karen Owlsey Nease will discuss their collaboration for a ballet by the Minnesota Ballet at the Joseph Nease Gallery at 6 p.m. Friday.

There are lots of other events throughout Duluth, including artist talks, demonstrations and exhibitions. Check them out here.

On Saturday, the Inuit Premiere continues at Sivertson Gallery with the throat singers performing at 1-3 p.m. and a Fireside Chat with guests at 6 p.m. On exhibit is a great selection of Inuit sculptures and Cape Dorset Fine Art Prints for 2018.

And, on Saturday night, Flamenco dancing with Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, will be performed at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts from 7:30-9 p.m.

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre and School brings the soul of southern Spain GrandMarais. The performance, “Café Flamenco,” is a concert of traditional flamenco dance and music that brings the expressive and rhythmic excitement to the stage that only flamenco can. Tickets are available at the door. Here’s a short clip of their dancing:

Susana di Palma’s “PiCa” – Excerpts for BAM in NY (2016) from Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre on Vimeo. Enjoy!

And in Thunder Bay, Definitely Superior Art Gallery will hold it’s annual Halloween fundraiser, “The Hunger – Lucky 13″ throughout the Waterfront District in Thunder Bay. It’s a massive Halloween festival held at eight different venues, with 54 performance acts, including 42 bands and DJ’s and 12 specialty performers– 235 musicians/performers in all. Last year, 3,000 people showed up, many in costume.

The Hunger, Definitely Superior Art Gallery‘s Halloween fundraiser, will be held in downtown Thunder Bay from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday.

It is held from 8 p.m. through 2 a.m. on Saturday.  Click here to see a video and find out all the details.

On Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, a Halloween Dance Party! “Dance Dance Dance: All-Ages Halloween Dance Party” will be held in the Log Building at the Community Center starting at 8 p.m. on Halloween night. Hosted by Angela Ryden Robins. Let her know your song requests.

Exhibits:

 The exhibit “George Morrison/Surrealist Forms and Other Drawings” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post.

Untitled, gilcee print by George Morrison.

The exhibit features a wide variety of drawings and prints from this nationally known artist.

On Sunday, Oct. 28, Briand Morrison, George Morrison’s son, will be playing jazz at the Heritage Post from 2-3 p.m. He will be available in the gallery from 3-4 p.m. to answer any questions about the exhibit. The exhibit continues through Nov. 4.

The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Painter Greg Prelicka is the featured artist at Tettegouche State Park through October.

Painting by Greg Prelicka. His work is on exhibit in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is holding a gala reception for Anne Labovitz and her exhibition: “122 Conversations: Person to Person, Art Beyond Borders,” on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 6 p.m.

Painted silk scrolls by Anne Labovitz are part of the exhibit at the Tweed.

Labovitz took seven years to develop this body of work, which included meeting over 3,000 people and creating more than 2,000 pieces of art by those who live in Duluth’s five sister cities: Raina, Iraqi Kurdistan; Vaxjo, Sweden; Petrozavodsk, Russia; Thunder Bay, Canada and Ohara Isumi-City, Japan. The project was organized by the Tweed Museum of Art with collaboration with the Duluth Sister Cities International. It celebrates the 122 years of relationships with the sister cities. The exhibit continues through Jan. 6.

 Upcoming:

 The 28th annual Bluegrass Masters Weekend at Lutsen Resort is coming up next weekend, Nov. 2-4. This year’s instrument of focus is voice.

Jamming at the North Shore Music Associations Bluegrass Master’s Weekend.

Valerie Smith will teach a full day of bluegrass singing workshops on Saturday, Nov. 3. She and her band Liberty Pike will perform a concert for the public at 8 p.m. Saturday night in the ballroom ($20/$10). And don’t forget, there are lots of opportunities for jamming’. Rooms peppered throughout the resort are set aside for musicians to play and there’s always a lot of people playing in the lobby and the Poplar River Pub throughout the weekend. Everyone is invited to come, enjoy the music, take a class or two and attend the Saturday night concert. Tickets are available at the resort. For more, click here.

Felt artist Elise Kyllo and basketmaker Triscia Bielke will exhibit their work in a special exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9.

Felted piece by Elise Kylo. It and others will be featured in her exhibit, “Listening to Lichen” which opens Nov. 9 at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The exhibit is entitled “Listening to Lichen” and features a wide variety of felted work as well as basketry sculptures. Stay tuned for details.

Artist News &Kudos:

 The Grand Marais Small Town Lip Sync Challenge has been launched! About 150 residents in Grand Marais got together to put together their masterpiece, which is set to “Home” by Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros. Local businesses, plus the County Sheriff, and even the mascots all got on board. The video was produced by Cascade Vacation Rentals along with Visit Cook County and filmed earlier in October. Check out the video below:

With this video, Grand Marais now challenges other small towns to show what they’re made of with a Small Town Lip Sync Challenge.

WTIP Community Radio was one of 10 radio stations nationwide which have been chosen to participate in the national “Community Counts,” a CPB initiative to strengthen service in rural areas. The grant includes training and technical assistance to help small community broadcasters achieve long-term sustainability.

Participating stations were chosen through an open application process and include: WTIP (Grand Marais, Minnesota), WERU (East Orland, Maine), WMMT (Whitesburg, Kentucky), WNCU (Durham, North Carolina), WXPR (Rhinelander, Wisconsin), KBFT (Nett Lake, Minnesota), KWSO (Warm Springs, Oregon), KTNA (Talkeetna, Alaska), KZUM(Lincoln, Nebraska), and KRTS (Marfa, Texas).

Joe Paulik and Al Oikari have just released their latest collaboration– a new album from Paulik produced by Oikari called “New Set of Eyes.”

Joe Paulik has just released an album: A New Set of Eyes.

Paulik and Oikari were interviewed on WTIP Radio about their project. Listen to it here.

“The Sock Goblin,” written by Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux with illustrations by Kari Vick, is now available at Drury Lane Books.

“The Sock Goblin,” a children’s book by Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux with illustrations by Kari Vick, is just out and is available at Drury Lane Books. You can also find it next to the socks at The Big Lake.

 Tim Cochrane’s new book, “Gichi Bitobig: Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade” is out and should be available in local book shops soon. The official release date is Nov. 13.

Tim Cochrane holds a copy of his new book, “Gichi Bitobig: Early Accounts of the Anishinaabeg and the North Shore Fur Trade.” It will be officially released Nov. 13.

Cochrane is scheduled to do an author talk and book signing at the Johnson Heritage Post Nov. 16 and a Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books Dec. 1. Stay tuned.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Oct. 25:

• Frozen Britches, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 26:

• Briand Morrison, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• The Throwbacks, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 27:

• Curtis & Loretta, Grand Marais Public Library, 10:30 a.m.
• Jim & Michelle Miller, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Common Ground, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• The Throwbacks, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Black-Eyed Snakes, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 28:

• Briand Morrison, Johnson Heritage Post Gallery, 2-3 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Photographs:

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

Let’s start with wildlife:

Grand Portage by Ria Dougherty.

Red Tail Hawk, stretching in a tree in Knife River by Edward Lee.

An October favorite by Thomas Spence.

The squabble by Barb Thompson.

October mornings can take your breath away by Thomas Spence.

A beaver and a golden pond by Michael Furtman.

The trails were crowded yesterday by Nace Hagemann. The figure in this photo is Matt Schmidt. Apparently the young moose just kept following him. 

Moose talking by Nace Hagemann. This is the young moose pictured in the photo just before this one.

And water:

The High Falls by Lin Salisbury.

Middle Falls by Tommy Gee.

Burned Dam Falls, Ontonogan River, Mich., by Sandra Updike.

Waves Oct. 18 by Bruce Johnson.

Grand Marais sunset by Laura Frykman.

Lighthouse at sunset by Christian Dalbec.

And fall colors:

Final burst of color for the season by Paul Sandberg.

City Scape: Autumn in Duluth by Jan Swart.

And here are some people shots:

St Paul, Minnesota, by Layne Kennedy.

Harvesting barley at sunset on the Lakeview Natural Dairy in Cook County by Lyndsay Anderson.

After the rain, it was warm! (Oct. 23) by Jeffrey Doty.

And finally, three full moon shots:

Sandhill cranes and the full moon by Sparky Stensaas.

Full Moon from the Angry Trout by Patty Doherty.

Near full Hunter’s Moon over the Duluth harbor by Donald Jay Olson.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Mom… up close by David Johnson.

It’s Moose Madness Weekend in Grand Marais, a family friendly event featuring all kinds of activities, contests, demonstrations and fun things to do. This year, Grandma Ray’s is Moose Headquarters where you can get lots of info, maps and directions.

To see the complete schedule of events throughout the weekend, pick up a copy of the Moose News Tribune and check it out. Or read it on-line here.

The Moose News & Tribune has listings of all the events during Moose Madness Weekend. It’s free. Look for it around town.

Moose Madness starts at 9 a.m. on Friday morning with the Moose Madness Medallion Hunt, which is always highly competitive. The Medallion is hidden somewhere in downtown Grand Marais. Sometimes it’s found right away. Other times, no one can find it until late on Friday, Either way, check for the latest clues at Moose Headquarters.  It’s the ultimate in scavenger hunts and fun for everyone.

Also on Friday, North House Folk School will feature sweet grass basketry demonstrations in the morning and birchbark weaving in the afternoon, as well as a community rug-felting project.  The Lake Superior Zoomobile will be at East Bay Suites from 1-4 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday night, check out the North Shore Winery in Lutsen at 5 p.m. to see WTIP’s The Roadhouse live, and then stay to play the radio station’s Small Change Trivia from 7-8 p.m. Music by Gordon Thorne with Mike Roth.

At the Grand Marais Art Colony, Marlys Johnson will teach Raccoon Mask Making from 1-3 p.m. on Friday.

Maryls Johnson will teach a class entitled “Raccoon Mask-Making” at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Friday for students 8 and older.

The students will create a unique felted raccoon mask to wear to The Big Lake/Gunflint Mercantile Masquerade Ball on Friday afternoon. Students will use needle felting and wet felting techniques to decorate their masks and then the group will parade downtown for the party. Masks are great for Halloween or wall décor. $10, call the Art Colony to register at 387-2737.

On Friday night, Over the Waterfall plays for a Contra Dance at North House Folk School starting at 7 p.m. There’s a small charge at the door.

On Saturday, look for more Moose Madness activities, including mini Make-A-Bowl classes at the Art Colony to make bowls for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, an event to help the hungry in Cook County. The fundraiser is held Nov. 15. For more info and to register, call 387-2737. Click here to see the calendar for dates. You can now register on-line.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will hold a number of mini Make-A-Bowl classes this weekend into early next week. Call 387-2737 for more info and to sign up.

The Art Colony will also hold a drop-in Community Ink Day in the print studio on Saturday afternoon. All invited.

North House will hold more craft demonstrations on Saturday and the community felted rug project will continue, with the final foot-stamping of the wool. The public is invited to try this out.

This is the last weekend of the season for the Cook County Market, which is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Senior Center parking lot, weather permitting.

The Cook County Market is featuring a fire pit and a chance to make S’Mores on Saturday, the last market of the season.

Meanwhile, WTIP Community Radio is holding it’s Fall Membership drive this weekend, which always includes great programming and live music in the studio. Here’s the schedule:

Friday, Oct. 19: Plucked Up String Band, 1-2 p.m.; Wunderdogs,4-5 p.m.. Saturday, Oct. 20: Rod and Al, 5-5:45 p.m.; Rampant Roots, 6-7 p.m. and on Sunday, Maria Nickolay, 2-4 p.m. There are also activities for kids and adults at the radio station over the weekend. To find out more, see www.wtip.org.

For Sven & Ole lovers, the Grand Marais Playhouse will present “Ole Runs for Office” this weekend, with performances on Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m.

“Ole Runs for Office” will be performed at the ACA on Friday and Saturday.

In the play. Ole has decided to throw his hat into the ring and run against Knut Knutson, the long-time president of Muskrat Lodge 3412.Will Lena talk Ole out of the political limelight or cave in to the glamour of being “first lady of the lodge”? Tickets for this funny play are available at the door. Kid friendly.

And on Monday and Tuesday, the mini-class, Glass: Make-A-Bowl for Empty Bowls, will feature a chance to make a glass bowl for the Empty Bowls fundraiser in the glass studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Call 387-2737 to register.

Make a glass bowl for Empty Bowl fro 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22. Call the Grand Marais Art Colony at 387-2737 to register.

Also on Monday, the Grand Marais Playhouse will hold auditions for “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at 3:30 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

On Tuesday, Visit Cook County and Cook County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Fall Gala at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino starting at 5:30 p.m. The guest speaker is John Edman, of Explore MN Tourism. Sen. Tom Bakk and Rep, Rob Ecklund will also speak. For more info and tickets, click here.

And on Wednesday, Oct. 24, Kate Fitzgerald will give the Full Moon Reading at Drury Lane Books starting at 6 p.m. Each full moon the community gathers outside around the fire to hear local writers read their own work or the work of others. The public is invited to enjoy the spoken word and watch the moon rising over the Big Lake.

Also on Wednesday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will hold a “Making a Mark: Life Drawing” session in the Founders Hall at 5:30 p.m.

Life drawing sessions are held at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Wednesday nights starting at 5:30 p.m. Drop-ins are welcome. Cost is $12 per session.

Life drawing is for artists what jogging is for athletes – essential practice. Students can choose to draw in a highly detailed representational manner or to create loose and expressive sketches.  The sessions run through Dec. 19. No instruction given.

The Art Colony is also looking for models who might be interested in the work. Compensation is available. Call the Art Colony at 387-2737 for more. info.

Exhibits:

 The new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, “George Morrison/Surrealist Forms & Other Drawings” opened to accolades last week. The exhibit is a fascinating walk through the history and focus of this nationally known artist.

“Untitled,” by George Morrison. 1959, oil.

There is only one painting in the exhibit (see above) but there’s a great collection of his prints. The print below, entitled “Faculty Meeting” is such an extraordinary example of how just one simple line an evoke emotion and attitude. It is only one of many in the exhibit.

“Faculty Meeting, U of M, 1979″ by George Morrison.

The exhibit continues through Nov. 4. The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. t0 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Monday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

In Duluth, the Joseph Nease Gallery is exhibiting “Elemental Forces and Other Work” by Karen Owsley Nease.

The exhibit is at the Joseph Nease Gallery in Duluth.

Nease’s paintings of Lake Superior inspired choreographer Laura Goodman to create a ballet to interpret these visual images. It is being performed by the Minnesota Ballet at the DECC Oct. 19-20. The images are used as the backdrop in the ballet. The exhibit continues at the Nease through Oct. 27 culminating in an Artist Talk at the gallery with Nease and Goodman on Friday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. during the Downtown Duluth Arts Walk.

Jonathan Thunder has opened an animated exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art entitled “Manifesto.”

One of the panels from Jonathan Thunder’s “Manifesto” on view at the Tweed Museum of Art.

Upcoming

 Sivertson Gallery celebrates the 18th annual Inuit Premiere next weekend, Oct. 26-27, with an extraordinary showcase of Inuit art and sculpture, carving demonstrations and throat-singing performances. A must-see. Stay tuned for details and/or  click here for more info.

Sivertson Gallery‘s 18th annual Inuit Premiere is Oct. 26-27.

In Duluth, the opening reception for Anne Labovitz’ “122 Conversations” at the Tweed Museum of Art will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 25.

The opening reception for “122 Conversations” at the Tweed is Oct. 25.

The North Shore Music Association’s Bluegrass Master’s Weekend will be held Nov. 2-4 at Lutsen Resort. Get ready for three days of jamming, a full day of vocal workshops and an evening concert with Valerie Smith and her band, Liberty Pike.

Bluegrass vocalist, Valerie Smith, is the featured musician at the Bluegrass Masters Weekend at Lutsen Resort, Nov. 2-4.

Tickets for the vocal workshops and concert on are available at Lutsen Resort. Stay tuned for details and/or click here for more info.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week;

Thursday, Oct. 18:

• John Russ, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Maria Nickolay, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• James Moors, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 19:

• North Country Fair, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Jon Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Wunderdogs, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Brian Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 20:

• Jim & Michele Miller, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge, 8 p.m.
• Jon Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Aurora Baer, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 21:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• TBA, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

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

Not white yet, but trying to hide the best it can by David Johnson.

“Sometimes wildlife chases you. Fox get used to people feeding them at campsites and along the road. Don’t do that.” Photo and comment by Thomas Spence.

Doe and her twins by Sandra Upyke.

When it’s cold enough to see your tweets by Mikhail Kalinin

Here are a few fall shots:

Golden Arches by Sandra Updike.

High Falls in October by Travis Novitsky.

It was raining leaves in the woods today by Jeff Henningsgaard.

And the start of winter:

Snowy leaves by Sandra Updike.

Ice forms on the High Falls by Travis Novitsky.

A snowy “Good Morning” from Tate Lake by Judi Barsness.

And this, a reminder of what it was like just one week ago.

A big one by Christian Dalbec.

And what it’s like today:

The beauty of the North Shore by Jan Swart.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(NorthShore ArtScene is totally focused on providing accurate and fun news about the arts on the North Shore. Consider making a donation today. It’s easy. Just click on the button below. And Thanks!)

“Explosion” by Jeffrey Doty. Photo taken during the ferocious gale in Duluth on Wednesday. Winds were clocked at 60+ mph, waves at 26 feet. To see more of Doty’s work, visit https://jeffrey-doty.pixels.com or see his Facebook page at Jeffrey Doty Photography.

So this year, we have Gales of October! Two already this month, pushing the Big Lake into unbelievable turmoil.

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, the high waves pushed water inland, flooding Canal Park in Duluth and the Co-op parking lot in Grand Marais. Local wildlife took immediate advantage in Grand Marais, though. Check out this photo:

Ducks get the best parking spots at the Cook County Whole Foods Co-op by Pamela Louwagie.

Look for more photos of this October gale in our photo section.

Meanwhile, to the arts & entertainment news:

A Beerthoven at Voyageur Brewing, making Japanese sweets at North House, a once-in-a-lifetime art opening at the Johnson Heritage Post and a music adventure at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts is on the tab for this weekend.

First up– the Beerthoven, where a classical string quartet from the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra will descend on Voyageur Brewing Co. at 5 p.m. on Thursday to offer musical treats for everyone.

The string quartet from the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra will play at Voyageur Brewing Co. starting at 5 p.m. on Thursday. Free.

The DSSO  musicians will perform a wide variety of music (and presumably some Beethoven) for this great event. The concert is free. Voyageur brew and appetizers are available. All invited.

And, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, North House Folk School will host “Japanese Sweets for All” in the teaching kitchen. Are you brave enough to try mochi, yokan, and ohagi?

Mochi is a traditional Japanese treat made from sweet rice. North House will host a workshop on how to make these sweets on Thursday.

Learn about the way Japanese people developed a variety of sweets using simple ingredients like rice and beans.  The flavors and shapes of many sweets reflect the seasons, so this is a great chance to try some fall specialties adapted for the Minnesota palate and pantry. The cost is $5. Call 387-9762 to register.

Friday evening will be busy in Grand Marais.

First, the Johnson Heritage Post opens a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of artworks by nationally acclaimed Grand Portage artist, George Morrison, with a reception from 5-7:30 p.m. The exhibit, entitled “George Morrison/Surrealist Forms & Other Drawings” will feature original and archival prints of the master’s work, some never seen before by the public.

An exhibit of George Morrison’s work, entitled “Surrealist Forms & Other Drawings” opens with a reception at the Johnson Heritage Post from 5-7:30 p.m. Friday. His son, Briand Morrison, will play.

Some of the archival prints will be for sale. The exhibit runs through Nov. 4. The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Two nationally recognized musicians will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Friday, too. Robert Jones & Matt Watroba, a duo from Detroit, will be showcased in this concert as they take us on a journey through traditional American musical styles drawn from many cultures.

Robert Jones and Matt Watroba will perform “Common Chords” at 7 p.m. Friday at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

They will present their Common Chords program “Music That Matters,” celebrating cultural and racial diversity and cooperation. Through folk, blues, spirituals, work songs, and chants, they illustrate how American roots music is rich, diverse, direct, and powerful music that reflects history, social change, migration, hopes and dreams. Woven together, these diverse traditional styles create the fabric of the great American musical tapestry.

Here’s a video of one of their performances.

Tickets are general admission: $15 adults, $5 youth 18 & under. For sale in advance at www.aca.tix.com or box office night of show (opens 6 pm).

Saturday begins with the Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot of the Senior Center throughout the summer. There are only two more markets this season. It ends during MEA weekend. And, to accommodate the early fall this year, a friendly fire pit will be going in the middle of Market to keep people warm this year.

A fire pit is the newest addition to the Cook County Market, which is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays in the Senior Center parking lot through MEA weekend, weather permitting.

The Market features a wide variety of local art and artisans and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. All invited.

North House Folk School continues its focus on wool and felting this weekend with a two-day Rug Design Workshop with felter Mary Reichert. The workshop will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Cost is $25. Participants will learn about rug design and begin developing a unique one for Cook County. Registration is required. Call 387-9762 for more info and to register.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, North House will offer Drop-in Community Rug Design Workshops from 3-8 p.m., where the public is invited to come in to make their contribution to this unique rug that says Cook County. Free. All invited.

 George Morrison’s exhibit, “Surrealist Forms & Other Drawings” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post, which opens its doors at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The Johnson Heritage Post opened an exhibit of George Morrison’s work on Oct. 12.

Also on tap for Saturday at the Heritage Post, is an in-gallery performance of “Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison” with Briand Morrison at 2 p.m.

Briand Morrison’ will hold an in-gallery performance of  “Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison”  at 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Johnson Heritage Post.

“Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison” is a blu-ray disc produced by Briand  consisting of 128 images of George Morrison’s work from the 1940s through 2000. Briand will perform the compositions he wrote to accompany the images.

Then, at 3 p.m., Hazel Belvo,  Briand’s mother and George’s lifelong friend, will lead an artist tour of the exhibit.

All invited.

In Duluth, there’s a lot going on at the Tweed Museum of Art, too.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m., Peter Spooner, who was curator at the Tweed for years, will give a presentation on Swedish-American painter David Ericson.

“Salting the Sheep” by David Axel Ericson is on view at the Tweed Museum of Art, part of the Quiet Simplicity exhibit there.

There are five Ericson paintings on view in the “Quiet Simplicity: Life in 19th and 20th Century America” exhibit. Ericson was born in Sweden and lived in Duluth. for years.

“122 Conversations: Person to Person, Art Beyond Borders” by Anne Labovitz continues at the Tweed Museum of Art as well. The project celebrates the combined 122 years of relationship with Duluth’s five Sister Cities: Rania, Iraqi Kurdistan, Växjö, Sweden, Petrozavodsk, Russia, Thunder Bay, Canada and Ohara Isumi-City, Japan. The project is a catalyst for positive social change, one individual at a time.

One of the works in Anne Labovitz’ exhibit, “122 Conversations” at the Tweed Museum of Art.

“122 Conversations” is a participatory exhibition, so viewers will have the opportunity to browse through the artworks in the three galleries –Studio Gallery, Special Exhibitions Gallery, and the Activity Gallery, and create their art piece and share their message to make this world a better place.

The Tweed is also featuring “Utterance,” a senior exhibition by UMD art student, Alden Lebsack.

One of the pieces in “Utterance” by Alden Lebsack.

There are three exhibits on view at the Duluth Art Institute: Amanda Breitbach: Land/People; Nick Nerburn: Nik Nerburn is a Camera and Aaron Squadroni: Mesabi Land Portraits.

Kawishiwi by Aaron Squadroni.

Squadroni is an artist from the Mesabi Iron Range. His work is centered on mining imagery and metalpoint drawing techniques. His most recent work focuses on the Hull Rust mine, located in Hibbing, which is one of the largest open-pit mines in the world. The exhibits continue through Oct. 28.

In Thunder Bay, Christi Belcourt’s Retrospective with Isaac Murdoch continues at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Christi Belcourt’s Retrospective continues at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Upcoming:

The Moose Madness Festival will be held Friday, Oct. 19 through Sunday, Oct. 21, and features all kinds of family activities, contests, presentations and more, including events at North House Folk School and the Grand Marais Art Colony.

 Check out the Moose Madness Tribune for all the info here.

Make-A-Bowl for Empty Bowls. The Grand Marais Art Colony is holding Make-A-Bowl events for the public to make bowls for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser Nov. 15. Empty Bowls raises money to feed the hungry in Cook County.

Make-A-Bowl for Empty Bowls events will be held this month.The Empty Bowl fundraiser is Nov. 15 at St. John’s Catholic Church.

There are opportunities to make ceramic bowls Oct. 19 and Oct. 21. People can make glass bowls in the glass studio on Oct. 22. For more info, click here or call 387-2737 for more info.

Artist News:

North Shore Folk-tonk duo Pushing Chain returned to WTIP’s The Scenic Route with Will Moore to talk about their new album called “Sorrows Always Swim.”

Pushing Chain has just released their second album: “Sorrows Always Swim.”

Moore talks to Boyd “Bump” Blomberg and fiddler Adam Moe about producing the new album and they play the a few songs.  Listen here.

One of NorthShore ArtScene’s favorite photographers, Jan Swart, is profiled in the latest issue of Lake Superior Magazine.

Photograph by Jan Swart.

The title of the article is “Cityscapes & Shorelines: The Photography of Jan Swart.” Read the article and see more photographs here.

Requests:

Volunteers and sponsors are needed for the Empty Bowls Fundraiser, which is Nov. 15. this year. There will be two seatings, lunch and dinner, and will be held at St. John’s Catholic Church. Proceeds from Empty Bowls helps fight hunger in Cook County. For more info, click here or contact Beth Kennedy at bkennedy@boreal.org or Pat Companaro at pcampanaro@gmail.com

Looking  for old Playhouse photos! As the Playhouse builds towards its 50th anniversary, it is looking for photos of past productions to add to its files. Contact Sue Hennessy if you find some at sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com

 Music:

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, Oct. 11:

• Common Ground, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• DSSO String Quartet, Voyageur Bewing Co., 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grill, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 12:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Robert Jones and Matt Watroba, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Saints of Circumstance, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 13:

• SonofMel, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Doug Otto and the Getaways, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Saints of Circumstance, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 17:

• Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

We found lots of photos this week. Let’s start with wildlife:

Moose in golden grasses by Jeffrey Doty

Getting a drink by Mark Tessier.

3 bears in a tree by Sarah Hamilton.

Bull moose nibbling on a tree by Roxanne Distad.

Fall colors:

From Silver Bay to Hwy. 61 by Ray Pearrow.

Here I am (underwater) shooting fall colors by Christian Dalbec.

First snow by Paul Sandberg.

An early dusting by Bill Hansen.

First snowman 2018 by Sarah Reller.

Kadunce River by Kate Watson.

Leaves and water by Mark Tessier.

The Cuyahoga in Duluth by Jeffrey Doty.

North Shore sunrise by Bryan Hansel.

Cascade by Richard Gruchalla.

Chad Falls by Mark Tessier.

Winter clouds over Mine Lake by David Grinstead.

Moon on the Big Lake by Mark Tessier.

Why I live here by Sue Weber.

Kadunce and sky after a storm by Layne Kennedy. (Oct. 4)

Here is a selection of storm shots we’ve found so far…more next week.

Wind storm leftovers  in Grand Marais by Terry Backlund, Oct. 4

A lucky miss. Photo  by Joan Farnam. Oct. 4

Here are some of the Oct. 10 storm mages we found: More next week.

Tettegouche Wednesday morning,Oct. 10 by David Barthel.

Here’s another shot of Tettegouche. It’s by Christian Dalbec. He writes: “These monster waves on the cliff shook the road above where I stood.”

“Vertical waves crash on Brighton Beach. Photo by Clint Austin, Duluth News-Tribune.

Wind gusts as high as 86 miles per hour were measured near Castle Danger, Minn. according to the National Weather Service Duluth office. Hurricane force winds start at 74 miles per hour. Photo by Derek Montgomery for MPR News.

“Split Rock Lighthouse is 54 foot high and sits on top of a 130-foot cliff over Lake Superior.
Today waves on the open lake reaching 20 feet made their way to the North Shore and pounded into the cliff and sprayed 190 feet into the air!
I would say WOW mother nature!”
Christian Dalbec.

North Shore Lake Superior by Jan Swart.

Canal Park by Charles Howard Smith

A huge wave thunders through the ship canal in Duluth by Steve Kuchera, Duluth News-Tribune.

Portrait of a Gale by Jeffrey Doty.

May the Force be with you. Photo by Matthew Pastick.

Stay safe, everyone.