Winterer’s Gathering, A Film Festival & A Diving Horse

by Joan Farnam on November 21, 2019

Things are really freezing by Bryan Hansel.

As we know — there are no theaters in Grand Marais. Instead, we have to watch movies at home, or travel to another town to see them. This is true, except, once a year, during Winterer’s Gathering, when North House Folk School holds the Arctic Film Festival, and we get to watch as many as we want.

Absolutely, Winterer’s Gathering is full of fascinating things to do and see –workshops, skill shares, talks and demonstrations — even a chili feed — all focused on winter and the craft of the north.

Winterer’s Gathering and the Arctic Film Festival is at North House Folk School this weekend.

But the Arctic Film Festival is really the frosting on the cake, in this writer’s opinion. The films start at 9 a.m. on Friday and continue through Sunday. They include outdoor adventures, a day in the life of an Arctic community, a historical drama about a fight for the throne in 13th century Norway … the list is pretty amazing. Some of the offerings are national and international award-winners, others are crafted by local communities or small production companies.

They’re all free, screened in the Blue Building starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22.

And, to further whet your appetite: Here are three trailers. Enjoy!

“Koneline: Our Land Beautiful”: Friday, Nov. 22, 11:30 a.m.

“Angelique’s Isle” (An Isle Royale story): Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 p.m.

“Kaisa’s Enchanted Forest” (A film about the Sami): Sunday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m.

There are other great community events during Winterer’s Gathering as well. The Snowshoe Shuffle Contra Dance is on Friday night. The family dance is at 7 p.m., the Community Dance at 8 p.m. There’s also a Cold Snap Poetry Slam. It starts at 8 p.m.

And on Saturday morning, don’t forget the Great Gear Swap, a North House tradition. People can bring their outdoor gear, clothing etc. to sell and/ swap and participants, including the public, can find great bargains. Registration is required to swap. Forms are available online here or can be filled out the day of the event. The event starts at 10:30 a.m.

Also on Saturday, there’s a Winter Camp Tour at 2 p.m., and the Deep Freeze Chili Feed at 6 p.m. (Tickets are $10.), followed by a presentation by this year’s featured guest, Bill Hanlon at 7 p.m. Hanlon is a wilderness hunter, backcountry horseman and wilderness advocate who explores the backcountry of British Columbia.

For the full schedule of films, classwork and presentations, click here.

There are other interesting events happening this weekend as well.

On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Grand Marais Writers’ Guild. which meets monthly at the Grand Marais Public Library, will host “Writing about Religion: A Community Writing Workshop” from 6-8 p.m. in the library. Faciliated by fiction writer and essayist Kasey Payette, the workshop will use the tools of narrative craft to explore painful, complex, or surprising memories around religion and spirituality. Participants will delve into personal memories and stories guided by writing prompts, study literary craft techniques and enjoy quiet writing and optional sharing. The workshop is open to writers at all levels, as well as all faith backgrounds.

Chan Poling and Lucy Michell, the acclaimed authors of “Jack & the Ghost,” will be guests on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m. The authors will be featured at Drury Lane Books on Nov. 30.

Authors Chan Poling and Lucy Michell will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night to talk about their book, “Jack & The Ghost,” set in a town in northern Minnesota.

On Friday and Saturday, there will a Winter Block Party in downtown Grand Marais to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with wish list parties at Drury Lane Books, the Big Lake and Gunflint Mercantile. A party hub will be set up in Joyne’s parking lot with a bonfire, S-mores and craft opportunities on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. All welcome.

On Saturday, Holidays in Schroeder will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at two locations: the Schroeder Town Hall and the Cross River Heritage Center. The annual Creations Bazaar, featuring featuring hand-made items, baked goods, tasty treats and coffee will be held at the Schoeder Town Hall. The Cross River Heritage Center will be celebrating the holiday too with krumkake and lefse demos and card-making as well as a gift shop sale. All welcome.

Grand Portage Lodge will hold the 2nd annual Craft Beer Fest, too. The event, featuring a wide range of Minnesota Breweries, will be held from Wednesday through Saturday. Cook County’s Most Wanted will play at 8 p.m. on Saturday night at the Lodge.

This weekend is a big one in Duluth as well. On Friday night, the Christmas City of the North Parade will start at 6:30 p.m. near Fitger’s Brewery and continue down Superior St. And on Saturday night, the Bentleyville Tour of Lights will open at 5 p.m. in Bayfront Festival Park. The light show continues through the New Year.

The Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Festival Park in Duluth opens this Saturday. Photo by Bryan Hansel.

The Bentleyville Tour of Lights in Festival Park in Duluth opens this Saturday. Bryan Hansel took this panorama photograph last year.

And the North American Comedy Brewery Tour returns to Voyageur Brewery on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

Exhibits:

Changing Seasons, a juried show by members of the Frozen Photographers group, continues at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. The exhibit continues through Dec. 1.

One of many photographs by members of the Frozen Photographers’ group currently on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery.

The gallery’s winter hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Plein Air painter Greg Lecker is currently showing his work in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

“Flow,” by Greg Lecker is one of the paintings on exhibit at Tettegouche State Park.

Lecker’s exhibit continues through November.

At the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth, the exhibit of photographs from the Tweed’s collection “Space: Time and Place” continues.

This photograph fy Toby Old entitled “Horse Dive Show,” was taken in 1991. It is in the “Space: Time and Place” exhibit currently on view at the Tweed Museum of Art. The exhibit continues through the New Year.

The exhibit features a broad range of photographs, including “Horse Dive Show” by Toby Old, above.

Upcoming:

Nov. 29:

European Christmas Market, North Shore Winery, featuring a variety of vendors and live music, 1-4 p.m.
Holiday Art Underground opening reception at Betsy Bowen’s Studio. 3-5:30 p.m. featuring a wide range of local and regional artists.
Light Up Lutsen featuring open houses and special events in downtown Lutsen from 1-4 p.m. A hot metal pour will be held at the Mueller Studio at 5 p.m.
Oh Ole Night Parade, downtown Grand Marais and kicks of holiday celebrations in Grand Marais, 6 p.m.

Nov. 30:

Hovland Holiday Arts Festival. Hovland Town Hall, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This arts festival features a wide range of local artists and artisans and includes everything from wood carving, fiber art, pottery, photographs, painting, glass and more.
Community Center Christmas Sale, featuring work by a variety of artists and artisans. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Dec. 7:

Northwoods Fiber Guild Holiday Sale and Open House, Grand Marais Art Colony, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is a tradition on the North Shore featuring high quality one-of-a kind fiber crafts. The event also features tasty treats, hands-on activities, fiber demos, music, and plenty of holiday spirit.
Holiday Craft Fair, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, featuring Ojibwe art, jewelry, baked goods and more, 10 a.m to 3 p.m.

Dec. 8 & 9:

Borealis Chorale & Orchestra Christmas Concert, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 7 p.m. Featuring the talent of more than 100 cook county residents, the Borealis Chorale & Orchestra’s annual Christmas concerts are a Cook County tradition nearly 70 years old. Hosted by the North Shore Music Association. Donations accepted.

Dec. 12:

It’s a Wunderbar Life: 3rd Annual Holiday Market, Wunderbar Eatery and Glampground, 4-8 p.m. More than 20 local artists and businesses present with their best and most “giftable” offerings. Hosted by The Big Lake.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, Nov. 21: