Big Waves, Snow & An Art Opening Ring in 2020

Photographer Christian Dalbec was at Crystal Bay at Tettegouche State Park on Sunday, Dec. 29, and took this video of Lake Superior waves crashing into the cliffs. It was the last storm of 2019.

But then, 2020 came in pretty quietly here on the North Shore, mirroring, perhaps, the mood of the communities. Snow lovers are having a great time, however. The trails are packed with new snow as are the ski slopes, and everyone is taking advantage of the warm temps we’re having this week.

And there’s some great music:

Gordon Thorne & Friends will be playing for Date Night at the North Shore Winery, always a good place to be on a cold winter evening.

And The Sky Blue Trio will play at the Cascade Lodge Restaurant and Pub on Saturday at 6 p.m. They will be playing upbeat jazz on the first Saturday of every month this winter. Something to look forward to.

And Papa Charlie’s returns with its Monday Night Songwriter Series on Jan. 6. The Sarah Morris Trio will play starting at 8:30 p.m. This is billed as a quiet time to just listen to music at the Lutsen Mountains venue.

There are lots of other great bands playing this weekend, too, Check the Music Schedule below for dates and times.

First up for 2020, is an art opening at the Johnson Heritage Post. “Wood Swept,” a fascinating exhibit by North House artisan Marybeth Garmoe, featuring works in broommaking, woodcarving, and woodturning. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3.

Garmoe is just finishing up her two-year participation in North House’s Artisan Development Program. This is her final show.

To find out more about Garmoe and the process to make her work, click here.. The exhibit at the Heritage Post continues through Jan. 26.

Also on Friday, the Director’s Cut of “Bladerunner” will be screened at the Grand Marais Public Library at 6 p.m. Free.

Also this weekend, the Grand Opening for the Warming House at the Cook County Community Center will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5.

The new warming house has technically taken 20 years to build. Thanks to community commitment and perseverance, it was built this summer and is now ready to be enjoyed. There will be free skating all day on Sunday and refreshments, including soups, will be served. All invited.

At noon next Thursday, Jan. 9, North House Folk School starts its Brown Bag Lunch Series to introduce information about different water crafts. The presentation on Jan. 9 is entitled Herring Skiff Project with Josh Tolkan and John Beltman.

The 2-year project, in collaboration with the Cook County Historical Society, is to build a replica of a historic herring skiff, representative of the boats used by fishermen in the 1940s. The brown bag lunch series are free. All invited.

Lots of events next weekend

And next weekend, look forward to the Gunflint Mail Run Sled Dog Race Jan. 11-12. Trail Center Lodge is the center of the races, which consist of two legs of equal distance separated by a mandatory layover. There are two classes in the race: a 12-dog, 100-mile race and an 8-dog, 65-mile race. T

At last count, more than 25 mushers are registered for the race. Volunteers are still needed. For more info on the race, who’s racing and more, click here. Stay tuned for more info next week.

Also on Saturday, Jan. 11, the Norpine Fat Bike Classic will be held with a new course and a new venue.

Cascade Lodge is the host this year, and the races will start from there. For more info and to register, click here. Stay tuned for more info next week.

Also next weekend, Lutsen Mountains will hold the Ski Party Music and Ski Festival Jan. 10-12. Bands include Black-Eyed Snakes,  Dead Man Winter, Portal III, the Cactus Blossoms, Charlie Parr and Humbird. For more info, click here.

Also on Saturday, Jan. 11, the North Shore Music Association presents “Cantus: One Giant Leap.” The group is hailed at the “premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States.” This concert celebrates the group’s 25th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with a special program. Tickets are $25 adults, $10 youth 18 and under. Stay tuned for more info next week.

Here’s a clip:

Kudos

“The Lost Forest” by Phyllis Root with illustrations by Betsy Bowen received an honorable mention in the National Outdoor Book Award 2019 contest.

 Extra Reading/Viewing

Grand Marais photographer Bryan Hansel has just published a year-end update about how he felt he did as an artist in 2019.

The blog includes his favorite shots of 2019 as well as the essay. Click here for the link.

 And here’s an interesting article. Entitled “What Was the Most Influential (Art) Work of the Decade?,” dozens of art-world experts weigh-in. It’s fun to scroll through.

To see the complete article, click here.

 Music Schedule:

 Thursday, Jan. 2:

• Jon Kalberg, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 3:

• Joe Paulik, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Jill and Rob, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Odd Man Out, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 4:

• Sky Blue Trio, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• 4 Shore, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik Band, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Odd Man Out, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Yam Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 5:

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

Monday, Jan. 6:

• LaFond & Grillo,  Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• Sarah Morris Trio, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.

 Photographs:

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

First, wildlife:

 

 

We’ve had such a variety of weather here on the North Shore over the holiday season.

First, rain/sleet/ice, then gentle snow, then wild winds … here are some examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And then it got cold:

And then it got windy:

And windier:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then, the storm was over:

Happy New Year, everyone!