We’re Getting There

Greetings from the North Shore, where a beauteous summer continues its magic march through the season, and we continue to take care in our small communities.

Even though the basil is growing like crazy, Covid-19 is still out there. To find information about businesses, lodging, dining opportunities and protocols, as well as the latest news about Covid-19 in in Cook County, click here. 

Note: Things are changing. For example, the Gun Flint Tavern is serving, with Covid protocols in place and Voyageur Brewing is now taking reservations at the door. Phone-in reservations are no longer available. So check the list out to see what’s what.

Social distancing and wearing masks are still advised for everyone, and VisitCookCounty is offering free masks at the Information Center.

Here’s a great article about why it is a good idea to wear a mask here by Melissa Bilé Dressley of the North Shore Explorer. Click here to read.

Meanwhile, things are opening up. North House Folk School announced this week that it will be hold classes starting July 15 where social distancing is possible. To read what is happening on campus, click here. And the great ship The Hjordis is sailing again, open for families who want to enjoy Lake Superior in her kinder moods.

For information and to make a reservation, click here. 

The Crafting in Place series continues with blacksmithing demonstrations by Elizabeth Belz. She is on-site at North House demonstrating from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. AND she will be featured on a Lunch and Learn on Facebook at noon on Thursday demonstrating her craft. She is currently working on a loon.  To watch, click here.

On Friday, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center will open with Covic-19 protocols in place, including social distancing and a face mask requirement. To find out more, click here.

Here’s a wonderful video about the development of the Nature Center, produced to celebrate its (virtual) 10th anniversary.

Also on Friday, Jeremy Messersmith will be the virtual musical guest on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, which airs from 5-7 p.m.

On Saturday, look for two markets featuring local craftspeople: The Cook County Market is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is held in the Senior Center parking lot, and the Maker’s Market is held in the alley beside the Beaver House all day.

Usually this second weekend in July is a weekend to celebrate all things art during the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Grand Marais Arts Festival. Hundreds of people come to town, walking the tent corridors and experiencing what our local and regional artists have to offer.

The Arts Festival has been cancelled this year, but you can still browse the tents virtually. This year, 70 different artists, ranging from potters, jewelers, painters, fiber artists and more, were juried into the show. Many of them have websites. Check out their work here, and have a great virtual Arts Festival.

Next week, there’s a “real” event: The annual Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest begins on Friday, July 17 and runs through Aug. 9. The blueberries are ripening right now, and everyone is encouraged to head up the Gunflint Trail to their favorite spot and find the biggest and best.

The blueberries will be weighed at participating resorts and venues. Cash prizes awarded to the three biggest berries: $100 to the first place winner, $50 to the second place winner, and $25 to the third place winner. For more info and where the weigh your beauties, click here.

Also next weekend, the West End Garden Club will hold its annual flower show, but this year, it is a virtual event. The West End Garden Club Virtual Flower Show will be held on the Garden Club’s Facebook page and a link to a YouTube video of submissions on Saturday, July 18.

This year’s theme is Books and Blooms and all club members and community members are invited to take pictures of their gardens or arrangements, whether they are floral, vegetable/herb, flower box, or wild flower arrangements and share with the North Shore garden community via the WEGC Virtual Flower Show. Judi Barsness and Flavia Andrea Alvarez Maldonado are the 2020 Flower Show Co- Chairs and will put together the virtual show from submitted photographs. The deadline to submit photographs is Friday, July 10. To submit, email to Judi Barsness at  chezjude@boreal.org

 Artists at Work:

Members of the North Shore Artists’ League have been creating this winter. The Artists’ League meets monthly. The next Zoom meeting is set for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14. To find out more and get a link to the meeting, email Kathy Weinberg at klweinberg@gmail.com.

Here’s a painting Weinberg has completed this year:

Here are a few examples of work by other members of the Artist’s League.

Lutsen raku artist Maggie Anderson:

Lutsen sculptor Greg Mueller was one of two artists selected for the National Integrity Arts and Culture Grant recently. He has recently installed a new work, Portal Paraboloid, as part of downtown Mankato’s National Juried City Art sculpture tour, a one-year outdoor exhibition featuring 24 artists from across the United States.

To view the tour, click here. 

Beadpainter Jo Wood has new work to show.

Jo Wood writes: “I needle felted, then wet felted the wool background. The beads came next, hand-stitched to the background. It sat for a while before the eagle appeared out of the fog.” She can be reached at  jo@jowoodbeads.com

Potter Kathleen Reeves has work at Yellow Bird Fine Art in Grand Marais.

Linda Ricklefs Baudry has been painting this winter.

Other North Shore artists have been working as well.

Weaver Pat Zankman has been weaving sets of towels.

Painter Andy Ness has been working, too. His pieces can be seen at Upstate MN.

 Hovland woodturner Lou Pignolet has taken advantage of the stay-at-home recommendations … his studio is a few steps from his front door.

Charlotte Durie, who lives in Wales, but has family connections here and visits frequently, is making new work.

Weaver Julie Arthur has been dyeing with indigo.To see her completed work, click here.

Sculptor John Books, along with Cook County sculptors Tom Christiansen and Greg Mueller, has been preparing for an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, which was cancelled due to Covid-19.  Books has decided to exhibit his work, entitled “The Covid Show,”  outdoors this summer. Stay tuned for details. Meanwhile, here’s a sculpture that will be exhibited.

 Other Art News:

Erik Simula starred in “Sails Over Ice and Seas,” a re-enactment of Arctic exploration that was filmed in Ely. Here’s the trailer:

 Virtual Music:

 I have to admit, I’m a “Colder by the Lake” fan. Colder by the Lake was/is a Duluth-based comedy troupe that performed funny, musical pieces in that city for many years. Here’s a video of the song, “Colder by the Lake” written by Rick Shefchik and Eric Eskola. Other musicians include: Lori Hatten, vocals; Mark Shefchik, drums, Johnny Hagen, electric guitar; Huck Bovee, bass; Eugene Huddleston, piano.

Here’s a song by The Dancing Devils of Djibouti, the first musical group to produce an album from that country.

Here’s the new song that will be played on WTIP’s Northern Gardening, which is airing tonight at 7 p.m.

By the way, WTIP’s summer membership drive is this week, but it’s virtual. It still features lots of great programs, joking around and general fun. Check it out here.

And yum! to this Tiny Desk Concert. The popular NPR series are now recorded from the musician’s home/studio.

Live Music:

Thursday, July 9:

• Music on the Beach with Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7-9 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery,  7-9 p.m.,  Reservations at  (218) 481-9280 or click here,

Saturday, July 11:

• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, Aprés l’Adventure, 3-6 p.m. Make reservations here
• Music on the Beach with Rob and Jill, Lutsen Resort, 7- 9 p.m.

Sunday, July 12:

• Black River Revue, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m. Make reservations at https://www.exploretock.com/northshorewinery
  or call at (218) 481-9280.
• Bug Dope, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4-7 p.m.

Thursday, July 16:

• Kevin Buck, Music on the Beach, Lutsen Resort, 7-9 p.m.
• Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m. Reservations at Make reservations at https://www.exploretock.com/northshorewinery
  or call at (218) 481-9280.

Photographs:

There were flower images this week … and insects. Here is a selection:

 

And a few wildlife shots:

 

And landscapes and seascapes:

 

 

 

And storm-scapes:

 

July 4 in Grand Marais:

And to end the week on a positive note with a bow to our sweet tooth, this week’s Comfort series  from Betsy Bowen:

Enjoy your weekend, everyone. And stay safe!

Note: If you have enjoyed NorthShore ArtScene today, please consider supporting this volunteer effort to keep the art news flowing on the North Shore. You can donate at the link below. And thank you!