North Shore Arts Scene

Labor Day Weekend is coming up, but not to worry … it won’t feel too much like Fall on the North Shore. Instead, we’ll have balmy, beautiful weather. perfect for all kinds of activities, indoors and out.

There’s lots of great music this week, too. Check out the music schedule below.

First up are the Thursday events at North House Folk School. This week, weaver Anna Ruhland will be demonstrating how to weave a tapestry from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

And, on Saturday, she’ll teach a mini-class on the basics of tapestry weaving using the beauty of Lake Superior and the Northwoods as inspiration. Participants will take home a North Shore woven coaster or small wall hanging. The class is from 10 a.m. to noone, There’s small materials fee. To register, call North House at 387-9762. The minimum age for the workshop is 13.

Also on Thursday, North House holds two sessions of Try It: Wood-Fired Baking. To find out more and to register, call 387-9762.

And the Local Food Market continues in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday.

This year the Local Food Market has been featuring demonstrations every week. This week, Melinda Spinler will talk about horseradish, how to grow it, prepare it and enjoy it.

On Friday, there’s a lot of action in downtown Duluth as it holds its monthly Downtown Arts Walk starting at 5 p.m. This is the first year anniversary of the popular event. The walk includes stops in artist’s studios, galleries and other venues, including live music. Of particular interest is the opening reception for a new exhibit at the Joseph Nease Gallery, 23 W. 1st St.

The gallery is featuring a solo exhibition by Albuquerque artist Heidi Pollard. The exhibit is entitled “Heaven and Other Realms” and features her drawings, paintings and sculpture. The opening reception is from 5-8 p.m. Also, this is the last week of Matthew Kluber’s exhibit, “Friday I’m in Love” at the gallery.

Saturday opens with the Cook County Market, featuring a variety of art and craft by local artisans. The market is held in the Senior Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

.There are a couple of options for Saturday night: a concert with the bluegrass band, Monroe Crossing or a square dance with live music and caller from North Carolina.

Monroe Crossing has visited Grand Marais before, and is popular for its electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites. They will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. on Saturday Tickets are $25 adults, $15 youth and $3 children. They can be purchased at the door. Here’s a video of the group.

Also on Saturday night, there will be a Community Square Dance with Over and Under, a band from Finland, and Jenny Monroe, a caller from Asheville, N.C.

The square dance is free but donations of snacks, drinks and gas money for the band/caller are much appreciated. For more information  call 612-961-4691.

On Sunday, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center will hold an Old-Fashion Pie Social and Bake Sale with music by the North Shore Community Swing Band.

Everyone is invited. It continues all day. All proceeds from the bake sale will help with the daily operational costs of the museum and nature center. Chik-Wauk is open through MEA weekend, Oct. 20.

On Wednesday, Olympian Cindy Nelson will give a presentation at Lutsen Moutains Summit Chalet from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for Cook County Higher Education. The itinerary includes a ride on the Gondola, appetizers and a cash bar, a presentation by Karen Blackburn, executive director of Higher Ed, and then a presentation by Nelson.

A career impeded by injuries, Nelson was not deterred and learned to overcome fear and face the challenges of international competition. Her spectacular career is highlighted by four Olympic and four World Championship team berths, where she won three World Championship medals and one Olympic medal. Cindy held top seed ranking in all three of the Alpine disciplines during her 14-year career and was considered Americas’s finest combined skier of the modern era. Nelson also, became the first American to win a World Cup DH, the first skier to win a World Cup Super GS and the first woman to hold the position of Chief of Course for a major Alpine competition.

Pre-purchased tickets are $50, $60 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online here or by calling Higher Ed at 387-3411.

Exhibits:

The Lake Superior Circle Tour, a series of plein air paintings by Douglas Ross, continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Sept. 8.

The paintings include landscapes, Lake Superior-scapes as well as paintings of the Northwoods. 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. Free.

Betsy Bowen is opening a new exhibit at her studio gallery on Sunday, Sept. 1, entitled “Rare Treasures from the Archives.” The exhibit will include some of her favorite prints, drawings and paintings, as well as new work.

The gallery, 301 1st Ave. W.,  is open from 11-5 p.m. daily. A reception to be announced.

This is the last weekend to see the artwork of illustrator/painter Kyle Voigtlander in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

The artist has created a fascinating selection of bird paintings with a special twist.  Stay tuned for the next exhibit in this great venue.

The Duluth Art Institute is installing new exhibits, with a gala opening reception set for mid-September. Stayed tuned.

At the Tweed Museum of Art, the exhibition “Asymmetry: Three Dimensional Works from the Tweed Collection” continues. The exhibit includes a multi-media sculpture by Isidro Blasco.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery continues its exhibit of Northwest Coast Masks from their permanent collection.

Upcoming:

The Radio Waves Music Festival is next weekend,. Sept. 6-8. The festival is held at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area, rain or shine, with two stages and a wooden dance floor housed under a large tent. There are also food booths and a kids’ tent.

There are a number of new bands this year, and the Carpenter Ants are returning. They’ll play at set on Saturday and a Gospel Show on Sunday morning.

Tickets can be purchased on-line this year, or at the door. For the complete line-up and tickets, click here.

The next week, North House Folk School‘s Unplugged XVIII and Birchbark Bash will be held Sept, 13 & 14. The weekend is packed full of events, music and more.

For all the details, click here.

And, we just had to include this, primarily because of this illustration by Dave Lynas, who was the studio manager in the ceramics studio at the Duluth Art Institute for years. The ceramics studio is holding a fundraiser Sept. 10 at the new brewery, Ursa Minor, 2415 W. Superior St. in Duluth. Participants will be able to purchase handmade mugs, steins, jugs or cups crafted by local potters. Lynas, who worked for years as a commercial illustrator before becoming a potter, created a few illustrations for the event. based on 14th Century pub-goers. Here’s one. Enjoy!

. Tickets can be purchased at Ursa Minor, 2415 W. Superior St. or click here for tickets

The Grand Marais Playhouse will hold auditions for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid” on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 3:30 p.m. for grades 3-8 and at 6:30 p.m. for grades 9-adult. Young auditioners will be asked to sing a short song, such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or “Happy Birthday.” or ensemble roles come prepared to sing a short segment of any song that demonstrates your vocal range. Please ensure lyrics are appropriate for general audiences and are age appropriate.

For questions or comments, contact Sue Hennessy at sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com

Gallery News

A new gallery has opened in Tofte featuring local and regional artists. Lake View Gallery is located at 7181 W. Hwy 61 in Tofte, between the Tofte General Store and Bluefin Bay Resort. Launched by Katharine Skibbe, the gallery features work by Skibbe as well as Kathy Reeves, Kim Knutson, Maggie Anderson as well as regional artists.

The shop is currently open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday or by appointment through October.

Opportunities:

North Shore Health is announcing its 4th Call for Artists to display in the lobby, registration area and hallways in a four-month exhibit. In the last year, they have exhibited work by Lisa Kosmo, Joel Lewis, Keith Morris, Jim Ringquist, Lynn Anderson and Ade Toftey.  The art can be original paintings, photography, fiber art, mosaics and mixed media. Submissions should be received by Sept. 20. Decisions regarding the selected artists will be made by Sept. 25. The installation of the art will be completed by Sept. 30. For more info, check the website at www.northshorehealthgm.org.  Questions? Contat Kimber L. Wraalstad at  kimber.wraalstad@northshorehealthgm.org

The Minneapolis Institute of Art is again opening its doors to every artist in Minnesota with its Once-in-a-Decade Open Call Show. The institute will hang  and/or display every artwork submitted, as long as the work doesn’t exceed one cubic foot in size.

The previous iteration of the MIA series, “Foot in the Door 4,” took place in 2010 and attracted over 100,000 visitors. The original exhibition series began in 1980, with 740 artists from the state submitting works. The number of participants has steadily risen over the years, and in 2010, over 4,800 artists had pieces in the show.

More information on the submission process for “Foot in the Door 5” will be announced on the museum’s website in January, and submissions will be accepted in spring 2020. Stay tuned.

Artist News:

Nace Hagemann is currently exhibiting his photographs at the Mountain Inn in Lutsen. One of the most popular photographs, called “Grandpa’s Bull,” has a touching story with it, which was narrated on the Mountain Inn blog recently.

The Story of Grandpa’s Bull

“One of his best images ever currently resides in our pantry area.  It’s called Grandpa’s Bull, and it often wows guests as they pass by. It has an incredible story…. When the hunt for the Minnesota Moose began again a few years ago, Nace was struggling to find the Moose in places he had come to know them well, and became concerned that he may not see them again. One day he received news from back home that his Grandfather had passed away. Sad that he couldn’t make the drive home, he took to the woods, his most favorite place to be. As he shared this story with us he spoke of making a bit of a heavenly request of his Grandfather in that moment, mentioning how worried he was that he may never see a Moose again. In that very moment he was wishing that his Grandfather could help him see a Moose again one last time,  a giant bull Moose came walking out of the woods towards him, and happened to stay with him for quite some time. He was able to be so close to him for so long that the image he captured is SO clear you can see the reflection of he and his truck in it’s eye.”

Here’s the link to the blog: https://www.mountaininnmn.com/new-blog/2019/8/15/local-art-at-mountain-inn

Hagemann’s work is featured in a number of locations at the Inn. Check it out.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, Aug. 29:

• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Frozen Britches, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 30:

• The Cruisers, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• The Federales, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• 4-Shore, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug.31:

• North County Fair, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• The Federales, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., reservations at www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Monroe Crossing in Concert, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Square Dance– Over and Under with Caller Jenny Monroe, 4-H Cabin, Community Center, 8 p.m.
• Dance Party with DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 1:

• Briand Morrison. Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• John Gruber & Friends, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
•  Open Stage with Joe Paulik and Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
•  The Federales, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 2:

• Matt and Laurel, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 4:

• Patio Series with Timmy Haus, Wunderbar, 4 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Photographs:

So let’s start with wildlife shots:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And a few from the plant world.

 

 

 

 

 

And here are a few landscapes:

 

 

 

 

 

And this: a special for this weekend: Enjoy!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An August on the North Shore is really something to experience, and this year it’s been exceptional. Balmy breezes, warm sunny days, the peace of summer –  all are well-evident this year.

And then, of course, we’re into fall with two music festivals back-to-back (the Radio Waves Music Festival and Unplugged XVIII) and then a great selection of art tours. Lots happening.

Meanwhile, this week …

We start out with wet felting demonstrations by Elise Kyllo at North House Folk School Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And on Saturday, Kyllo will teach a mini-workshop on how to make a wet- and needle-felted finger puppet.

This workshop is open to everyone over the age of 8 and will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. To register, call North House at 387-9762, There is a small materials fee.

Also. on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center. This week look for all kinds of garden produce including kohlrabi, kale, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, zucchini, cucumbers, herbs, fresh flowers and more.

The food demo is at 5 p.m.  and will feature Chef Christina of Rebel Girls Community Minded Catering, She will demonstrate how to make homemade herbed ricotta cheese. A tasting table is included.

On Friday, North House Folk School  will present “Try It: Timber Framing.” Participants will learn how to put up and then take down a small timber-frame structure. The workshop will be from 10 a.m. to noon. Free. To register, call North House at 387-9762.

Also on Friday, the last Paint-A-Tile workshop of the season will be held in the ceramics studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Participants will learn about Majolica glazes and then have a chance to paint two tiles with their own designs. The tiles will be fired and ready for pick-up on Sunday. Cost is $25. For more information and to register, call the Art Colony 387-2737.

WTIP’s The Roadhouse welcomes a new band to its studio during the program on Friday from 5-7 p.m.  danG ol’ Tri’olE, which will play at the Gun Flint Tavern on Friday night, will talk about their music and play a few songs.

And then, Ray Bonneville,  who plays blues-influenced, New Orleans-inspired songs,  will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Bonneville strips his bluesy Americana to its essentials, steeps it in the humid grooves of the South, and creates a poetry of hard living and deep feeling. Rich guitar and harmonica, spare and spunky rhythms, and Bonneville’s deep, evocative voice combine to give this “song-and-groove man” his unmistakable sound. He has released nine albums, won Canada’s Juno Award as well as other prestigious awards, and earned an enthusiastic following in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Here’s one of his songs:

The concert is brought to us by the North Shore Music Association. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at tix.com and at the door.

On Saturday morning, the Cook County Market opens at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Senior Center. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is held every Saturday, weather permitting, through MEA weekend.

The market features a variety of arts and crafts including glass, fiber art, pottery, woodworking, semi-precious stones, jewelry, clothing and more. All invited.

And on Saturday evening, author and illustrator Rachel Awes will be at Joy & Company to sign her latest book from 5-7 p.m. Refreshments will be catered by Rebel Girls. All invited.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, WTIP Community Radio will be broadcasting from the Minnesota State Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The broadcast can be heard on WTIP at 90.7 FM or by streaming on-line at www.wtip.org. And, if you’re at the State Fair, watched live. There will be guest hosts, lots of great music and interesting conversations. Tune in.

Also on Wednesday, the Opening Celebration of the Felted Forest behind Sawtooth Elementary School will be held from 4-6 p.m. in conjunction with the ISD 166 Open House. The Felted Forest was created and installed by local felters this summer.

The celebration includes hands-on felting activities, refreshments (watermelon), and a walk through the Forest. Free. All invited.

Exhibits:

 The Lake Superior Circle Tour, plein air paintings by Douglas Ross continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through early September. The large-scale paintings depict the beautiful landscapes around Lake Superior.

The Johnson 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. Free.

Tettegouche State Park is featuring the artwork of illustrator/painter Kyle Voigtlander in the Great Hall through August.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting recent acquisitions, including this piece by ceramicist Robin Murphy.

AICHO Galleries in Duluth has opened a new exhibit. The galleries are located at 202 W. 2nd St. in Duluth.

Gallery News:

Photographer Roxanne Distad has new work at the JNS Gallery in Lutsen.

Yellow Bird Fine Art is exhibiting original prints by George Morrison.

Upcoming:

The 12th annual Radio Waves Music Festival is Sept. 6-8 at Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Recreation Area. The festival is held rain or shine with two stages and a wooden dance floor housed under a large tent. There are also food booths and a kids’ tent.

Acts new to Radio Waves this year include North Country Fair, Upjumped Trouble, Singleton Street, Gentleman’s Anti-Temperance League, Joshua J Schmidt Band and Woodblind. A number of favorite bands are returning, including the Carpenter Ants from West Virginia. For the complete line-up, click here.

Tickets are $20 for the weekend, and $10 daily. Free for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased online. Click here.

North House Folk School‘s Unplugged XVIII and Birchbark Bash is the following weekend, Sept, 13 & 14.

Friday night, Sept. 13, will feature the Birch Bark Bash fundraising celebration with a dinner that explores the northern landscape provided by chefs Judi Barsness and Scott Graden, followed by guest speaker, Carol Sauvion of PBS’ Craft in America.

The Saturday night concert, Sept. 14, features special gues Detroit-based roots & blues musician and 2018 Kresge Arts Fellow, the Rev. Robert Jones, and seven featured performers: Claudia Schmidt, Prudence Johnson, Dan Chouinard, Marc Anderson, Simone Perrin, Dane Stauffer, and Bradley Greenwald.

Click here for more info and tickets.

There are a number of art events scheduled for late September and early October on the North Shore, including the Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour.

Stops include home art studios as well as galleries with guest artists. All locations will be open daily, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a few special Fall Studio Tour events scheduled outside of these hours. Stay tuned for details.

And check out the opportunities for artists through the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council by clicking on the image below.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 22:

• Joe Paulik, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 23:

• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Cassandra & Elle, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Ray Bonneville, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• That Dan’ol Tri’ol, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 24:

• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Birch terrace, 3 p.m.
• Roxann Berglund, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Jim Miller, Wunder Bar, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Southpaws, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• RichRath Project 3:13-Tribute to REO, Grand Portage, 8 p.m.
• Crazy Chester, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 25:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.
• Pushing Chain, Music by the Lake, Skyport, 4 p.m.
• Open Stay with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 26:

Matthew Griswold, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.

The Lowest Pair, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 27:

• Campfire Music with Joe Paulik, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 28:

• WTIP Community Radio Live at the Minnesota State Fair, 8-5 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Patio Series at Papa Charlie’s, 4-6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Chris Gillis, Live, on the Deck, Papa Charle’s, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

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

First, wildlife:

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a potpourri of beauty:

 

 

 

 

 

Playing with sunrises/sunsets:

 

 

 

And a few North Shore landscapes:

 

 

 

 

And this great shot by Musa Abdel Rahman.

Enjoy the rest of summer everyone!

Whew! The biggest festivals of mid-summer are over, but there’s still plenty to do on the North Shore.

First up, this Thursday, leatherworker Candace LaCosse will be giving shoemaking and leather working demos at North House Folk School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

 

LaCosse will also teach a mini-class at 10 a.m. on Saturday on how to make hand stitch a leather wallet. Register at North House by calling 387-9762. There is a $20 materials fee.

Also at North House on Thursday –“Try It– Baking.” Participants will learn about baking in a wood-fire oven. Call 387-9762 to register. Cost is $20 per person or $30 for adult/child pair. There are two sessions: 1-3 p.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center.

This week, look for a great variety of veggies, including tomatoes, peppers, carrots, beets. cucumbers, green and yellow beans, zucchini and summer squash, kale and chard. There will also be wood-fired artisan bread and fresh flowers. At 5 p.m., Hella Buchheim will demonstrate how she makes a delicious salsa with fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and cilantro. All invited.

At 6 p.m. the monthly Writer’s Guild meeting will be held at the Grand Marais Public Library from 6-7:30 p.m. The Guild is “for anyone who writes anything.” All invited. Free.

Also on Thursday night, Voyageur Brewing Co. will host the Dark Sky Caravan, with an indoor slide show of the universe and a chance to see the Perseid Meteor shower and the full moon with telescopes. Free.

The Dark Sky Caravan will be at the Seagull Lake Community Center on Friday and Saturday nights as well. The viewing runs from 6-10:30 p.m.

Drury Lane Books will have a Full Moon Reading  at 7 p.m. Thursday by the bonfire. It will be a Children’s Book Read Aloud.  All invited to bring their favorites to share..

Friday is the start of Book Arts Weekend at the Grand Marais Art Colony.Every class is dedicated to the art and craft of book-making.

There are still openings in some of the classes. For more info, click here and/or call 387-2737.

Also on Friday, as part of the Book Arts Weekend, there will be a Bookbinding Studio Tour with Scott Husby from 6-7 p.m.

Husby has been a conservation bookbinder since the 1970s, and has worked at the Library of Congress, the Folger Shakespeare Library, and the Smithsonian, and also served as the rare books conservator for Princeton University. Participants will have the chance to visit Scott’s hand bookbindery and learn about his more than 40-year career. Scott will showcase the tools, equipment, and materials used in making hand-bound books as well as an assortment of historical bookbinding models. To register, call 387-2737. The deadline to register is Thursday, Aug. 15.

And the Thunderheads will be guests on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday where they will talk about their music and play a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, featuring a wide variety art and crafts by local artisans.

The market is held in the parking lot of the Senior Center and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This week, Tom Knutson will play.

A pop-up art installation by Charles Matson Lume in the new space just purchased by the Grand Marais Art Colony at 21 W. Hwy 61,  is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through the end of August.   The exhibition, which is a study in light,  shadow and texture, is a response to the Art Colony’s new space, its current condition and potential changes.

The installation is entitled “Which mothers forth mud and mint (for Mark Doty).” The public is invited to see the installation.

The Cook County Historical Society will hold a Harbor History Tour at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The tour begins at the Historical Society’s museum on Broadway. The tour features visible relics of the past and stories of this small harbor and community. The tours last approximately one hour and are weather permitting. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More information at (218)-387-2883. The tours are held every Saturday throughout the summer.

In Thunder Bay, Saturday is Y-Art Sale day on Cooke Street in the downtown Waterfront District.

The event, which is presented by Definitely Superior Art Gallery, is always a lot of fun, and there are art bargains and more to enjoy. This is the 10th year that the Thunder Bay artists’ group, DieActive, has organized the sale. (DieActive is well-known in Thunder Bay for the spectacular graffiti murals members have painted all over town.) This year, the  Y-Art Sale features 70 local artist vendors, live music, a Vintage Clothing and Flea Market curated by Thrifty Kid Vintage as well as food and more. Last year, 1,500 attended.

One of the musical highlights of late summer–Gunflint Woods, Winds, Strings … and a Little Jazz”– will be held at the Gunflint Volunteer Fire Department Hall No. 1 at Poplar Lake, starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.

The line-up of musicians is almost a who’s-who in music for Cook County and beyond. They include:  Philis Anderson (oboe); Prof. Anna Nekola (oboe), Sue Anderson (violin); Fred Anderson (guitar); the Borealis Brass Quintet: Eric Anderson (euphonium), Don Grant (trumpet), Dave Coleman (trombone), Alyssa Hedstrom (French horn) and Robert Reed (trumpet); a trumpet trio (Don Grant, Robert Reed, & Paul Dragsten); SVEA: Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Erika Ternes, and Yvonne Mills); the Sky Blue Jazz Ensemble: Mike DeBevec (piano), Mike Roth (string bass), Erik Hahn (sax), Thomas Stamps (percussion and vocal), and Karina Roth (vocal); two award-winning high school instrumental soloists: Jack Willis (trumpet solo) & Ashleigh Precord (flute solo) and others.

Tickets ($20 adult, $5 youth 5-18, under 5 is free)  are hard to get for this concert, but there still might be some left. For more info, contact Patsy Coleman at 313-673-6202 or email her at pbcoleman529@gmail.com , Checks and credit cards accepted. All concert proceeds, go the the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. Additonal contributions  to the fund are encouraged.

Exhibits:

 Plein air painter Douglas Ross has a great exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. Entitled “Lake Superior Circle Tour,” the exhibit features a selection of paintings he did around Lake Superior.

The exhibit continues through Sept. 8. The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Monday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

In other Heritage Post news, Leah Thomas is the Artist of the Month. Her work, including prints and collages, is featured on a wall in the gallery.

Kyle Voigtlander is the featured artist for the month of August at Tettegouche State Park. The exhibit features his creative paintings of birds using pencil, pen, brush and airbrush on multi-media paper.

The exhibit is in the Great Hall at Tettegouche.

The Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting a number of new acquisitions, including this lithograph by Roy Lichenstein.

At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the exhibition, ‘The Writing on the Wall: Works of Dr. Joane Cardinal-Schubert, RCA’, continues until to Sept 8.

This exhibit offers commentary on historical issues affecting Indigenous people.

Upcoming:

Bluesman Ray Bonneville will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 23.

Since leaving his career as a studio and touring blues musician to write and perform his own music, Bonneville has released nine albums, won Canada’s Juno and other prestigious awards, and earned an enthusiastic following in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He is brought to the ACA stage by the North Shore Music Association. Here’s a great video of him performing “I am the Big Easy.”

Tickets are $18. They can be purchased at tix.com or at the door.

Kudos:

Opportunities:

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is looking for new board members. There are four openings for the upcoming term: a student liaison, a representative from Aitken County and two At-Large members who can come from any of the seven counties served the ARAC. For more info, click on the icon below.

 

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, Aug. 15:

• Gordon Thorne, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Andrew Huber, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Kilborn Quartet, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 16:

• The Sprigs, Poplar Haus, 7 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 17:

• Tom Knutson, Cook County Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m. see www.michaelmonroemusic.com for more info.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• The Fish Heads, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 18:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Woodblind, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Gunflint Woods, Winds, Strings … and a Little Jazz, Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall No. 1, Poplar Lake, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 19:

• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• Moors & McCumber, Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 20:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Bluefin Resort, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 21:

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 21:

• Patio Series with Jim McGowan, Mogul’s Grille, 4:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Music on the Deck with Joe Paulik, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

We were lucky again this week to find some great photographs. Here’s a selection.

 

 

 

 

To see more photographs of the wolf and the bear, click here. 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Summer is in full swing this weekend, and here’s an heads-up — this is the last weekend to submit your biggest blueberry to the annual Gunflint Trail Biggest Blueberry Contest.

There are still plenty of blueberries on the Gunflint Trail, so you might be the lucky one to win the $100 first-place prize. Click here for more info about how to participate and where to bring your big blueberry.

Meanwhile, there’s lots of other things to do on the North Shore this weekend, too.

First up, North House Folk School will feature rug-hooking demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

On Saturday, rug hooker Mary Logue will teach a workshop on how to hook a rug that looks like the rings of an agate. The class will be at 10 a.m. at North House. Cost is $20 per person, or $30 per adult/child pair. The demonstrations are free. To register for the Saturday class, call 387-9762.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held from 4;30-6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center. This week’s demonstration: “Eat It: Don’t Toss It, or how to get the most out of your vegetable dollar. The demo is at 5 p.m. Look for lots of fresh vegetables this week, including tomatoes and peppers, plus fresh flowers, artisan bread and more.

On Friday, the Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow-Wow begins in Grand Portage at the National Monument and on the Grand Portage Band’s pow-wow grounds nearby. The annual three-day gathering is the community’s biggest and most grand celebration of the year, a time when Grand Portage comes alive and reflects on its rich heritage.

Re-enactors from across the country and Canada gather, camp and challenge each other to games and skills from our historic past. The Encampment Village is open to the public during the day.

Visitors can expect a weekend packed with cultural events from the 1800s to 1900s, including traditional dancing and games, an 18th century music jam, a chance to try old-time crafts like blacksmithing and arts and crafts, as well as sample Native American cuisine.

The Celebration Pow Wow is something to see as well, featuring more than 300 dancers from the region, including Canada, as well as the Stonebridge Singers, among others.  Click here to see a clip of the Stonebridge Singers.

Grand Entry, one of the most exciting times at a pow wow, is at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. All invited.

Also on Friday, join the Grand Marais Art Colony and artist Charles Matson Lume to celebrate the first Pop-up Exhibition at the Art Colony’s newly acquired Downtown  Campus at 21 W. Hwy 61. The opening reception is from 7-8 p.m.

Lume will be creating “an installation of light and space,” so stop in and see firsthand how art can transform space through ordinary materials. Lume’s installations have been exhibited at institutions such as: the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland), Babel Kunst, in (Trondheim, Norway, and Hunter College, in New York City.. He has received fellowships from the Bush Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The title of the exhibit is “which mothers forth mud and mint (for Mark Doty),” and was inspired by a poem by Doty entitled “Source.” All welcome to come to the opening

Also on Friday, WTIP’s The Roadhouse welcomes a new band, Freelance Valet, to talk about their music and play a few songs. The band is playing in local venues this weekend. (See music schedule below.) The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Market features all local vendors selling a wide variety of art and crafts.

Also, the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is hitting the road from the North Shore to the end of the Gunflint Trail Aug. 10-17. This traveling event will coincide with the annual Perseid Meteor shower and a full moon, perfect for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing through a telescope. Th crew will set up a mobile GeoDome Theater for a digital space exploration experience as well as have telescopes on hand for outdoor viewing. They will be at Grand Portage State Park from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, the Tettegouche Visitor Center on Monday, Aug. 12-13, Voyageur Brewing Co. in Grand Marais on Wednesday, Aug. 14-15 and the Seagull Lake Community Center on the Gunflint Trail Aug. 16-17.

 

All events are free, with daily programming that will run from 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m, except where noted. Planetarium shows will be offered on the half hour. In the event of cloudy skies, programming will be limited to the planetarium.

The Grand Marais Summer Theater comes to a close this weekend with two performances of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” featuring Diane Blanchette as Patsy and live music by local musicians.

The performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Tickets are available at the door.

It’s a really busy weekend in Duluth, too.

The 31st annual Bayfront Blues Festival is this weekend in Duluth through Sunday. To find out more, click here.

And on Sunday, the Festival of Sail, featuring Tall Ships of yesteryear sailing into Duluth, begins. It’s a big event and draws huge crowds. Two years ago, 250,000 people crowded into town to see the beauties.

There are lots of opportunities to do everything from visiting the ships to sailing on one. To find out more, see www.lakesuperiortallships .

Also this weekend, Brighton Beach will be the location of the 6th annual Lake Superior Art Festival, featuring a variety of work by local and regional artists.

The festival will be from 9 am. to 4 p.m.  All invited.

And on Wednesday, potter Linda Christianson will give be demonstrating making pots in the ceramic studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The presentation, entitled “Making Pots, A Hopeful and Troublesome Effort” will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Hear how Christianson has sustained her interest and inspiration over the years, and watch her demonstrate her techniques. Christianson is one of the founders of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour.

The event  is free, but due to limited space, pre-registration is requested. Goodwill donations are welcomed. Call 387-2737 to register.

Exhibits:

 Plein air painter Douglas Ross has opened an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. Entitled “Lake Superior Circle Tour,” the exhibit features paintings of the landscapes from states bordering the Big Lake.

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.

A new exhibit has opened at Tettegouche State Park as well, featuring the work of Kyle Voigtlander.

Voigtlander makes sketches of birds and then paints and draws in them in whimsical ways. It’s a fun show and will be up through August.

The Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting recent a series of recent acquisitions.

And, this is the last weekend to see two exhibits at the the Duluth Art Institute, Allen Killian-Moore’s multi-media show, “I Am What’s Wrong With the World,” and “Strata,” featuring a number of local and regional artists. The exhibits close on Sunday, Aug. 11.

 Gallery News:

 The Big Lake is featuring new paintings by Anna Hess.

Yellow Bird Fine Art has just received raku totems by John R. Kevern.

 Upcoming:

 The Grand Marais Art Colony will hold Book Arts Weekend, featuring a wide variety of classes, workshops and tours Aug. 16-18. Click here for more info.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 8:

• Charlie Roth, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flit Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Eagle Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9:

• Eric Frost, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bughouse, Grandma Ray’s, 8:30 p.m.
• Freelance Valet, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10:

• SonofMel, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille &Tap Room, 10 a.m.
• Bluegrass Sunday: The Spruce Roots, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

 Monday, Aug. 12:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Ben Kyle, Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 23;

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Resort, 7 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

 Wednesday, Aug. 14:

• Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille, 5 p.m.
• J Squared & the Makers, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

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

First, insects!

 

 

 

And a flower:

A “tree-scape.”

A summer campfire:

Wildlife:

 

 Skyscapes and landscapes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Gooseberryscape:

Stormscapes:

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Grand Marais is the place to be this weekend if you want to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Fisherman’s Picnic. The event, which has changed a lot over the years, still draws in relatives, classmates and friends from all over the country to celebrate their Cook County roots. It’s also a great time for family fun, competitions, lots of live music, fish burgers, contests and more.

There are an extraordinary number of events during the 4-day festival, Thursday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 4. Everything from the Cutest Puppy Contest and a Loon Calling Contest, the Big Fish Contest and a professional Log Rolling Tournament, to name a few, will happen this weekend. And there are softball and tennis tournaments this weekend, as well as a Trail Run on Pincushion Mountain. There’s lots of live music on the Harbor Park stage as well as in the festival tent at Voyageur Brewery. And not to forget, the famous fish burgers, served up by the Lions’ Club, which sponsors and organizes the event as a fundraiser for their projects.

On Saturday night, there are fireworks displays after dark, and the Fisherman’s Picnic Parade is on Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by bagpipers playing on the stage in Harbor Park. For the complete schedule of all the activities, click here. A detailed schedule has also been produced by Northern Wilds, and copies can be found at VisitCookCounty and other venues in town.

And, because there are lots of visitors this weekend, local organizations will serve up a great selection of things to do, too.

The Cook County Market, featuring a number of local artists and crafters will be open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Fisherman’s Picnic.

It’s in a different location: on Wisconsin Street across from the World’s Best Donuts. (A good placement to get a tasty snack!) All welcome.

North House Folk School has scheduled a variety of activities, including birchbark weaving demos by Beth Homa Kraus Thursday through Sunday. She will also teach a mini-workshop on Saturday. North House will also hold mini-workshops including Try It: Baking  and Try It: Timber Framing. And the good ship The Hjordis is making regular trips on Lake Superior.  Call North House at 387-9762 for more info and to register.

Dan Helmerson will give a presentation at the Johnson Heritage Post on Thursday at 4 p.m. entitled “Memories of Growing Up and Vacationing in Cook County.”

It should be a fun and interesting presentation. He’s bound to show lots of fascinating photos from the past and tell great stories about them. Free. Open to all.

The Local Food Market, featuring locally grown vegetables, artisan breads, fresh flowers and more will be held at the Cook County Community Center’s parking lot from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday.

And on Thursday and Friday, check out the Fisherman’s Picnic Raku Firing, which will be held at the Maker’s Market site at 6 North Broadway.

Each participant will receive a professionally made piece of pottery to decorate. Once the piece is decorated, it will be fired in a raku kiln, and be ready to take home. Firings will at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday and 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday. Sessions are limited to 10 people. For more info, to register and get tickets, click here.

Also on Thursday night, the Grand Marais Playhouse Summer Theater Festival continues with the staging of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” featuring Diane Blanchette and Braidy Powers. The musical, which is performed at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts continues with performances on Saturday, Aug. 3, and Aug. 10 & 11. Tickets are available at the door.

On Friday and Saturday, the Bally Blacksmith Shop will be open and demonstrations will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is a project of the Cook County Historical Society and is located near the Co-Op parking lot in downtown Grand Marais.

On Friday evening, the Johnson Heritage Post will host an opening reception for a new exhibit, “Circle Tour Art” by Douglas Ross. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m.

The exhibit features a great selection of the paintings he did while on a circle tour of Lake Superior. The exhibit continues through August. 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.

Also on Friday, the musical, “The Marvelous Wunderettes: Dream On” will be staged at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, one of the musicals featured the Grand Marais Playhouse‘s Summer Theater Festival.

There are only two performances left is this fun show: Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Not to be missed.

Also on Friday, Tettegouche State Park will host an opening reception for Kyle Voigtlander, who will be exhibiting his work through August.

The opening reception is at 7 p.m. From 6-7 p.m., there will be a coloring activity for all ages in the Great Hall at Tettegouche. All welcome. Free.

On Saturday, Lissa Grover will teach mini-workshops on making glass coasters in the glass studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The workshops will be from  9-11 a.m and from 1-3 p.m. The coasters will be fired and ready for pick-up the next day. For info and to register, call the Art Colony at 387-2737.

Also on Saturday, Sugarloaf Cove is offering a creative writing workshop with author Kendra Atleework at 10 a.m.. Entitled “Creative Writing: Setting, Place and Landscape,”  the workshop will consider how authors conjure place as character and how we can evoke setting as more than an arbitrary backdrop and create a landscape that deepens character and  propels plot.

This workshop will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Light refreshments will be provided. Free, but registration is required. Click here to learn more.

 And author Joan Crosby will sign her book, “The Tucker Lake Chronicles” at the Lake Superior Trading Post from 1-3 p.m. Saturday.

And last, but not least, nationally acclaimed mystery writer, Sara Paretsky, will be at Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Paretsky will read from her new V. I. Warshawski mystery, “Shell Game,” take questions from the audience, and sign books. Open to all.

Sunday: The Fisherman’s Picnic Parade: 1 p.m., downtown Grand Marais.

On Monday, Grand Marais’ own author, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, will tell stories about Brave Girls & Wise Women at the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m.

Hear how Tatterhood battles a band of trolls, Manka solves impossible riddles, and Vasalisa dares to knock at the witch’s door. Daring heroines reclaim fairytales as fierce, funny, and feminine. Program length is 60 minutes, intended for youth ages 7-12, but appropriate and enjoyable for teens, mixed age audiences and adults. Stories will likely be too long for kids younger than 6.  Free.

Upcoming:

The Grand Marais Art Colony will host a Weekend of Book Arts Aug. 16-18 featuring mini-classes, a studio tour as well as full-day classes on everything from bookbinding to book making. For more info on the offerings, click here.

And the concert, Gunflint Woods, Winds, Strings, and a Little Jazz, will be held Aug. 18 this year featuring a variety of classical and jazz music. This popular event features a number of local and regional musicians and is held at the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall #1 near Poplar Lake.

It is a benefit for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. For tickets: pbcoleman529@gmail.com . Stay tuned for details.

Gallery News:

Art of the Elements gallery announced it has received the very latest limited edition series of etchings by Hazel Belvo called “Old Trees.”

Liz Sivertson has new work at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais.

 For a wide variety of artist opportunities and grants, check out the Arrowhead Regional Art Council’s website by clicking on the image below.

 Music: 

 Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 1:

• Tom Knutson, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage:

• Pete Kavanaugh, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Rox ‘n Soul, Harbor Park Stage, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Harbor Park Stage, 3 p.m.
• 4 Shore, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Jim Miller, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 2:

• Gene LaFond & Amy Grillo, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage

• Briand Morrison, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Michael Monroe, Harbor Park Stage, 1 p.m.
• Spruce Roots, Harbor Park Stage, 3 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Kutdown, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Drew Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Paul Huttner & Jackpine Savages, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 3:

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage

• Joe Paulik, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Michael Monroe,Harbor Park Stage. 1 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms,Harbor Park Stage,  3 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 11:30 a.m.
• One Less Guest, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 2 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Birch Terrace, 3 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Grandma Ray’s, 5 p.m.
• Rox’n Soul, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 6:30 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Paul Huttner & Jackpine Savages, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Kutdown, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• Saturday Late Night Music, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 4:

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

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage:

• Gillis & Stamps & Youth Collaboration, Harbor Stage, noon
• Bagpipers, Harbor Park Stage, 2:45 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 5:

• Billy Johnson, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• The Sea, the Sea, Monday Night Songwriter’s Series. Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 6:

• Rox ‘n Soul, Cook County Senior Center, 12:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 7:

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Patio Series, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

Summer on the North Shore is always spectacular. Here are some photos we found this week;

First, wildlife:

 

 

 

Wildlife and a sailboat…

Here are a few images from the flower kingdom:

 

 

And we found some gorgeous landscapes and skyscapes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, this special moment:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Whew! Lots happening this week! If you’d like to help support this volunteer effort, make a donation today. Just click on the icon below. And Thank You!)

 

Lots going on this weekend and next — summer is truly here, with all kinds of celebrations. This weekend, look for a music festival, new outdoor art to enjoy, workshops and artist talks. And next week, the 90th annual Fisherman’s Picnic begins …

Here’s what you can look forward to this weekend:

North House Folk School continues its artisan/demo series, with Julie Kean, who will be demonstrating weaving with birchbark from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

On Saturday, Kean will hold a mini-class at North House on how to weave a birchbark star ornament.

The class will start at 10 a.m. Call North House at 387-9762 to register and for more information.

Also at North House, a wood-fired baking mini-class will be held on Thursday with two sessions: 1-3 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Call 387-9762 to register.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held at the Cook County Community Center’s parking lot from 4:30-6 p.m. featuring lots of locally grown vegetables and flowers, baked goods, handcrafted mustards and more.

This week, there will be a demonstration on how to make waxed pouches to store vegetables instead of using plastic. All invited.

Theater:

The Summer Theater Festival continues at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. This year, the Grand Marais Playhouse is presenting two musicals; “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On.”

The musicals are presented in repertory with “The Marvelous Wonderettes” performing at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, “A Closer Walk with Patsy Kline” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the door. The Theater festival continues through Aug. 11.

On Friday through Sunday, the Stars of the North Music Festival will be held at the Wunderbar on Friday night (because of the possibility of rain) and Harbor Park in downtown Grand Marais on Saturday and Sunday. The festival will feature a variety of musicians who are members of the Grand Marais Music Collaborative. The outdoor music festival features local and regional musicians playing in support of the Grand Marais Music Collaborative’s youth music lesson program.

The festival will also feature food trucks and a beverage vendor. See the Music Schedule below for more information.

Also on Friday from 1-2:30 p.m., a Paint-A-Tile class will be held in the ceramics studio of the Grand Marais Art Colony. Participants will explore the colorful world of Majolica glazes and paint two tiles with their own designs.. The tiles will be fired and ready for pick-up on Sunday morning. Call 387-0762 to register.

On Friday evening, musicians Gene LaFond and Amy Grillo will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse to talk about their music and play a few songs. The program will also feature an interview with photographer Layne Kennedy who will talk about the creative process. The show airs from 5-7 p.m.

Also on Friday night, the Grand Marais Art Colony, in collaboration with Cook County Higher Education, will host an Artist Talk and Author Reading: Art and Cultural Exchange.

The presentation features Shannon Brunette, founder and arts management consultant through the Office of Cultural Work, and author Kathryn Savage, who will read from a manuscript in process. The event will be held at Cook County Higher Education at 7 p.m. Free, but freewill donations are accepted.

In Duluth on Friday, the monthly Downtown Duluth Arts Walk will be held featuring a great selection of art openings, live music, studio tours and more, all held within walking distance in the downtown area.

Of special interest, a new exhibit at the Prøve Gallery, 21 N. Lake Ave. The exhibit, entitled “You Don’t Know Me,” features work by 12 local artists including Sarah M. Brokke, Shannon Cousino, Emanuel Eisele, Carla Hamilton, Alyssa Johnson, Laura LaValle, Jennifer Marcson, Em Nuckols, Megan Sprenger, Adam Swanson, and Molly VanAlst.

The opening reception at the Prøve is from 7-10 p.m. The exhibit continues through August. For more information about all the events on Friday during the Arts Walk, click here.

On Saturday, look for the Cook County Market in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center starting at 9 a.m. The market, which features a wide variety of work by local artists and artisans, continues through 1 p.m.

At noon, the Grand Marais Garden Club will hold its annual Flower Show at the Cook County Community Center. This year’s theme is “Veggies and Flowers.”

The exhibit is open to the community. Anyone interested in submitting an arrangement is invited to bring it to the Community Center at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The event also features a plant sale and a garden tool sale as well as lots of fabulous arrangements and home-baked treats. All invited. Free.

And, at 2 p.m. Saturday, artist Tara Austin will give an artist talk at the Johnson Heritage Post, where she is currently exhibiting her work.

Austin’s exhibit is entitled: “Boreal Ornament II.” She will walk around her exhibit and talk about her style and technique as well as her inspiration. This is the final weekend to see this phenomenal show. 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.

And Wednesday, July 31, the 90th annual Fisherman’s Picnic begins in downtown Grand Marais and continues through Sunday.

The event features lots of visitors, Crazy Days sales, a craft show, lots of contests and prizes, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks on Saturday night and a parade on Sunday. Stay tuned for details. To see the schedule of all the activities, click here.

Ongoing:

The Biggest Blueberry Contest continues on the Gunflint Trail. For all the details, click here.

Outdoor Art in Grand Marais:

There are three new outdoor art projects that have sprung up in the last week or so. All are worth a look.

First, the Felted Forest, an installation developed by felter Marlys Johnson and friends in collaboration with North House Folk School, ISD 166 and the Grand Marais Art Colony. The project, which features wonderful, whimsical felted creatures, flowers, birds and insects,  have been installed in the woods at the Sawtooth Elementary School’s Nature Trail on 5th Street. The paths have been cleared, felters have been creating for a few months, and in the past two weeks, the Felted Forest has been established, thanks to a grant from the Great Place Project.

There will be a Grand Opening celebration on Aug. 28 in conjunction with the Open House at ISD166 to meet the artists, create some felt for the forest and enjoy it, although it is open now for people to enjoy. Stay tuned for more.

Another art project was installed this week: “Imagine,” the community paint-by-numbers mural that was developed and installed by Mila Horak, art teacher at ISD 166. The mural, which is installed on the alley wall at Birchbark Books & Gifts, joins a number of other community paint-by-number murals that Horak designed and the community painted.

Check it out. It’s quite beautiful, as are the other murals.

And last, but not least, take a look at the festive garden shed at the new Community Garden at the Cook County Community Center. The shed used to be the warming house for the hockey rink but was moved to the garden when the new warming shed was built. Thanks to a grant from the Great Place Project, it was possible to bring together a great selection of local talent to fix up and paint the building. It is striped with rainbow colors with a mural of garden vegetables on one side, and a fancy sunflower door.

The garden mural was designed and drawn by Jan Attridge. Painters included Attridge, Carolyn Severaid, Emily Ulhorn. Emma Bradley, Elaine Erickson, Joan Farnam, and Sally Berg. Cook County extension agent, Diane Booth, painted the rainbow stripes on the building itself while volunteers at the Community Garden worked on restoring the building before it was painted. It can be seen from the softball field behind the Community Center.

And, for lots of artist opportunities, check out the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council’s web page… ARAC offers a variety of grants and learning opportunities for artists. Click on the image below to find out more.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 25:

• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne,North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Paul Imholte, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 26:

Stars of the North Music Festival, Wunderbar

• Jourdan Victoria, 2 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, 3 p.m.
• Vessel, 4:15 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, 5:30 p.m.

Other venues:

• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• North Country Fair, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Blinded by Seagulls, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Southpaws, Grandma Rays, 8 p.m.
• Splimit, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 27:

Stars of the North Music Festival, Harbor Park

• Joe Paulik, 10:30 a.m.
• Michael Monroe, 11:45 a.m.
• Sky Blue Jazz, 1 p.m.
• Wunderdogs, 2:15 p.m.
• April Fools, 3:30 p.m.
• Common Ground, 5 p.m.

Other venues:

• Rox N Soul, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Mainline Daylight, Wunderbar, 6:30 p.m.
• John Russ, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• The April Fools, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Splimit, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 28:

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

Stars of the North Music Festival, Harbor Park:

• Rockin’ Gospel Hour with Chris Gillis, Gordon Thorne & Friends, 10 a.m.
• The Stars of the North Collaborative Youth Jam, 11:30 a.m.

Other venues:

• Briand Morrison, Chik-Wauk Nature Center, 2 p.m.
• Black River Revue, BluegrassSunday, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Pat Flack and Gary Croft, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 29:

• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 30:

• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31:

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

Summer is here, and we found some neat photographs of plants and flowers. Here’s a selection:

 

 

And then there are things that “destroy” flowers:

 

 

And we found some beauteous landscapes:

 

 

 

And finally, this beauty:

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

(If you enjoyed reading NorthShore ArtScene this week, consider making a donation. It’s easy. Just click on the icon below. And thank you!)

This week we begin one of the highlights of the season: the Grand Marais Playhouse‘s Summer Theater Festival.  This year, for the first time, there are two musicals that will performed in repertory – “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On.” All performances are at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The Theater Festival opens with the first performance of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at the ACA. In all, the “A Closer Walk…” is scheduled for eight performances: July 18, 20, 26 & 28 and Aug. 1, 3, 10 & 11.

This is not a reprise of  “A Walk with Patsy Cline” that was performed a few years ago. There are new songs and a new storyline created by Dan Regan. The play stars Diane Blanchette as Patsy Cline and Braidy Powers as “Little Big Man.” Musicians in this live-music show include Mike DeBevec, Mike Roth, Thomas Stamps, Max Bichel and Russ Viton. Performances are July 18, 20, 26 and Aug. 1,3, 10, 11.

On Friday, July 19, the second musical of the festival, “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On” by Roger Dean opens at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Performances are July 19, 21, 25 & 27, Aug. 2 & 4.

There’s lots of great music, singing and dancing in this play, which stars Karen Blackburn, Tina Hegg Raway, Karina Roth and Diane Stoddard.

For info on the Summer Theater Festival, click here. For tickets, click here.

There’s lots going on in the county this weekend as well.

North House Folk School continues its weekly demo series. This week, Jess Hirsch will demonstrate wood turning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. He is also teaching a short workshop on Saturday morning. (See below for details.)

North House is also holding a workshop on baking in a wood-fired oven from 1-3 p.m. and from 4:30 -6 p.m. on Thursday. There’s limited room in this workshop, so register early.

To register for either the baking or the wood turning workshop, call 387-9752. To find out more, click here.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held from 4:30 -6 p.m. in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center.

This week, look for fresh strawberries grown in Cook County, lots of fresh vegetables and fresh flowers, artisan wood-fired bread and more. Open to all.

Friday is the official start of the Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest. The contest will run from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, Aug. 11. Blueberries will be measured by weight, and must be picked fresh and not store-bought. There will be three Grand Prizes for the 3 biggest blueberries by weight: $100 cash for the first place winner, $50 cash for the 2nd place winner and $25 cash for the 3rd place winner. 

Weigh stations are located at resorts and venues along the Gunflint Trail. In addition to prizes for the biggest blueberries, all submissions will be entered to win randomly selected prize drawings at the end of each week.

Here’s a full list of 2019’s weigh stations : (Click for google map location) Trout Lake Resort , Hungry Jack Canoe Outfitters , Golden Eagle Lodge , Gunflint Lodge , Nor’Wester Lodge and Outfitters , Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters , Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfitters , Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center , Bearskin Lodge and Wilderness Outfitters , Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground , Voyageur Canoe Outfitters , Seagull Outfitters and Cabins , Poplar Haus , Loon Lake Lodge , Way of the Wilderness . For more information about the contest, berry picking and more, click here.

Also on Friday night, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” debuts on the stage at the ACA at 7 p.m. Tickets available on-line or at the door. $25 adults, $15 ages 17-12. For tickets, click here. Performances will also be at 2 p.m. Sunday. See schedule for all the performances.

Saturday is a pretty busy day, too.

The Cook County Market, featuring work by a variety of local artists and artisans, will be held in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  And this Saturday, locally grown strawberries!

At 10 a.m. on Saturday,  Jess Hirsch will give a workshop at North House Folk School entitled “Natural Dyes on Wood”  Participants will learn how to color wood using natural dyes. Using turmeric, indigo, and native plants, they will experiment on wooden beads. Feel free to bring your own raw wood objects to dye as well. Children 8 years and older are welcome to come with an adult. There is a $10 materials fee. To register, call North House at 387-9762.

On Saturday afternoon, the West End Garden Club will hold its annual Flower Show at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte from 1-5 p.m.

The title of this year’s flower show is “Painted Garden.” The show features a wide selection of arrangement by club members.  Master gardeners from the local Cook County Extension Office will be on hand to share information and answer questions, as well as provide valuable resources. The event is free, and refreshments will be served. All welcome.

And at 4 p.m. on Saturday, author Ruth Allard will host a presentation on the release of her new book “Stories from Superior’s Northern Shore”  at the historic Chippewa City Church, 1 mile east of Grand Marais.

The book is full of great stories as well as historic photos from the Cook County Historical Society, FFor more information, call the Cook County Historical Society at 387-2883.

And not to forget, this is the weekend for the North Shore Water Festival, which will be held Saturday and Sunday on the harbor in Grand Marais.

The water festival will have experts on-hand offering fishing, touring kayak and canoe demonstrations, stand-up paddle board (SUP) demo activities in the harbor, including SUP yoga, plus new water and outdoor gear this year. Most activities are free to the public, and only require signing a waiver and/or registering in advance for SUP board yoga. All ages welcome.

Two Harbors celebrates summer this weekend, too, with the Chalk.a.Lot Festival at Thomas Owen Park on Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). This is a crazy, wonderful festival where artists and would-be artists of every age get down on their knees and paint sidewalk pads.

 

Musicians include John Cron, Gaelynn Lea and THUG. Food will also available. as well as activity booths, face painting and more. Participants can still register. For more information, click here. 

On Sunday, the International Yacht Race from Grand Marais to Thunder Bay will start just outside the Grand Marais Harbor at 11 a.m.  The yacht race is one of the oldest annual races on Lake Superior, although the course has been changed many times over the years. Check it out. The sailboats are fun to watch as they jockey for good positions at the start.

Exhibits:

Tara Austin’s painting exhibit, Boreal Ornaments II continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through July 28.

The exhibit includes a wide selection of her work, including rosemaling. 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. All welcome. Free.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit “Asymmetry: Three-Dimensional Works from the Tweed Collection.

Four sculptures are featured in the exhibit in the John Steffl Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute: Susanna Gaunt, Russell Prather, Natalie Salminen Rude, Juliane Shibata.

 Martin DeWitt, the former director and curator at the Tweed, opened an exhibit with his nephew, Andrew Webster, at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe in Duluth. The exhibit continues through this month.

In Thunder Bay, the Baggage Building Arts Centre is exhibiting work by a number of local artists.

And here is poster of the current exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

Artist News: 

 Upcoming:

 Nationally recognized mystery author, Sara Paretsky, will be featured at Drury Lane Books Aug. 3, where she will read from her latest V. I. Warshawski mystery, “Shell Game.” She will also take questions from the audience and sign books. Stay tuned for details.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council offers artists in the Arrowhead a great selection of grant opportunities plus workshops and more. Click on the logo below to visit the website and learn more.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 18:

• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Arrowhead Arts Festival, 7 p.m.
• North Shore Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 19:

• Christopher David Hanson Band, Wunderbar, noon
• Ian Alexy, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p..
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 20:

• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Birch Terrace, 3 p.m.
• Bluegrass Sundays, The Spruce Roots, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Rob & Jill, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p..m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Courtney Yasmineh, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, ACA, 7 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bob and the Beachcombers, Grand Portage Lodge, 8 p.m.
• Pat Ferguson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 21:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.
• Briand Morrison, Gun Flint Tavern, 2 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik and Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Pat Ferguson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, July 22:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23:

Campfire Music with Joe Paulik, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.

Photographs:

 Since it’s summer, let’s lead off with flowers.

 

And wildlife:

And here’s a strange loon shot:

 

An incoming storm:

After it passes:

And then a potpourri:

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Consider making a donation to NorthShore ArtScene today if you appreciate this volunteer effort to bring you arts, entertainment and photographic news of the North Shore. Click on the button below to donate. And Thank You. )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are in the heart of summer here on the North Shore, and a quick glance at the events schedule on visitcookcounty.com proves that well enough. There are 77 events listed between Thursday, July 11 and Sunday, July 14.

Granted, not all are arts and entertainment events, but getting a chance get outdoors and explore the Northwoods or paddle on an inland lake, all qualify as interesting things to do this weekend.

Here in Grand Marais, the fun starts at North House Folk School on Thursdaywith demos and mini-classes. Josh Tolkan will be demonstrating how to make a  paddle at North House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Tolkan will also teach a mini course on making a paddle shaft on Saturday morning. To register for the class, call 387-5762. The demonstration on campus is free.

Also on Thursday at North House, children from ages 7-12 are invited to take a mini-course about tie dying using common compostable items like onion skins or beet greens. The students will make their dyes and then tie-dye a T-shirt to take home. Cost is $15. The class will be from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, July 11. To register, call 387-9752.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m.

The market will feature Brian Wilson’s strawberries, fresh vegetables and flowers, and artisan breads. There will also be a demonstration on how to make your own yogurt by Jeanne Wright at 5 p.m. All welcome.

On Friday, the Hopped Up Beer Festival at Caribou Highlands on Lutsen Mountains begins. This 3-day craft beer celebration includes a 4-course beer-paired dinner, a pig roast and live music with Timmy Haus and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. The event takes place July 12-14. For more information and lodging inquiries visit hoppeduocaribou.com.

Also on Friday, North House will hold Try It: Timber Framing from 10 a.m. to noon where students will dismantle a timber frame and then put it back together. Class limited to 8. Free. Call North House at 387-2737 for more info.

Friday is also Try Days at Joy & Company from 4-7 p.m., where the public is invited to come in and make art from their great art supply selection. Free.

And, not to forget the annual (and delicious)  Planked Trout Dinner, a fundraiser for the Cook County Historical Society, which will be held on Friday night in the Grand Marais Rec Park starting at 5:30 p.m. For more info, call 387-2883.

Also on Friday, the Rich Lewis Band will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, to talk about his music and play a few tunes. The program airs from 5-7 p.m. WTIP is holding a membership drive this weekend, too, with lots of live music scheduled for the big tent outside. Check the music schedule below for who will be playing when.

Saturday will be busy.

The Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot at the Cook County Senior Center, opens at 9 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m., featuring a wide variety of arts and crafts.

The big news this weekend, though, is the Grand Marais Arts Festival, which will be held in downtown Grand Marais on Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s arts festival features 70 artist booths showcasing original artwork by local and regional artists. Work includes painting, prints, ceramics, fiber art, glass, metalwork, woodwork, photography, multi-media pieces and more.

The booths are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. To see the artists who are participating in the festival, click here.

The 2-day arts festival also features hands-on art-making activities for every age as well as demonstrations and mini-classes. Sharon Giesfeldt-van Ruiswyk will teach a mini-class on making pop-up cards on Saturday morning and Andy Ness will teach a mini-class on making a small sculpture from aqua resin on Saturday afternoon. Check out the Art Colony tent for more info.

Also, the 2nd annual An Artful Evening,  an Art Colony fundraiser, will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday in Harbor Park featuring fine food and drink, an Artful Auction, live music and more. Author and comedian Lorna Landvik will be the featured guest speaker.

Landvik has recently-released her 12th novel,  Chronicles of a Radical Hag (With Recipes). Other books of hers include the best-selling Patty Jane’s House of Curl and Oh My Stars.  The Artful Auction features new work by a variety of artists. Get a preview of the artists who have donated piece to the auction here.

For tickets, click here. You can also purchase tickets by calling the Art Colony at 387-2737.

And not to forget the Clothesline Sale at the Arts Festival. This historic and popular fundraiser was started in 1947. It features 5” x 7” original works of art hung in the Art Colony festival booth.

Also on Saturday night, blues singer Kelley Hunt returns for another outstanding performance at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

The forward-thinking songwriter and pioneer in the blues, roots, and gospel traditions have earned her the respect of thousands of devoted fans across North America and Europe. With over 1,500 performances to her name, six guest appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, and consistent high praise from critics, Hunt is one of those rare independent artists who have forged their own paths to great success.

Check out this video of one of her songs.

Tickets are $20 adults, $10 youth and are available at the door. Or click here to purchase online.

In Duluth, well-known painter Earl Austin is liquidating his artwork in a sale at 8 E. College Street in Duluth. The sale will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Austin uses a variety of mediums. including acrylic paints, printing, pastels, collage, watercolor and spray paint.

Also, the Tweed Museum of Art is hosting “Intersections Family Day 2: Native Art” on Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

At the event, Alison Aune and Wendy Savage will lead participants to create mukuk-style paper baskets inspired by George Morrison’s artwork and watercolors based on Carl Gawboy’s paintings. In addition, there will be a station to create Prisma Colors drawings inspired by Frank Big Bear.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be light refreshments in the Special Events gallery space.

On Sunday, the Grand Marais Arts Festival continues, with booths opening at 10 a.m. Artist Bonnie Cuts will hold three sessions of a mini-class,  offering the public an opportunity to create a mixed-media still life. Check out the Art Colony festival booth for details.

Things are pretty quiet in Cook County until Wednesday, when the annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will be held at Gunflint Lodge.

The races are open to the public with events for the advanced to novice paddler. Even if you don’t sign up for a race, watching the races is always fun. Free.

Exhibits:

Artist Tara Austin has opened an exhibit of her work at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit, entitled “Boreal Ornament II,” features a wide variety of work including paintings, felting, rosemaling and more.

The Johnson Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and Mondays, and from 1-4 p.m. Sundays. All invited. Free.

Cameron Norman has a series of her fish prints, or gyotaku at Joy & Co.

The process of creating the prints from fresh prints was developed in Japan in the mid-1800’s. ago.

Painter Adam Swanson has opened an exhibit of his paintings at the Pine Knot News office in Cloquet.

Swanson’s paintings include works on science, humanity, and nature.

The Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay has opened an exhibit of photographs by 10 local photographers entitled “Through the Lens: A Northern Focus.”

The exhibit will continue through July.

 Artist News 

Wildlife and landscape photographer/videographer Thomas Spence has a series of clips of videos he took of Canada lynx included in the Animal Planet series: Nature’s Strangest Mysteries: Solved!

He writes:

“Late this past winter I was contacted by a Warner Brothers media company who were producing a new series for the Animal Planet channel titled Nature’s Strangest Mysteries: Solved! They were interested in some of my video footage of Canada lynx . The episode focuses on a viral video from Ontario of two lynx “screaming” at each other. In the episode titled Big Cat Screaming Match, some of my video clips are mixed in as the narrator and the experts dissect what is going on in the screaming video. They licensed about 5 minutes of video and used a few portions during the segment. The episode originally aired in June, but is being replayed on Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m. Look for it on your TV or online. A pretty exciting moment for me and my wildlife adventures.”

Thank you, Tom! Those of us who follow him on Facebook have really enjoyed the photos and videos he has posted of the Canada lynx in his neighborhood.

And finally, for artistic opportunities, check out the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. The organization offers a variety of grants, workshops and more to artists in the Arrowhead Region. Click in the image below for more info.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 11:

• Rhoda Anderson Habedank, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Drew Heinonen, Live, WTIP, 4 p.m.
• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Rhoda Anderson Habdank, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre/Americana Blues, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 12:

• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Live, WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Live, WTIP, 6 p.m.
• Rox ‘n’ Soul, Roxanne Berglund & Briand Morrison, Wunderba, 7 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 8 p.m.
• Brotherless Arms,  (Jim Miller & Drew Heinonen, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 13:

• Timmy Haus, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 1 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Charlie Roth, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Kelley Hunt,  Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Big Wave Dave & The Ripples, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 14:

• Gordon Thorne on Gospel Truth, Live, WTIP, 8 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, noon
• Wayne Suchy, Bluegrass Sundays, North Shore Wintery, 3 p.m.
• Jacob Mahon & the Salty Dogs, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Gary Morris, Live, WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Open Stage with Pat Flack and Gary Croft, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 15:

• Rox ‘n’ Soul, Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 16:

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Photographs:

 Let’s start with flowers.

And then a butterfly.

 

 

 

 Here’s a fascinating photo of the salmon run in Alaska.

Evidence of wildlife:

Skyscapes:

Smoky skies make for great colors:

And then cool, cool water:

And Lake Superior beauty:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Celebrate the 4th in style this year and plan to go to Tofte for a full day of activities and celebrations. Then put the Hovland Arts Festival on your to-do map for the weekend as well as a note to yourself to visit all the great galleries and shops in Grand Marais. Oh, and not to forget a walk along the waterfront and a hike in the woods.

The 4th starts off with the annual Tofte Trek, which prides itself on the muddy conditions of its trails and the camaraderie of racers who participate from the entire region, including Canada. There are kids races, and a 10K Trail walk/run up the hill and along the Superior Hiking Trail, with lots of glorious mud on the way. (Note: In dry years, the organizers have been known to haul water up to the trails to make sure they were muddy.) The race starts and ends at Birch Grove Community School. Registration online or at 8 a.m. For more info about the race, click here.

Just down the road, the annual Tofte July 4th Celebration begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Tofte with live music, arts and crafts booths, fun events and food vendors. Cook County’s Most Wanted with Joshua Schmidt will play. At 2 p.m., the best 4th of July parade in Cook County is held. All participants are welcome. Just come early and line-up at the start.

In the evening, look for fireworks in Tofte, Grand Marais and Grand Portage starting around 10 p.m. There’s lots of live music in venues around the county as well.

Friday is a busy day in the county, too.

The 14th annual Hovland Arts Festival is this weekend, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 at the Hovland Town Hall.

More than 30 vendors will be there this year and will exhibit everything from glass to photographs, painting to pottery as well as mixed-media pieces and fiber arts, to name a few of the categories that are represented in this popular festival. The festival also features home cooked food as well as a great selection of live music on both days of the festival. Roxann Berglund & Friends, Jim McGowan and Pushing Chain play on Friday, Joe Paulik, Briand Morrison and Rod & Caribou play on Saturday. The music starts at 10 a.m.

(Note: Jim McGowan will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night to talk about his music and play a few songs. The show airs from 5-7 p.m. He’ll be on about 6:15 p.m.)

There are two art openings in the area on Friday as well.

Tara Austin’s exhibit,  Boreal Ornaments II, opens at the Johnson Heritage Post with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday night.

Austin is a local artist whose paintings are inspired by nordic traditions and natural patterns. She received her Master of Fine Art in Painting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a recently completed a rosemaling apprenticeship funded through the Wisconsin Arts Board. Her work is represented by Joseph Nease Gallery in Duluth. The exhibit continues through July 28.

The Johnson 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.

And Kat Corrigan will open an exhibit of her paintings in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park on Friday with a reception from 7-8:30 p.m.

Corrigan is an award-winning, Minneapolis-based artist whose work is widely collected around the world. She is committed to the concept of “A Painting A Day” and posts a daily blog of her work. She shows her work in area galleries and art fairs. The Tettegouche exhibit is a mix of whimsical deer portraits, wetland scenes and paintings of Lake Superior. To find out more about Corrigan and see her work, click here.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, which is held in the Cook County Senior Center parking lot.

The Market features a variety of work by local artists and artisans as well as live music and snacks. The Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And, not to forget, the Hovland Arts Festival continues, opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

For those who want to just get outdoors and explore the woods and lakes in Cook County, the local outfitters offer opportunities to get on the water. Also, there are presentations on the natural world offered daily. To find out more, check out www.visitcookcounty/events/

Drury Lane Books will hold a Writer’s Salon with author Shannon Gibney at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Gibney will read from her new young adult novel,” Dream Country,” a Minnesota Book Award 2019 winner. Click here to listen to an interview with her about her book and writing by WTIP’s Lin Salisbury.

On Saturday night, there will be a Four Hands Piano Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. The concert features Elisabeth Pion, a London, England-based pianist named one of Canada’s 2018 “ 30 under 30 “ musicians by the Canadian Broadcasting Co., and Ian Tomaz, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate and Emerging Artist Resident at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance in Nova Scotia.

The pianists will present music for one piano, four hands by Franz Schubert and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Upcoming:

The Grand Marais Arts Festival, featuring work by 70 local and regional artists, plus lots of fun hands-on activities, the Clothesline Sale, a food truck, An Artful Evening and more will be held in downtown Grand Marais Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14.

This year’s festival should be even bigger than last year, with lots of activities for children and adults as well as mini-classes, demonstrations and more. Here’s a link to all the activities, as well as participating artists.

 Art News

The Grand Marais Art Colony announced a major expansion in downtown Grand Marais with its purchase of the former North Shore Pharmacy building.

The $500,000 development project will begin this summer and expand the nonprofit’s studio and public space by more than 5,000 square feet, according to Thursday’s announcement. The Art Colony currently occupies a former mission church, built in 1916, that serves as a multi-purpose studio, and the CC Graham Studio building, built in 2005, that has studios for glass, clay and printmaking. The Art Colony is located at 120 3rd Ave. W. in Grand Marais.

The expansion will involve the North Shore Pharmacy Building, formerly the Arrowhead Pharmacy, located at 21 W Hwy 61. “We have worked over the past decade to grow our programs, our infrastructure, and our staff,” said Ruth Pszwaro, artistic director of the Art Colony. “And we’ve found that our artistic community has responded with increased interest and engagement. This includes both our local community as well as non-local members who consider us their creative home, many who have been coming here annually for 30 or more years. We are now operating our current facility at 125 percent, and we look forward to having the opportunity to expand our mission in a physical way and increase access to the arts.”

The project, which involves private and public funding, will be carried out in several phases. Lyla Brown, the Art Colony’s executive director said: “Our intent is that the new GMAC facilities will open in the first half of 2020 and include new studios, exhibition space, a small but state-of-the-art gallery store, and a potential community gathering space.”

The Art Colony’s current buildings at 120 3rd Ave W, will remain classroom and studio space, although reconfigured. The administrative offices of the organization will also remain at the current location. To find out more click here.

The Art Colony will hold an open house for the public to see the new space during the Grand Marais Arts Festival, July 13 & 14.  Listen to this interview by Rhonda Silence from WTIP Community Radio, who recently interviewed the representatives about the new building.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council provides a wide variety of services and grants for artists who live in the Arrowhead. Click on the image below learn more.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 4:

• Cook County’s Most Wanted with Joshua Schmidt, Tofte 4th of July Celebration, Tofe, noon
• Jim Miller, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• KutDown, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Friday, July 5:

• Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, Roxann Berglund & Friends, Jim McGowan, Pushing Chain, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dave Cofell, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• The Sprigs, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 6:

• Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland: Joe Paulik, Briand Morrison, Rod & Caribou, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Jim MGowan, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, www.michaelmonroemusic.com, 7 p.m.
• The Gentleman’s Anti-Temperance League, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joshua Schmidt, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 7:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Black River Revue, Bluegrass Sundays, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Spruce Roots, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 pm..
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Drew Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 9:

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Teague Alexy, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 10:

• Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille Patio, 5 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Photographs:

And now, for the photos …

First, some wildlife shots:

 

 

 

And some weather shots:

 

 

 

And a few beauteous Northwoods photos:

 

 

And this…not a photograph, but what summer in Cook County is all about.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate by making a donation to NorthShore ArtScene today! Click on the image below. And Thank You!