Duluth printmaker Rick Allen kicks of Sivertson Gallery's Fireside Chats on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Printmaker Rick Allen will give a presentation at Sivertson Gallery on Saturday at 6 p.m. as the first in the gallery’s winter Fireside Chat series.
It will not be a staid affair, by all accounts. Allen, who is well-known for his humorous prints, is just as engaging in person, said Kari Vick, a manager at the gallery. ”Rick is always surprising and very, very entertaining,” she said.
He has a new book coming out and will be bringing some of the work with him. He also has donated a print of “Sparks Flew,” (above) which will be the “giveaway” at the end of his presentation. To view his work, visit his Website at www.kenspeckleletterpress.com/. Put this on your calendar. It should be a fun (and educational) time.
The Brass Band plays for the Masquerade Ball at Papa Charlie's on Saturday night.
Also on Saturday night, Papa Charlie’s celebrates Mardi Gras with a Masquerade Ball. The Brass Band, an old-time New Orleans jazz band plays for this fun night. Masks are not required, but Papa Charlie’s will provide them at the door. The music starts at 9:30 p.m.
Valentine’s Day is Sunday, as most of us know, and Ada Igoe, who writes for North Shore Highway 61, has developed a date guide on how to keep romance alive in Cook County.
Valentine's Date Guide. Click on image to read.
She writes: “In Cook County, the winters are cold and some residents would like you to believe that their hearts are even colder. Despite the cynical perception that romance and the Northwoods don’t mix, we offer some simple ways to spend quality time with your special someone on Valentine’s day.” She’s come up with some great ideas.
Also, for an early celebration of Valentine’s Day, The Girl Scouts are sponsoring a Father/Daughter dance on Thursday, Feb. 11, at the 4-H Log Building with music by “Over the Waterfall.” The public is invited. Tickets are $5 per couple.
There are also plenty of other opportunities to listen to live music this weekend.
James Moors plays at The Moguls at Caribou Highlands for the Apres Ski hour from 3:30-6 p.m. and comedian Mike Marvel is on stage at Papa Charlie’s at 8 p.m. Bicycle Army plays at 9:30. Grand Marais photographer Bryan Hansel spent time with the band making a series of photographs. Here’s a wrap-around photo he took of them in the Blue Water Cafe. Check it out.
Pete Kavanaugh
Also on Friday night, Pete K and Friends play at the GunFlint Tavern on Friday night. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. Here’s a clip of Pete and Eric Meyers playing on the Roadhouse radio show recently.
Fiddle player Max Bichel will be busy this weekend. He plays for the dinner crowd at the Pie Place on Friday night from 5:30-7:30, then goes down to the GunFlint Tavern to play with Pete Kavanaugh, Nathan Baker and Adam Hellbach at 8:30 p.m. to closing.
On Sunday, Valentine’s Day, Bichel joins The Sivertones (John Gruber and Liz Sivertson) at the GunFlint Tavern from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Here’s a video of him playing with Chris Gillis at Sivertson Gallery.
Singer/songwriter Michael Monroe is also performing this weekend in a Log Cabin Concert at his home. For reservations, call 387-2919. He will also play from 3:30 at Papa Charlie’s. Here’s a link to his Web site.
Bluefin Bay in Tofte will celebrate Valentine’s Day with lots of live music. First, cellist Josh Aerie will play 7-9 p.m. followed by Josh Von Mink (aka Joshua James). Josh plays with his brother, Jake, in the well-loved band, Vintage Mink. Here’s his Web site.
The live music continues through the week with James Moor playing at the Moondance Coffee House in Lutsen from 4-6 p.m. Monday.
Also on Monday, Chef Jenny Breen, co-owner and head chef of Good Life Catering in the Twin Cities will be at Papa Charlie’s at 6 p.m. to demonstrate Aphrodisiac Cooking. Watching is free. To taste, call 663-7800 for reservations.
On Tuesday, the Sivertones play at the Poplar River Pub at Lutsen Resort from 6-8 p.m. and it’s Open Mic night at Papa Charlie’s.
In other art news, songwriter Rick Skoog (Hovland and Grand Marais) who collaborates with Dave Werhane (Nashville ) to write music for films and video, reports that they have the opening track in Bryan Smith’s film “Eastern Horizons,” ”Bryan also used our instrumentals in a pilot that was eventually accepted by National Geographic cable channel,” Skoog writes in an e-mail. “Kevin Callan used our music in several of his videos. He’s Canada’s ‘Canoe Guru’ and an all-around outdoor funny man. He has written 12 books, including ‘The Happy Camper.’”
Their music is also used by Canadian filmmaker Justine Curgenven in her latest: “This is Canoeing,” which was shot in Ontario, Canada, he said.
Skoog and Werhane have a fascinating Web site where they present their music for possible inclusion in films. Listen to it at www.kacipublishing.com.
Spring has already arrived at three shops and studios in Grand Marais. Sivertson Gallery has re-painted walls and updated, and Betsy Bowen’s Studio and the store and offices at North House Folk School have both re-arranged everything for a completely new look. It’s fun to see both.
Bowen said she has received a large shipment of new handmade paper bead necklaces from Uganda. “Perfect Valentine gifts,” she added.
If you want to get a good look at expert snow sculpting, check out the Ely Winter Festival this year, which closes on Valentine’s Day. Here’s a video of some of the sculptors made by Fox News in Duluth.
Enjoy your weekend!
