Grand Marais photographer Mark Tessier will be the presenter at this week's Fireside Chats at Sivertson Gallery at 6 p.m. Saturday. The title of his photo above is "Lutsen Resort."
It’s a pretty quiet weekend in Cook County, but the snow is great on all the cross country ski trails, and it’s warm and toasty at your favorite restaurant, pub or coffee house. And, of course, if you’re a fan of watching winter sports, the Olympics are in full swing.
A marten sticks his head above the snow during his daily hunt.
It seems like things are in full-swing below the snow pack, too, where shrews and voles and other creatures live in the subnivean zone. (Definition: “below the snow,” from the Latin for ‘below’ (sub) and ’snow’ (niv.)
Above the snow, “The Mystique of the Wolf” is the topic of the day at Caribou Highlands Lodge on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. The presentation is by the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center and is free. The photos used are from the International Wolf Center in Ely. Here’s a link to a number of wolf videos taken at the center.
Also, for snowmobile fans, the annual Snowarama, a fundraiser for Easter Seals Kids, will be held at the Grand Portage Lodge & Casino at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Registration is from 7-9 p.m. Friday and from 8-10 a.m. Saturday. The poker run takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by dinner and awards at 5 p.m. and a dance with the Hot Hits Orchestra at 9 p.m.
Indoors, there’s plenty of good music this weekend, too. Michael Monroe starts off the line-up when he plays at Bluefin Bay in Tofte on Wednesday night from 7-9 p.m. Here’s a clip of him singing “The Light of Love.”
On Thursday, Joe Paulik sings at the Poplar River Pub at Lutsen Resort from 6-8 p.m. He also plays at Moguls on Saturday for the apres-ski hours, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Friday begins at Moguls at Caribou Highlands with The Sivertones from 3:30-5:30 p.m. They’re also the featured live musicians on WTIP’s The Roadhouse this week, which airs from 5-7 p.m. So tune in to hear them and lots of interesting interviews.
Bicycle Army played New Year's at Papa Charlie's.
Also on Friday, James Ervin Barry is the comedian on stage at Papa Charlie’s from 8-9. Here’s a clip at one of his shows.
He’s followed by Grand Marais’ own, Bicycle Army. The band includes Todd Miller, Pete Kavenaugh, Adam Helbach, John Mianowski, Jim Elverhoy, and many special guests. The music starts at 9:30 p.m.
The Crazy Neighbors play the GunFlint Tavern on both Friday and Saturday nights. The music begins at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, look for Bump Blomberg to play at Papa Charlie’s for apres-ski starting at 3:30 p.m. He’s followed by the Pincushion Warblers from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then The Hillcats, a Minneapolis-based band playing funky, rootsy rock, close out the evening. Music starts at 9:30 p.m.
And not to forget, Fireside Chats at Sivertson Gallery on Saturday night with photographer Mark Tessier. It starts at 6 p.m., refreshments are served and the public is invited.
The Bitter Spills, a folk duo with Baby Grant Johnson (of the New Vintage) and Rich Mattson (of Ol’ Yeller), play at Papa Charlie’s from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Their repertoire consists of classic original songs of their respective rock and roll bands plus modern and traditional folk/blues. Listen to their music here.
Singer/songwriter Timmy Haus plays at the Tavern at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Also on Sunday, the Broadway Swider Duet with Krista and Jeremy Swider play music for cello, piano and flute at Bluefin Bay from 7-9 p.m.
The Cascade Mountain Syrup Lickers from left are Nathan Baker, Eric Frost, Jessa Wallendal, Bump Blomberg and Bill Hansen.
In other news, a nice crowd turned up for the Hope for Haiti fundraiser held at North House Folk School on Monday night. Musicians Bump Bomberg, Eric Frost, The Pincushion Warblers, The Cascade Mountain Syrup Lickers and Timmy Haus played for the crowd. Money was raised for Episcopal Relief and Development–Haiti and Habitat for Humanity–Haiti. The event raised $1,300.
Jan Attridge, who painted the wonderful tulips on the fence of the Blue Moose, is working with Grand Marais Playhouse director Sue Henessey on a set drop for “Treasure Island.” Painting started this week.
The Grand Marais Art Colony is offering a variety of classes in March. They include: “Make Your Own Dinnerware,” an 8-week class on Tuesday nights with Joan Farnam starting March 2; “Introduction to Kiln-Casting” with Steve Frykman, a 3-day class starting March 6; Neil Sherman is teaching an evening class “Mat Your Artwork” on March 18 and a class on Flower Pots for Spring begins March 13. For more information about these classes, call 387-2737 or visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org.
"Jesus Falls for the First Time," wood bas-relief by Howard Hedstrom.
In other Art Colony news, submissions are being completed for “Stations of the Cross,” a collaboration between the Art Colony and Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church. Among those submitting works is Howard Hedstrom, who crafted his interpretation of “Jesus Falls for the First Time” (left) from cherry and birch. “I consider myself more a craftsman than an artist, and have grown up around wood and woodworking.” he wrote in a recent e-mail. The exhibit opens March 21.
Beginning East Coast Swing dance lessons begin this Wednesday at the 4-H Log Building from 7-8 p.m. Open dance sessions will be held from 8-9 p.m. The lessons will continue Feb. 24 and March 10.
Rep. Jim Oberstar’s office has put out a call to aspiring young artists from grades 9-12 in Minnesota to submit works for the annual Congressional Art Competition that will feature an exhibit of student art from every state for one year. To learn more, click here.
And last, but not least, this rap video about Thunder Bay was recommended by a friend. Take a look.
