Local Happenings This Week and Next

“No one's place in this world is guaranteed. Not everyone is going to get a happy ending. But life isn't about how it ends. It's about the moments between. It's about the small things. The way our loved ones laugh. The sight of a butterfly in the sunlight after a year or two in the darkness. The love and support of an old friend. They might not be with us in body, but they are with us in spirit. The feeling of something we'd thought lost to us forever returned in a single, life-changing moment. Yes, that is simple, even though it might be momentous to us as individuals. Because every day, on this planet, people are born and people die and stranger things happen. But I know my place now, and my purpose. And no matter what trial you have to endure to find that out... It's worth it.” 
 ― Jenny Trout, All Souls' Night

I can tell its October because of the ghost and goblin costumes hanging in from the ceiling at Walgreens. It's hard to believe how much money exchanges hands here in the purchase of mass-produced Halloween gear.

In contrast to this, if you want to be part of something steeped in deeper traditions, you'll want to consider being part of the 7th Annual Duluth All Souls Night. The event itself will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2nd, 3-7 p.m at the Depot, but preparations will begin tonight at Pineapple Arts on 1st Street.

Artist Mary Plaster, will open doors at All Souls Festival Arts (ASFA) with materials available for anyone to design a skull mask or face paint and get their own costume ready with the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) theme, or work on a large fish skeleton, or fix existing moose and human skeleton puppets. They will also be working on ofrenda displays. Check it out at 134 West 1st Street. The actual celebration has become a very big community event. You can be a part of it Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 - 8 p.m. or Saturdays 10 - noon and 1 - 3. They will be preparing the Depot Great Hall on Friday, Oct. 31th 10 - noon and Saturday, Nov. 1st, Depot hours. Afterwards you can help clean up on Monday Nov. 3rd 10 - noon.

Spoken Word Open Mic
Beaners is always alive with activity. We recently discovered the jazz night on the last Sunday of every month. FREE. Great sounds.
The third Thursday of each month is a Spoken Word open mic and trivia night hosted by Tina Higgins. This week's featured author and poet is Ellie Shoenfeld, with musician Jamie Ness also sharing the stage.
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Beanerscentral, 324 N Central Ave, Duluth, Minnesota 55807

Zeitgeist Arts 5-Year Anniversary and Fundraiser
Next week Zeitgeist turns 5. Seems like they have been here forever. We sometimes take for granted all the richness that has been generously shared with us in the community. Zeitgeist is been in the center of much of that. This is both a celebration and a fundraiser. Check out their Facebook page for a breakdown of the week's events.

"Twin Ports" Episodes 8 & 9
It's only a bridge. Get over it and see the Twin Ports Stage and Wisconsin Public Radio performance of "Twin Ports". Life radio the old fashioned way. At the Belknap Lounge.

And finally...

Agent Smith says "Be there."

Goin' Postal 2014 Fall Art Show
Goin' Postal has become my "sort of" home gallery, but the show will feature as many as 17 artists with a lot of new work. The events have created much chatter among the locals. Join us Friday October 24 from 6:00 p.m on for art and music, along with all the social benefits of being amongst friends. Bring them or make new ones. Details here.

Meantime, art goes on all around you. Celebrate it.