Momerial Day Weekend: Key Numbers

Danny Fox, Grog Time at Tycoon's

It's Saturday and here are some key numbers as we roll into Memorial Day weekend.

6
Day six of the 2015 Duluth Dylan Fest featured Danny Fox at Tycoon's Restaurant & Alehouse during Grog Time. When I arrived it was a surprisingly quiet and attentive crowd, in contrast to the usual manner in which musicians play in the background while those present enjoy chattering amongst themselves. Fox opened with a set of early Dylan songs that included Hollis Brown, Paths of Victory, Let Me Die In My Footsteps, Lay Down Your Weary Tune, Blowing in the Wind, All I really Want To Do, It Ain't Me Babe, It' All Over Now Baby Blue and many more. Fox has a sense of humor, introducing one song with the line, "This one's going to be a Bob Dylan tune." They were all Bob Dylan tunes.

Addison Israelson of Rochester, warming up backstage.

1
This is the first time the annual Singer/Songwriter Contest took place in Duluth and the first time it was hosted at The Red Herring. Rumor as it that proprietor Bob Monohan was unsure what kind of crowd this event would collect. I think he was pleasantly surprised.

18
The number of performers on the slate for the Singer/Songwriter Contest.

2
The number of songs each person or group sang, one Dylan tune and one of their own.

9
The hour today (a.m.) when the Dylan Fest Bus Tour is leaving the station (boarding at the Armory Annex.) This is an all day affair that will visit points of interest in both Duluth and Hibbing.

7
The hour tonight's Acoustic Salute to the Music of Bob Dylan at Sacred Heart Music Center will begin, featuring Twin Cities and local musicians with headliner Scarlet Rivera.

19
Tomorrow there are a few additional events of note. Amazing Grace down in Canal Park is hosting the 19th Annual Battle of the Jug Bands, which is not Dylan-themed but happens to be happening here and is homespun fun for all. From 1-8 p.m. you can catch it free, if you can get in. If the weather is nice a lot of the musicians will be jamming together outside as well.

99
Tomorrow will also be the 99th running of the Indianapolis 500.

82
The number on Jimmy Clark's Lotus Ford when he won the Indy 500 in 1965. Clark, from Scotland, was my favorite driver from the era, remembered as one of the greats. He died in a crash in April 1967 at the age of 32.

74
Tomorrow Bob Dylan will be somewhere in the world celebrating his 74th birthday, probably.

17
The number of muscles it takes to smile. Not sure how that works, as it seems so effortless with all the music and good vibes here in the Northland. We've done a lot of it this week.

12
The number of hours till the show starts tonight at Sacred Heart. Hope to see you there.

Meantime, life goes on all around you. Engage it.