Masked, But Not Always Anonymous: Virtual Dylan Fest Kickoff

When we first announced the schedule for this year's Duluth Dylan Fest in February, one of the scheduled events was a film night at Zeitgeist featuring Jack Fate and a host of stars in Masked & Anonymous. Little did we know that within weeks we would be hit by a life-changing tsunami-level event that would turn our worlds upside down.

It used to be that masks were something only the bad guys wore when robbing trains and banks. (It used to be that quarantine was something only for people who were ill, as with tuberculosis.) Now, it seems masks have become fashionable again for anyone leaving home and heading into public.

I began asking myself "What would Bob wear?" (WWBW) Here's a smattering of ideas, along with a John Updike mask as well as masks for a few others, some of whom will remain anonymous.

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Painting of Bob based on Greatest Hits Volune III

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Bob Dylan's Tarantula Mask.

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Elegant velour or fur. Something soft and warm.

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John Updike wearing mask made from a Bob Dylan Chimes of Freedom T-Shirt.

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Anonymous. She wishes to remain anonymous.

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Environmentallly tasteful Leaf Motif.

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Superhero motif. (Illustration from cover of Communication Arts back issue.)

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Anonymous actress from Fortitude. Crimson mask courtesy Calvin Klein.

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The disruption hasn't stopped people from trying new ways to hear live music. For example, in Denmark they have been trying some Drive In Concerts in parking lots where you listen to the show on your FM radio. I doubt we'll see performers leap from the stage to body-surf across the crowds, but who knows?

In February it was a Tentative schedule for Dylan Fest that we announced. In the end, we had no idea how tentative it would turn out to be as communities battened down the hatches and went underground.

Fortunately, in our hyper-connected world, it may even be possible for more people to participate in one or more of our virtual events. Unfortunately, we're all going to miss the hugs and smiles we always share when we have face-to-face real world festival activities. I know more than one person who is heartbroken that we're not going to have our Singer/Songwriter Contest at the end of the week.

In the meantime, here's our schedule of Virtual DDF Events once more.

Virtual Duluth Dylan Fest Events
      (click on blue text at the time it starts)

May 17--Cowboy Angel Blue Facebook Live (6:00 - 8:00 PM)

May 20--Virtual Dylan Fest Performance by Marc Gartman (7:00 - 8:00 PM)

May 23--Virtual Bob Dylan Revue Reunion Concert Revisited (YouTube)  (7:00 - 10:00 PM)

May 24--Danny Fox Livestream Virtual Duluth Dylan Fest Event
5:00 p.m. CST--Two-time winner of the Dylan Days Singer/Songwriter contest will be streaming live from Chicago

Gene LaFond and Amy Grillo

7:30 p.m. CST--Bob Dylan Birthday Bash Livestream with Gene LaFond & Amy Grillo
According to Geno, the event "will be a lot of lesser heard Bob tracks, a smattering of stories from my experiences on the road with Bob & his gigs buddy Larry Kegan & a couple of our new originals. It will be big fun honoring the maestro on his 79th!"


Be cool. Wash your hands.