Official 2021 Duluth Dylan Fest Schedule Announced

"I was young when I left home..."

Details for the 2021 Duluth Dylan Fest have now been released. This will be the 11th annual DDF here in the Twin Ports where Robert Allen Zimmerman was born. The annual week-long celebration will run from May 22 - 30 in conjunction with Bob Dylan's 80th birthday.

Whereas last year's Fest was restricted to 5 online events due to the global pandemic, this year will be a hybrid mix of live and virtual events.  As DDF Committee Chair Zane Bail explains it in the official announcement, “With Bob Dylan turning 80, the committee wanted to pull out all the stops. Unfortunately, during the planning stages there were few assurances that a live Dylan Fest could take place. Compromises were made in the interest of public safety.  We are excited to have a host of virtual and in-person opportunities.” 

The week of events for Duluth Dylan Fest 2021 will begin with a tour of Bob Dylan sites on Saturday morning, May 22. Highlights of the week will include numerous live-streamed events as well as several in person outdoor gatherings celebrating the music of Bob Dylan. David Engel, author of Bob Zimmerman’s Blue: Bob Dylan in Minnesota, will give this year’s John Bushey Memorial Lecture.  

The streaming events have the benefit of sharing the week's events with new fans who have not been able to attend in the past.

Nov. 1979 -- Photo Bill Pagel

A major highlight of the fest this year is the new Duluth Does Dylan project featuring an incredible line-up of local and regional musicians including, One Less Guest, Rich Mattson and the Northstars, Colleen Myhre, and Paul Metsa.  Tim Nelson, co-producer of the five Duluth Does Dylan record compilations with Tom Fabjance shared, “It's been a blast and super fulfilling to produce the latest Duluth Does Dylan, especially since this year's compilation will commemorate Bob’s 80th birthday and will be released as part of the 2021 Duluth Dylan Fest. It's been 20 years since the first Duluth Does Dylan record was released. The latest compilation again features an incredible line-up of Duluth-centric musicians and I'm excited for people to hear it."

 

2021 Duluth Dylan Fest Schedule

Saturday, May 22

Tour of Bob Dylan Sites in Duluth
Armory Arts & Music Center Annex
1305 London Road, Duluth
9:00 AM | Free

Highway 61 Revisited Radio Show
KUMD 103.3 FM
5:00-6:00 PM | Free

Bob Dylan Revue Livestream Concert from Sacred Heart Music Center
Streaming link to come
7:00-8:30 PM

Sunday, May 23

Dylan Fest Acoustic Jam Session
with host Leslie Black
Bring your instruments and/or voice
Earth Rider Festival Field
1617 N 3rd St., Superior, WI
1:00-4:00 PM | Tickets on Eventbrite

Hard Rain: Bob Dylan and The Band Tribute Band 
Livestream from the Sky Line Lounge in Ballwin, MO
Streaming link to come
7:00-9:00 PM | Free

Monday, May 24

Bob Dylan Front Porch Birthday Party 

with live music by Greg Tiburzi
Dylan childhood home
519 N. 3rd Ave. East. Duluth
1:00-2:00 PM | Free

Highway 61 Revisited Radio Show
KUMD 103.3 FM
5:00-6:00 PM | Free

Duluth Dylan Fest Party
With music by Cowboy Angel Blue
Earth Rider Festival Field
1617 N 3rd St., Superior, WI
5:00-8:00 PM | Tickets on Eventbrite

Tuesday, May 25

Dylan Fest Happy Hour with Heaven’s Door Whiskey: 
A look behind Bob Dylan’s Whiskey brand and stories in between
Livestream on Zoom
5:00-5:30 PM | Free

Duluth Dylan Fest Song From the North Country Songwriter Contest Announcement
Live on Zoom
7:00-7:30 PM | Free

Wednesday, May 26

Dylan Fest Poetry Contest Event
Livestream via Zoom
6:30-8:00 PM | Free

Greg Tiburzi Sings Dylan
Valentini’s Bistro
4960 Miller Trunk Hwy, Duluth,
6:00-8:00 PM

Thursday, May 27

Dylan Fest Livestream from 2104 with Luke LeBlanc
6:30-8:00 PM | Free

Friday, May 28

Duluth Does Dylan Concert
Earth Rider Fest Grounds
1617 N 3rd St., Superior, WI
6:00-9:00 PM | Tickets on Eventbrite

Saturday, May 29

John Bushey Memorial Lecture
featuring Dave Engel, author of Just Like Bob Zimmerman’s Blues: Dylan in Minnesota Livestream from the Zeitgeist Teatro Zuccone
Streaming link to come
1:30–3:00 PM | Free

Highway 61 Revisited Radio Show
KUMD 103.3 FM
5:00-6:00 PM | Free

Bob Dylan Revue Concert
Earth Rider Festival Field
1617 N 3rd St., Superior, WI
6:00-9:00 PM | Tickets on Eventbrite 

Sunday, May 30

Song From the North Country Songwriter Contest Showcase
featuring Shane Nelson
Earth Rider Fest Grounds
1617 N 3rd St., Superior, WI
2:00-4:00 PM | Tickets on Eventbrite

Dylan Fest Livestream with Danny Fox
Streaming link to come
5:30-6:30 PM | Free

Blowin' in the Wind. Acrylic, 24"x 36" -- Ed Newman.

For interviews or more information:

Zane Bail, Duluth Dylan Fest Committee Member 218-393-7438

Ed Newman, Duluth Dylan Fest Committee Member 218-341-0480

Tim Nelson, Duluth Does Dylan Co-producer 218-348-4557

About the Duluth Dylan Fest

The Duluth Dylan Fest’s mission is to celebrate the spirit of artistic freedom, intellectual honesty and integrity of Duluth’s native son, Bob Dylan.  The Fest is dedicated to showcasing Duluth’s vibrant art scene.  The group of volunteers is committed to providing creative events that tap the talents of artists, poets, and musicians in Duluth and surrounding region.

www.bobdylanway.com

www.duluthdylanfest.com

www.facebook.com/duluthdylanfest/

Links to the Livestream events will be posted

on DuluthDylanFest.com and our Facebook page.