"We live here in the present time. We get up and have to deal with today. Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's not promised. So this is all we have really." Bob Dylan, 1986 press conference, Sydney Australia
Today is hump day for most workers, defined by the Urban Dictionary as "the absolute best day of the week, the day of maximum hope that maybe, you might make it out of this week alive."
Today is also Bob Dylan's birthday, and if you've been attending all the events here at Duluth Dylan Fest this week, then you may be happy to know that today we're half-way through, and if you make it through today then there is hope that you will also make it through this week alive. Today's events include:
3:00-4:00 p.m. Music and birthday cake at the duplex a young Robert Zimmerman called home till he was six years old and the family moved to Hibbing. 519 Fifth Avenue East, a block and a half above Positively Fourth Street.
6:00-8:30 p.m. Poets of the North Country, at the Spirit of the North Theater in the Fitger's Complex. Five poets laureate from Duluth and Wisconsin, plus additional local talent.
9:00-11:00 p.m. The Basement Tapes Band, at The Rex, downstairs at the Fitger's Complex. Tribute to Bob Dylan's Basement Tapes recordings with an all star line-up including Marc Gartman, Teague Alexy, Sarah Krueger, Tyler Dubla, Lee Martin, and Veikko Lepisto.
Advance tickets are on sale at Eventbrite -- $7 plus fees.
$10 cover charge at door.
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Someone sent me a link to a YouTube video featuring Bob Dylan at a press conference in Sydney, Australia in 1986. There are a number of insightful remarks. At one point he's asked if he sees his fans as "Christian fans" and "non-Christian fans" (this was about three years after his "Gospel period") to which he replies that they are all just people.
What's interesting is that this video clip was posted four years ago, in 2013, on Bob's Birthday.
Though we celebrate poetry, art and history (Dylan Trivia) during Duluth Dylan Fest, and the centerpiece of the week (his birthday), music is the major thread that runs through nearly everything. Here's a rundown of who is performing, when and where.
The official kickoff is Robby Vee and His Rock N Roll Caravan at Karpeles, an Armory Arts & Music Center benefit concert. If you're curious how Robby Vee intersects with Dylan, this YouTube video will give you the inside skinny.
The tour bus headed north where the Dance Party continued in Moorhead, Minnesota across the border from Fargo.. Who stepped in to fill Buddy Holly's shoes? None other than a 15-year-old Bobby Vee,
Robby Vee's latest release is Blue Moon Blue, a project directed toward increasing awareness for Alzheimers. His father Bobby stepped down from touring in 2011 when he was diagnosed with the disease, and passed away this past year.
Dylan's tie to Bobby Vee was as Elston Gunnn. Young Robert Zimmerman talked his way into playing piano for a Fargo gig with Bobby Vee and his boys, and got his own first taste of what would become his life.
At Monday's 5-7 p.m. art reception there will also be some live music, and an opportunity to purchase T-shirts and prints from art by Kristi Abbott. I've been told these may not last the week, so you might wish to show up and purchase one to wear on the train Thursday. (A portion of the proceeds will go to defray the costs of Duluth Dylan Fest.) This is a Free event.
Tuesday, Sir Ben's will be the place to be. Greg Tiburzi will entertain from 6-8 p.m., followed an Open Mic hosted by Marc Gartman.
I've heard rumors (you may have heard them, too) of a pop-up Bob Dylan Birthday Party at his house on the Hillside, Wednesday mid-afternoon. With music, naturally. And a birthday cake. Our Poets of the Northland event will run from 6:30 - 8:30 in the Spirit of the North Theater, followed by a very special performance downstairs at The Rex: The Basement Tapes Concert. Tickets at $7 in advance (here at Eventbrite) or $10 at the door.
And then there's the Blood on the Tracks Express, our annual North Shore Railroad Excursion which keeps getting bigger and better, is always insanely memorable. If you've never been, there are a string of railroad cars featuring rock music at one end of the train and acoustic at the other. Upon arrival in Two Harbors there's a feast of Dylan music by the Freewheelers (a.k.a. The Boomchucks).
FEATURED MUSICIANS on the train this year include: Red Mountain; Rich Mattson & The Northstars; Gaelynn Lea & Al Church
Erik Berry & Ryan Young of Trampled By Turtles. Kyle Ollah will be performing in the V.I.P. "Million Dollar Bash" car, a historic dining car featuring a private cash bar, finger foods by Chef Jonathan Berthel, and a private bathroom.
The train will board again this year at the Depot, 5:30 p.m. When the train leaves the station it should be 6:00. Get your tickets here at Eventbrite.
Well, I ride on a mailtrain, baby Can’t buy a thrill Well, I’ve been up all night, baby Leanin’ on the windowsill Well, if I die On top of the hill And if I don’t make it You know my baby will Don’t the moon look good, mama Shinin’ through the trees? Don’t the brakeman look good, mama Flagging down the “Double E?” Don’t the sun look good Goin’ down over the sea? Don’t my gal look fine When she’s comin’ after me? Now the wintertime is coming The windows are filled with frost I went to tell everybody But I could not get across Well, I wanna be your lover, baby I don’t wanna be your boss Don’t say I never warned you When your train gets lost
Bob Dylan It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry
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Dylan T-Shirts & prints by Kristi Abbott
will be on sale all next week.
One of the great traditions of the Northland Dylan celebrations has been the Singer/Songwriter contest, originally in Hibbing but now resurrected in Duluth. Each contestant will sing an original song and a Dylan song, and you are all invited to Clyde Iron to take it in.
Saturday evening you're invited to return to Carmody's to feast on the music of Cowboy Angel Blue, a fave Iron Range band much loved by Northland Dylan fans for their Dylan and Neil Young renditions.
The final music event will be our Farewell Brunch with music by Jim Hall at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe.
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If you like encores, then you may wish to slip on over to Canal Park afterwards for the annual Battle of the Jug Bands, from 1-6 p.m.at the Amazing Grace Cafe. This is a one-of-a-kind family-friendly event.
