Magnolila Salon Releases Schedule for Upcoming Weeks, Plus Intro to One Week Live @ Beaners

Doop-doo-doo, lookin' out a back window @ the O.

After a brief hiatus the Magnolia Salon is ramping up for the Fall. 'Tis an unseasonable beautiful time of year in the Northland. The Oldenburg House, which hosts the Salon, sits adjacent to Jay Cooke State Park and is certain to be in full presentation mode for the next few weeks. Even if you don't participate in the meetings, I would strongly urge you to come down to walk the trails nearby.

When my kids were growing up this was one of my favorite places to bring them to get out for a spell, hiking, skipping stones in the waters below the Thompson Dam and just hanging out. If you're a bike rider, the Munger Bike Trail runs from West Duluth to Hinkley, and autumn has to be the most beautiful time of the year for the trip.

Here are the presenters and themes for the next four weeks.

September 20

Sarah Bamford Seidelmann, author of The Book of Beasties and Duluth’s very own physician-turned shaman and healer, introduces us to the power of animal totems, inviting us to explore why certain ‘beasties’ show up in our lives and what teachings they are trying to share. Come and enjoy Sarah’s quirky and delightful insights drawn from the wisdom of nature.

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September 27
Arna Rennan presents Scandinavian Roots Music, singing in the Norwegian folk tradition known as kveding, accompanying herself on ancient instruments, and sharing stories, ballads, hymns and cowcalls. Explore Arna’s love for this musical form that inspired Greig and continues to fascinate present day composers.

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October 4

Adam Herman, musician and author, discusses his debut novel Limbo and uses his soulful voice to explore traditional American music. Reviewer Sam Neumann says ‘Limbo is legitimately laugh-out-loud funny, a rare quality in fiction. Adam’s prose reads like Dave Barry on mushrooms.’

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October 11
Pat McCoy, expert cook and Director of Nutrition Services at Cloquet Community Memorial Hospital, shares the latest insights from the art and science of healthy cooking - how to select, purchase, prepare, and enjoy a broad selection of foods. Learn how to reduce your disease risk by improving your dietary choices and practicing mindful eating.

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TWO MORE ITEMS OF NOTE 
This coming WEDNESDAY is the opening reception for the late John Steffl's exhibition Resonance at the North Shore Bank downtown. The buzz is already building for what promises to be a most exceptional event.

And the Last Week of September will be the Beaner's Central One Week Live (OWL) Volume 17 Recording Festival.

Can't read this? Don't worry. The information is all here below.

The lineup again looks exceptional. I will share more but some of the highlights you can look forward to. For example, Jacob Mahon, who is opening the week on Monday with his Salty Dogs, was winner of the 2017 Duluth Dylan Fest Singer/Songwriter Contest. And he is just the warmup  pitch. Here's your schedule.

Sun 23
Jacob Mahon & the Salty Dogs, One Less Guest and Dan Dresser

Mon 24 Rich Matson and the Northstars

Drew Peterson
Biochemical Characters

Tue 25 Christopher David Hanson   Feeding Leroy

Trash Cats

Wed 26 14th Annual Songwriters Competition hosted by Ryan Lane

Thur 27 Woodblind A Band called Truman Hardaybra

Fri 28 Plucked up String Band

The Fish heads Lady Slipper Ten Crow Moon

Josie Langhorst at Sacred Heart in May.

Sat 29 Holy Hootenanners

The Langertsons

Edward Ojard

A quick note about Edward Ojard. He's the youngest performer to be part of the One Week Live recording project. He was 9 years old when he released his first full-length original album entitled "Butterfly Dances." He's now 10 and releasing his second, I have been told. The youth began composing at age 4, has studied Suzuki techniques and performed with the Ragtime Society. 

That same last evening we'll also get a chance to hear Josie Langhorst and the band she's part of, The Langertsons. Josie's set during the 2018 Dylan Fest Singer/Songwriter Contest absolutely floored me. Had I been a judge she would have taken home the first prize honors. There were four judges there who saw that there was a whole evening of remarkably talented competitors. Of note: Josie is only 12... or at least was 12 in May. I tip my hat to these young ones. 

When I think of the talent in this town--Sparhawk and Low, Gaelynn Lea, Ingeborg von Agassiz, and so many others--it's a wonder Rolling Stone doesn't set up an outpost here. I'm serious.

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Meantime, life goes on all around you. Get into it.

Local Art Seen: Brian Barber at Beaner's Central

Last Thursday evening we attended the opening reception for an exhibition of Brian Barber's new work at Beaner's Central. Up on stage Jason Wussow and Veikko Mark Lepisto of Wood Blind performed a set, eventually joined by jazz guitarist Darin Bergsven formerly with Tangier 57 and Perfectini. As it turns out the connection with Bergsven goes back to their years performing together, as Barber himself was drummer for Tangier 57.

In the spring of 2012 Barber's whimsical work was displayed in the George Morrison Gallery of the Duluth Art Institute. The artist specializes in illustration, animation and video. And in making people smile. Among his influences he cites MAD Magazine, as well as the illustrators Ralph Steadman, Robert Risko, CF Payne, Chip Wass, Ed Fotheringham, Ian Pollack, and Lane Smith.

In a September interview Brian made this statement that I especially liked: "The best skill is still probably the ability to come up with ideas, and the curiosity and patience to get the work done." It sums up two key facets of any creative task, whether in art or in business: originality and execution.
Brian Barber does both and he does it well.

Here's some of what you will see if you stop by Beaner's this month. You can also purchase prints of many of Barber's pictures at his website,
http://prints.brianbarber.com

The prints are priced just right... and Christmas is just around the corner.

Veikko and Jason... a perfect addition to any event. 

Meantime, get into it... art, music and life goes on all around you.

Twin Ports Arts Scene: December Happenings

Un-Typing Casta at the Tweed

Hard to believe it's December already. Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday have passed, but My guess is that your Christmas shopping has only just begun.

Well, quite a few of this month's arts activities will give you a chance to work through your gift lists. We have oodles of local artisans making items that are perfect as stocking stuffers to wearable art and functional art. Lift the spirits of loved ones and support the local arts simultaneously.

I'd like to begin here with a shout-out to Esther Piszczek who assembles much of the info I use on these monthly postings. Thank you. And if you have not seen her Zentangled piano and the story of its creation, visit this link to the 17-minute documentary Life and Art Entangled.

Now, for the List.
(EdNote: I am using colored fonts for eye candy. Live links are blue, like the one above.)

Pepperkakebyen, Duluth's Gingerbread City
Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m., through December 11 at the Nordic Center, 21 N. Lake Avenue View this amazing collection of Gingerbread houses handmade in Duluth.

Get It Local Art & Gift Fair
Saturday, Dec 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Avenue E.
This is one of many local art fairs filled with talented artisans and artists.

Duluth Art Institute's Free Family Day: Handmade Holidays
Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.  This event will take place at their Lincoln Park location at 2229 W. 2nd Street. "Make unique handmade gifts and cards for your loved ones this season. Even the littlest of gift givers can get in on the fun. No registration necessary."

Lake Superior College Student Art Show - Opening Reception
Monday, Dec. 5, 5-7 p.m.
Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road, S Building;
Show runs Dec. 5-7, as follows:
Monday, Dec. 5: 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 6: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 7: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

Brian Barber Art Opening
Thursday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m. @ Beaner's
I don't know anyone who doesn't enjoy the work of animator/illustrator Brian Barber.
With music by Jason & Veikko of Woodblind, Beaner's Central Coffeehouse, 324 N. Central Avenue.

2nd Fridy Art Crawl
Friday, Dec. 9, 6-8 p.m., 2nd Friday Art Crawl @ Duluth Fine Pianos, 305 E. Superior Street
Always a good place to stop on the 2nd Friday of the month if you are downtown. Esther P's home turf. There will be cookies for this festive evening surrounded by patterns and pianos.

Plys with Purpose @ the PROVE
Friday, Dec. 9, 4-7 p.m., The Prove Gallery is located at 21 N. Lake Avenue
"Plys With Purpose is Prøve Gallery’s third exhibition and silent auction of 30 crafted skateboard decks by local, national, and international artists all sharing one purpose, building skateboard parks in our communities."

Get to the Point: Awesome Art & Gift Fair
Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.,  Lafayette Square, Park Point, 3026 Minnesota Avenue

Textiles for Body & Mind
Erika Mock's studio is open the next two Fridays till Christmas. 4701 Cooke Street in Lakeside. While you're in the neighborhood, stop in at the Lakeside Gallery at 4431 East Superior Street where you find Aaaron Kloss's landscape paintings and plenty more. (Including a few of my pieces. You can also find my art a the children's book A Remarkable Tale from the Land of Podd at Goin' Postal in Superior.)

Winter Moon Holiday Boutique
Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Zeitgeist Arts Atrium, 222 E. Superior Street
This is another one that is becoming a tradition, like the gingerbread houses and the Plys with Purpose. I think I've purchased something here every year they've done this. It will be the week before Christmas and if you haven't finished shopping, it's the last weekend you will have free.
Artists this year include:
Esther Piszczek of E.P. Designs, patterned cards, playing cards, puzzles, silk scarves, ceramics;
Patty Salo Downs of Miina Designs, felted scarves, bags, clothing;
Sally Cavallaro of Sally Cavallaro Designs, silver jewelry;
Mary Reichert of Otlak Felt Studio, felted scarves, bags, and rugs;
Natalijia Walbridge of Dock 5, custom screen printed canvas bags;
Barb Collette of Stained Glass by Collette, stained glass ornaments and art;
Lila Boehland of Lila Felt Creative, felted landscapes, bracelets, ornaments;
Annemarie Gorham of Lake Superior Beach Glass, beach glass jewelry, and
Heidi Ash of 185 Chocolat. (Heidi's chocolates exemplify the expression, "something to die for." They are that that yummy.)

There are number of new books from locals this year. Lucie Amundson's story about their plucky business Locally Laid came out this spring. It's vibrates with life and insights about life and business.
Patterned Peace, by Esther Piszczek, CZT, published by Whole Person Associates, Duluth is available on Amazon.com and The Bookstore at Fitgers. Original, hand-drawn artwork ready to color. Includes full pattern index.

If you get over to Superior there's always art to see at the Red Mug Coffeehouse, and a Christmas Village of artists kitty-korner akross the street where you can enjoy hot chocolate and more works by local artisans. Open on weekends. There's also plenty of art to see and purchase at Art on the Planet, 1413 Tower Avenue, Superior, WI (new name / new location -- adjacent to Wine Creations.) There's parking in the back.

If you're looking for gift ideas for newborns and infants, be sure to check out this Etsy shop, Picture Book Boutique. You don't have to live in the Twin Ports to get there. Original creative expressions for baby showers and Christmas.

Last note: the Tweed and the Duluth Art Institute both have some great exhibits right now. Check 'em out while you're out and about.

Meantime, may your December be one to remember.