Local Arts Scene Intersects With Dylan Fest To Produce Rewarding Event @ Zeitgeist

Daniel Botkn's Self-Portrait
in a Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat

The highlight of the evening for me came when John Bushey, host of the KUMD radio program Highway 61 Revisited, came over to me and asked, "Who are all these people? I've never seen so many of them before." "These people" were our local artists and the many Twin Ports fans of the visual arts who came out to enjoy this Dylan-themed art show in the Atrium at Zeitgeist. It was gratifying to feel the vibe generated.

We were entertained by "The Group That's Not A Group" -- Tom O'Keefe & Friends -- with Scott Junkert on keyboards, Tom Franczyk on guitar and harmonica, and Daryl Yankee, percussion, Dylan-themed art all around.

The artists represented included Kristi Abbott (Australia), Moira Villiard, Daniel Botkin (Chicago), Mary Rauschenfels, Adam Swanson, Tim Beaulier, Becky Perfetti and myself. The work will be up all week, so if you were unable to attend last night there's plenty of time to slide by if you're downtown or you work downtown and wish to check it out while grabbing a bite at the Zeitgeist Cafe (recommended).

Patty Hallbeck and Zane Bail manned the souvenir table.
Dylan Fest pins, T-shirts and art will be available for purchase
at select Duluth Dylan Fest events. 

Tom O'Keefe & Friends provided ambiance.

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Local news stations WDIO and Fox21 visited last night and covered the event.

Art Show Pays Tribue to Bob Dylan

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Tonight, Duluth Dylan Fest continues with music at Sir Ben's. Will you join us? Meet friends and make new ones while enjoying an evening of music and making memories. 

Find the full schedule of events  for the week at BobDylanWay.com

See you on the scene.

Three Local Art Shows You Don't Want To Miss

 Dylan at the Red Mug

The month of May came in like a lion with Duluth's Homegrown Music Festival and it will roar like a lion throughout, culminating in the DuSu Film Festival and celebrating the North Country Dylan Festival in between.

In the visual arts there are at least three shows that I would recommend going out of your way to see, all of which will be up for the duration of the month.

Duluth Art Institute
Native Skywatchers and (Un)ordinary
If you missed last night's opening reception, there is plenty of time to see these two new summer exhibitions at the DAI, Native Skywatchers featuring work by Annette Lee, William Wilson & Carl Gawboy and (Un)ordinary featuring Emi Lyman. The galleries are up on the fourth floor of the Depot.

Beaner's Central
Adam Swanson's Duluth Aeriial Lift Bridge paintings will be at Beaner's all month. Jason Wussow has done a wonderful job of sharing the works of local artists and musicians, and if you can't make it to a show in the evening, grab a bite for lunch and check out the art while waiting for your food. Or, if Spirit Valley is close to your morning commute, as it is for me, then stop in to grab a cup of java to sip as you commune with Adam's lively work.

The Red Mug

Wind Blows by Adam Swanson

This is the second year in which the North Country Dylan Fest committee decided to have a poetry event. As a backdrop for the event itself it seemed a Dylan-Themed and Dylan-Inspired art show would be just the ticket. As a member of the Duluth Art Institute I have noticed that each year in the annual show there is at least one Dylan portrait. I figured there must be a lot of other artists out there who have been thus inspired and threw out the idea to the committee of an art show at the Red Mug. Suzanne Johnson, owner of the Superior coffeehouse, was quite thrilled by the idea of it and a Call went out to the arts community, with fabulous results.

The art is already on display but a reception will be held May 20 during the North Country Dylan Fest in conjunction with a poetry reading by eight local poets. Karen Sunderman, producer of the PlayList, will be guest host. For a list of participating artists and poets visit the North Country Dylan Fest Art Exhibit and Poetry Showcase Facebook page.

Frankie and Albert, Triptych by Patricia Canelake, 144"x 72"

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Advice for the weekend ahead: "He not busy being born is busy dying." Carpe diem.