UNDERGROUND 68: A Dylan-Inspired Harvard Project and Kickstarter Campaign

"Blowin' in the Wind" -- 24"x 36", acrylic on panel

This past week I read about a section of the web called Google Scholar. It's essentially a massive library of scholarly papers, theses, articles, abstracts, court opinions. an online repository of all scholarship across all disciplines. Naturally the first thing I did was do a quick search to see what they had about Mr. Bob Dylan.

The first document that came up was something akin to a fact sheet which begins something like a form that you fill out for a job application or vehicle registration at the DMV.  Birth name. Also known as. Born. Origin. Occupation. Instruments. Years active. Labels. Associated acts. Website.

I like the list of aliases under "Also known as." Elston Gunnn, Blind Boy Grunt, Bob Landy, Robert Milkwood Thomas, Tedham Porterhouse, Lucky/Boo Wilbury, Jack Frost, Sergei Petrov.  You can read more about Dylan's aliases at American Routes. (EdNote: If you go there, I believe he misspelled Gunnn, which should have three Ns. Read Bobby Vee's account here.) I find it amusing that the guy with all these aliases took the name Alias in the film Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid.

The amazing thing, which sets scholarly work apart from much of what we find online, is the quantity of footnotes. The dossier on Dylan is 34 pages. In superfine fine print on the last two pages they have 351 footnotes.

* * * *

All this has been a roundabout way to lead into UNDERGROUND 68, a Kickstarter project founded by Harvard folk. The storyline goes like this: the '60s counterculture envelops a Harvard student whose thesis about campus Vietnam War resistance leads her to Dylan and the streets of Rome. An interesting aspect of the project is that it was initiated by a contemporary Harvard student, but features Harvard students from the Sixties.

This spring during the 2018 Duluth Dylan Fest, we had the privilege of hosting a lecture by Richard F. Thomas, the Harvard classics prof who also teaches a class on Dylan, author of Why Bob Dylan Matters. Dr. Thomas is one of the principles behind the film which is summarized this way:

The late 1960s counterculture was a mass awakening. It was a renaissance of music, art, experimental films, underground comics, psychedelic drugs, Eastern philosophy and cosmic consciousness. It was the dawn of the movements for peace, civil rights, environmentalism, sexual diversity and women’s liberation. Ariel finds the distillation of all that in the songs of Bob Dylan.

Guided by a Harvard classics professor and renowned Dylan scholar she also finds deep connections between Dylan's later songs and works of classic Greek and Roman literature, especially Virgil.

UNDERGROUND 68 is infused with Dylan songs performed by a kick-ass rock band of professional grade musicians from the Harvard class of ‘68, songs that reflect back on Ariel’s intellectual and spiritual journey.

"Light yourself a candle" manhole cover,
Bob Dylan Way, Duluth.

The filming is complete, to they're on the last leg of production. Their target goal is $36K, but anything above that will be applied to getting the film into film festivals, college campuses, art houses, etc. Their primo ultimate aim would be to raise $100K to fund a traveling show that includes film screenings, Dr. Thomas' lecture on Why Bob Dylan Matters and the Harvard band doing an all-new Dylan setlist. (Is the name of that band The Harvard Classics, by the way?)

COOLEST FEATURE: Pledge $10K and you will be listed as Executive Producer of the film. I'm sure Steve Jobs would have bit on that. For all I know, Steve might have gone ahead and funded the whole thing.

Anyways, HERE IS THE KICKSTARTER INFO
Or you can cut-and-paste:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1409581093/underground-68?ref=nav_search&result=project&term=UNDERGROUND

EdNote: Deadline to reach goal is August 1.

Related Links
Article by Brian Lloyd: The Form is the Message: Bob Dylan and the 1960's
* Steve Jobs Film Leads To Dylan Insights for CEOs in New Forbes Article
Trivia: According to the Dylan entry at imdb.com 745 movies us Dylan music as a portion of the soundtrack. Will Underground 68 be number 746?

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

Five Minutes with Singer/Songwriter Mary Bue

I recently noticed Mary Bue's Kickstarter campaign on Facebook and was impressed that she this is her sixth CD. As soon as I saw it I thought the cover art was pretty cool. I've a had a listen, actually several, and it's a very strong addition to her previous work.

She was born in Princeton, Minnesota. Her father is a physician and her mother taught piano, so her musical inclinations come naturally.

One thing you notice right off if you've met Mary Bue is her very positive vibe. She generates a good energy as soon as she enters a room. She's both talented and authentic, with something to say.

EN: When did you first become a musician who performed her own songs?

Mary Bue: I was "dared" by some college friends to take my originals out of my dorm room and down to an Open Stage when I was 17, in 1998. It was exhilarating.

EN: Your recorded your first CD when and how do you feel about that first effort today? 

MB: My first CD "Where the Monarchs Circled" was recorded in 2000. I feel that the songs are very RAW but have an ethereal, spiritual quality about them. The collection of songs have a same-ness about them, slightly long-winded, but the passion was there and I was certainly bearing my soul. It wouldn't be the first CD I would recommend to people wanting to learn about my music, but I value it as my first effort and feel proud that I put myself out there so young.

EN: You seem to have developed quite a following. To what do you attribute this?

MB: Thank you! I tour quite a bit -- I have hit almost every state in the US except Hawaii and Alaska -- and I keep a collection of email addresses to stay in contact with people who have liked my music. I share it on a variety of platforms as well. I've done digital distribution so you can find it on iTunes and various internet radio platforms as well as on my website. I have recently embarked on a college radio campaign to 300+ stations so I'm hoping it will reach a larger audience. Time will tell ...

EN: Your current album, Holy Bones, covers some different themes from your previous work. What prompted you to write about death, desire and materialism?

MB: It has been a wellspring of observations of my own mortal coils and watching my fellow humans grasping for "things." I heard an interview with woman very close to death and she mentioned putting "luggage tags on all the the furniture" to leave them to her family members. Something about the way she spoke struck a chord with me - you really can't take it with you. All of our material items will eventually disintegrate, as we will also turn to dust.

I struggle with watching people buy so much crap, such a throw-away society... I am not immune to this, certainly not perfect, but I try to value relationships and experiences over material things. I've also studied yoga philosophy and some Buddhist teachings that resonate. The seeds of desire, once sprouting in our minds, can take over our lives and blind us. And yet, thoughts and desires change moment to moment. With more awareness of the mind, we can come to grips with desire and perhaps reduce suffering. I also include in this new album a song called "Veal," anthropomorphizing a calf destined for slaughter in the veal industry. Factory farming and animal cruelty also spring out of this material desire. Desire for a taste, just a passing digestive fancy which seems so brutal and selfish to me... Again, I don't claim to be an expert or perfect, but just an observer (who tries not to add to the suffering of beings...)

EN: How long have you been performing and what are some of the things you've learned from you experiences as a musician and recording artist?

MB: I've been performing since a child in church Christmas programs & puppet shows for my parents but with my original music I began when I was 17. I have learned, gradually, to try and balance my sensitivity & vulnerability with strength. I have been criticized for being too vulnerable and too sensitive but over time I'm learning that this is not a bad thing that I should be ashamed of. We are taught to be so STRONG and "don't let them see you cry" but I think that as emotional beings, to stuff it all down will just lead to a midlife crisis, explosive rage or worse! So, I say FEEL IT! And so, I sing about it!

EN: Where can people go to support your Kickstarter campaign and/or purchase your music?

MB: My Kickstarter campaign runs until MIDNIGHT of Feb 1st so act fast ;) Kickstarter link is
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/marybue/holy-bones-new-recording-project-by-mary-bue

Music can be purchased via my website: www.marybue.com/shop

All photos by Jon Hain Photography

Steven Read Goes Crowdsourcing for "Wooded Folk" Show

According to Wikipedia, the word "crowdsourcing" is a relatively new word, coined in 2006 to describe the practice of obtaining services, ideas or funds from a large group of people, usually from the larger online community. In recent years I've seen all kinds of Kickstarter campaigns emerge, seeking funds for making movies, games and other projects. Many of these fundseekers are raising millions of dollars in pledges.

This week a more modest request fell into my inbox and I thought I'd pass it along.

One of the most exciting student art shows in recent years was the ten man show that took place in the former European Bakery space, May 2011. Five of these young art students moved on after graduation, but five others remained. Four of these, among them Steven L. Read, banded together with Richard Hansen, founder of the DuSu Film Festival, to form the PRØVE Gallery at another abandoned space in the Sons of Norway Building.

In the following year Read was able to secure a show in the John Steffl Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute which he titled (un)natural reactions. His exhibition there was a cross between minimalist sculpture and his reactions to the North Shore.

Preparing for another show.

Read left the area after one year with the PRØVE to move to Pennsylvania. In an attempt to fund his March show titled Wooded Folk, he is reaching back to his former circles. According to Read, " Being raised on a farm and spending time in the woods of Minnesota has allowed me to have a very personal connection to nature. I want to help people see that there are ways to connect to nature without having to build their own version of Thoreau’s cabin. With your help, I will be able to obtain the materials needed to give each piece of Wooded Folk the best capability to express these emotions and ideas without compromising on materials or methods."

One of the features of this campaign is his creative way of rewarding those who contribute... by giving back some of his own creative output, from decals to limited edition reproductions and more. It made me think of Elliot Landy's Kickstarter campaign designed to fund the production of a book of photos from that classic period when Dylan was in seclusion making music with what became known as The Band in the House at Big Pink. People who contribute various amounts are rewarded with everything from signed photos to posters and/or copies of the book.

Learn more about Steven Read's campaign. Help an emerging artist who continues to demonstrate innovation and initiative.

Meantime, hope to see you at one of tonight's art openings. The weather has indeed turned.

(un)natural reactions at the DAI

Beatles Help DuSu Film Festival

Help! I need somebody.
Help! Not just anybody.
Help! You know I need someone.
Help!  ~ Lennon/McCartney

In 1965 The Beatles starred in their second full-length feature film titled Help. The rating for this film at imdb.com is 7.1, which means it has a lot of likes and not that many critics. I s'pose this is because the film actually had a plot. It's popularity was not due to the acting. But you already knew that, right?

The film was a vehicle for developing and dispersing some new Beatles songs, and to attract a little cash. This morning, the movie is a vehicle for sharing some information about this year's Duluth Superior Film Festival, and (hopefully) to attract a little cash for the festival's Kickstarter campaign.

Disclaimer: I receive nothing from this blog entry.

The correct title for this post should read, Beatles' Help; DuSu Film Festival.

But it is what it is. As is the film festival, now in its fourth year.

The Duluth Superior Film Festival is in fundraising mode, currently running an active Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds for this year’s festival. Evidently they are not wanting to lean too heavily on their many sponsors and, I suspect, the Kickstarter Campaign

can be a form a getting the word out.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1498114599/the-duluth-superior-film-fest-advises-you-to-take

They're not trying to raise millions to produce a film. They're looking for a modest amount to properly show the films, $2000 to help make this event a more complete experience. Unlike your typical cinema visit, the DuSu and similar film festivals will have directors, producers, screenwriters and actors on hand to give more insight to the film they created or were part of. The Q&A sessions after many of the films are worth the price of admission. The extra money helps fly these industry professional here for these first-hand encounters.

The Kickstarter Campaign winds up at the end of this weekend.  Festival director Richard Hansen has indicated that they have a great list of benefits for contributing…not the least of which is an All Access Pass for $25, which I personally consider a steal since we were paying $50 for that same pass the past three years.

Some of the films we've seen here the past couple years were later picked up by HBO and other cable channels. It's a serious, annual 5-day event, screening numerous independent films, producing multiple music performances, and hosting parties in celebration of film, music and art. I don't think The Beatles will be here, but who knows, maybe the next Beatles will be featured here in one of this year's films. Imagine. Stranger things have happened.

Here's my interview with Richard Hansen in advance of last year's Duluth Superior Film Festival.

And here's a link to the DSFF Kickstarter page.

This month we're celebrating the North X North Music and Arts Experience here in the North Country. This week the Homegrown Music Festival has been busting out walls. Next week will be Visual Arts/Gallery Week,  week, followed by Theater/Ballet/Symphony week and Dylan Days, and ending with the Duluth/Superior Film Festival to bookend a fabulous month of arts excitement.

My recommendation: try something new, something you've never done before. Eventually you might want to do it all.

Adam Pankratz and his Super WOW Exciting Fun Time!!

The name of the company is Stunned Turtle. Saturday's Facebook invitation read like this:

For anyone in Duluth today: "If you're up in Duluth today, come say hello! I'll be doing a STUNNED TURTLE promo at Dungeon's End from about 11am-2pm and then at Rogue Robot Comics and Games from 330-5pm. Special appearances by Wally Mahnke Jr. and Patricia Mahnke!"

I was intrigued by the invitation because I myself created a few games when I was young. As a teen I created an NFL football card game which I played every morning before going to school. My mother encouraged me to submit my idea to Milton Bradley, but that's another story.

So on Saturday I decided to sneak in to Dungeon’s End, across the street from Beaners, and sneak a peek at what was up. It wasn’t my intent, but I ended up playing a round and imagined it could be a fun way for friends to pass the time. Afterwards I interviewed Adam Pankratz, the co-creator of the card game Super WOW Exciting Fun Time!!

EN: When did you first start creating games?
AP: I think it was about 15 years ago that I made a card game based on my favorite TV show. The reason I started STUNNED TURTLE this year was to hopefully be able to build up a reputation as a reliable game developer and get the license for that TV show and release that card game sometime within the next 5 years. Besides that, I've always had the creative itch. I've made short films, non-fiction books, clothing designs, poetry, screenplays, digital art, and a baby - my son and greatest creation!

EN: How did your game Super WOW Exciting Fun Time come about?

AP: My creative partner, Walter Mahnke, Jr., and I had been developing a few games together when he called me one night and explained his idea for the basis of Super WOW Exciting Fun Time with giddy excitement. We wanted our first card game release to be something that was simple to learn, fun to play, had mass appeal, and showcased our sense of humor. Super WOW fit that criteria perfectly!

EN: What kind of costs are involved in making a card game like this?
AP: Producing a simple card game like this requires three things. 1 - Money. 2 - Passion 3 - Time.

MONEY.  We wanted our first game to look cool! Artists like to get cash for their efforts so they can buy clothes and food and pay their rent and such, so we wanted to make sure we paid our artists so they wouldn't be running around naked and hungry.

PASSION. You truly need to dedicate yourself to your product. We wanted to make sure this game was replay-able and kept being fun even after the 40th or 50th game. It takes a certain level of passion to fine-tune a game throughout the play testing process.

TIME.  Many, many hours have been devoted to Super WOW Exciting Fun Time. I'm somewhat obsessive cumpulsive and I've found myself tweaking the game at all hours of the day in my head. It's almost become a second child for me in the amount of time I spend working on and analyzing it.

EN: Who did all the artwork on the cards?
AP: We've been blessed with an amazing group of artists. They are Michael Beachy, Brandie Hanson, Alisha Williams and Corey Kramer. They all have a varied backgrounds and live in Minnesota.

EN: Can you briefly summarize the rules and what Super WOW is about?

AP: Super WOW Exciting Fun Time is a fast paced card game based on the life and death of TV shows. Players take the role of a TV producer and try to earn the most rating points by playing episode cards on each show. Watch out for the shark, though! Once the shark is played, the show can only go downhill towards its inevitable cancellation. After three rounds, the player with the highest rating score wins! The other players feel shame.

EN: What kind of people are going to be most interested in Super WOW? Who is your target audience?
AP: Super WOW Exciting Fun Time is for the family or social gamer. People are encouraged to get together with loved ones and converse, laugh, and create memories while playing our game. The box will say the game is for 2-5 players who are 12+, however, if you can read and count, you're old enough to play our game.

EN: How does the kickstarter aspect of this work? Where do people go to help bring your vision to market?

Adam Pankratz and Patricia Mahnke. Patricia won, Adam and I lost.

AP: We chose to fund the production of our first game through kickstarter.com. "Kickstarter is a funding platform for creative projects. Every project creator sets their project's funding goal and deadline. If people like the project, they can pledge money to make it happen. If the project succeeds in reaching its funding goal, all backers' credit cards are charged when time expires. If the project falls short, no one is charged. Funding on Kickstarter is all-or-nothing."

STUNNED TURTLE's Kickstarter page can be found here at Kickstarter.com.

EN: Where will Super WOW be available when people wish to purchase and play it?
AP: The game's production is dependent on a successful kickstarter campaign. As long as we raise our financial goal before November 18th, Super WOW Exciting Fun Time will go into full production with a slated release of March 2013. At that time, anyone will be able to go to gamecrafter.com and purchase the game. We've also had three gaming stores who have agreed to stock the game upon its release: Source Comics and Games in Saint Paul, Minn, Dungeon's End in Duluth, Minn., and Rogue Robot Comics and Games, also here in Duluth. We're hoping to add several more stores to this list within the next few months.

EdNote: The game concept for Super WOW evolved from the way television shows are produced, but does not require any knowledge of television trivia in order to play, so don't be intimidated if you're not a big TV watcher. The game is fun.

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE