Cookin' at the O: Bruce Henry, So Right On'

Cookin' @ the O
The Carlton Room
Oldenburg House
November 22, 2025

The evening began with our hosts, Glenn & Emily, saying, "Welcome!" and a "thank you for coming out this evening. There is no art without an audience."

Emily proceeded to call atention to  one of the attendees, Lisa Graves, a writer from Superior and author of the newly released Without Precedent, an exposé of today's Supreme Court.

Saturday night's show featured jazz singer Bruce Henry backed by Ryan Frane (piano), Billy Peterson (standup bass) and Glenn Swanson (drums/percussion). 

Bruce Henry, Billy Peterson

Before Mr Henry took the stage the trio of Frane, Peterson and Swanny set the mood. When our featured artist joined them on the platform his first words were, "It's good to be back." (Indeed. Here's a review from that first impressive performance.)

Bruce Henry opened with "Secret Love," a hit song from the 1953 musical Calamity Jane that won an Academy Award for best original song and briefly carried Doris Day to the top of the US and UK Billboard charts.

This was followed by the tender and beautiful "Nature Boy" which Henry sang the first time he was here, only this time he shared a little more about the author of this Nat King Cole tune., Eden Ahbez, the strangest hit songwriter in history. Ahbez might be considered a pioneer hippie, he said. He lived (for a while) beneath the famous Hollywood sign above L.A.

Ryan Frane, Glenn Swanson

He then followed with an impactful presentation of Duke Ellington's "In the Beginning God." (Wow!) Two more pieces rounded out the first set, "Song for My Father" by Horace Silver) and "Why Baby?" a Chicago Blues tune. The band was sizzling with lengthy instrumentals throughout. 

   As the main course was served, the Carlton Room buzzing. The performers escaped to refresh. 

    If you've never been, Chef Paul from Room at the Table prepares the scrumptious food that accompanies these exceptional jazz gatherings, including an appetizer upon arrival and a tasty dessert to accompany the second set.

    At some point during the evening Mr. Henry mentioned that he currently resides in Bronzeville, a section of Chicago that has made a massive contribution to music history. Bronzeville legends include Louis Armstrong, Muddy Waters, Jelly Roll Morton, Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, Little Walter and many others. In addition to absorbing the music of jazz/blues epicenter, Bruce Henry has mined their sagas as a resource for the teaching he does on Afro-American history, its tributaries and impact. 

The second set, which really brought us home, included "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Wichita Lineman," "Better Than Anything But Being In Love," an explosive "Afro Blue," and "House of the Rising Sun."  Everything was perfectly orchestrated, alternating from Swanny's brushes whispering on the snare to Peterson's bass riffs walking like midnight rain, accompanied by Frane's fingers literally dancing across the ivories, every solo climbing higher and harder, adding rocket fuel to Bruce Henry's vocals so that by the end of the second set the mesmerized audience was fully spellbound. 

Bruce Henry is a consummate performer. If he swings back this way, do try to fetch tickets. You will be treated to a very special evening.

Tribute to Dylan: Cookin' at the O Kicks Off Duluth Dylan Fest with a Roar

L to R: Gregg Inhofer, Glenn Swanson, Billy Peterson

Saturday night patrons of the Oldenburg House were treated to a very special evening of music by the trio of Gregg Inhofer, Billy Peterson and Glenn Swanson. For those unfamiliar, Inhofer and Peterson were two of six Minnesota musicians who recorded half the songs on Dylan's Blood on the Tracks. There is also a connection between Glenn and Gregg. More than four decades ago the two performed in a band called "This Oneness." This is their first time working together since that time.

Inhofer is an American singer/songwriter whose versatility is impressive, as is his resume. He has played a significant role in the Minneapolis music scene throughout his career and is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Billy Peterson has been a staple here at the Oldenburg House over the years with his stand-up bass and lean, dominant presence. Like Glenn and Emily, the hosts who welcome us each month, Billy's warmth is genuine and his skills superb. 

Gregg Inhofer was the featured artist this weekend. Here's an overview of the playlist 

The trio opened with a blazing rendition of "Idiot Wind" from Dylan's Blood on the Tracks [BOTT]. You knew from the opening lines that this evening was going to be special.

Inhofer has recorded two albums of his own songs from which he selected "Small Crowd" as his second number. The message here is that playing music in a more intimate setting is more satisfying that large auditoriums or stadiums because you get to look directly into the faces of those who have drawn near to hear you.

The trio then invited Marlena, a Lakeside sax player, to join them for the Miles Davis classic "Kind of Blue." This was followed by a surprising Hendrix selection, "Manic Depression" from Jimi's first album Are You Experienced? Rich!

Other songs from the first set included, "Have a Little Faith in Me" (John Hiatt), "No Matter What You Want" (Badfinger), "Imagine" (John Lennon), "Feel Your Love (Dylan), "Beyond the Sea" (The Charles Trenet song translated by Jack Lawrence for Bobby Darin), "If I Ever Lose My Faith In You" (Sting), and Not Too Late To Turn Back (Eddie Cornelius). Remarks between songs were generally brief, but revealing. We learned about. Inhofer performing with Badfinger, and later Billy Peterson's 25 year run with the Steve Miller Band. Both showed their range of experiences and influences.

After a fine meal and tasty dessert, the second set opened with Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate," which is another personal favorite from BOTT. They followed with "Can't Find My Way Home," the Steve Winwood song that first appeared on Blind Faith and which have been covered by many artists since. "Up on the Tightrope" (Leon Russell) was rolled out next. 

Chef Sapyta passed through brief to see how things were going. He was not our chef tonight because he's been organizing meals for the firefighters who have been busy all week. Three hours of seep a night while assembling contributions from restaurants and stores and preparing it all. The firefighters and officials had never seen anything like it, they said.

Inhofer then dedicated this song for Paul, "If I Wore a Hat I'd Take it Off for You."

You're a Big Girl Now (Dylan) followed, with an anecdote from Kevin Odegard which you can read about in K.O.'s A Simple Twist of Fate or Paul Metsa's Blood in the Tracks.

As the evening leaned into its climax the group delivered Leon Russell's "Lost in a Masquerade" followed by "Piano Man" with Inhofer sharing a story involving Billy Joel when Gregg was playing keyboards on Olivia Newton-John's first U.S. tour. At that time, Billy Joel was just a warmup act.

The last two tracks performed were "Tangled Up In Blue," the opening cut from Blood on the Tracks, and for an encore "Like a Rolling Stone," a potent exclamation point for the entire evening.

Tuesday evening Inhofer will be joining Paul Metsa and Sonny Earl at the newly renovated Alhambra Theater which celebrated its Grand Opening this weekend. Across the street from Zenith Books and Wussow's, adjacent to the West Theatre on Central Avenue.

Related Links
10 Things You May Not Know About the Oldenburg House in Carlton
Lives Touched and Energized: Dylan, Blood, Tracks, Metsa--Part 3
About Cookin' at the O

Northland Dylan Tributes: Gregg Inhofer, Billy Peterson, Paul Metsa and Duluth Dylan Fest 2025

This coming Friday and Saturday, Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson will be joining Glenn Swanson for a very special weekend of Cookin' at the O. Though Peterson has been a staple at the Oldenburg House for years now, this is the first time Inhofer has joined him in an event that will serve as prologue for the upcoming week of Dylan Fest.

An American singer-songwriter, pianist, and vocalist, Gregg Inhofer's music combines a wide variety of influences, including rock, R'n'B, and jazz. He's played a significant role in the Minneapolis music scene throughout his career and is a member of the Minnesota Rock and Country Music Hall of Fame. 

Gregg Inhofer w/ Billy Peterson
on set of Metsa's Wall of Power (2019)

What's special about this weekend's shows is that Gregg Inhofer and Billy Peterson, who have been performing together since the early Seventies, recorded with Dylan on half the songs on "Blood on the Tracks". (For more about that story, follow the links below.)  FWIW, Dylan’s album “Blood on the Tracks”, ranks number 16 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. 

Another special feature about the weekend: Glenn and Gregg worked together decades ago in the band "This Oneness" and for the two of them, this is a long awaited reunion.

I first met Gregg at a special event in the studio of Paul Metsa's Wall of Power. The six Minnesota musicians who contributed to Bob Dylan's 1975 double Platinum Blood on the Tracks were gathered together to celebrate the release of Bootleg 14: More Blood, More Tracks. (Two were present via media connections.) It was an exceedingly moving event, because their contributions to the original album had not yet been publicly recognized. Thus, this was a vindication of sorts, in addition to being a reunion.

IF YOU'VE NEVER BEEN to the Oldenburg House for their A++ jazz events, you really owe it to yourself to learn more about this historic Carlton hideaway. The shows include first class cuisine by Chef Paul Sapyta of Room at the Table.

In addition to the 8-day week of events assembled for Duluth Dylan Fest 2025, I have to quickly mention that the Alhambra Theater, adjacent to the West Theatre, is having it Grand Opening this weekend. There will be magicians, musicians and more. (For the record, Dylan was a big fan of Harry Houdini. On one occasion he was asked what event he would like to see if he could go back in time. He purportedly said that he would like to have been there when Harry Houdini was chained, trussed and locked in a box that was thrust into the East River.)

So, on Tuesday May 20 at 8:00 pm at the Alhambra, Paul Metsa and friends are inviting you to share a Salute to Bob Dylan Concert and Conversation. This intimate setting will include special guest Gregg Inhofer and Metsa's superbly talented harmonicat sidekick, Sonny Earl. Doors open at 6:30, concert kicks off at 8:30. Tickets are $18 and $23 based on seating:  https://readertix.com/events/paul-metsa-friends-do-dylan

About the Alhambra

The Vision for the Alhambra

New chapter for Historic Duluth Theater

About Paul Metsa's 2019 BOTT Reunion Celebration
Inside the Studio: Still More Blood and Tracks as Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Features MN Music Luminaries

Paul Metsa's Wall of Power Featuring Dylan's BOTT Studio Musicians from Sound 80 (Part 2)
Lives Touched and Energized: Dylan, Blood, Tracks, Metsa--Part 3

Cookin' at the O 2025
Upcoming Performances

Tickets for May 16 Dylan Tribute

Tickets for May 17

10 Things You May Not Know About the Oldenburg House in Carlton

When I first met Gregg in 2019 he shared these personal observations from his experience in 1974 recording with Dylan. “I was working for Kevin (Odegard), Billy Peterson and Bill Berg (drummer). They needed a studio keyboard player. First impression: 'Cool' He (Dylan) had my respect. I wasn’t a fan like the other guys. I was studying jazz/rock fusion. Dylan’s tunes were technically simple."

When I asked about not being mentioned on liner notes he replied, “I take my own 50% responsibility. I should’ve called David (Zimmerman). I was naïve about business and didn’t follow up.”

The week ahead will be loaded with memorable moments. If able, you may want to be part of them. 

SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS

Big shout out to Glenn Swanson and Emily Fuerste for the richness and life they've brought to their community. Shine on!

Another big shout out to Bob Boone and all the volunteers and financial contributors who sacrificed so much to bring the Alhambra back to life for a new generation.

Oldenburg House Getting Jazzed for the Honey Bee Festival and More

Here we go... With the worst behind us, events have been opening up all around the Northland, and all around the country if our region is any kind of indicator. Two noteworthy items to pass on... The Honey Bee Festival is back at the Oldenburg House, celebrating the pollinators as well as the local habitat. It's an annual two-day fest with music, dance, vendors, food and more.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5TH

3:00 - 10:00 PM

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6TH

11:30 AM - 10:00 PM

One Day Passes are $20 and a Two Day Pass is $30.

The lineup of performing musicians is fabulous as always. Many fan favorites will be on hand. And then there's Cookin' at the O' kicking off another season of intimate top-drawer jazz with a whole clutch of Petersons present to lift you to higher realms.

On Saturday there will be a Swarm Bike Ride, with three swarms gathering and starting from three locations, Carlton Bike Rental in Moose Lake, Wussow's in West Duluth, and TJs Country Corner in Mahtowa. If you don't have a bike but can get a ride to Moose Lake, you can rent one from Carlton Bike Rental there and return it in Carlton. (Just sayin')  

Participants receive admission to Saturday festival, SWARM t-shirt, free beverage ticket and support on the trail. Details HERE

* * * 

Here are the lineups for Friday and Saturday

FRIDAY

Randy Lee Ensemble

Andy Peterson Quartet

* * * 

The Return - Cookin' at the O

Glenn Swanson

Billy Peterson

Ricky Peterson

Jason Peterson DeLaire

SATURDAY

Terrence Smith/Hive Jive

Boss Mama

Steve's "Overpopulated" One Man Band

Anam Cara — barn dance

Briand Morrison & Roxanne Berglund

The Langerstons

The Fish Heads

Ingeborg von Agassiz

Lanue

Rich Mattson and the Northstars

Andrew Walesch

Bee Fest will have booths with artisans and craftspersons.

And yes, there will be a mermaid in the pool again this year.

For sure there will be bees.

The place will be a stream of creative energy. 

In addition to two days of music you will find:

Plein Air Painters

• Outdoor Painters of Minnesota

Terrence Smith

• Hive Jive

Splash the Mermaid

• at the pool

Honey-infused food and drink

Bee-inspired arts & crafts

Info & advocacy to support pollinators

FOOD TRUCKS

Room at the Table

Dogs N' Kabobs

Sukie

* * * 

This event is an outgrowth of the Oldenburg Arts & Cultural Community (OACC). Learn more at OACC.US  

And in the event you are too far away to enjoy this celebration, the Oldenburg House is also a Bed & Breakfast adjacent to Jay Cook State Park and some fabulous natural beauty. To learn more, visit OldenburgHouse.com.

Springboard for the Arts Selects OACC as a Host Site for the Creative Community Leadership Institute

When Glenn and Emily Swanson moved into Carlton's Oldenburg House ten years ago, they had a vision to replicate the spirit of the family that established it in 1894. The Classical Revival-style home would be more than just a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It would become a touchstone for the community.

One bi-product of their original vision was the Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community. According to Executive Director Lori Peterson, "The OACC's mission is to encourage our region’s vitality through locally inspired, arts activated community development. The geography, wisdom and talent abundantly and irreplaceably around us guides us toward a vision of an inclusive, equitable, healthy and sustainable future where all residents prosper."

This year, the Springboard for the Arts has chosen the OACC as one of three host sites for the Creative Community Leadership Institute (CCLI).

CCLI is an intensive, in-person, cohort-based training program with real-world practice for artists, culture bearers, community organizers, community development practitioners, and other leaders seeking to deepen their impact in creative community building.

The OACC's artistic vision is grounded in the belief that artists and culture bearers have a special responsibility during this intense time of pandemic recovery and racial reconciliation. Their aim is to help us remember that beauty, change and loss have always co-existed and that we are always capable of expressing care, empathy and stewardship.

CCLI’s program aligns perfectly with OACC’s Carlton Area Creatives Collaborative begun in 2021. "We know the degree of impact possible from a project like CCLI based upon its previous success," says Peterson. "This is an opportunity for this area’s artists to shine and make a difference while broadening the economic impact of the creative community."

Follow the links below to learn more, to sign up for info sessions, and to apply to participate. Creatives, YOU are the most important part to this process!

Application closes 2/27/2022. East Cohort meets online and at Cloquet Forestry Center.     

For more information, follow the link CCLI or visit:  

https://springboardforthearts.org/events/creative-community-leadership-institute-ccli-information-session-central-east-cohorts-2

The CCLI venture serves the arts community throughout this region. Though the meeting site is in Cloquet, it is inclusive for artists throughout the Arrowhead. 

OACC was selected because of all the great arts and culture work happening here that we all know and care about—all of it highly recognized because of your talents and contributions as artists—and valued by our community partners and supported locally by various funders such as Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, Northland Foundation, Fond du Lac Reservation and Tribal Community Council, Minnesota Humanities Council, and numerous other cities and counties in the region.

About the Oldenburgs

Henry Oldenburg left a legacy that included the establishment of Jay Cooke State Park as well as a lead role in the restoration of dozens of communities destroyed in the great fire of 1918. His wife Margaret was similarly dedicated to the community, hosting civic and social occasions as well as playing a role speaking out for the rights of women.

Two Northland Events Celebrating Our Pollinators

Where would we be without our bees? You could never have dreams of milk and honey, that’s for sure.

The next two weekends there are a pair of events in Carlton vicinity dedicated to honoring our pollinators. Bee advocates want to increase awareness for the vital services our pollinators perform. Plus, like who doesn’t love honey?

For this reason there are a number of BEE FRIENDLY Advocacy Events slated for 2019, two being in the next two weekends.

On Saturday afternoon July 13 from 4:30 till 7:30 p.m. there is a Bee Friendly Advocacy Gathering at the Free Range Film Festival Barn on the outskirts of Wrenshall.  Full details of this an the other 2019 events can be found here at this Bee Friendly Events page.

THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND, JULY 20

THE CITY OF CARLTON IS CELEBRATING 

BEE FRIENDLY DAY

which includes

9 a.m.

Bee Friendly Bike Ride to Jay Cooke Park

(@ Carlton Bike Rental)

10 a.m.

Bee Friendly Yoga

(@ Oldenburg House)

11 a.m.

Bee Friendly Story Hour
Emma Bee Book author Pamela Fish Carlson
(@ Carlton Bike Pavillion)

Noon
Dan Dan the Monkey Man
Music fun for kids.
(@ Carlton Bike Pavillion)

1 p.m.
Bee Casso Sidewalk Art 
Chalk Drawing, Face Painting & more
(@ Four Corners County Lot Downtown)

1 p.m. 
Pollinator Garden Tips & How-Tos
SWCD Presenters
(@ The Greenhouse)

EVENTS RUN FROM 9:00 AM TO 3:00 PM 
HONEY FOR SALE 
INFORMATION ON POLLINATORS FROM U OF M EXTENSION

Some things are for the birds.

These events are for the bees.

Local Art Seen: Adam Swanson @ the Magnolia Cafe

Detail from lower corner of the Owl below.

This week's Magnolia Salon took pace not at Oldenburg House, where they usually gather, but rather at its namesake, the Magnolia Cafe just off the main intersection in Carlton. The reason for the switcheroo was to host an Opening Reception for an exhibition of paintings by Adam Swanson.

The place was packed with friends of the arts. Room at Table Catering added their upscale appetizers to the down-home goodness of the Cafe. Guitarist Spencer Walton provided a musical accompaniment and Pippi Ardennia added some brightness.

The 6 to 8 reception followed on the heels of a 4 to 6 reception for Kris Nelson that took place at the Pine Knot offices, a two-stop art crawl. The packed Cafe was full of energy. Midway through the festivities things quieted down for Adam Swanson's "artist talk" in which he gave an overview of his career for those unfamiliar with his background or how he came to this neck of the woods.

Nearly right off he noted that he is not related to the Oldenburg House Swansons, though it is very possible back in time they may share mutual bloodlines.

At one time Adam lived and worked in Antarctica, hence the occasional appearance of penguins in his paintings. His transition to the Northland was not as challenging as it might be for someone who only lived in the tropics previously.

When he came to Duluth they lived in town initially. He initially did as much painting as he was able but supplemented the family income with a bartender job. This enabled him to cut back hours slowly as his commission work grew, which it did. Eventually he as able to obtain enough work to move out of Duluth and begin painting full time.

Today he paints every day from 8 to 5 with 60% of what he paints as commission work. Swanson said he was grateful that he's never had to do work he doesn't like "just to make the money."

Swanson paints on Masonite panels, a versatile tempered hardboard with a smooth surface. He gessoes and primes the surfaces before painting. As for subject matter, he likes painting humans interacting with nature, and as is readily apparent, he loves color.

Swanson is currently working on four murals which we be unveiled this summer in a few locations. In the meantime, if you're in the Carlton area, be sure to drop in for coffee and other treats at the Cafe and check out the rest of Adam Swanson's paintings on display at this time.

White Owl or Snowy Owl? 

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

Miscellaneous Monday: AICHO, Art Happenings and Other Upcoming Events

The American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) is hosting what looks to be an interesting event next Monday. In a world of increasingly complicated regulations, especially as regards foodstuff, it would be great to have some kind of guide to lead you through the red tape jungle.

Well sure enough, next Monday from 1 to 5 p.m. there will be a workshop called Blazing Trails: Food Regulations Training, to be conducted at the Dr. Robert Powless Cultural Center, AICHO. The training is FREE for anyone with a passion for local farms and local food. You can learn more here on their Facebook page.

TWIN PORTS ARTS HAPPENINGS

Thursday, February 14, 3-4 p.m.
Crafternoons for Kids, Blue Room, Mount Royal Branch Library, 105 Mount Royal Shopping Circle
"Drop in for a fun make-and-take craft project. No experience or sign-up required. Age Group(s): Preschool, Kids, Tweens"

Thursday, February 14, 5-7 p.m.
Bring Her Home: Stolen Daughters of Turtle Island, Duluth Art Institute, The Depot, 506 W. Michigan Avenue
"All My Relations Arts and its partners present art by Indigenous artists residing on Turtle Island.This traveling exhibit highlights the ongoing epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women. Featuring work from Shan Goshorn, Luzene Hill, Laura Youngbird, Kayeri Akweks, Hillary Kempenich, Chholing Taha, Cara Romero and more."

Thursday, February 14, 5:30 p.m.
Valentine's Day Soiree 2019, Gresolon Ballroom, 231 E. Superior Street
Join Lyric Opera of the North for it's biggest fundraiser of the year. Always a delightful evening filled with good food, lovely voices, and a few surprises. Free Valet Parking.
5:30 p.m. – Hors d’oeuvres / Cash Bar .  6:30 p.m. – Dinner and Music $100/person ($50 tax deductible) (click on link above to see dinner choices)

Friday, February 15, 5:30-8 p.m.

9th Annual Love Your Local Artist, Superior Public Library, 1530 Tower Avenue
"This annual fundraiser celebrates local art, live music, libraries, and community. Peruse the tables and meet local artists while purchasing their work. Support the library through the Adopt-a-Book sale and the silent auction. Enjoy wine and refreshments, all while supporting your local library. This after-hours event is free to attend and open to the public."

Friday, February 15, 6-8 p.m.
Free Mixed Media Techniques Art Lecture with Bonnie Cutts, Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Minnesota artist Bonnie Cutts is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where she received her B.F.A. in drawing and painting. She has been exhibiting her work professionally since 1981, in both solo and group shows. Her drawings and paintings are included in numerous corporate and private collections around the country. Event sponsored by Voyageur Artists. *No charge, but RSVP is required: email Sandi at authenticartist@sandipilsbury.com"

Friday, February 15, 7-8:30 p.m.
Adult Story Time, Zenith Bookstore, 318 N. Central Avenue
"Zenith Bookstore staff and friends read short stories, poems and book excerpts. There will be wine, chocolate and comfy chairs."

Saturday, February 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Douglas County Historical Craft Fair, Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Avenue, Superior, WI
"New Monthly Event at DCHS! Visit the fair and receive free admission to our museum that day. For more information email dchs@douglashistory.org. Next fair: March 16."

Saturday, February 16, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Free Family Art Day, Duluth Art Institute at Lincoln Park, 2229 W. 2nd Street
"People of all ages and artistic abilities can create make-and-take art projects."

Acrylic Painting Workshops with Guest Artist Bonnie Cutts

$110 per workshop (or become a member of Voyageur Artists and pay $75 per workshop)
RSVP to authenticartist@sandipilsbury.com (see class descriptions below)

Saturday, February 16, 9:30-4 p.m.,
Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Loose, Lush Landscapes: Approach landscape painting using personal photos for subject matter, and see what fun adding lots of color and texture can be! You will learn to add texture with gels and figure out which gel best suits you as you create little paintings packed with emotion. The focus of the class will be on capturing larger shapes rather than details as you simplify the landscape images. You will be encouraged to work quickly with big brush strokes or swiftly apply paint with a palette knife. Each student will finish several small paintings during the class, all with a different feel depending on the acrylic materials used. All levels of painting experience are welcome."

Sunday, February 17, 9:30-4 p.m., Two Harbors Community Center, 417 South Avenue, Two Harbors
"Encaustic Effects With Acrylics: Learn to create the wax like look of encaustic painting with the durability of acrylics. Mimic the soft, luminous effects of beeswax by applying multiple layers of acrylic paints and gels layer upon layer. Cut and bury paper images and stenciled patterns deep below the surface and create lovely soft translucent layers over them. Become familiar with encaustic-like wax formulas, explore a variety of applications and create a whole new feeling in your artwork. Open to all levels of painting experience."

* * * *

In Carlton, there are a number of events this Valentine weekend. Here is the lineup for Oldenburg House. Also, the Historic Scott House has a nostalgic weekend planned for friends and lovers: Words of Love. Celebrating the Music of the 60s.

* * * *

Word on the street is that there will be a Benefit for Tom O'Keefe this Saturday at Izzy's in Superior. Tom has been a generous spirit who's lifted many spirits with his music. Tom O'Keefe & Friends have been performing at a number of Dylan Fest events the past several years. Details on this event will be forthcoming.

Music, Art, Dance... and Life! Get into it.

There Will Be A Special Sweetness to This Week's Valentine Events at the O with Sarah Greer

"I help singers sing what they need to say."--Sarah Greer

Improv vocalist Sarah Greer is featured this coming week
for several evenings at the Oldenburg House.

There are many reasons people like jazz. One is simply the pleasure one gets from music itself. A second is the pleasure we receive when we witness virtuosity. A third, and one that is almost exemplified in great jazz, is the unexpectedness and beauty of improv.

Here's a description from APassion4Jazz.net:

Jazz improvisation is the process of spontaneously creating fresh melodies over the continuously repeating cycle of chord changes of a tune. The improviser may depend on the contours of the original tune, or solely on the possibilities of the chords' harmonies. It has been said that the best improvised music sounds composed, and that the best composed music sounds improvised.

I think this is why so many of the great jazz recordings come from live performances in clubs. The great genius of players like John Coltrane and Miles Davis is this ability to weave a spell into the improv realm so that all the players are improvising around a theme that got the whole riff started but now is only assumed. Listen to Kind of Blue. Listen to how they establish the theme and then begin springing off.

Actually, this was my own early fascination with the supergroup Cream with Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. Jack Bruce. Jack Bruce, who became fascinated with jazz in his teens, fused his background with Clapton's blues mastery to produce great new sounds and concerts with incredibly robust improv, my favorite being captured on sides three and four of Wheels of Fire.

* * * *

All this to introduce you to this week's featured performer at the Carlton Room this coming weekend, Sarah Greer. In addition to giving private voice lessons Sarah Greer teaches singing at Minneapolis Community & Technical College (MCTC).

"I practice, study and teach the art of spontaneous singing," she says.

The thing about vocal improvisation is that it's not for some elite person who's "got it" but rather, something anyone can learn who can carry a tune. (Ms, Greer might even suggest that you can still contribute if you can't carry a tune.) On her Songtaneous Blog one entry is "8 Lessons from Improvising." Group improv singing is collaborative, not competitive.

When you attend a typical jazz performance at the Oldenburg House (or elsewhere) you will see and hear individuals working together to weave a fabric of background that serves almost like a trampoline to propel the singer to the zenith of his or her skills. But its also a mutual respect society, and a team.

I think what surprises some people is how sometimes a new performer comes to Oldenburg House and even without a rehearsal the fluidity of the show comes across as if they'd spent a month preparing. How do they do this? Because it's that jazz methodology or approach.

Sarah Greer's career revolves around teaching this improv sensibility. "I'll share what I learn and experience while traveling in the intuitive, joyful, beautiful, expressive, challenging, abstract world of vocal improvisation."

Improvisational performance is the world she most enjoys swimming in. For this reason she is part of a couple of Twin Cities improv groups including the a capella ensemble the Give Get Sistet and a jazz quintet called BLU-7.

Here are a couple quotes from Ms. Greer's website that illuminate where she's coming from.

"I am passionate – some might say evangelical – about every person’s right to sing and the power of singing to change the world."

"I help people find out what they are 'supposed to sound like' so they can find a unique and joyful place from which to sing, whether they sing on stage, in the studio or in the shower."

In other words, it's really all about you.

* * * *
Valentine's Day at the Magnolia Salon

Sarah Greer will also be the featured guest with musician/singer Steven Hobert at Thursday's Magnolia Salon. Together they will explore, play, ponder and expound on the power of improv and their love of music. The duo will present and lead songs, improvisations and conversation.

Steven Hobert describes himself as a soul who plays, sings and dances while exploring life’s mysteries. His genre-blending piano, accordion and vocal music has been described as “delightful, innovative and viscerally inspiring” that “dazzles audiences with sincerity and playfulness to open up hearts and fire imaginations.”

February Salon Schedule and RSVP HERE.

For Sarah Greer tickets visit https://oacc.us/programs/cookin-at-the-o/
Stay connected to what's happening in 2019 at Oldenburg House: OACC.US