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."

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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.

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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.

Local Art Seen: Zenith City Lines and a Gingerbread City

Three showings of the much anticipated Zenith City Lines (ZNL) took place this weekend at The Underground. I went to the very well-attended Saturday show, arriving a little early and watching a congenial crowd slowly form. Some of Minnesota's top photographers were in attendance, among other local art followers

ZNL was a collaboration involving the music and photography of John Heino, four dancers from Phoenix Productions (Jesse Davis, Sze Leung, Nicole Sippola, and Lindsey Wittkop) and the choreography of Megan Abel Schmidt.

The show was two years in the making, and not without difficulties to overcome, including a computer crash two weeks beforehand in which it must have momentarily felt like all was lost. Makes for good drama in a film, and is almost cliche, but in real life it's the kind of thing that can make you age five years over a weekend.

All the music in the program was written and performed (pre-recorded) by Heino, probably sometime long in advance so that Megan Abel Schmidt could develop the choreography that the performers executed. The pieces varied in length as well as mood.

To say the centerpiece of the show was the photography -- being projected on a large screen.extendin up into the room as the dancers interacted below -- would be a mistake. The show braided the interplay of performers with images of the interplay that took place in front of Heino's lens these past two years, amongst some of the Zenith City's most memorable and wonderful settings. Objects of beauty interacting with visual wonders.

There were places where the imagery went into unusual spaces, and one would expect that if you follow the arc of Heino's work. For the most part, restraint was what I saw at play... including the dancers, who demonstrated great poise and precision, allowing every picture to tell its story.

Gingerbread World

Hey everyone, there is a Gingerbread City up at Duluth's Nordic Center and Norway Hall. As nearly everyone knows, the Northland was settled by many a Scandinavian, and their homeland connections are still intact. For Norwegians, it's the time of year for  Pepperkakebyen, which means Gingerbread City. On Fridays and Saturdays through December 14 you can visit the Nordic Center located at street level on Lake Avenue in the Sons of Norway Building. (Just above the alley across the the tech village parking lot.)

In addition to a myriad collection of gingerbread wonders, there is also art and activities for youngsters. Alison Aune and friends will welcome you with warm cider and show you the myriad creations from all the versions of gingerbread contributed from area schools, churches, businesses and community clubs.