Enjoying Summer

This weekend we can look forward to a new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post and zydeco, ska,  singer/songwriter specials and dancing music.

Watercolorist Karen Knutson opens a show of her work at the Johnson Heritage Post with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17.

Knutson grew up on a ranch in Montana but moved to Minneapolis where she and her husband raised their children. On her web site, she said she paints watercolors “because I love its free and wild qualities, forcing the artist to adjust to its many moods. For the past few years, I’ve added collage and acrylic, which produces wonderful textures and color discoveries. My paintings are sometimes totally abstract, and sometimes there is something recognizable in the painting. I like my paintings to be different than “normal paintings” – anything that will make the viewer take a second look and be drawn into the painting.”

She also loves the North Shore. “It’s a favorite, inspirational spot to paint,” she writes on her web site.  ”I’ve painted countless images of that shoreline and Split Rock Lighthouse, too.”

The opening at the Johnson Heritage Post on Friday night is free. Refreshments served. The exhibit it up through Sept. 9.

The big music event of the weekend is a zydeco concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts with C.J. Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band  on Saturday night.

Chenier is widely considered  the Prince of  Zydeco, and was nominated for a 2011 Grammy Award for his album, “Can’t Sit Down.”  That’s probably an apt description of what happens to people when they hear him play.

Here are some reviews:

• Boston Globe: ”C.J. Chenier attacks the accordion with the tension and drive of James Brown…creating contemporary, turbo-charged dance music.”
• Living Blues Magazine: “The best living zydeco singer and accordionist.”
• Chicago Tribune: ”Rocked-up, infectious energy … A guaranteed crowd-pleaser and an authentic, zydeco master.”
• Billboard: “… unparelleled as a party starter.”

The concert  at the ACA starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 adults, $12 children 12 and under.

But wait, there’s more!

Duluth’s Jason Wussow and his band will be at the Gunflint Tavern on Friday and Saturday nights. His high-energy band plays ska and jazz with a “folksy skiffle style.” He’s performed at the Tavern before and is well-known for his gigs with Sara Softich here. His band includes John Craig on keyboard and sax, Curtis Bellows on drum and Mark Glen on bass. A few friends from Duluth who are visiting here this weekend might sit in for a few sets, too. Fun times.

Also on Saturday night, Michael Monroe will give a Log Cabin Concert in his home in Grand Marais. The reception starts at 7 p.m., music at 8 p.m. For reservations, call 387-2919.

And not to forget Earth, Wind & Todd play at the Harbor Light on Saturday night for dancing starting at 8 p.m., and Trails End Band plays at the Windigo Lodge on the Gunflint Trail that night, too, at 8:30 p.m.

Bump & Barbara Jean are playing two venues this week: Harbor Light and Papa Charlie’s.

And the Cascade Lodge Pub is going to have some great music this weekend. Thea Ennen and Dave “Ja Vue” Peterson play on Friday night starting at 7:30 p.m. and  Jim McGowan plays on Saturday night.

Thea Ennen received a Minesota Music Award for the Best Folk Album and Dave Peterson has won several flat-picking awards for his bluesgrass and jazz music. He’s also been on the Prairie Home Companion.  McGowan has played at the pub frequently and is always a crowd favorite.

For the complete line-up for the week, see our music schedule, below.

There are some fun things to do this weekend, too.

In the West end, the Cross River Heritage Center is holding John Schroeder Day  on Saturday with a full schedule of things to do and see.

• The Schroeder Volunteer Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. at the Schroeder Town Hall.
• Skip Lamb’s Historic Tour of Schroder, 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
• Sawmill Tour with Tony and Deonn Cicak, 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
• Screening of “Long White Boards,” a film about the historic logging industry, noon & 2 p.m.
• John Norvall will be at the Baraga Cross at 1 p.m. to talk about the site.
• The event also features craft vendors and books sales outside the Heritage Center as well as hot dogs.
• Vendors include Linda Morris (handmade soap); Lynn Anderson (handmade cards); Colby Abazs (photography); Jan Moran (jewelry); Joan Beard (bead and stone jewelry).
• All invited.

Also this weekend, the Annual Flea Market, Boutique and Live Auction, a fundraiser for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department will be held from 1-4 p.m. at Fire Hall No. 1,  28 miles up the Gunflint Trail. A raffle for a handmade quilt will be held between 3 and 4 p.m. The quilt, featuring woodland animals, can be seen at Crystal’s Quilt Shop in Grand Marais.

In other art news, Lou Pignolet is busy turning bowls. They can be seen at the New Scenic Cafe on Old Highway 61 between Two Harbors and Duluth.

The Grand Marais Public Library will have the grand opening of their new space on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Drop by and see what they’ve been up to. They’re bringing in a great group of women mystery writers on the last weekend of August, too. They calling the event “Sisters in Crime.” Stay tuned for details.

This is the final month of the retrospective exhibit of Anishinaabe painter Roy Thomas at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery on Conferderation College’s campus in Thunder Bay, Ontario. There are daily walking tours at 1 p.m. (EST)  Tuesday through Sunday this month.

Jan Sivertson has been selected as the juror for the Grand Marais Art Colony’s Plein Air Competition and Exhibition this year. The overall winner will exhibit at Sivertson Gallery in October. The Plein Air Competition is Sept. 7-30. Stay tuned. More details in a few weeks.

Also, North House Folk School is holding “Hands On at North House: Birch” a “making” workshop with birchbark at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 17. Family friendly. Call 387-9762 to register.

William Kent Krueger’s latest book, “Trickster’s Point” will be released Aug. 21. Look for it in your favorite book store.

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 16:

• Bump & Barbara Jean, Harbor Light Supper Club & Bar, 6 p.m.
• Primitive Mystics, Gunflint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 17

• Thea Ennen & Dave “Ja Vue” Peterson, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6:30 p.m.
• Pete Kavanaugh, Devil Track Lodge, 7 p.m.
• Paul Pederson, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, 9 p.m.
• Jason Wussow Band, Gunflint Tavern, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 18

• Bump  & Barbara jean, Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen Mountains, 6 p.m.
• Pete Kavanaugh, Devil Track Resort Lounge, 7 p.m.
• CJ Chenier and the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7:30 p.m.
• Earth, Wind & Todd, Harbor Light Super Club, 8 p.m.
• Trail’s End Band, Windigo Lodge, 8:30 p.m.
• jason Wussow Band, Gunflint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 19

• Joe Paulik, Harbor Light Supper Club & Bar, 5 p.m.
• Music by the Lake, Cook County’s Most Wanted, Devil Track Lodge, 5-8 p.m.
• Red Dog Band, Gunflint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 9 p.m.

We have an interesting selection of photos, this week — a potpourri, if you will.

 

Looking up in Grand Marais during the day, we can see this.

 

Looking over the lake can truly be amazing.

 

For a completely different mood …

 

Another photographer, another view. Mark Tessier took this shot of the Point.

 

 

A little girl/sailboat connection.

 

Animals, children, lightning, moody harbor shots… what else?

What about a rooster?

 

Let’s end with a beautiful Travis Novitksy.

Thanks everyone. Have a great weekend!