December 2015 Posts

Morning session at Christina B Photography

Normally we would avoid sharing business promo videos on PDD, but this one is just too precious.

Produced by Vinyl & Thread Films for Christina B Photography.

Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank – “Over And Back Again”

Video edited by Ian Alexy from footage shot by Dusty “Rhodes” Keliin, Truvio Del Sol and Ian Alexy.

Duluth’s Visual Culture

Video by Brooke Joyce.

Postcards from Duluth Central High School

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Among man-made icons in Duluth, the most venerable of the them all is Historic Old Central High School, which opened in 1892 at Lake Avenue and East Second Street.

Video Archive: 1986 Duluth Punks

Does anyone know these punks?

Jaw Knee Vee – “Holiday Romp!”

One-man trash-blues explosion Jaw Knee Vee blasts out this year’s holiday greeting from PDD. Check out more of his lo-fi hijinks at the Jaw Knee Vee Facebook page and Bandcamp page.

A big thank you to the Homegrown Music Festival for sponsoring this video. Music fans hark this: The Homegrown Winter Fiasco will be staged at three West Duluth venues on Jan. 22. Musicians hark this: Homegrown band registration begins Christmas Day and ends Jan. 31.

Also, thanks to real estate developer Aaron Schweiger for letting us into the former Morgan Park School auditorium to shoot this special performance before a capacity crowd.

For more festive PDD video wholesomeness, check out the PDD Holiday Video Showcase.

The Lowertown Line: Cloud Cult

Twin Cities Public Television’s live-performance music show, The Lowertown Line, features Cloud Cult performing on the Minneapolis Convention Center Plaza for the opening of the 2015 Northern Spark art festival. The band’s new album, The Seeker, is scheduled for a Feb. 12 release.

Video Archive: Christopher Halverson – “Come Back Down” / “Walk on the Wild Side”

Christopher Halverson rolls out a medley of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Lou Reed at R.T. Quinlan’s Saloon during an open mic on Sept. 16, 1995.

Lark o’ the Lake Ice Cream Coffee Café open in Greysolon Plaza

Lark Cafe ownersThe Duluth News Tribune reports the new Lark o’ the Lake Café opened in the Greysolon Plaza on Nov. 27. Owners are Sandra Ettestad, Mark Marino and Don Monaco.

“The menu includes coffee and espresso drinks, smoothies, pastries, deli sandwiches, soups, salads and old-fashioned ice cream desserts,” the DNT article notes. “Prices are affordable, with most lunches less than $10. The cafe has Wi-Fi and is close to getting a wine and beer license.”

Duluth News Tribune: Lark Café opens at Greysolon Plaza in Duluth with a focus on aviation

This Week: fishing, beer, Krayzie Bone and more

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Here’s a bit of what you’ll find on this week’s PDD Calendar:

Amber Burns has an art show at the Zeitgeist building, there’s help available for people wanting more info on MNsure, UWS holds its 18th annual Choral Concert, Fairlawn Mansion is a-twinklin’, Zenith City Cabaret puts on its December show and Santa is making a stop at Mr. D’s.

Krayzie Bone from Bone Thugs-n-Harmony (not that other Krayzie Bone you’re thinking of) is playing the Red Herring, there’s a Men as Peacemakers fundraiser featuring several performers, Warm Up to the Brews 2015 is going down (also with bands attached), fans of ice fishing, snowmobiles and holidays should make some time to hit the DECC, the Minnesota Ballet is crackin’ nuts, Rubber Chicken Theater makes with the local holiday yuk-yuks, guitarist Lonnie Knight is in town and the Fractals play a holiday fundraiser for kids.

Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad will run in 2016

LSMRLake Superior & Mississippi Railroad, which recently made VacationIdea magazine’s list of the “25 Best Things to See & Do in Duluth, Minnesota,” has been notified that the U.S. Steel clean up on the St. Louis River won’t start until the fall of 2016. So rail tours along the shoreline will return next summer.

Come on out and volunteer. You will meet some great people while having fun along the St. Louis River!

The Ripsaw’s Demise

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It was Dec. 6, 2005 when the plug was officially pulled on the Ripsaw, Duluth’s experiment with having a newspaper similar to City Pages or Isthmus. It didn’t last long, but it was good while it lasted.

Video Archive: Bill Flannagan – “In the Pines”

Yet another clip recorded live at R.T. Quinlan’s Saloon during open mic night on Sept. 16, 1995.

Meet Emily Larson, Duluth’s next mayor

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Ever on the lookout to meet interesting people, I reached out to Emily Larson a few days before the election by attempting to invite myself over for dinner with the family. To sweeten the deal, I offered to assist with meal prep and do the dishes. Wishing to protect the privacy of her family, she declined my generous offer. She did, however, carve out nearly two hours from her busy schedule for the sake of an unconventional interview. In the process, I acquired a friend. You can read more from my exclusive interview at Ed’s Big Adventure.

Superior exploring possible “exposition district”

Superior Exposition DistrictBusiness North reports an economic development group called Better City Superior intends to seek state permission to create an “exposition district” to attract new developments, such as a 150-room hotel, 20,000-square-foot convention center, 50,000-square-foot water park, a sports field house, a movie theater and a corporate campus.

Business North: “Better City Superior announces growth vision