Videos Posts

Exploring the Abandoned Boase Elementary School

Boase Elementary School in Hoyt Lakes, about 40 miles north of Duluth, was built in 1956 and has been abandoned since the last classes were held there in 2002. In the video above, Duluth Urbex explores the building’s crumbling classrooms.

Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners – “Juniper”

The new video from Breanne Marie & the Front Porch Sinners is the band’s submission to National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest for 2024. The video was recorded live by Ben Anderson at Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.

The song is from the band’s 2021 album Juniper. A new record is in the works for a planned release later this year.

Daniel Durant’s Super Bowl National Anthem ASL Performance

Actor Daniel Durant, the Duluth native who starred in the Academy Award-winning movie CODA, performed the national anthem in American sign language at the Super Bowl on Sunday. But the telecast showed only Durant’s introduction before focusing on singer Reba McEntire.

The video above, via the YouTube channel of the Sign Language Studies program at Southwestern Illinois College, shows Durant’s full performance.

Minnesota Historia: Lost Train of Pine City

According to local legend, a train derailed in Pine City in the 1800s. It plummeted down a steep embankment into the impossibly deep Devil’s Lake, where it disappeared forever. There is no evidence this ever happened, but that hasn’t stopped people from looking for the train. How does a legend like this persist? And grow? And add circus animals for some reason?

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Almanac North: EmbalmingEva Profile

This WDSE-TV Almanac North online-only segment profiles EmbalmingEva ahead of its Valentine’s Day show with Superior Siren at Sacred Heart Music Center.

Almanac North is a weekly public affairs program on PBS North that provides in-depth conversations around issues and events that affect the region.

Minnesota Historia: Minnesota in the Civil War

Minnesota was the first state to offer troops to the Union during the Civil War. And it was home to the last Civil War veteran when 106-year-old Albert Woolson died on Aug. 2, 1956. For a state so far from Gettysburg, Antietam and Bull Run, Minnesota’s history in the Civil War is full of surprises.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Shane Nelson w/ Maxi Childs Trio – “Love You from a Distance”

Superior’s Shane Nelson has a new music video. The track “Love You from a Distance” is from his upcoming album The Music Saved My Life, recorded at Sacred Heart Music Center. The song features Maxi Childs on backing vocals, Steve Netzel on bass, Ron Koivisto on electric guitar and Jerry Siptroth on drums. The video is by Bo Allen of Bo Allen Productions.

Minnesota Historia: Inventing Pizza Rolls

Scandinavian cookbook author Bea Ojakangas developed pizza rolls while working for Jeno Paulucci in Duluth. But she hasn’t tasted one for 50 years. This video reveals what she thinks of pizza rolls today.

Minnesota Historia is a PBS North web series dedicated to Minnesota’s quirky past. It is hosted by Hailey Eidenschink and produced/edited/written by Mike Scholtz.

Wolves and Other Wildlife on the Mithrandir Trail

The Mithrandir Pack of wolves is the primary traveler seen on this trail camera footage from Voyageurs National Park, shot last summer and fall, but an array of other critters also pop in.

Steve’s Overpopulated One-man Band – “If Heaven Don’t Have Saunas, I Don’t Wanna Go!”

Duluth’s Steve Solkela is back from touring Finland and has a new music video for one of the first songs he wrote back in his high school days.

Gettin’ it Done with Albert Ordean

Duluth’s Ordean Foundation was started 90 years ago by Albert and Louise Ordean. As part of the 90th anniversary celebration, the Ordean Foundation produced several videos, including an animated story about one of Albert Ordean’s adventures out west. Local historian Tony Dierckins of Zenith City Press makes a cartoon cameo. The video was animated by Brian Barber and written by Mike Scholtz.

EmbalmingEva – “Purity”

Duluth synth act EmbalmingEva released the video for “Purity” in December. It’s directed by Henriette Blade. The duo opens for Superior Siren on Valentine’s Day at Sacred Heart Music Center.

Big Into – “(Neil Young is) Thinking in the Negative (Again)”

So the story goes, Neil Young recommends chewing pieces of peppercorn to reduce marijuana-induced anxiety. And Big Into has a new song and video about that.

Pronoya – “Sever”

Duluth metalcore band Pronoya has a new single, “Sever,” and plans to release an EP this summer. The next gig for the group is the Duluth Mid-Winter Metal Melter on Jan. 19 at Wussow’s Concert Cafe.

Superior Porchfest 2023 Recap Video / 2024 Application

Planning has begun for the 2024 season of Superior Porchfest. Organizers are looking for performing musicians and neighborhood pop-up porch hosts. An open-call application is online at superiorporchfest.org.

Porchfest is a free, family-friendly music and art series in which attendees can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic and/or simply stop by to enjoy the show. The performances are typically held either on a residential porch or at a city park.