DULUTH — Some big names are coming to the area this week. Among them: Nate Bargatze, Dessa and Luke Skywalker.
It’s hard to communicate just how popular comedian Nate Bargatze is right now, but here’s one indicator: In July, he’ll make two appearances at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center, and one of those shows is already sold out.
Duluth’s Amsoil Arena is positively cozy compared to the Wild’s home venue, so people who catch Bargatze’s Thursday, May 8, performance here will have about as close to a personal encounter as it’s possible to have with a guy who has hosted “Saturday Night Live” and appeared on “The Tonight Show” over 10 times
(decc.org).
Steve Kuchera / 2018 file / Duluth Media Group
Each year, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council recognizes notable artists and advocates through the Arrowhead Arts Awards. This year’s recipients are visual artist Karen Savage-Blue, artist/journalist Joan Farnam and artist/organizer
Giizh (Sarah) Agaton Howes.
Honorees will be celebrated at two events this month, starting with a Friday, May 9, event recognizing Savage-Blue and Howes at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. Farnam will be recognized May 30 in Grand Marais
(aracouncil.org).
Steve Kuchera / File / Duluth Media Group
The Gender Joy Art Show is an annual event, presented this year by the YWCA Duluth in the atrium at Zeitgeist. It’s an event for girls, women and gender-expansive artists to “showcase the joy and celebration that comes with expressing our genders freely, publicly and without apology.” Curated this year by Amy Varsek, the show is now on display and will officially open with a reception Friday, May 9
(ywcaduluth.org).
DSSO plays ‘Star Wars’ score
Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group
John Williams’ work on the original “Star Wars” (1977) may be the most influential film score of all time. Orchestras owe Williams a particular debt, since at a time when filmmakers were delving into everything from rock to electronic scores, the blockbuster success of “Star Wars” and other Williams-scored films made the sound of a symphony de rigueur for a new generation of cinematic spectacles.
Having previously played Williams’ “Jurassic Park” score in 2023, the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra will play the “Star Wars” score live during a special presentation of the movie Saturday, May 10, at — where else? — Symphony Hall
(dsso.com).
Steve Kuchera / File / Duluth Media Group
Saturday, May 10, is National Train Day, and where better to celebrate than the country’s best railroad museum? The Lake Superior Railroad Museum will mark the occasion with special tours, snacks and train movies along with rides on a railroad speeder (a small car used to move to and from work sites) and opportunities to learn about other local attractions and railroad organizations.
Upstairs in the St. Louis County Depot’s Great Hall, a railroad swap meet may just be where you find that special item your rec room has been missing
(lsrm.org).
Clint Austin / File / Duluth Media Group
One mark of Bent Paddle Brewing’s impact is the distinctive nomenclature it’s coined. Bent Hop. Cosmic Lounge. Festiversary.
A distinctive brewery deserves a distinctive artist, so Dessa — singer, songwriter, rapper, writer — is the perfect choice to headline this year’s celebration of Bent Paddle’s birthday, Saturday, May 10. Other musicians slated for the event’s two stages are the Al Church Band, Jumpsuit, the People Brothers Band and Soulhead. Other activities on tap range from hen-hugging to fire-eating. (Only one of those is open for group participation.)
(bentpaddlebrewing.com)
Arts and entertainment reporter Jay Gabler joined the Duluth News Tribune in 2022. His previous experience includes eight years as a digital producer at The Current (Minnesota Public Radio), four years as theater critic at Minneapolis alt-weekly City Pages, and six years as arts editor at the Twin Cities Daily Planet. He’s a co-founder of pop culture and creative writing blog The Tangential; he’s also a member of the National Book Critics Circle and the Minnesota Film Critics Association. You can reach him at jgabler@duluthnews.com or 218-409-7529.
