Every  Generation  Adds Something  Special

This week I am focusing on part of my fascination with Duluth and its embracing of the coming generation of artists. Not only does Duluth-Superior have (happily) more than its share of highly professional arts opportunities, but every corner of Duluth encourages the younger generation to take the arts seriously and get engaged.

Short story writers went Coastal with their words

On Sunday, 22 May, the Lake Superior Writers had their annual meeting, which was quite well attended. The focus of the evening was on “Going Coastal,” the proposed title of a short story collection/competition to be published toward the end of 2016. All of the stories had to be connected to Lake Superior, and nine stories by local writers were ultimately chosen. The authors chosen were  Theresa Alison-Price, James Brakken, Judy Budreau, Eric Chandler, Phil Fitzpatrick, Maxwell Reagan, Evan Fafman, Marie Zhuiko, and Johnna Suikonen.
From young college students, to published writers, this ensemble each shared five minutes from their winning story. Many of the excerpts were quite teasing, and told me to jump at the new collection as soon as it appears. Watch our local bookstores for the release of “Going Coastal.”
       
Community Orchestra invites you to join in the music-making

On Tuesday, 24 May, the Duluth Community Orchestra offered its spring concert from Symphony Hall at the DECC for the fourth time in its music-making together. Roughly forty musicians were on stage for a concert of Mozart, Beethoven, Elgar, Sullivan, and Jenkins. The opening ‘Palladio,’ by K. Jenkins was performed by the strings, standing in semi-circle, aggressively led by Concertmaster Penny Gooch. Afterwards, conductor Sam Marks took the podium and had some delightful moments. The energy of the Sullivan overture to Pirates of Penzance was perhaps the most exciting, as the players obviously relished their parts in the very jolly ensemble.
Community orchestra and community band are popular around our region, and I was happy to see college students playing along with the Duluth regulars. Watch your Community Education postings for the fall season of these wonderful community opportunities to make challenging music happen live and for the public.


The pomposity of Mr. Toad filled the house

Last Friday night I attended the Wise Fool Shakespeare production of ‘The Wind in the Willows.’ Company director Chani Ninneman took it upon herself to study the book and create a performance script, bringing Kenneth Grahame’s story to the stage for young people from six to ninety-six. This took place in the intimate venue of the Manion Theater on the UWS campus. Without question, Mike Pederson dominated the story as Mr. Toad. His ability to project his voice and include the entire house was exciting, and no one had any question about what was happening when Mr. Toad was on stage.
Several of the other actors were very creative in their roles, but not comfortable with speaking to the back of this very small theater. Mr. Toad made a fool of himself, then worked his way back into favor with his friends. Devin McKinnon (Rat), Emily Parr(Chief Weasal), Ben Robinson(Badger), Alec Schroeder(Mole), Cheryl Skafte(Otter), and Chani Ninneman herself(Chief Rabbit), had great fun making their friend publicly atone for his inappropriate behaviors. I hope you were in the audience for this couple of weekends. Copies of the book were given away, signed, and the next generation of Grahame aficionados have emerged from the starting gate.

Catch these if you can

Just a simple reminder that ‘Annapurna’ will have opened at The Duluth Playhouse by the time you see this column. At the same time, the Twin Ports Wind Orchestra will offer a tribute to local musician Richard Carlson, and feature the music of British composer Philip Sparke this next Saturday evening at First Lutheran Church in the center of Duluth. I hope to see you in the audience at both of these events.