Culturology Calendar 3-15-12

by Travis Ryder

Thu., Mar. 15

Bemidji State professor emerita Annie Henry grew up in the segregated South.  She retired in 2007 and created endowed scholarships for African-Americans in education.  Henry will be signing copies of her new memoir today from 4 to 6 at the American Indian Resource Center on the BSU campus.

Fri. and Sat., Mar. 16 & 17

“Winter Dance Party” is an authentic recreation of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper's final tour, and the only show endorsed by the stars’ estates.  Performances are Friday and Saturday night at 7:30 at the Reif Performing Arts Center in Grand Rapids.

Sat., Mar 17

Acclaimed Minnesota bluegrass band, Monroe Crossing, and Celtic group, Caleigh, play a St. Patrick’s show Saturday night at the Chief Theater in downtown Bemidji.  On the other end of the downtown district, singer/songwriters Sonny Johnson, Jim Miller, and Gwenfrewi Burger play at the Blue Ox.

Crosslake has their 38th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Celebration on Saturday.
There’s a Pancake Breakfast, Hot Air Balloon Rides, Costume Contest, the parade at 2, then live original music and DJs through the evening at several venues.

Sun., Mar. 18

Sunday at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, it’s a stage adaptation of a native tale from the Pacific Northwest.  “Raven Stole The Sun” starts at 7.

Tues., Mar. 20

Brainerd Public Library welcomes Minnesota history character, Virginia Mae Hope, portrayed by Melissa Friedmann of the Minnesota History Players.  Virginia was a pilot and was a member of the Women Air Force Service Pilots.  The presentation is at 3:30 on Tuesday.

Minnesota History Datebook

Mar. 17, 1851 St. Paul hosts the state's first St. Patrick's Day parade. Irish immigration to St. Paul would peaked in 1890, but many Irish had already settled in town, taking jobs as domestics and dockhands.

Mar. 11, 1863 The present-day Leech Lake Indian Reservation takes shape.  Three bands of Ojibwe sign a treaty with the U.S. government that consolidates and expands the reservations already in place in the area.  Ojibwe from other parts of the state would have to move to Leech Lake as part of the terms.

Mar. 16, 1912 Clyde Elmer Anderson is born in Brainerd. A champion of social and humanitarian causes, he would serve a record eleven years as the state's lieutenant governor beginning in 1939 and then as the state's twenty-eighth governor from 1951 to 1955. He died in 1998.

Mar. 15, 1927 The Arrowhead Bridge across the St. Louis River opens, linking West Duluth to Superior, Wisconsin.  The low-slung wooden trestle with a drawbridge stays in service until the Bong Bridge replaced it in 1985.