Culturology 5-3: Opening Near You

by Travis Ryder

Art openings are big news this weekend in three corners of our listening neighborhood.  We visit with Katie Marshall from MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids, and their featured artist Adam Swanson.  We'll look at some of the other highlights of the First Friday art crawls in Grand Rapids and Bemidji, and visit with Mary McReynolds from the First Stage Gallery at the Lyric Center for the Arts in Virginia.  She tells us about the "Open Water" juried exhibition that opens there tonight.

Also, we'll hear about the foot-stomping good time that is Charlie Parr and his new project, The Devil's Flying Machine.  Amy Clark brings us closer to the prominent resonator guitarist and singer, based in Duluth and currently touring in Europe.

Culturology Calendar

Thursday, May 3

The 6th annual "Open Water" themed Art Show,  juried by Richard Saukko and Mary Erickson, will open tonight with an Artist's Reception and Wine Tasting from 5:30 to 8.  The "Open Water" Exhibit celebrates the onset of summer activities in Northern Minnesota with 28 pieces of art created by nineteen artists from Minnesota and Wisconsin.  The First Stage Gallery is on Chestnut Street in Virginia.

Lori Line is playing a show at the Chief Theater in Bemidji tonight.

A one-man Shakespeare show tonight at Central Lakes College’s Dryden Theater tonight.  Tim Mooney presents “Lot ‘o Shakespeare starting at 7:30.

Rhonda Laurie and her band do pop and jazz standards, Thursday at 7, GR library, Friday at 7, HCC theater; Saturday at the Performing Arts Ctr, Cloquet.  Free.

Friday, May 4

Bemidji State Professor Steve Sundahl will show his recent work in a gallery show entitled “Experiments in Moving & Standing” at Bemidji State’s Talley Gallery beginning Friday.  Sundahl is a designer and sculptor.

Folksinger Larry Long plays a Grassroots Concert at the Journey Church in Nisswa.  Jazz guitarist Cory Wong will accompany him.

American Family Theater’s production of Cinderella is at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids.

First Friday art crawls offer new showings, artist open houses, and live performance in Grand Rapids and Bemidji throughout the afternoon and evening.

Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6

Geology buffs will gather at the Cuyuna Agate and Mineral Show at Aitkin High School, this Saturday and Sunday.

The Itasca Symphony Orchestra performs an evening concert Saturday at the Reif Center, Grand Rapids, and a Sunday matinee at the Edge Center in Bigfork.

Next Thursday, May 10

Folksinger and guitarist John McCutcheon plays at the New York Mills Cultural Center.

MN History Datebook

May 4, 1925 St. Paul's Ford Motor Company plant assembles its first car. The mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis ride around in the Model T with Ford execs during a ceremony. Soon, the plant produces five hundred cars each day.  86 years later, this past November, the final Ford Ranger pickup rolled off the line and the plant closed.

May 3, 1959 Duluth becomes a true ocean port. The British freighter Ramon de Larrinaga arrives via the newly-opened St. Lawrence Seaway to become the first deep draft ocean ship to enter Duluth's harbor.