As I flipped through TV channels last Saturday, I paused on a college football game between Georgia and Tennessee. The announcers cut to a sideline reporter for a breaking news update where we learned that the heaters on the sidelines were broken and the players were struggling. It was 55 degrees. It must have been tough.
As I write this, the first snowflakes of the year are falling in Northern Minnesota. This weekend, you can enjoy outdoor music in downtown Virginia. Alongside that winter festival, this week's Setlist features an Iron Range Original Music Showcase, a longtime favorite Bemidji group with some new faces and a country-folk singer-songwriter in Grand Rapids.
Known Only Locally & Friends will be at Brigid's in Bemidji this Friday at 6 p.m. This latest version of the long running band features Sawyer Corcoran on fiddle and Mauro Gutierrez on guitar. They join original members Kristi Miller, Gary Broste and Kate Tesar with Eric Carlson, a member of the band over the last few years.
In Eveleth, the Iron Range Original Music Association (IROMA) will host a three-band showcase at Eggy's Red Garter. Duluth ska group Woodblind will kick off the night at 7 p.m., I can guarantee you'll hear their song "Queen of the Iron Range" if you attend. Playing second is Rich Mattson & The Northstars, a rock 'n' roll band from Sparta. New Hibbing indie-rock band Beauty Mountain Rd. will close out the night.
Also in the Quad Cities, Virginia is hosting a Twilight Parade and Frozen Fest this Saturday downtown. Immediately following the parade (approx. 6 p.m.) there will be live music from Horse Fzce and Rich & Germaine. Horse Fzce is a folk-rock quartet led by Heather Surla and Eric Krenz who released Ashes Everywhere in May. Rich & Germaine are Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling, both of Rich Mattson & The Northstars. The performance is at the 500 block of Chestnut Street in downtown Virginia. The event will include fireworks, vendors and more.
Paul Lawrence is a singer-songwriter whose music ranges from folk and country ballads to bluesy foot stompers. He will be at Rapids Brewing in Grand Rapids this Saturday at 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22
- Known Only Locally & Friends - 6 p.m., Bemidji Brewing, Bemidji, free
- Beauty Mountain Rd., Rich Mattson & The Northstars, Woodblind - 7 p.m., Eggy's Red Garter, Eveleth, free
Saturday, Nov. 23
- Horse Fzce, Rich & Germaine - approx. 6 p.m., 500 block of Chestnut St., Virginia, free
- Paul Lawrence - 6 p.m., Rapids Brewing, Grand Rapids, free
The weekly live music spotlight is made possible by the citizens of Minnesota through the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
