BEMIDJI — The great thing about living in this area is there is never a shortage of art-friendly activities going on in a weekend, and Labor Day weekend is no exception. Don’t get overwhelmed, I’m here to help.
I’m Andrew Dziengel, host of Area Voices on KAXE.
I’m here to help you decide on a fun activity this weekend that will satisfy your artistic craving.
Whether it’s music in the beautiful woods, an art sale, or maybe even a fairy house, this weekend is a perfect opportunity to get out and appreciate some art.
Here are my suggestions for what to do this weekend.
Music Under The Pines
If you want to hear lovely music with a gorgeous backdrop, 2 p.m. Sept. 3 is the final “Music Under the Pines” of the summer season at Lake Bemidji State Park. If you’ve never seen music at the state park, you are in for a treat.
The combination of nature sounds and local music warms the soul. The final guests this season are Donna and Greg Gaston. If it does rain, the show will be moved to the lower level of the visitors center.
Weekend Bazaar
In Bagley Saturday, it is the Weekend Bazaar featuring different artists and vendors. We have local artist Marilyn Dieckmann selling fairy houses, books, candles, soap, lotion sets, and bird house feeders.
There will also be Ricky Tics Art, where artist Sharon Nordrum melds her Ojibwe and Norwegian heritage into her paintings, and Lewis King has a unique line of T-shirts. There will also be handmade household décor by Nikki Torgeson, Pink zebra scents from Ariel, and lotion, soap, and handmade jewelry from Kelly Bellefy. Also there will be free coffee, tea and cookies, which is always a nice bonus.
Native American Music and Arts Festival
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum near Onamia will be the Native American Music and Arts Festival. There will be a dozen artists and demonstrators sharing info and selling their artwork.
There will be music throughout the day including flute music and the headliner Corey Medina and Brothers. Centerstage Minnesota host Malachy Koons will be talking to site manager Travis Zimmerman about the event on Friday’s show.
End of Summer Blues Concert
Roundhouse Breweryin Nisswa presents the End of Summer Blues Concert with a stacked lineup on Saturday starting at 12:30 p.m. The show starts with Bruce Archer, Nathan Griner, and Kelley Smith, and headliner Charlie Parr to end the show.
Nemeth Art Center exhibits
In Park Rapids, if you haven’t had a chance to visit it yet, the Nemeth Art Center exhibits for Brad Kahlhamer and Waverly Bergwin continue until the end of September.
Kahlhamer is a New York- and Arizona-based artist. His work has been described as “referencing hallmarks of 20th century abstract painting, such as German Expressionism, while incorporating highly personal iconography.”
Waverly Bergwin is a non-binary sculptor who makes intricate wire pieces. Bergwin also has worked as an assistant and apprentice to Brad Kahlhamer since 2014.
Support the arts
It should be an amazing weekend weather-wise, but whether the event is indoors or outside I recommend you find a way to support the arts.
If you have an upcoming arts event in Northern Minnesota, email psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the MN Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of MN.