DULUTH — Laura Whitney’s earliest memories of Bob Dylan are from 1973.
“When I was in seventh grade in my study hall, I would go to the library and get the big book of Bob Dylan songs and study his lyrics,” Whitney said, “and try to understand what those lyrics might mean.”
Some 50 years later, Whitney helps put on the Duluth Dylan Fest, now in its 13th year.
Whitney joined Centerstage Minnesota to talk about the festival, running May 20-28 in Duluth and Hibbing, and about her personal connection to Dylan. She first connected with the festival when it was Hibbing Dylan Days and has been attending for over 20 years.
"Well, basically we're just incredibly proud to call one of the world's most iconic music and cultural figures one of our own."
This year’s festival will include a variety of events that not only pay tribute to Dylan’s music, but also his metalworking, painting and whiskey. You can find a complete schedule of events here at duluthdylanfest.com. For folks who do not want to make the trip to Duluth, there will be a full day of events Sunday, May 21, in Hibbing.
For Whitney, the reason for the festival is simple.
“Well, basically we're just incredibly proud to call one of the world's most iconic music and cultural figures one of our own,” she said.
For more on this year’s festival, listen to the complete interview with Laura Whitney above. Centerstage Minnesota is made possible by the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.
