For many, the history of Northern Minnesota is wrapped up in the fictional story of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, adorable figures found on display in towns like Brainerd or Bemidji. But in Bemidji, a remarkable cultural reclamation is taking place. A statue of the Ojibwa leader Shaynowishkung, often known as Chief Bemidji, the… Read More →
KAXE/KBXE music event will spin you right round in Bemidji
April 16, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This Saturday in Bemidji, Northern Community Radio will host its first-ever vinyl and CD music sale fundraiser in honor of National Record Store Day. This independent northern Minnesota public radio organization has been collecting donated LPs and CDs for the past month to sell as part of this live music event Brigid’s Pub in downtown Bemidji starting noon… Read More →
Saturday’s Bemijigamaag Powwow in Bemidji welcomes all
April 2, 2015 by Leave a Comment
The city of Bemidji, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa, Red Lake Band of Ojibwa and White Earth Ojibwa Nation, along with Northern Community Radio, KOJB-The Eagle and a host of sponsors, will join to host the Bemijigamaag Powwow this Saturday, April 4, at Bemidji’s Sanford Center. The event is free and open to all…. Read More →
Poetry in motion: KAXE/KBXE to host third annual Beat Cafe
April 1, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Every weekday morning, my local public radio station shares a poem recorded by a Minnesota poet in a program called “The Beat.” I must admit, I run hot and cold on these poetry segments. I’ve heard poems that have shook me to my core, but most poems bother me. They irritate. Aggravate. Infuriate. Provoke scorn… Read More →
Rough weekend for tough-looking fish in Walker
February 24, 2015 by 3 Comments
The annual Eelpout Festival was held this past weekend in Walker, Minnesota, something I mentioned in my last Great Northern Radio Show which we broadcast live from this little town on big Leech Lake. Eelpout are — to be blunt — ugly, bottom-feeding fish that taste good fried if you can get past their general appearance. According to this TV news report,… Read More →
These fancy tent people seem to be getting attention
December 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment
A classically brisk Northern Minnesota winter finally set in this week. After an abnormally warm December, I might have been among a minority glad to feel the sharp chill of extreme cold when I walked out the door last night. Then again, easy for me to say; I don’t live in a tent. Minnesota Public… Read More →
Spend holidays with the Great Northern Radio Show
December 23, 2014 by Leave a Comment
On Dec. 6, 2014, I hosted the winter edition of my Great Northern Radio Show in a live broadcast from the Northern Lights Casino in Walker, Minnesota, as guest of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa. That show will re-air Wednesday, Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve — from 7-9 p.m. on Northern Community Radio, 91.7… Read More →
Northern journalists taunt each other with lutefisk
December 15, 2014 by 5 Comments
The “Great Northern” states extend from the Dakotas through Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and are marked by the strong and enduring influence of Scandinavian immigrants. In addition to being the genetic forebears of many people who live here, these Scandinavians (Norwegians and Swedes, in particular) brought and kept many traditions that have lasted to this… Read More →
Local, weird, darkly funny: ‘The One Who Watches’
December 12, 2014 by 3 Comments
A new short film, “The One Who Watches,” by Duluth filmmakers Nicholas Sunsdahl and Molly Josefson, made the following impressions on me, in this order: 1) the mix of Bemidji, Iron Range and Twin Ports settings and characters, 2) the abject film school weirdness, and 3) the dark, persistent humor, punctuated by one scene that made me laugh… Read More →
LIVE from Walker: the Great Northern Radio Show
December 5, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Great Northern Radio Show weekend is here! We’ll be broadcasting my Northern Minnesota-based traveling variety show live on Northern Community Radio from the Northern Lakes Casino in Walker, Minnesota this Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. We might still have a few free tickets available by calling 800-662-5799 today (Friday). Arrive before 4:30 p.m. Saturday… Read More →
