With thanks to Kristine Cannon who persevered to get this information to me for publication, here are some of the highlights on the How Pedestrian website (they are “bringing poetry to random places since 2010). Local poet and acknowledged Haiku master Marsh Muirhead is anything but pedestrian–(Webster’s New World Fourth Edition)–dull, lacking interest or imagination. Marsh selected three poems from different eras in the writings of Robert Bly, videotaped three Bemidjians reciting the pieces and sent the package to the website. First a little bit about Robert Bly who was born in Madison, Wisconsin in 1926 and appointed the first Poet Laureate of Minnesota in 2008. His anti-war Vietnam activities are legend and he wrote of them in the poem “The Great Society” which refers to the movement begun under President Lyndon Johnson during the 1960′s after the death of John Kennedy. (As an aside, when in Vietnam a few years ago, we saw and listened to the guides speak of the American War, those devils who attacked us– a sobering experience.) “The Great Society” is read by Ken Smith on the shore of Lake Bemidji with fish houses in the background. “Living at the End of Time” and “Wanting Sumptuous Heavens” are read by Kate Smith (nee Ebberline) and Anyea Hake who received her MA in English from BSU and now is teaching at a tribal college in Bellecourt, ND. The other two scenes are in front of Toasty Beavers in downtown Bemidji and Paul and Babe. Check it out, whether you enjoy poetry or not, the site is fun. Remember to scroll down until the Bly poems. Some of you will recognize the speakers. Thanks again Kristine. I’ve heard that Marsh is in Key West with is fellow poets writing and enjoying the weather.
“Mish Mash,” a group of drawings and woodcut prints by Derrick Riley opens at the Talley Gallery. Riley’s work examines society’s moral and social problems and the obstacles that confront the choices one makes or is forced to accept. Riley was the subject of an art documentary that earned several national and international Emmy Awards. Riley holds a MFA in printmaking from the University of Kentucky. This is an exhibit that needs to be seen for the artist’s viewpoint and how much it corresponds to ours—what are our moral and societal issues. The exhibit will be up until Feb. 16 and the opening reception is from 12 noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 12.
Fleur de Lis in the Wild Rose Theater has on display new large, framed photographs of Duluth harbor by Keith Cich. On a personal note, it is refreshing to see some artists on display who are not from this area because they bring a new “eye” to our world. Don Zieman’s walking sticks encase some of the stones he collects and distributes to receptive people. Thomas Hamilton from Council Bluffs, Iowa has caught my imagination and “cash” for his lovely ceramic pieces. Rita Arsenault Quinn’s watercolors of the Massachusetts shoreline are fascinating. The gallery is open from 2 to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Friday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The space is newly painted and is now extended to include the two large rooms on the top floor.
The Back Porch series will begin this month at the Blackduck Library. The three part series which will feature Minnesota songwriter/singer Neal Hagburg who composes songs that reflect on our lives and the way we treat each other. Marian Ridge, the Director of the Kitchigami Regional Library System, Nance Kunkel, Blackduck librarian, and Neal Hagburg developed the concept of a series of three evenings that will focus on different aspects of music and accompanying discussions. The seriousness of the project is underscored by the subject matters to be examined: prejudices toward different religions, orientations, gender, class, race, etc. Hagburg through his music tries to find a pathway through a polarized world. His CD “It’s Not As Simple As It Seems” earned Hagburg the 2010 McKnight Composers Fellowship. The scheduled evenings are January 24, February and March 28. For more information, contact the Blackduck Public Library—look at the KRLS.org home page.
Friend of the Arts Award–get those nominations in early and with lots of supporting letters. This year I will be adding the name of the husband to the person I nominated last year and will be contacting others for support. Let’s hope we have better luck this year!  That’s all she wrote, folks.
