Big Turn Music Festival - 2020
The 3rd annual Big Turn Music Festival (BTMF) took place this past week, and it was fantastic! We introduced a new feature this year with an autograph/graffiti picnic table, encouraging visitors to leave their mark. We also hosted eight bands over two evenings, and it was an absolute blast.
Big Turn Music Fest - 2019
Big Turn Music Festival (BTMF) had their second season this month and we participated again with eight bands over two nights. It was every bit as fun and successful as the first year with the added element of a blizzard.
Big Turn Music Fest - 2018
We had the pleasure of participating in the inaugural Big Turn Music Festival (BTMF) in downtown Red Wing on February 16-17, 2018. This festival spans multiple venues, featuring musicians or bands performing short sets in various locations, from retail storefronts to churches. It brought a lively and festive atmosphere to what are typically some of the coldest and quietest days of the year.
As one of the smaller venues, with a capacity of 39, we hosted eight groups over two nights. We reached full capacity several times, and the music was truly exceptional. We look forward to doing this again next year.
2013 Flyway Film Festival
Flyway Film Festival: A Beloved Annual Event
The Flyway Film Festival remains one of our favorite events each year. It continues to improve annually, and this year will be no exception.
We love participating because we love films.
Our customers are rock stars!
A Business Built on Great Customers
This business is only as good as its customers, and we have the best customers.
Case in point: the busier we get, the less attention web administration seems to receive. But it's too important to ignore for very long. This morning, I was determined to bring the Video/News section of our website up to date. This involves the painstaking task of writing press releases, proofing them, and then re-writing them. I know it isn't as bad as breaking rocks for a living, but it is still a job that I do not look forward to.
At some point, you need to include testimonials to add credibility to the releases. And this is when I am reminded how good our customers are.
Thank you, Jeff Marcus. You have been a steadfast supporter for many years, and we appreciate it. Now go support Jeff. This is good stuff.
Cartooning…
Exciting Upcoming Art Exhibit: Contemporary Cartoon Artists
We are thrilled to announce tentative arrangements for an art exhibit later this year featuring the work of contemporary cartoon artists. Our friend Britt Aamodt will be releasing her book around the same time, driving this exhibit forward. Her book will be available at the Minnesota Historical Society Press.
The plan is to invite several talented artists, showcase large format cartoons, hold a cartooning Q&A session, and host a book signing event spread across three venues: Best of Times Bookstore, The Sheldon Theatre mezzanine gallery, and our gallery.
You might wonder if cartooning is a legitimate art medium. It absolutely is! And I would suggest keeping any doubts to yourself, lest you become the target of a parodied cartoon.
The beauty of cartooning lies in its versatility. It can lampoon or glamorize its subjects, be humorous or brutally frank, address real life or create an entirely new universe with its own rules. In other words, cartoon art defies definition.
This exhibit promises to be a lot of fun. I grew up reading the comics, and I still enjoy them today. I love the comics.
This event aligns perfectly with our past exhibits, including the Brown & Bigelow Pin-up exhibit in 2007, the Cream of Wheat original advertising art in 2008, and the original pulp magazine cover art in 2009. Stay tuned for more details as they unfold.
American Poverty and Catholic Charities USA wrap-up
Final Chapter of the Poverty Awareness Photojournalism Exhibit
This week marks the final chapter of the poverty awareness photojournalism exhibit entitled "In Our Own Backyard." This exhibit has crisscrossed the United States for the past 18 months and next week the exhibit finishes in Washington DC at the annual Leadership Summit for Catholic Charities.
Since this is the final and highest-profile stop of the tour, all of the large-format images are being reprinted and remounted, which is close to 120 images.
It is a very moving set of images, addressing all manners of poverty and everyday life. It is really hard not to stop and soak up the texture and realism of each image.
This has been a challenging and gratifying project. One of the best parts of this project has been working with Steve Liss. He is a natural-born educator and an amazing photojournalist who gets right into the thick of it.