Bandshell, Local, Events, Art John Becker Bandshell, Local, Events, Art John Becker

Central Park Bandshell T minus 19 days

Bandshell Construction Update

It is hard to tell if the Bandshell is ahead or behind schedule. Today, the irrigation system was installed, and the concrete for the handicap access ramp was also poured. Fill was being spread by the hardworking Sentence to Serve crew. Sentence to Serve are nonviolent offenders who work on community improvement projects. There are mixed feelings about Sentence to Serve labor; on the one hand, working outside is better than killing time in a cell. On the other hand, it is an easy source of cheap labor for communities that can become too easy to use.

The sod is scheduled to be laid on June 29, which seems awfully close to the July 4th dedication. The entire park (one city block) will be re-sodded.

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Local, Downtown Red Wing, Art John Becker Local, Downtown Red Wing, Art John Becker

The ghost signs of Red Wing

A Testament to History

Red Wing is unique because it has such an authentic core downtown. This doesn't mean it's frozen in time. Rather, it has to do with having traceable roots. Buildings are typically not torn down; when they can be salvaged and restored, they are.

One of the lasting elements that are easily overlooked are the ghost signs of Red Wing. Sometimes called fading ads or brick-ads, they are remarkable in their staying power. Red Wing has many brick buildings, and there are several examples of ghost signs all over town. You need to look closely to see the Coca-Cola ghost sign. The Hotel Haven sign is pretty much illegible.

The corner shown above is Plum and East 3rd Street (SE corner) in Downtown Red Wing.

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Downtown Red Wing, Local, Events, Art John Becker Downtown Red Wing, Local, Events, Art John Becker

The June update of the Central Park Bandshell

Red Wing Central Park Bandshell Progress Update

The Red Wing Central Park Bandshell continues to make progress. The roof is on, but not yet shingled. The foundation work seems to be complete, judging by the dirt fill that was brought in. The back wall will be glass, and the shell walls will be the next significant milestone.

The inauguration of the Bandshell will be on Saturday, July 4th, 2009. The schedule of events is as follows (all times are PM):

  • 3:45-4:30: The Phoenix Theatre will sing selections from their upcoming production of Fiddler on the Roof (free!)

  • 5:00-6:00: Rosanne Cash (free!)

  • 6:45-8:00: Roomful of Blues (free!)

  • 8:45-9:30: Sheldon Brass Band finishing with 1812 Overture, complete with real cannon! (free!)

  • 10:00-??: Fireworks over the Mississippi River (free!)

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Local, Downtown Red Wing, Art, local issues, Business John Becker Local, Downtown Red Wing, Art, local issues, Business John Becker

Eat. Shop. Play. Local.

The Importance of Funding Art and Spending Local

Recently, a letter to the editor of the local newspaper argued for funding art at the elementary school level. Apparently, there has been discussion about reducing the amount of art received in elementary schools due to budget pressures. The typical solution has been to increase the tax levy and ask taxpayers to pay more.

A more sustainable approach is to simply spend local. Every dollar spent locally in a community can have up to three times the multiplier tax return to the community versus buying from an out-of-state big box retailer, all without raising taxes a single cent. Let's use two simple examples:

Example 1: A citizen spends a dollar at a local big-box retailer. Taxes are exchanged for that dollar spent, and the dollar is promptly deposited in an out-of-state bank account somewhere in Four Corners, Arkansas. That dollar is retired as far as the local economy is concerned.

Example 2: A citizen spends a dollar at their local custom frame shop. Again, taxes are exchanged, but this time the local frame shop owner races to their local bank to cover the check they wrote to the local plumber to have their hot water heater repaired. The plumber, in turn, cashes that check to buy a silk suit from Josephsons Clothing Store. Tom from Josephsons then uses that money to buy himself a beer next door at The Staghead Restaurant to celebrate having finally sold that XXXL silk suit.

The same dollar has contributed to the local economy three separate times, each time participating in the overall tax exchange and actively contributing to the cash flow of four different local employers.

Red Wing Downtown Main Street is focused on exactly these types of issues. The Eat-Shop-Play-Local tag-line could include many other action verbs (Buy. Stay. Invest.), but the point is to think about where your money goes after you spend it.

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Bandshell, Local, Downtown Red Wing, Events John Becker Bandshell, Local, Downtown Red Wing, Events John Becker

The Shell takes shape

Central Park Bandshell Construction Update

The Central Park Bandshell took a big leap forward yesterday when the crane arrived to install the ironwork. The entire back wall will be glass, making the bandshell inviting from both sides. The roof shape is designed to create a better acoustical environment. The rendering on the bottom image is the architectural orthographic projection.

And just to clarify, the actual audience will not be semi-transparent. 😊

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Art, Local, Exhibits, Friends John Becker Art, Local, Exhibits, Friends John Becker

Mr. Pin-up

Spotlight on Dan Murphy's Illustration Art Collection

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune featured a wonderful story today about Dan Murphy and his illustration art collection. We had the pleasure of working with Dan and Sarah on two different occasions: once in 2007 for The Dream Girl exhibit and again in 2008 for The Cream of Wheat exhibit.

Dan has an impressive collection and is a recognized expert in this genre. I look forward to working with Dan again this year, possibly on a pulp men's magazine (think True Detective) or a science-fiction exhibit.

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