News & Articles

Todd Oliver and Irving the Talking Dog perform at the West on Sunday, May 5.

Kettle River Paddling Festival May 3-5 Banning River State Park, Sandstone Paddlers from around the Midwest come to enjoy the river’s amazing scenery and challenging rapids. Paddle whitewater or calm water, hike the trails of Banning State Park or rock climb in Robinson Park. Bring your slackline, your dog and all your friends.

History of Cycling Saturday, May 4, 2 p.m. Duluth Main Public Library Green Room Presentation by the Cycling Museum of Minnesota about the history of cycling in Duluth, Minnesota and beyond. Add your own chapter to cycling history this May for Transportation Month.

Salsa with the Saints Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. St. Scholastica Benedictine Commons The St. Scholastica Jazz Band and the North Shore Big Band present an evening of Latin dancing. Instructors from North Shore Ballroom will provide lessons for the first half hour, then the dance floor will be open until 9 p.m. Come and merengue the night away.

Jason Waldron Band Saturday, May 4, 8 p.m. Powerhouse Bar Jason grew up on the family farm near Effie, Minn. In addition to simple, off the grid living, he always enjoyed singing and started playing guitar at age 27. Some local music veterans helped him start a band and he’s been playing ever since. His son, Blake, has joined him on stage in recent years.

Todd Oliver & Irving the Talking Dog Sunday, May 5, 2 p.m. The West Theatre Ventriloquist, magician, musician and America’s Got Talent finalist has performed on Letterman, Leno and Ferguson and in Branson and Nashville, and he’s now taking his brand of family fun on tour. 

UWS Music Scholarship Benefit Concert Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m. UWS Manion Theater Featuring the UWS Jazz Band, Jazz Combo and the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. Donations from this concert go directly to a music student who exhibits excellence in jazz studies. Suggested donation $10.

Mary Bue Thursday, May 9, 7 p.m. Cedar Lounge Prolific, lyrical and gritty, Mary’s performances are warm and laced with quirky humor and stories of her adventures (and misadventures). Named Best Songwriter of 2020 by City Pages, her music touches upon archetypal themes of the human condition: love, loss, survival, dreams and the natural world.