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Greetings from this season of spread-eagled sky, 


If you have yet to adventure to Hackensack to spend an evening alive in music, I suggest circling November 21 or 28 on your calendar. You can walk the block from Rendezvous to Barrel & Vine and remind yourself how great it feels to listen to players at the top of their craft contribute their light to those star-drenched winter skies. 


Speaking of winter sky, when I was gifted the song and sentiment about February's Sky, I didn't know our band, Mudsong, would be releasing the tune next February. Seems so fitting, like a slingshot through winter, to be on this side of the solstice, beginning the work to open another night of living music on the solstice's far side, February 27. For details about Mudsong's next album release party, which is coupled with a resurrection of the LoonBird Cafe, click here. 

November is quieter, but by no means a quiet month in terms of gigs and opportunities. So much rock and roll and heartfelt songwriting stoking connection this month. Keep scrolling to see where I could find to listen in.


I didn't know how best to put these ongoing Bemidji sessions in the list, but word of mouth seems to indicate if you live in Bemidji, you can catch live music every 

  • Tuesday (Bridgid's Pub with Corey Medina's Bluesday Tuesday series)
  • Wednesday (Ruttger's)
  • Thursday
  • Blue Oyster: Mike & Sid or Lou Samsa
  • Turtle River Chophouse (see website)

Enjoy!

Mary O.


Surf the category menus above for more on our vibrant live music scene, including multiple Open Mics. Confirm dates & times if you're fixin' to travel. Things change so quick in the world of living music. 

November 

  • Aaron Tank paints pictures with his dusty, contemplative folk and sway at 
  • Ruttgers. Bemidji. Nov 4
  • Headwaters Open Mic & Coffeehouse. Bemidji. Nov 6
  • The Acoust Hicks & a Chick bring their 🎶old-time rock-n-roll🎶 to soothe our souls at Rockin' A Bar. Lengby. Nov 7
  • In Stereo demands we shake our thangs with their upbeat Rock n Roll. 
  • Revel Brewing. Park Rapids. Nov 11
  • Rendezvous Brewing. Hackensack. Nov 28
  • Blue Ice, the Bemidji State jazz band offers their fall sampling of swing and verve. Banseburg Hall @ BSU. Bemidji. Nov 12
  • Scott Jasmin paints pictures of 70s-scaped Ventura Highways. Barrell & Vine. Hackensack. Nov 14
  • Kid Dakota ventures north to kick off Bemidji Brewing's Timber Tap sessions this season. Bemidji Brewing. Bemidji. Nov 14
  • Kellogg Duo marinate us in soulful folk, both tunes they wrote themselves (watch below) and covers like you haven't heard. Barrell & Vine. Hackensack. Nov 21
  • Charley Wagner spins, strives and strums his stories and songs. 
  • Rendezvous Brewing. Hackensack. Nov 21
  • Barrell & Vine. Hackensack. Nov 28
  • Teeny Tiny Town coats the fading winter light in jazz and soul. Bemidji Brewing. Bemidji. Nov 28

November's newsletter soundtracked by William Jack on his latest recording for solo cello.

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About...

On any given weekend in glades and glens carved into stands of pines, upon a nearby shore, someone is singing. Often from the heart. Usually accompanied by some virtuosic twizzle of a bandmate's guitar, fiddle, keyboard, or loop station. Many times, people are listening, singing along, shimmying their shoulders and letting their hips declaratively wiggle while their feet can't help but tap.  


A few years ago, I learned music as we know it is only possible here on Earth. Music, as it soundtracks our moments of days, like water, is a sign of planetary life. It only happens here, on this Pale Blue Dot. What we hear each weekend in our bars, restaurants, and concert halls isn't possible in The Big Quiet beyond Earth's atmosphere. 


Since knowing this fact, I haven't been able to unknow it.


This website is an attempt to link the Signal Fires of live music, of life, that buzz, hum, and wiggle the strings weaving us together in community in these Northwoods. If you need a place to listen to music, or an artist to listen to, hopefully you'll find something here to celebrate what it means being Earthlings with your neighbors.


Take care, 

Mary O.


P.S. ​If you are one of these venues or artists and want to update your info, drop me a line. If you want to be added, also drop me a line.

Why not just stay informed via Instagram or Facebook?

Those systems are designed to monetize our personal connections. I’m hoping you’ll join me, in a quiet act of resistance, in the email space to preserve a more authentic, intentional connection that compose our community of music lovers. The connections we share when we melt our faces, close our eyes, or raise our hands high as grateful listeners.