Signal Fires - MUDSONG

Armory Arts & Events Center...Park Rapids

The Armory in Park Rapids hosts seasonal concerts featuring local and statewide artists. Their Open Mic nights on the 3rd Thursday that run September-May are popular evenings as well. For more, see their website: www.parkrapidsarmory.org

Organized chronologically, here's where you can see multiple bands and festivities on firefly-lit summer weekends around here. By clicking on the picture, you'll link through to the event webpage, if the event has one.

Music in the Pines...Bemidji

Lake Bemidji State Park hosts a summer concert series, Music in the Pines. Saturdays @ 7 pm, Sundays @ 2 pm. Rain or shine. See their website for current line up. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/events.html?location=spk00205

Summer Deck Tunes...Walker

Portage Brewing in Walker routinely hosts Deck Tunes every Friday @ 4:30. And occasionally throughout the year for holidays & events. Here's where they often post this summer's events:

https://portagebeer.com/events

2nd St Stage...Park Rapids

2nd Street Stage (Park Rapids) Thursdays. Throughout the summer. Stick around at Revel Brewing, for they always host an after-party band on their patio, too.

Bistro Nights @ Bluebelle...Bemidji

Bluebelle Bistro Nights (Bemidji) many Thursdays throughout the summer, Bluebelle event center hosts a bistro night with live music. You can follow them on Facebook or Instagram to get the specific dates or or call 218.368.0096

Aurora Concerts on the Porch...Fosston

Aurora Center for the Arts (Fosston) most Thursdays throughout the summer, this arts center in Fosston hosts outdoor summer concerts, with occassionals concerts in the fall and winter seasons as well in their stunning art deco theater.

Green Scene...Walker

Green Scene (Walker) May-September, every Thursday (10-1) and most Saturdays from 1-4, music on the patio during their artisan and farmer's markets and Saturday brunch bash. Features a brunch menu centered on woodfired pizza & more.

Mississippi Music...Bemidji

Mississippi Music (Bemidji) by Paul & Babe starting at 6 pm on most Wednesdays throughout the summer. Many restaurants and pubs have a table tent that shows the schedule, too.

Turtle River Chophouse...Bemidji

Turtle River Chophouse hosts live music about 2 Thursdays every month. Summertime is on their patio or indoors year 'round. See their calendar or their website: www.trc-bar.com

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.