Arts News

East Grand Forks Heritage Days with Live Music and Dancing Aug 8-10
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

East Grand Forks Heritage Days with Live Music and Dancing Aug 8-10

East Grand Forks 2025 Heritage Days with

Live Music and Dancing

August 8, 9, 10

Heritage Village 219 20th Street NE, East Grand Forks

Bandstand Show

Open gate for all events

Friday, August 8 – Bandstand

Classic Swing Band - 6 - 8 PM dance / concert, hotdogs available at concessions, antique car show on grounds.

Saturday, August 9 : Bandstand, Heritage Village Grounds

1 - 2 PM – Peggy and Dean Ellingson, ( Bemidji ) - Light-hearted songs from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s - Guitar and Mandolin

2 - 3 PM - Skally Line,- Original songs and stories about Minnesota history and traditional tunes.

3 - 4 PM- O'Neil Family Band - traditional and original songs, tunes, and dancing

Sunday, August 10: Bandstand, Heritage Village Grounds

12 -1 PM – Chuck Gust – accordion

1 - 2 PM – Skally Line - Original songs and stories about Minnesota history and traditional tunes.

2 - 3 PM - Fargo Spelemanslag- Hardanger Fiddle ensemble

3 - 4 PM – O'Neil Family Band - traditional and original songs, tunes, dancing, and dance participation

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Call for Art for EGF Campbell Library Community Art Exhibit
Resources, Call for Art, Call to Artists, 2025, News Kristin Eggerling Resources, Call for Art, Call to Artists, 2025, News Kristin Eggerling

Call for Art for EGF Campbell Library Community Art Exhibit

The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their 2025 Community Art Exhibit.

The exhibit opens Monday, July 14th and will run for 6 weeks. If you are interested in submitting, please send Andrea an email with your name, phone number, and the number of pieces you would like to show (up to 5 pieces for an individual at this time).

Submissions will be accepted until July 3rd.

Submissions or Questions? Reach out to Andrea Lorenz, Program Coordinator at alorenz@egflibrary.org or (218) 773-9121.  egflibrary.org  

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North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance May 24 from 3 to 5:30 PM
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance May 24 from 3 to 5:30 PM

The public is invited to

North Country Fiddle and Dance’s

Community Dance

Saturday, May 24 from 3:00 to 5:30 PM

Bernie's Restaurant

121 DeMers Ave, East Grand Forks

with

Four Mile Portage ( of Duluth )

Live Music! All Join Hands! All ages; families, couples, singles

North American Folk Dances: Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...

All dances are taught and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

Find them at <northcountrydance.org>

Note: This is an after hours event, if you would like to eat, come by 2:30 PM

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North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance April 5
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance April 5

North Country Fiddle and Dance

Community Dance

Saturday, April 5

3 to 5:30 PM

Bernie's Restaurant

121 DeMers Ave, East Grand Forks

with

Sugar on the Roof, (of Hibbing and Duluth)

Live Music! All Join Hands! All ages; families, couples, singles

North American Folk Dances: Reels, squares, circle mixers and more...

All dances are taught and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

Find them at northcountrydance.org


(This is an after hours event, if you would like to eat, come by 2:30 PM) 

Sugar on the Roof is Megan Orwig Reynolds on guitar and vocals, Jefferson Reynolds on banjo and trombone, and Clancy Ward on fiddle and vocals. They craft an evening of early Americana music from the 1920s, 30s and 40s. They met on the dance floor, so dancing is their thing. 

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Community Dance Feb 22 from 3 to 5:30PM in East Grand Forks Everyone is welcome
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

Community Dance Feb 22 from 3 to 5:30PM in East Grand Forks Everyone is welcome

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance

Saturday, February 22, 2025

3:00 to 5:30

Bernie's Restaurant, The Farmhouse Room

121 DeMers Ave. East Grand Forks, MN

Music by Four Mile Portage

Callers: Jeanne O'Neil, Tom Maloney

All ages – singles, couples, families

Traditional American folk dances : Reels, squares, circle mixers and more... all dances are taught, fun, and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

This event sponsored in part by a grant from the Minnesota Northwest Arts Council

Note: This is an after hours event, Bernie's closes at 3:00. If you would like to order from the menu, come early !


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Live music and Community Dance in East Grand Forks January 25 from 3 to 5:30 PM
Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling Events, 2025 Kristin Eggerling

Live music and Community Dance in East Grand Forks January 25 from 3 to 5:30 PM

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance

Saturday, January 25, 2025

3:00 to 5:30 PM

Bernie's Restaurant, 121 DeMers Ave. East Grand Forks, MN

Music by O'Neil Family Band

Caller: Jeanne O'Neil

All ages – singles, couples, families

Traditional American folk dances : Reels, squares, circle mixers and more... all dances are taught, fun, and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

Note: This is an after hours event. Bernie's closes at 3 PM, so if you would like to eat, come early!

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Community Dance in East Grand Forks November 23 Everyone Welcome
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Community Dance in East Grand Forks November 23 Everyone Welcome

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance

Saturday, November 23rd

2:00 to 4:30 PM

East Grand Forks Senior Center

538 Rhinehart Dr. SE, East Grand Forks

Music by Leatherwood String Band from Bemidji

Caller: Jeanne O'Neil

All ages – singles, couples, families

Reels, squares, circle mixers and more... all dances are taught and easy to learn!

Donations at the door

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North Country Fiddle &amp; Dance October 26 Community Dance — Open to All
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

North Country Fiddle & Dance October 26 Community Dance — Open to All

North Country Fiddle and Dance

Community Dance

All ages/ Families/ Couples/ Singles — Come one and all!

All dances taught, no experience needed.

Saturday, October 26th

2:00 to 4:30 PM

East Grand Forks Senior Center

538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E., East Grand Forks

Music by Tickwood String Band ( Fergus Falls)

Caller: Jeanne O'Neil

Free will donation at the door

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North Country Fiddle &amp; Dance Fall Dance
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

North Country Fiddle & Dance Fall Dance

North Country Fiddle and Dance Fall Dance

reels, squares, circle mixers, all dances taught and easy to learn, all ages, families, couples, singles.

Saturday, Sept 7 from 2:30 to 5 PM

With Four Mile Portage – Tom Maloney on banjo and guitar, Brandy Forsman on fiddle and bass, from Duluth and Caller -Jeanne O'Neil

East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Drive SE, East Grand Forks

Donations at the door

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund.

For more information: northcountrydance.org

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Lynx Lynx Concert in East Grand Forks July 22 at 5PM
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Lynx Lynx Concert in East Grand Forks July 22 at 5PM

Lynx Lynx Concert

Enjoy an evening of traditional Nordic fiddle tunes and original music. Vidar Skrede and Patrik Ahlberg join their Scandinavian fiddle forces together in this Norwegian-Swedish folk music duo.

Mon, July 22 @ 5:00 pm

Free will donations to support North Country Fiddle and Dance accepted at the door.

This event is sponsored by North Country Fiddle and Dance, the EGF Arts and Crafts Council, and the EGF Campbell Library.

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Call for Art for Community Art Exhibit in East Grand Forks
News, Call for Art Kristin Eggerling News, Call for Art Kristin Eggerling

Call for Art for Community Art Exhibit in East Grand Forks

The East Grand Forks Campbell Library is now accepting submissions for their annual Community Art Exhibit. Send your name, your phone number, and information about the artwork you would like to exhibit to Andrea at alorenz@egflibrary.org or call the library at (218) 773-9121 for more information. Submissions will be accepted until June 7th.

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Poetry Potluck with Brendan Steamer
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Poetry Potluck with Brendan Steamer

This Poetry Potluck event, celebrating National Poetry Month, is on April 25 at 6:30 PM at the Campbell Library at 422 4th Street NW, East Grand Forks.

The event will open with a Poetry Potluck — an opportunity for anyone in attendance to share a poem that they love and say a bit about what it means to them. Participation is not mandatory and individuals with no knowledge of poetry are encouraged to attend and listen.

Local poet Brendan Sterner of East Grand Forks will be reading his poetry. Stermer is the author of “Forgotten Frequencies,” winner of the 2023 Poetry of the Plains and Prairie’s Award and published by North Dakota State University Press in December. He is also the host of Interesting People Reading Poetry — a podcast where well-known artists and cultural luminaries read a favorite poem and share what it means to them.

Sterner’s reading will include information on local literary history and the influence of Midwestern writers on different aspects of the collection.

This event is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the McKnight Foundation.

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Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil on March 28
Artist Spotlight, Events, 2024 Kristin Eggerling Artist Spotlight, Events, 2024 Kristin Eggerling

Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil on March 28

Watch our Artist Spotlight with Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil here. This was live on Thursday, March 28 at 10:30 AM on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

NWMAC Staff Trey Everett and Kristin Eggerling spoke with Artists Jeanne O'Neil and Erin O'Neil. They talked about their music and the current exhibit Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil at the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery at NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024. They even played some tunes for the broadcast. Again, watch the recording here.

Jeanne O’Neil explained, “The focus of this show is the celebration of Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed. We are both folk musicians and visual artists, and it is fitting to bring these forms of artistic expression together, as the tunes and art are both inspired by the rural landscapes we live in.”

The newest prints in this show come from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land. “Walking the fields and pathways every day, year after year, the colors, contrasts, textures and lines of trees, grasses, sky, river are impressed in my mind, creating an accumulated knowledge of these places. The making of each print creates a deeper knowing and a stronger connection to that knowing.”

Jeanne’s daughter Erin O’Neil created the Twenty of Plenty tune book. This was an effort with a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians. The descriptions and illustration throughout the book offer insight into the meaning of the compositions. The cultural influences for these tunes include French Canadian, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish traditional fiddle music, New England Contra Dance music, Old Time Appalachian music, and Metis fiddle tunes.

Erin also has Rag Folk pieces in this exhibit. The Rag Folk represent preservation of what has been used in everyday life and creating new lives out of old scraps and rags. Erin started creating these pieces with a passion for recycling and reducing waste and a desire to connect with others.

Jeanne and Erin both play in the O’Neil Family Band. Erin plays the fiddle and feet, while Jeanne plays the banjo and concertina. The band holds many community dances in our region.

An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. The O'Neil Family Band will be performing and refreshments will be served. Many pieces of art in this exhibit are for sale. You are welcome to purchase at any time and pick up when the exhibit ends.Please join us for the conversation! Let us know if you have questions!

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North Country Fiddle &amp; Dance Spring Afternoon Dances April 6 and May 4
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

North Country Fiddle & Dance Spring Afternoon Dances April 6 and May 4

North Country Fiddle and Dance Spring Afternoon Dances

Saturday, April 6 from 2:00 to 4:30 PM (East Grand Forks)

O'Neil Family Band with visiting banjo player Jefferson Reynolds

East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr SE

Saturday, May 4 from 2:30 to 5 PM (Fosston)

Embassy Community Center, 603 3rd Street NE, Fosston

Music by The O'Neil Family Band with Caller: Robin Nelson of Minneapolis

All are welcome, all ages, all dances are taught and are easy to learn

American traditional folk dances- reels, squares, contras, circle mixers

Donations at the door

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Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk &amp; Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil
NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling NCTC Gallery, 2024 Kristin Eggerling

Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne O’Neil and Erin O’Neil

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Announces

Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints

Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil

Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Gallery

NCTC in Thief River Falls through April 2024

Artist Reception Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM — The O’Neil Family Band will perform

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) is pleased to announce the opening of Fiddle Tunes, Fiber Folk & Prairie Prints Featuring Jeanne Griffin O’Neil and Erin Jeanne O’Neil. This exhibit is open through April at the NWMAC Gallery at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls.

East Grand Forks Artist Jeanne O’Neil explained, “The focus of this show is the celebration of Erin's recently completed book, Twenty of Plenty, in which twenty of her original fiddle tunes are transcribed. We are both folk musicians and visual artists, and it is fitting to bring these forms of artistic expression together, as the tunes and art are both inspired by the rural landscapes we live in.”

The newest prints in this show come from a series of sketches made over the past summers on Jeanne’s land. “Walking the fields and pathways every day, year after year, the colors, contrasts, textures and lines of trees, grasses, sky, river are impressed in my mind, creating an accumulated knowledge of these places. The making of each print creates a deeper knowing and a stronger connection to that knowing.

Jeanne’s daughter Erin O’Neil learned to play the fiddle by the age of seven. Erin plays by ear and the Twenty of Plenty tune book project was an effort to get some of her tune compositions transcribed so that they could be introduced into wider circles of musicians who read music. With a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the McKnight Foundation, she collaborated with a folk musician originally from Norway. The descriptions and illustration throughout the book offer insight into the meaning of the compositions. The cultural influences for these tunes include French Canadian, Irish, Scandinavian, Scottish traditional fiddle music, New England Contra Dance music, Old Time Appalachian music, and Metis fiddle tunes.

Erin also has Rag Folk pieces in this exhibit. The Rag Folk represent preservation of what has been used in everyday life and creating new lives out of old scraps and rags. The Rag Folk contain memories and essences of what has passed, and the joy of childhood carried forward and honored in adulthood. Erin started creating these pieces with a passion for recycling and reducing waste and a desire to connect with others.

Jeanne and Erin both play in the O’Neil Family Band. Erin plays the fiddle and feet, while Jeanne plays the banjo and concertina. The band holds many community dances in our region.

Watch this video featuring Erin’s music for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/8lZbCEPmtik.

An artist reception at the gallery will be held at Northland Community and Technical College on Wednesday, April 24 at 6 PM. Everyone is welcome to join us for this free event. There will be refreshments and live music by the O’Neil Family Band.

Most of the pieces in the exhibit are for sale. You can purchase at any time and pick it when the exhibit is over.

The NWMAC Gallery is located at Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls. The gallery hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30-5 PM and at other times when events are held at the college. Enter through Door B, which is right next to the gallery. Visitor parking is free.

For more information about this exhibit our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 745-8886 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.

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Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural
News Kristin Eggerling News Kristin Eggerling

Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural

There is a Request for Proposals open for a downtown East Grand Forks mural. The deadline is April 1. The Downtown Development Association (DDA) alongside the RiverWalk Center, City of East Grand Forks, and other partners are working together to beautify downtown and promote the exceptional people, places, and things that make up our thriving region through the creation of murals. The project should result in public artwork that lasts for years and create a landmark for those who live here and visitors alike.

This project will showcase the connection between East Grand Forks and the Red River. Mural must include imagery that weaves in fish that inhabit the river and compliments an Instagrammable canoe cut-out.

For more information and the RFP visit: https://downtownforks.com/murals?fbclid=IwAR354YziA1unNu4e2VbjE6oMnRk6JuEow2wlNl56nlTUpOprBs04Q74EtpY

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Community Dance with North Country Fiddle &amp; Dance March 2
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Community Dance with North Country Fiddle & Dance March 2

Afternoon Community Dance with North Country Fiddle and Dance

Saturday, March 2nd

2 to 4:30 PM

All are welcome, all ages, all dances are taught and are easy to learn

American traditional folk dances- reels, squares, contras, circle mixers

East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Dr. S.E.

Music by O'Neil Family Band

Donations at the door

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Traveling Exhibit Visits Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks
Traveling Exhibit, Events, Exhibits, 2024 Kristin Eggerling Traveling Exhibit, Events, Exhibits, 2024 Kristin Eggerling

Traveling Exhibit Visits Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks

Traveling Art Exhibit Visits Campbell Library in East Grand Forks

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) sponsors an annual Traveling Art Exhibit, which visits northwest Minnesota communities throughout the year. This exhibit includes 15 original pieces of art by regional adult and student artists, chosen from works submitted for our annual juried exhibit. The exhibit is currently at the Campbell Public Library in East Grand Forks until February 27. Please stop by to see these works of art. Some of these pieces of art are for sale.

The 2023-2024 Artists and Artwork:

Ross Hier, Crookston, “Beach Ridge Bouquet” (Watercolor Painting)

Tim Anderson, Goodridge, “Let Your Light Shine” Wood Bowl (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit

Nancy Vraa, Red Lake Falls, “Country Classic” Hat and Mitten Set (Folk/Traditional Fine Craft) Merit

Lillian Ramsey, Thief River Falls, “Queen Mouse” (Acrylic Painting)

Kathy Panek, Goodridge, “Night Taxi” (Acrylic Painting on canvas board)

Jodi M Smith, East Grand Forks, “Swirls of Light “(Photography)

Dennis Lee, Red Lake Falls, “Old House” (Acrylic Painting) Merit

Madilyn Crompton, Borup, “Hang Time” (Digital Photo) Student Ada-Borup-West School

Makaela Longoria, Ada, “You Have My Heart“(Ceramic Sculpture) Student Ada-Borup-West

Emma Gunderson, Crookston, “Go on a Trip” (Acrylic Painting), Student Crookston School

Kaydence Skibicki, Fertile, Untitled (Silk Screen Print), Student Fertile-Beltrami School

Carter Lee Johnsrud, Goodridge, “Masking” (Mixed Media Graphite Pencil) Student Goodridge School (1st Place and People’s Choice)

Quinn Pittman, Greenbush, “Moe” (Pen Drawing), Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit

Rhiana Utter, Greenbush, “Elsa” (Linoleum Print) Student Greenbush-Middle River School Merit

Maryjane Crane, Red Lake Falls, “Time” (Acrylic Painting), Student Red Lake Falls School

The 2022-2022 Traveling Exhibit Schedule*:

June to July 11 Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls

July 11 to August 29 Roseau Public Library, Roseau

August 29 to October 10 Hallock Public Library, Hallock

October 10 to November 28, Godel Public Library, Warren

November 28 to January 16 Fertile Public Library, Fertile

January 16 to February 27, 2024, Campbell Public Library, East Grand Forks

February 27 to March 26, 2024 Ada Public Library, Ada

March 26 to April TBD 2024** Red Lake Falls Public Library, Red Lake Falls

*The start and end dates at each location are approximate, depending on weather, venue hours and other circumstances that may occur to prohibit travel. For specific library hours, please contact each location before planning your visit, especially if you are planning on bringing a group.

**Tentatively scheduled

For more information about the Traveling Exhibit or our other exhibits look to our website at www.NWArtsCouncil.org, call our office at (218)-745-8886 or contact Trey at treyeverettcreates@gmail.com or NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com.

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Lovin’ Spoonful drummer Mike Arturi will facilitate a music workshop in East Grand Forks on Tues, Oct 24
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Lovin’ Spoonful drummer Mike Arturi will facilitate a music workshop in East Grand Forks on Tues, Oct 24

COMPAS Teaching Artist and drummer for The Lovin’ Spoonful Mike Arturi shared his story of music, experiences that gave him the life skills that guided him through a lifelong career in music, and being a teaching artist. Mike will be facilitating a music workshop at the Campbell Public Library of East Grand Forks on Tuesday, October 24 @ 6 PM. The event, funded through a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, is free and open to all ages. No drumming experience is needed! You can listen to Mike’s conversation with Pioneer 90.1’s Ron West.

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Community Dance with North Country Fiddle &amp; Dance Nov 18
Events Kristin Eggerling Events Kristin Eggerling

Community Dance with North Country Fiddle & Dance Nov 18

North Country Fiddle and Dance Community Dance

Saturday, November 18th 7:30 to 10:00 pm

East Grand Forks Senior Center, 538 Rhinehart Drive,

East Grand Forks

Music by O'Neil Family Band

Caller - Robin Nelson, Minneapolis, MN

Everyone is invited to a Community Dance with North Country Fiddle and Dance

These events are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State's general fund.

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