Arts News
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
July Newsletter … Read it Now
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the July 2025 newsletter to find out what’s going on in the arts in NW Minnesota, including upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at
https://conta.cc/3Ibwczq
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S Levene Exhibit Artist Reception will be July 31 from 7 to 8:30 PM at Historic Fournet Building Downtown Crookston
Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S Levene
Red River Valley Artist and Printmaker
Artist Reception July 31 from 7 to 8:30 PM
Open Through August at the
Historic Fournet Building
101 N Broadway Downtown Crookston
2nd Floor in the Atrium
An artist reception will be held in honor of Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S Levene, an exhibit open through August at the Fournet Building, 101 N Broadway in Downtown Crookston. This exhibit includes 29 pieces of art in printmaking, pen and ink, fabric art, and mixed media created by Red River Valley Printmaker and Artist Jill Levene of Tabor. This is the first exhibit that the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council has created in this space.
The reception will be Thursday, July 31 from 7 to 8:30 PM. There will be refreshments and live music. Some of the art is for sale. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.
NWMAC Showcase Specialist Trey Everett shared, “I first encountered Jill’s artwork at the Tettegouche State Park as our family was on vacation along the North Shore. I was immediately taken by her pen and ink skills. Jill is a versatile and accomplished artist flowing with creativity and inspiration. Her new exhibit at the Fournet Building in Crookston will pull you into another world of wonder and hope.”
Artist Jill Levene explained, “Gainfully retired from commercial graphic design, I now enjoy the freedom to integrate my world travels with natural history and the environment to create my “Inklings”— pen and ink renderings of people, non-human animals, and natural settings. In 2011, I was introduced to New England’s remarkable Folly Cove Fabric Designers of the mid-20th Century. This discovery inspired me in a new direction—block carving and printing on fabric using originally-designed, hand-carved linoleum blocks based on my Inklings. Added to this is my interest in repurposing various types of fiber-based food packaging, such as tea and gum wrappers, by incorporating fragments of these colorful containers onto the Inklings foundation. The combination of Inklings, block printing on fabric, and kitchen-based art led me to my current focus on functional art — hand-printed usable cloth pieces including dishtowels, bandanas, infant swaddles, aprons, and garden flags — anything fabric — with the goal of creating art that is both functional and perpetual, as well as beautiful and one-of-a-kind for the culinarian and collector alike: ‘Hand-printed. One at a time, every time.’”
Parking and admission is free. Take the stairs or elevator to the second floor where the gallery is located in the atrium. Open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
Watch this video for a virtual tour of the exhibit at https://youtu.be/XB96nngkHhUor find it on our website under the exhibits tab at the top of the homepage.
If you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 280-4917 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.
June Newsletter … Read it Now
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the June 2025 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/News-from-the-Northwest-Minnesota-Arts-Council.html?soid=1103359496097&aid=xv81VCiGjrc
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Warroad RiverPlace Gallery Rural Traditions Exhibit and Artist Reception
New Gallery Exhibit: Rural Traditions at Warroad RiverPlace
May 27 - July 19, 2025
Free | Tuesday - Saturday
Blueberry picking. Hunting. Fishing. Baking. Grain bins. Canned preserves. And, of course: Family. Long-rooted life on the land in northern Minnesota is the inspiration behind the artistry of potter Betsy Saurdiff (Grygla) and watercolorist Debbie Dahl Aune (Gatzke).
A collection of heartfelt memories from yesteryears and a celebration of time-honored practices that continue to bring people together, Rural Traditions engages all of the senses — recalling the smells of Grandma's kitchen to the heat while picking berries to the mouthwatering taste of fresh, home-cooked meals to the sound of crunching leaves underfoot in the crisp, fall months and seeing elevators and grain bins dotting the vast farmland.
Weaving stories from their lives, the artists invite gallery visitors to tell their own as they interact with this unique combination of two- and three-dimensional pieces designed to nourish both body and soul.
Gallery Hours: Experience Rural Traditions from May 27 to July 19, 2025. It is free to visit Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Artist Reception: The public is invited to a free reception celebrating the artists on Friday, June 27, 2025 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. Browse the artwork, meet Betsy and Debbie, and socialize over light refreshments. Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos afterwards at 7 PM.
Tickets on Sale Now for Deuces Wild! Dueling Pianos
Friday, June 27 | 7 PM
Clap along, laugh along, and sing along at this musical comedy show where the audience is always a part of the action.
Artist Reception | 4:30-6:30 PM: Join the community prior to the show for a gallery open house celebrating Debbie Dahl Aune and Betsy Saurdiff, creators of the exhibit Rural Traditions.
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
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.
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 !
Thief River Falls Concert Association Upcoming Shows Feb 8, March 28, and April 22
Thief River Falls Concert Association Winter/Spring 2025 Shows Feb 8, March 28, and April 22
For info and tickets visit their website trfconcerts.com and order online. Or stop by Kezar Music, The Times, or Hugos. All shows at 7 PM at the Lincoln High School Auditorium.
Concert Venue
Lincoln High School Auditorium
101 Knight Ave. So.
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
Map this Location
Parking is available in the east parking lot, across Knight Ave.
from the school. Door 6 (the northeast entrance at the corner
of First St. and Knight Ave.) is the entrance for all concerts.
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!
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
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
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
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.
NW Art Exhibit & Of the Year Award Reception and Program
Our annual Awards reception and program was held on Sunday, April 21 at the Kittson County History Museum. The exhibit opened at noon that day. Mingling and refreshments started at 2:00 PM along with live music by Eagle Creek and Eden Rowan Johnson.
The Awards Program started at 3 PM.
Of the Year Awards were presented to Potter Betsy Saurdiff for the NW Star Award -- Lifetime Achievement, Musician Randy Larson for Artist of the Year, and Radio Host Rom Ogaard for Arts Advocate of the Year, in addition to exhibit awards. Randy Larson performed 2 songs with his adult children.
The Exhibit and Reception were open to the public and free to attend. The exhibit provides an opportunity to see what our regional adult and student artists are creating in their studio spaces and in the classroom. The reception was a wonderful day of celebrating the arts in our region.
Downtown Crookston Development Partnership is hosting a monthly downtown event and is looking for vendors
Downtown Crookston Development Partnership is holding a monthly event this summer called Tuesday Tunes and Market. There will be food, a market, and entertainment. Dates are June 11, July 9, and August 6 from 4 PM to 8 PM. They are looking for vendors for these events. Call 218-280-2854 for details.
The July event (on July 9) is called ‘Fiesta de Crookston’ and will include Latinx music with food and interactive vendors.
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!
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
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
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.