Glad we applied!

We did the last of the Kitchigami Library concerts today. This morning we headed to the golf course in Blackduck, where the library was hosting the concert. There were no golfers anywhere in sight, because the stream running through the course was flooded, looking more like another Minesota lake than a stream. The bridges for the golf carts were under water. But soggy weather didn't keep our loyal audience away!

Then we headed south on Highway 71 to the Bemidji Library. They had already cleared out a large area right in the main reading room, and we had a very attentive crowd of 75 people, including 20 kids! During the questions and answers afterwards, someone asked us if we might include the Swedish song "Nicolina" in a future show (same thing someone said a few concerts ago --- must consider this!!)

We feel so lucky to have met so very many good people on this tour so far; the hard working people at the venues who do all the preparation before we get there, and audiences who are interested in traditional music and Minnesota history. We are so glad we applied for the job of being the "Curtis & Loretta" folk duo 33 years ago!

Lakes, the prairie, and Jupiter

Today we drove down out of lake country, to the edge of the prairie in Wadena. When we asked if anyone had done any farming, many many hands went up (unlike the Brainerd Lakes area, where lots of folks had ancestors in the logging camps, but no one had done any farming!) The concert was at Humphrey Manor because the Wadena Library wasn't big enough. We had a great, attentive audience. Afterwards, someone asked if we might do a different time period for our next project, perhaps the early 1900s. Very interesting idea!

And one lady pointed out that my question on the Minnesota history quiz on the handout, "In 1876, what outlaw robbed the bank at Northfield?" was ambiguous. My correct answer was Jesse James, but as she pointed out, he didn't rob it. He ATTEMPTED to rob it, but did not succeed!! I've got to start watching my p's and q's, that's for sure!

After the show we headed back up north. As the sun went down, we were driving through farmland, with hay bales neatly sitting in the fields. By the time it was dark, we were back in forest / lake country. A huge orange moon rose in the east, with Jupiter shining brightly to the right of it. In Bemidji, we took the cut-off for International Falls, and stopped in Blackduck.

Two shows left on this leg of the tour. Saturday 10:00 am at the Blackduck Golf Course, and
Saturday 4:00 pm at the Bemidji Public Library. Then back to Minneapolis. Today we decided we want to move up north!

Dancing in the aisles

This morning we were in Walker, and late this afternoon, at the Cass Lake Library. In Cass Lake, the library is in a beatiful historic stone building that was built in 1942 for the Chamber of Commerce. Just as in Longville, a few days ago, we set up in a wide aisle among the books, with chairs set up facing us. Very impressive log beams in the ceiling far overhead. Afterwards, someone in the audience told us he was happy to hear all the verses to some of these old songs he'd heard many times before (if you hear these old songs at all, it's usually just the chorus).

Last night at Park Rapids a little girl wearing a pumpkin print dress danced in the aisles. Who says you can't dance and sing along in a library? At most of the concerts, everyone has joined in heartily on Camptown Races, Clementine, and O! Susanna.

The foggy road to Longville

We left Minneapolis yesterday at 6 pm, and headed north, continuing the Minnesota Heritage in Song tour. We got to Pine River about 9:00 pm, and turned right onto Hwy 84. We thought it would take about 20 to 30 minutes to get to the little town of Longville. But no! There are said to be 127 turns in that road! And the fog got thicker and thicker as we headed down the road. It was 10:00 pm by the time we got to the Longville Inn, a charming motel on the edge of town, with kitchenettes in the rooms (where you may NOT clean fish in the kitchen sink!!) By day, we could see that it is truly beautiful country. Lakes and woods everywhere, and the fall colors are already at their peak.

We set up in the morning at the Longville Library, and had a really nice crowd. We were set up right in among the books, and I happened to be sitting near the Minnesota history section! I really wanted to check out "Widows of the Gold Rush in Little Falls." In the question and answer period at the end of the concert, someone had a good suggestion, that we hand out the words to the songs that people don't know. I agree, it is hard to pick up on all the words of songs you've never heard before, going by very quickly, and in 1800s language.

Tonight we were at the Warehouse Community Center in Pine River (the library wasn't big enough). Had a crowd of 50, including some kids, which was great! Tomorrow is Excelsior Place in Baxter, then the Park Rapids Library. Library patrons make such good audiences!

Owatonna concert in historic 1887 building

This afternoon we did the Minnesota Heritage in Song Concert at the Owatonna Arts Center, which is housed in a beautiful historic building, built in 1887. For many years it was the State Orphanage, then a State School. It felt so appropriate, singing these folk songs from the 1800s and earlier in such a place. Truly, many of these songs were sung there before! There's a fantastic museum there with information and photos of the orphanage, and there's always events going on there too. Check out their website at wwww.oacarts.org

When we did our question and answer session at the end of the concert, someone told us that originally, Jesse James and his gang planned to rob a bank in Mankato. But someone on the street recognized Jesse, so they revised their plans and rode on to Northfield. I love learning these tidbits of history from the audience. Let us know if you can add to our Minnesota history knowledge!!

Crosslake, Brainerd, Pequot Lakes and Owatonna coming up!

We're packing our costumes right now (actually, as soon as I quit typing this!). This Friday we head to Crosslake Library, then Saturday we're at Brainerd Public Library and Pequot Lakes Library, Sunday down to Owatonna, and next week back up north. Please scroll down for the whole schedule (these are all in northern Minnesota), and check our website for full details. Hope to see you! www.curtisandloretta.com/touring.html

A few changes to concert schedule

There's been a few changes to the Minnesota Heritage in Song concert schedule. Scroll down on this page to see the correct schedule of dates, times and places. Three concerts have had time changes, and a few concerts have been moved from libraries to larger venues. You can also go to our website for full, correct details! http://www.curtisandloretta.com/touring.html

Shalom Hill Farm concert was great!

We had our first Minn. Heritage in Song concert on the tour in Windom last night, at a beautiful place called Shalom Hill Farm. The audience was great, and afterwards one lady came up to say we should include a Swedish song! What a great suggestion!

Does anyone else have any suggestions about things they'd like to see in this concert?

Were you in Windom last night? As we packed up the Milky Way was beautiful, and there was an orange crescent moon in the southwest sky.