Entertainment

Superior Parade Kick Starts Twin Ports Fourth of July Festivities

SUPERIOR, Wis. — It’s summertime. Which means parade season is in full swing. There’s plenty of reasons to gather. From our nation’s heroes to your everyday local business just starting out. Like the Adventure Acres in Superior. “So, we are opening a tourism farm in August. So, we have goats, and chickens and bunnies. And then like a corn pit…

DECC’s ‘Taco Fest’ Faces Criticism For Not Including Local Mexican Restaurants

DECC officials said its kitchen-prepared event will break even and support staff during slow summer months.

DULUTH, Minn. – The DECC’s first-ever Taco Festival is drawing some criticism because the event does not include any local Mexican restaurants. The DECC describes the event as “a festival-style taco extravaganza,” “a street party with tacos,” and “signature margaritas.” The Taco Fest is happening outside Pioneer Hall Saturday, July 6, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.  The DECC’s kitchen…

Blast From the Past: Earth Rider Hosts Tribute to 1967 Monterey Pop Festival

Twin Ports artists performed their own renditions of some 60's classics

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Things were getting groovy at Earth Rider Brewery in Superior on Sunday afternoon. Fans put on their best “Summer of Love” apparel for ‘Twin Ports Does The Monterey Pop Festival 1967.’ The concert was a tribute to the festival best known for performances by Jimi Hendrix and The Who. It also introduced Janis Joplin and Otis Redding…

Superior Porchfest 2024 Kicks Off

Bringing neighbors together one song at a time, that's the mission of Superior Porchfest and Siggy's Musical Garden

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — It’s that time of year again! The music continued in Superior; Porchfest started Thursday night. Local musicians Breanne Marie and the Front Porch Sinners, Gina Lee, and Sidestreet Detour took to porches around the North End neighborhood. Breanna Marie and the Front Porch Sinners performed across the street from Phoenix Villa Apartments. Siggy’s Musical Garden Executive Director…

4th Annual Mentor North Summer Fest Supports Continued Growth

Earth Rider Brewery Hosted Live Music, Food, and Activities in Support of Mentor North

SUPERIOR, Wisc. — Mentor North held its 4th Annual Summer Fest Thursday evening at Earth Rider Brewery Festival Grounds in Superior. The evening of festivities was all the benefit youth mentoring in Superior and Duluth. There was plenty to do, with live music, food, and mega-sized lawn games. Proceeds from tickets and the silent auction went towards Mentor North. Right…

Lake Superior Zoo Kicks Off Pollinator Week

DULUTH, Minn.– The Lake Superior Zoo is celebrating a special week. A week celebrating an important part of nature. Pollinators are responsible for keeping the ecosystem alive and thriving. The Lake Superior Zoo kicked off the week with pollinator day, where they highlighted the keystone species. “Coming to the zoo, you can learn about pollinators and learn about native and…

Oceans Alive Exhibit Opens

DULUTH, Minn.– A new exhibit made a splash Friday morning at the Great Lakes Aquarium. The Oceans Alive made its debut. The goal with this new exhibit is to represent how our oceans, climate, and local habitats are all connected. The project combines both freshwater, and saltwater enclosures in one area. They are welcoming a giant Pacific octopus, along with…

Pinehurst Beach Begins 2024 Season

CLOQUET, Minn.– The Beach at Cloquet is making a splash by opening for their 2024 season! The Pinehurst beach is kicking off its summer season. With schools wrapping up for the year, it’s a great way to get outside during the summer months. The pool draws a crowd every season. They have several fun and unique features that separates them…

Duluth Skateboard Team Participates In Video Game Inspired Competition

DULUTH, Minn. — A group of skateboarders in Duluth are teaming up to participate in a video game inspired competition. Teams from all over the Midwest gathered in Minneapolis for a challenge. But the challenge is something never attempted before; to use geometric shapes to assemble your own skatepark features to attempt tricks on. They were given 3 hours to…

Upcoming Free Air Spectacular Show

DULUTH, Minn. — A major international event will make its way to the Twin Ports later this summer. Kern and Kompany announced the upcoming “Air Spectacular”.  The show will feature the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. This will be taking place July 31st. Duluth was chosen as one of the four locations to hold this celebration. This air show is quite a…

Ice Is Gone, Rivers Are Flowing For Whitewater Rafting Season

The ice is gone, the temps are rising and the rivers are ready for rafting. Minnesota Whitewater Rafting are ready to get people out on the St. Louis River this Memorial Day weekend and the rest of the summer for wild adventures on the rapids. “You’re gonna to get wet. That’s the biggest thing. People always ask, is someone gonna…

USAF Thunderbirds Land in Duluth Ahead of Airshow

The 15th Duluth Airshow will be headlined by the Thunderbirds this weekend

DULUTH, Minn. — The United States Air Force Thunderbirds have landed in Duluth ahead of the big air show this weekend. The 15th Duluth Airshow is just about ready for take off. This weekend’s headliner, The Thunderbirds, includes eight pilots who will demonstrate the speed and accuracy of their F-16 Fighting Falcon jets. Major Jeffrey Downie — call sign “Simmer”…

Duluth’s ‘Tourism Marketing Working Group’ To Hold Listening Sessions In May

DULUTH, Minn. — The future of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract is being guided by a working group at the request of Mayor Roger Reinert.  And later in May, there are opportunities for businesses and the public to weigh in. This comes after Reinert’s announcement in March that he believes next year’s marketing contract should be awarded to local…

Homegrown Music Festival Expands to Largest Venue to Date

AMSOIL Arena is the latest venue added to the festivals extensive lineup -- and the biggest

DULUTH, Minn. — The 26th Homegrown Music Festival is well underway! Tuesday night featured four musical acts at the festival’s largest venue yet — AMSOIL Arena. The festival features about 160 bands or artists at 35 venues spread across the Twin Ports. And while the event is no stranger to the DECC, this year is the first time Homegrown has…

Ending of CSS Theater Program Draws Sit-in by Students and Supporters

DULUTH, Minn. – A decision announced by the College of St. Scholastica last Friday to cease offering theater productions this fall has shocked students, staff, alumni and the community.  A sit-in by students and others took place Monday. The all-day sit-in outside the school president’s office saw many people from the school and the community taking part. The students talked…

Students Protest Ending of Theater Program at St. Scholastica

DULUTH, Minn. — A late Friday afternoon announcement that the College of St. Scholastica is ending its theatre productions led to a protest Monday outside the school president’s office. Students from the theater program and others gathered for a sit-in to let school officials know they disagree with the decision. The CSS students were joined by UMD theatre students who…

Endion Station Inn Hosts ‘The Great Duluth Sweat Together’

DULUTH, Minn. – Hearty Duluthians came out Saturday for The Great Duluth Sweat Together at the Endion Station Inn in Canal Park. The fun included around a dozen mobile Wood Fire Saunas and an Endion Deck Sauna. People also got their cold plunge into Lake Superior or use cold plunge tubs. The event was described as a day full of…

Students To Protest College of St. Scholastica’s Decision To Cut Theatre Program

DULUTH, Minn. —  There was growing disappointment and sadness Sunday from current and former theatre students at the College of St. Scholastica after learning Friday that the college’s long-running theatre program will be dissolved.  Students plan to hold a sit-in protest at CSS during the day Monday to try to get the decision reversed. “These stories that everyone has, it…

College Of St. Scholastica’s Decades-Long Theatre Productions To Shut Down

The decision was made as the college "navigates the challenging environment of higher education"

DULUTH, Minn. – The Twin Ports theater community will be losing one of its longest-running stages this fall when the College of St. Scholastica shuts down its decades-long theatre program. Students have been producing high-quality productions for the CSS campus and the general community since at least the 1970s, according to a former director of the program. The college released…

16th Annual ‘Continental Bike Swap’ Set For April 26-28

DULUTH, Minn. — If you’re looking to sell, donate or buy a bike, the 16th annual Continental Bike Swap is the place to be next weekend. Continental Ski and Bike puts on the event every year at its store in Duluth.  This year’s even happens April 26-28. The goal is to help Duluthians stay healthy and active. The Bike Swap…

Boat Club Productions Kicks Off Season With ‘Decision Height’

DULUTH, Minn. — Boat Club Productions is kicking off its 2024 season with a show called Decision Height. It’s about the first all-women Air Force unit during World War II and follows the story of six women who make the toughest decision of their lives. Director Rylee Kuberra tells us what this story means to her and history. “I think…

UWS Students Prepare for Opening Night of Ride the Cyclone Musical

SUPERIOR, Wis. – UW-Superior students are rehearsing for a music filled performance taking place starting this weekend. Ride the Cyclone is a contemporary pop-rock musical. It about 6 teenagers from a Canadian chamber choir whose lives are cut short in a freak accident while aboard a roller coaster. They are each then invited to tell a story to win the…

Fitger’s Bockfest Kicks Off With Blessing Of The Bock

DULUTH, Minn. — The annual Fitger’s Bockfest kicked off Thursday evening with the blessing of the bock. It’s a traditional German-styled celebration of spring, and the fun goes all the way through Saturday evening in the Fitger’s Courtyard. On Friday beginning at 5 p.m., there’s a beer tent, entertainment and campfires. Then on Saturday, it’s the main event beginning at…

Local Filmmaker Shines at Minnesota Film Festival

The festival started as a way to make sure audiences heard those untold stories and features filmmakers from right here in Duluth, and around the world. Seed of Doubt is directed by William J. Cox. It tells the story of a young couple’s world turning into paranoia and delusion. Cox wanted to create a psychological drama about gaslighting which is…

Twin Ports Community Doubles Support For ‘Musical Bingo’ & Local Artists

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Bingo fanatics, roughly 170 of them, joined together Thursday night at Barker’s Island Inn to support free community music by playing Musical Bingo. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger called the song titles at Siggy’s Musical Garden, which is an organization that supports local music and artists behind it. Songs were provided by the Mackie Brothers, a rock group…

Mayor Wants “Authentic Duluth” After City’s Tourism Marketing Contract Ends With Twin Cities Firm

DULUTH, Minn. — The city of Duluth’s multi-million dollar tourism marketing contract with a Twin Cities-based firm will expire at the end of the year.  And now, newly elected Mayor Roger Reinert says he believes the contract should come back home. “I fundamentally believe as a Duluthian that we have the creative talents in our community to tell our own…

“Duluth Cheerio Challenge” Launches, Mayor Gets Cheeky After Kathy Cargill’s Insults On City

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluthians, including Mayor Roger Reinert, are responding in creative and humorous ways to billionaire Kathy Cargill, who told the Wall Street Journal over the weekend that Duluth is a “small-minded community” and that Mayor Reinert “peed in his cheerios” when he sent her a letter wanting to know her plans for 20 properties she recently purchased on…

Superior Approves $120K Marketing Partnership With Comedian Charlie Berens

The contract will be paid through hotel-motel tax revenue.

SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior City Council has approved a $120,000 deal with Wisconsin comedian Charlie Berens to help boost tourism in the area. The council’s approval comes after an approval by the Tourism Development Commission. Hotel-motel tax revenue will pay for the production of 10 types of content created by Berens, including photos and videos on social media. The…

Stolen ‘Wizard of Oz’ Ruby Slippers To Go On Tour, Then Be Auctioned

MINNESOTA –The famous “Wizard Of Oz” ruby slippers have been reunited with their owner, but will soon be on the auction block. Jerry Saliterman (AP) As first reported Sunday night, a second man was charged in the case Friday in Federal Court in St. Paul.  76-year-old Jerry Saliterman is accused of theft of a major artwork and witness tampering. The…

Downtown Duluth Eatery Closes After 5 Months; New Eatery Eyeing Location

DULUTH, Minn. – Blue Rock Grill in the heart of downtown Duluth has closed after five months in business. Owner Rick Lampton tells FOX 21 the business closed on March 9. “We definitely didn’t get the volume we were expecting,” said Lampton. Blue Rock Grill moved into the former 7 West Taphouse in early October of 2023. 7 West Taphouse,…

Twin Ports Women’s Invitational Hockey Tournament Begins

24 teams come together for meaningful 30-year tradition that may come to an end.

The Twin Ports Women’s Invitational begins this weekend. The games started over 30 years ago and attracts women hockey players all around the state from ages 18 to 80. Like so many players at the invitational, Angie Hugdahl began playing hockey as a little girl. In college she says hockey changed her life. It was the sense of belonging that…

‘Singing With The Stars’ Dress Rehearsal Before Friday Debut At NorShor Theatre

DULUTH, Minn. — The Duluth Playhouse is getting ready for its 2nd annual “Singing with the Stars” fundraiser. The contestants with familiar faces perform a piece of musical theatre using their own vocals.  Thursday night was the dress rehearsal before performing live Friday at the NorShor Theatre. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger will be one of three judges on stage giving…

Superior’s Boulder Tap House To Open Wednesday

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Goodbye, Grizzly’s. Hello, Boulder Tap House. The countdown is on for the newest member of the Twin Ports dining scene. Finishing touches and staff training continue as Wednesday’s opening gets closer. On Tower Avenue in Superior, Boulder will sit – literally — on the site of the old Grizzly’s. That long-time favorite had been remodeled five times,…

No Madeline Island Ice Challenges “Mad Island”

Film crew adjusts and finds "winter" at Fish Lake.

So, you want to film a movie that requires lots of ice and snow. You grew up in Superior and spent lots of time on Madeline Island. So, why not schedule the shoot for February? Good plan, but Mother Nature had other plans. That’s why a film crew found itself on the shores of Fish Lake, north of the Duluth….

Comedian Maria Bamford Talks Duluth Comedy Festival, Book Signing

Bamford performs at the NorShor Theatre Saturday before holding a book signing at Zenith Bookstore on Sunday

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth-raised comedian Maria Bamford is headlining the Duluth Comedy Festival at the NorShor Theatre this weekend.  She’s also holding a book signing at Zenith Bookstore. FOX 21’s Dan Hanger talked with Bamford about her upcoming visit.  And, well, she was her usual authentic self, of course. “I am a mess Dan hanger. I will, I will guarantee…

Snow-Making Machines Save 50th American Birkebeiner, But With Changes

CABLE, Wis. – Officials with the 50th Annual American Birkebeiner announced Monday evening that the races will go on next week in one form or another. The Birkie won’t be taking its traditional path from Cable to Hayward and will instead take place on a 10 kilometer loop in Cable. Races that go beyond 10 kilometers will do loops. Organizers…

Patrick Mahomes Rallies The Chiefs To 2nd Straight Super Bowl Title

(AP) LAS VEGAS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs are back-to-back Super Bowl champions. Mahomes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman with 3 seconds left in overtime, and the Chiefs rallied to beat the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 on Sunday, becoming the first repeat Super Bowl champs in 19 years and ninth overall….

Florian, of Chmielewski Funtime Band, Going Strong at 97

CLOQUET, Minn. – The Chmielewski Funtime Band has been performing for six generations. Florian Chmielewski, one of 15 Chmielewski kids, continues leading the band and playing polka music to adoring fans. Even on his 97th birthday, he was in Cloquet, busy playing his accordion with his band. “It’s so much fun,” said Florian. “I bring happiness to wherever I go…