Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

…or at least the Showmobile, on Bridge Square, in Downtown Northfield.

Saturday is always one of the most delightful times to be downtown, enjoying the vibrant shops, historic buildings, wild and scenic river, and…

…the Arts and Culture.

This Saturday, August 9th, is going to be especially enjoyable.

From 12 to 6 pm, there will be an Artists’ Market in Bridge Square, celebrating the creations of local and regional artists, including Andrea Carpentier, John Ehresmann, Heather Lawrenz, Barb Matz, Marissa Martinez, Northfield Guild Artists, Diana Postlethwaite, Ian Sheppard, Nikki Sheppard, Nick Sinclair, Spotty McDotty, Amanda Stremcha, Leanne Stremcha, Carla Thompson, and Jennifer Wolcott.

From 1 to 9 pm, there is a long line-up of local talent, gracing the stage for ArtSwirl.

Come on down(town) and enjoy the Northfield Arts Guild Mexican Folkloric & Tappers Dance Group, Jazz Duo Christina Schwietz and Peter Webb, The Jewels of the Nile: “Caravan from the Middle East to the Midwest”, contemporary Nordic folk with Scandium, folk rock with Blue Moon, root rockers Marty Anderson and the Goods, and jazz rock trio, Jellystone Yogi.

Then this evening, grab a bite to eat in one of downtown’s over two dozen eateries, and, thus refueled and refreshed, go back into the streets for the Downtown Gallery and Studio Crawl including ArtOnWater, ArtOrg, Barefoot Studio, Phil Daniel Architectural Stained Glass, Grezzo Gallery, Kristen Johnson & Barbara Zaveruha, The Key, Northfield Arts Guild, Karen Oiseth, Right Brain Ventures, swag, and the Women’s Art Share Studio.

…for a bit of my personal obsession: artistic business signs.

Yes, there’s a new one…and it went up just in time for ArtSwirl. Bart DeMalignon and Jim Bohnhoff put up this cool “Art” sign on the Grezzo Gallery Building. Local art sign critics Chip DeMann and Maggie Lee seem to approve.

Okeh, now back to your regularly scheduled (ArtSwirl) programming.

Today, Friday, among other things, there’s the Northfield Arts Guild Ballet Performance on the Cannon River Pedestrian Bridge, 6 pm, Storytelling: Real Lives Aloud at the Arts Guild Theater, 7:30 pm, and the Meredith Fierke CD Release Event at the Grand Event Center, 8 pm.

Tomorrow, Saturday, a portion of the possibilities includes the Artists’ Market in Bridge Square, 12 to 6 pm, Performing Arts on the Showmobile in Bridge Square, 1 pm to 9 pm, and the Downtown Gallery and Studio Crawl, 6 to 9 pm.

Then Sunday, there’s the Greater Northfield Studio Tour, 12 – 5 pm, including the Unveiling of “Between Earth and Sky”, and Politics and a Pint, at the Contented Cow, 6 pm.

As a new twist to this year’s ArtSwirl, there has been an extra effort to book local bands in the pubs. It’s all happening this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so come on down(town) and check out your favorite group.

Thursday, Todd Thompson & Friends are at The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division Street, and Down Lo is at the Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street.

Friday, Tony Newes is at The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division Street, Marty Anderson & The Goods are at The Contented Cow, 302 Division Street, and Meredith Fierke‘s CD Release Event, with opening act Scaredy Cat Blackie, is at at the Grand Event Center, corner of 4th and Washington Streets.

Saturday night, its Todd Thompson & Friends are at the Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe, 415 Division Street, Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders are at The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division Street, and the Rice County All Stars are at The Contented Cow, 302 Division Street.

Oh, and after Politics and a Pint, it’s the Northern Roots Session at The Contented Cow, on Sunday night. It’s a long weekend of great local music in Downtown Northfield.

This Thursday, August 7th, is the big ArtSwirl Kick-off in Bridge Square. It’s a family-friendly event with something for everyone.

From 4 to 7 pm, the weekend-long Wood Sculpting Demonstration by Minnesota artist Curtis Ingvoldstad begins. The subject of Curtis’ ArtSwirl piece is a secret (at least until tomorrow night), however, (hint) it is a popular local theme.

At 6 pm, there is a surprise visit by the subject of the Ingvoldstad sculpture (and then it’ll be no secret). Don’t miss the dramatic arrival!

Shortly after 6 pm, the breakdancing, featuring the Lost Boyz Crew and an “Edible Art Walk“, along with a variety of arts and crafts activities for kids (sponsored by the Northfield Entertainment Guide, The Rare Pair, Sisters Ugly, The Sketchy Artist, Sweet Pea’s Toys and Treats, and Women & Kids on Division) begins.

Finally, back by popular demand from the Vintage Band Festival, it’s Craig Ebel & DyVersaCo for a polka-style street dance. People who were there will tell you, it’s a whole lot of fun.

It’s all free and it’s all in Downtown Northfield.

In case you haven’t heard, this weekend is ArtSwirl. On Saturday night, there’s going to be a Gallery and Studio Crawl, in Downtown Northfield.

ArtOnWater, 217 South Water Street, is featuring an exhibition of selected works of local artists Colleen Riley, Jim Bohnhoff, Tonya Kjerland, April Ripka, as well as special guest artists Gail Tang (Chicago), Mary Ruth and Lynette Schmidt Yencho (Owatonna), and some photography from Dean Kjerland’s international years, ArtOrg, lower level 314 Division Street, is showing “Twenty Views of Dundas”, Grezzo Gallery, 16 Bridge Square, is featuring wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad, and the Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division Street, is showing the work of Ron Gallas and Meg Ojala. Additional venues are joining The Crawl, including The Key, 303 S. Water Street, featuring the work of recent Honors Art graduates, and swag, 423 Division Street, showing the work of a number of regional artists and crafts people.

The studios are also joining in by opening their doors to the public. Barefoot Studio, 418 Division street, offers the work of Carla Thompson, Phil Daniel, 101 E. Fifth Street, Suite 209 (enter at rear of building), shows architectural stained glass, Kirsten Johnson & Barbara Zaveruha, 105 E. Fifth Street, offers paintings and drawing, Karen Oiseth, 105 E. Fifth Street, shows her paintings, Right Brain Ventures, 305 S. Water Street, offers the work of Barb Matz, and the Women’s Art Share Studio, 101 E Fifth Street, Suite 305, features the works of Sue Hammes-Knopf and Mary Rose Gondeck.

Both the galleries and the studios are up and running all year round. However, Saturday night their doors will be open for a Big Time on our little Art Town.