Hanging out in the cold, a roaring fire at your feet, and a local beer in hand is a pretty great way to celebrate the “up north” lifestyle, don’tcha know? The Great Northern Festival’s opening night embraced that mood wholeheartedly on the evening of Jan. 26 in the parking lot of Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy Street NE. With bonfires spaced strategically across the lot and live music accompanying a light show projected onto the tower of the nearby Highlight Center, the first in a long list of events lined up over the next ten days was relatively low key.
“We have a big week ahead of us,” said Kate Nordstrum, the artistic and executive director of the festival, before introducing the night’s entertainment.
The festival was founded as a partnership between the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, the US Pond Hockey Championships, and the City of Lakes Loppet Winter Festival in 2017. The festival is meant to be a celebration of the spirit of the north through a series of art, performances and discussions surrounding our culture and climate issues that threaten our lifestyle. Opening night offered a place for the community to “Chill Out,” the official theme for the evening. Beer, cocktails and hot cocoa were available at stands all around the lot, and a mobile sauna and hot tub, courtesy of Cedar and Stone Nordic Saunas from Duluth, was set up in front of the entrance to Quincy Hall for people who preregistered.
The opening night featured a performance by Kith and Kin Chorus, a local community choir group. Behind the choir, animation by student artists from Juxtaposition Arts, followed by a music video by multimedia artist Daniel Wohl were projected against the old grain elevator that looms over Quincy Hall’s parking lot.
The headliner for the night was musician Andrew Broder, who provided an eclectic musical background for the festival. He was joined by traditional indigenous singer Joe Rainey, Sr., a member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians and Minneapolis hometowner (though he now lives in Wisconsin.)
Events at various venues around the metro range from art exhibits and musical events to interactive experiences, climate discussions and even a spa day. A schedule is online at thegreatnorthernfestival.com
Below: The line for food cut across the parking lot as chefs prepared Hmong/Mexican/Polish fusion meals for attendees. Yia Vang, from Union Hmong Kitchen and the upcoming Vinai, cooking over open fire. Featured musical artists Andrew Broder and Joe Rainey, Sr. performed in front of videos projected onto the old grain elevators of the Highlight Center. The giant owl and participants enjoying the hot tub and sauna contributed to the mood. (Photos by Alex Schlee)
