FUN THE TO-DO LIST

Homegrown Music Festival

April 28-May 5

Venues in Duluth and Superior

Homegrown Music Festival started as, simply, a music-driven birthday party for a local musician and fun-maker, Scott “Starfire” Lunt of Father Hennepin. And then the blasted thing just exploded into eight days of music, art, vids, poetry, kickball and pop-up frivolity. Among the bigger shows on the schedule this year: electro-pop boy band Alamode, the fierce and emotive Mary Bue & The Monarchy and the soul-ripped-apart-with-teeth foursome Superior Siren on May 1 at Clyde Iron Works. There will be almost 200 bands playing at dozens of venues in Duluth in Superior. In addition to scheduled events, keep your eyes on Twitter for surprise concerts and after-parties. Wristbands start at $10 for a single weeknight. duluthhomegrown.org

Kelsea Ballerini

May 9

Amsoil Arena

Kelsea Ballerini, a straight-up country woman with a smooth pop-twang, brings her “Unapologetically Tour” to Amsoil Arena. The Grammy Award-nominee has earned kudos ranging from a Forbes’ 30 under 30, to a Grand Ole Opry induction, to a Barbie doll in her likeness. Among Ballerini’s newer releases is a catchy get-it, grrrl song that compares prerelationship woman with post-stifling relationship woman and determines: “I thought I’d miss you, but I miss me more.” Also playing: Brett Young and Brandon Ratcliff. decc.org