Arts & Events Calendar

Nature Play Group

Mondays June-August

Join us for this weekly drop-in program that meets Mondays at 10:00 am in the Hartley Nature Playscape. It is facilitated by a Hartley educator with a welcoming circle, then is openly structured to allow children to explore within the elements (including water) as they choose. (Cancels only for extreme weather). Runs 10-11:30 am, June through August. $2 per child. 3001 (Range is Aug. 5-Sept. 30)

Chester Creek Concert Series

Aug. 6 and 13

Two more concerts remain for this year’s free outdoor concert series at Chester Bowl. August shows are at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings at the park, 1801 E. Skyline Parkway. Aug. 6: Big Waves and Bonfires (Americana, folk)

Aug. 13: Honest Maude (Americana, alt)

Laughter on the 23rd Floor

Aug. 1-10

Playwright Neil Simon got his first big break in the early 1950s as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s fabled television series Your Show of Shows, and this comedy takes a fictionalized look at the backstage chaos that went into producing one of the landmarks of television’s golden age. Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Underground. $20. duluthplayhouse.org

Bayfront Blues Festival

Aug. 9-11

Bayfront Festival Park hosts three days of live music, food and fun. It’s one of the largest annual outdoor music events in the upper Midwest. Each year nearly 20,000 fans enjoy more than 30 acts on two stages at one of the region’s most beautiful open-air venues. Single-day to three-day passes ranger from $45-$119. See schedule and more information online at bayfrontblues.com.

"Fun Home”

Aug. 9-24

We make every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information. However, you should always call ahead to confirm dates, times, location, and other information.

Art in Bayfront Park

Aug. 17-18

Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s funeral home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. 2015 Tony Award winner for best musical. Renegade Theater, Zeitgeist, 222 E. Superior St. 7:30 p.m. Matinees at 9 p.m. $20 general admission, $16 seniors and students. Zeitgeistarts.com

The Nice Girls of the North Second Saturday Marketplace

Aug. 10, Sept. 14

Browse handcrafted items for sale, from clothing and bags to pottery, jewelry and more. Free coffee, cookies and door prizes. Live music. One checkout for all purchases. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 106 N. 54th Ave. E.

Lake Superior Art Festival at Brighton Beach

Aug. 10

More than 40 artists will display their work for sale along this popular Duluth beach. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Find the event’s Facebook page for more information.

Festival of Sail

Aug. 11-13

Opportunities during this event include seeing tall ships in Duluth, stepping aboard and setting sail. Educational programming, food, craft beer garden and family entertainment. festofsailduluth.com

Murder Mystery Express

Aug. 12-16; 19-23

Board the North Shore Scenic Railroad to figure out who dunnit. Dinner and train show is $88 per person. Reservations are required. duluthtrains.com

Art lovers can purchase gallery-quality work from approximately 180 artists. Art classes offered. artinbayfrontpark.com

“Rebel without a Cause”

Aug. 18

Visit the NorShor Theatre for its classic film series. Jim Stark hopes to find the love he doesn’t get from his middle-class family. Starring James Dean and Natalie Wood, 1955. Drinks and movie discussion offered after seeing the movie on the big screen. 211 E. Superior St. $12. norshortheatre.com

RivALZ Twin Ports

Aug. 24

Who’s your biggest RivALZ? For us and millions of Americans, it’s Alzheimer’s disease. RivALZ Twin Ports – a women’s flag football fundraiser – raises awareness and funds to benefit care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. We're looking for players, coaches and volunteers to join the fight! Visit act.alz.org/twinportsrivalz or twinportsrivalz@gmail.com to learn more. Game will be held at Public Schools Stadium, Denfeld High School. Gates open at 2 p.m., Kick Off at 3 p.m.

Duluth-Superior Pride

Aug. 29-Sept. 1

Celebrate LGBT pride and more during this two-day weekend of events. Many events will be happening related to a weekend focused on positive images about sexual identity.

“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is playing at the Underground Aug. 29-31. Festival at Bayfront park Aug. 31 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. duluthsuperiorpride.com

Minnesota Mile

Sept. 6

Grandma’s Marathon presents this run along scenic Skyline Parkway. $20 preregistration until Sept. 4, then $30. Kids’ mile $10. grandmasmarathon.com

Twin Ports Area Walk to End Alzheimer's

Sept. 7

Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Join 1,000 walkers from the Twin Ports Area as they walk to support the cause locally. Walk registration begins at 8:30 AM in Pioneer Hall at the DECC with a walk around Canal Park beginning at 10:15 AM. To donate or start a team visit act.alz.org/twinports or call 218.733.2560 for more information.

Paws for Cause 5K walk/run

Sept. 7

The 21st annual fundraiser for the Humane Society of Douglas County. On the Osaugie Trail across from Barker's Island Festival Park off E. US Hwy 2. Registration: 8-9 a.m. $30 until Aug. 19, then $40. Family $75 until Aug. 19, then $95. Includes T-shirt for each registrant and a bandanna for your dog(s). hdcpets.com.

Art in Bayfront Park

Aug. 17-18

A two-day art fair located on the beautiful Duluth lakefront at Bayfront Festival Park. Art lovers will find quality work from local and regional artists. Work includes jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass and more. Artinbayfrontpark.com

The Tribute Fest

Aug. 22-24

Three days of performances by tribute bands who play the hits of popular artists. Country music on Thursday, rock music Friday and Saturday. Bayfront Festival Park. Ticket packages range from $15-$180. Thetributefest. com

Duluth Superior Pride Festival

Aug. 31

This family-friendly community event that celebrates the LGBTQA community. The annual free event features beer tents, exhibitors, vendors, entertainment and an area of fun games and activities for children. Duluthsuperiorpride.com.

Duluth AFL-CIO Labor Day Picnic

Sept. 2

The 128th annual Duluth Labor Day Picnic, sponsored by the Duluth AFL-CIO Central Labor Body, will be Sept. 2 from noon to 4 p.m. at Bayfront Festival Park. The picnic is free and open to the public and includes food, entertainment, games for kids and ample prolabor politicking and speeches.

Lake Superior Harvest Festival

Sept. 7

For 26 years, the Lake Superior Chapter of Sustainable Farming Association has put on this event, connecting producers and consumers. Located in Bayfront Festival Park, the event features a large farmers’ markets, live music, crafts, nonprofit showcase, educational exhibits, family activities and more. Admission and parking are free. sfa-mn.org/harvestfestival