Calendar of events that celebrate diversity happening in or near St Louis County

 
 
Special thank you for calendar prep and compiling so many incredible events, Jnana Hand and Tawney Carlson. Please Feel free to send events to Tawney and Jnana. Happy summer!

Recurring Events

Music:

Tuesdays Arts in the Park 4-6 pm June 6- Sep 26 Whiteside Park, 58 S 7th Ave E Ely, MN Arts in the Park - Whiteside Park (duluthreader.com)

Tuesdays June 6-Aug 29 6 pm Olcott Park 901 9th St N Virginia MN Music in the Park - Olcott Park (duluthreader.com)

Tuesdays Chester Creek Concert Series June 13-July 25 7 pm, Aug 1-Aug 15 630 pm Chester Park 1801 E Skyline Pkwy Duluth Chester Creek Concert Series - Chester Bowl (duluthreader.com)

Wednesdays until Oct 25 6-9 pm Paddle Splash Reggae Jam Bent Paddle Brewing 1912 W Michigan St Duluth Paddle Splash Reggae Jam - Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (duluthreader.com)

Wednesdays Bluegrass Jam until Sept 27, 7 pm Sir Benedicts 805 E Superior St Duluth, MN Bluegrass Jam - Sir Benedict's Tavern (duluthreader.com)

Wednesdays June 7-Aug 30  630-8 Glensheen Mansion Concerts on the Pier Glensheen announces 2023 Concerts on the Pier lineup - Duluth News Tribune | News, weather, and sports from Duluth, Minnesota

Events in the Cities

August 6th
9th Annual Little Africa Festival Hamline Park, St Paul

It’s the festival’s 9th anniversary celebrating African culture – including fashion, art, music, and economic empowerment under its core objective.
Little Africa Festival returning to Saint Paul on August 6 (mshale.com)

August 20-26
Midtown Global Market Minneapolis MN

Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Black excellence, creativity, and entrepreneurship at The Black Entrepreneur State Fair! This groundbreaking event is a vibrant showcase of the incredible talents, businesses, and innovations of Black entrepreneurs from across the state. It is set to take place on August 20th til August 26th at Midtown Global Market, and we invite you to be a part of this empowering and inspiring experience.
Black Entrepreneur State Fair

August 26
Minnesota Urban League (MUL) Family Days

Join us and volunteer at Urban League Twin Cities Family Day, Saturday, August 26th, 2023 - Noon to 7PM
The volunteer schedule starts at 7:00AM and ends at 7:00PM. Each area has its own schedule within this time frame. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least a two-hour shift and are encouraged to sign-up for two shifts (or 4 hours). The minimum age to volunteer is 16 years old.
https://macalester.galaxydigital.com/need/detail/?need_id=799102


Aug 6 
Little Africa Festival 12-9 Hamline Park, 1564 Lafond Ave St. Paul MN

It’s the festival’s 9th anniversary celebrating African culture – including fashion, art, music, and economic empowerment under its core objective. Dr. Gene Gelgelu, executive director of African Economic Development Solutions (AEDS) which organizes the annual event, told a press conference to expect a “bigger and better festival.” For more info: littleafricafest.com.
 

August Events

August 1 
Zeitgeist's Neighborhood Night Out 5pm-8 at the Freedom Farm Corner of 6th Ave East and 10th St

Zeitgeist and Family Freedom Center invite neighbors from all over to enjoy free food, live music, basketball, art-making, kids activities and more. Come connect with neighbors at the Family Freedom Farm, watch the “Safer 6th Ave East” short documentary and give your input on the City’s 6th Ave East Resurfacing Project that’s scheduled for summer 2024. For help with transportation, email americorps@zeitgeistarts.com or call 218-336-1370.
https://www.perfectduluthday.com/the-event/hillside-night-out-at-the-farm/

August 2-6 
North St Louis County Fair 1010 Discovery Drive Chisholm MN 55719 

The Saint Louis County Fair office has moved to the lower portion of the Chisholm City Hall.
Our 139th Annual Fair!!!
The 2023 Saint Louis County Fair will be bigger and better than ever.
Established in 1885, we strive to continue the tradition of fun and entertainment, while being educated. Please join us, as we celebrate our 135th fair, with all the delicious fair food, fun rides, and special events for everyone! Hope to see you there for "The Five Best Days of Summer!"
https://www.mfcf.com/events/3000/st-louis-county-fair

August 3
Spirit Valley Days Health Event with vaccinations 11am-8pm

at Health Equity Northland 312 N Central Ave Duluth MN 55807 

Tuesday August 8th
Creating Exit-Ramps from Sex Trafficking Into Safety and Healing

Join Men As Peacemakers (MAP) for a 3-day training aimed at engaging and equipping men and masculine folks (and others!) in building safe, connected, and healing communities for those impacted sex trafficking and other forms of gender-based violence.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/creating-exit-ramps-from-sex-trafficking-into-safety-healing-tickets-664703705677

August 10
Lake Superior Community Health Center Block Party 5pm-7 4325 Grand Ave, Duluth, MN 55807

FREE hot dogs ? and buns (donated by Super One), water, cookies, and chips for dinner
Free Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank produce giveaway #secondharvestfoodbank
Balloon art by Lauralloons Laural Schultze #lauralloons;
A KIDS area with fun crafts;
LIVE MUSIC - the Mackie Brothers #mackiebrothers
Covid shots/boosters
Plus complete a BLOCK PARTY PASSPORT by visiting our 6 booths to get entered for prize drawings!
Come on out and help us celebrate the summer and your local community health center by eating some free food, and listening to some great music!
https://allevents.in/duluth/block-party-lschc-duluth-2023/200024765682045

August 11-12th
3rd Annual Gitchee Gumee Agate Festival
Friday, August 11th @ Ursa Minor Brewing 3:00-8:00pm
Evening Makers Market with rock vendor meet & greet/show & tell; Ask/stump the geologist; Agate Hunter t-shirt release
Saturday, August 12th @ Duluth MakerSpace 10:00-5:00pm
All-day Rock Show with 15 vendors, fundraising raffle to benefit the Duluth MakerSpace, DMS tours, food trucks and Kid’s Dig
https://www.facebook.com/events/6340458612708033?active_tab=about

 

August 11th-13th
Bayfront Blues Festival

The Bayfront Blues Festival is one of the largest annual outdoor music events in the upper Midwest. Each year nearly 20,000 fans are treated to more than thirty different acts on two stages at one of the region’s most beautiful open-air venues.
https://www.musicfestivalwizard.com/festivals/bayfront-blues-festival-2023/

Friday, August 11, 20231 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Iron Pride in the Park

Silver Lake Kline-Cuppoletti Building 111 9th St W, Virginia MN
Iron Pride in the Park is an opportunity for those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer people to unite, be visible, raise our voices and build community right here on the Iron Range. Our one-day event is a remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City that started the modern-day LGBTQ-rights movement. It also serves as an opportunity to demonstrate to those who feel isolated that none of us are not alone. We are strong and resilient. And we support one another. We build our chosen community. We support and welcome our allies who choose to walk along side us.

This year, we've chosen VisibilityVoices and Community as our festival theme.
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/event/iron-pride-park/30952

Friday August 11th 5-10pm
St. Louis County Relay for Life

Bennett Park 5820 E. 13th Street Hibbing, MN
https://secure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_id=106153

Fri, Aug 11, 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Peace & Music on the Water
The St. Louis River Alliance for a special rendition of their Annual Canoe Trip: Peace & Music on the Water at Woodstock Bay Public Landing for a night of community paddling, food, fundraising, and live music.

Attendees meet at Billings Park Landing and paddle together to Woodstock Bay to listen to music from the water. Sonja Rebecca Martin (Feeding Leroy) will be serenading us from the dock, and food and beverages will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the St. Louis River Alliance.
https://www.perfectduluthday.com/the-event/peace-music-on-the-water/

August 19-20
Art in Bayfront Park

International art and food/drinks! Don’t miss this free art festival August 19 & 20, 2023 – located on the beautiful Duluth lakefront. Over 100 artists fill Bayfront Festival Park with juried works of art including jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, metalwork, glass and more! Festive Culinary Arts Market, Art in Action demos, and lots of food and beverages to enjoy. 
https://artinbayfrontpark.com/

August 21st 4-7pm
Unity in Our Community 2023

For the first time ever last year, Duluth Public Schools held the Unity In Our Community back-to-school event. The feedback from our community was extremely positive and we are proud to announce this will be a reoccurring event!
https://allevents.in/duluth/unity-in-our-community-2023/200024546299240

Wed, Aug 23, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm| Recurring Event (See all)| Free | Bent Paddle Brewing Co. Taproom
Paddle Splash Reggae Jam Sessions
Come see what the big splash is all about at this Duluth tropical getaway! Expect songs of peace, love, humanity, happiness, rebellion and good vibes curated by TNT HiFi & Friends in dedication to the musicality of Reggae music and culture.
https://www.perfectduluthday.com/the-event/paddle-splash-reggae-jam-sessions/2023-08-23/

Thursday August 24-Monday September 4th
Minnesota State Fair

Nationally recognized Afro Deli is joining the Minnesota State Fair this year as one of seven new food vendors at The Great Minnesota Get-Together. The African fusion restaurant serves Somali steak sandwiches, chicken curry, gyros, and other foods at four locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
1265 Snelling Ave N, St Paul, MN 55108
https://www.mnstatefair.org/

 

Minnesota State Fair Day Trip
Thu, Aug 24, 7:30 am to 7:30 pm

Come on this outing to the Minnesota State Fair. There is so much to see and do and eat. Save gas, parking hassle, and hours of driving. Sign up for the trip and ride the bus. Participants will have over 5 hours at the fair. Admission included. Please specific if you are a senior (65+) or youth (12 or less). If you are group of 6 or more you get a discount. The bus will stop in Hinckley on the way down and back.
https://www.perfectduluthday.com/the-event/minnesota-state-fair-day-trip/
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023 7:00 pm
Boys II Men and Chaka Khan

https://www.mnstatefair.org/grandstand/boyz-ii-men-and-chaka-khan/

Aug. 25-27, 2023
Cha Cha Bah Ning Traditional Pow Wow

Inger, MN 56636
https://www.llojibwe.org/powwow/schedule.html

Friday August 25th-26th
The Tribute Fest at BayfrontPark

Tribute Fest has first-rate cover bands for bands you love. In 2022, they featured acts covering the Eagles, ABBA, Bob Marley, Journey, Foreigner, Styx, Kansas, Alanis Morisette, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motley Crue, Tom Petty, Guns'n' Roses, Iron Maiden, The Tribute Fest was set up to raise awareness and funds for homeless veterans in the state of Minnesota. Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV)(opens in new window) is a nonprofit organization that has been assisting veterans for over 25 years, helping over 5,500 veterans and their families. It is estimated that 1% of the veterans in this state, or close to 4,100, will experience an episode of homelessness this year. MACV is there to assist!
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/event/tribute-fest-bayfront-park/29966

 

Thursday August 31-Monday September 4th
Duluth Superior Pride

Celebrate pride in the Twin Ports during Labor Day Weekend. Duluth-Superior Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender. Allied, Queer, Intersex (GLBTAQI) Pride serves the Duluth-Superior area's GLBTAQI community by celebrating diversity, promoting understanding, education, acceptance, respect, healthy living, self-esteem, and equality. We seek to promote a positive image of the GLBTAQI community and end discrimination based upon sexual identity.
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/event/duluth-superior-pride/9845

 

August Themes & Days

National Black Business Month
August 1 World Lung Cancer Day
August 17 National Nonprofit Day
August 23 Remember Slavery Day
August 26 Women’s Equality Day
August 28 Anniversary of the March on Washington
August 30 National Grief Awareness Day 

Recommended Viewing

Summer of Soul

Best Documentary at 2022 Independent Spirit Awards

2022 Academy Award winner for Best Documentary

Now playing on Hulu

Check out the trailer here: https://www.searchlightpictures.com/summerofsoul/#


HUMAN
What is it that makes us human? Is it that we love, that we fight ? That we laugh ? Cry ? Our curiosity ? The quest for discovery ? Driven by these questions, filmmaker and artist Yann Arthus-Bertrand spent three years collecting real-life stories from 2,000 women and men in 60 countries. Working with a dedicated team of translators, journalists and cameramen, Yann captures deeply personal and emotional accounts of topics that unite us all; struggles with poverty, war, homophobia, and the future of our planet mixed with moments of love and happiness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdb4XGVTHkE