Singer/Songwriter contest, ‘Ramblin’ Jack’ highlight Dylan Days lineup

Live music every night for annual arts event in Dylan’s hometown, May 22-25

HIBBING, Minn. (May 7, 2008) – Celebrating the love of music that propelled a young Iron Ranger named Bobby Zimmerman toward fame, Dylan Days rolls out a diverse lineup of musical acts for its annual arts event May 22-25.  

“Music is the heart of Dylan Days,” said Aaron Brown, spokesperson for the annual music, art and literature celebration in Hibbing, the blue collar mining town where Bob Dylan grew up. “After all, live music is what started this event.”

Indeed, Dylan Days owes its roots to the world famous singer/songwriter contest held each year around Dylan’s birthday at Zimmy’s, the Dylan-themed restaurant and bar in downtown Hibbing. This year, the songwriter showdown is Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. The winner will open the Dylan Days Benefit Concert for the Hibbing Arts Council the following night.

That show, headlined by folk legend and Dylan contemporary Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, will be at 7 p.m., Saturday, May 24 – Dylan’s birthday – at the Hibbing High School auditorium. The high school stage is known as the site of one of Dylan’s first controversial performances during a high school talent contest. Elliott was a well known folk voice in the 1960s and was cited by Dylan as a strong influence on his musical style. The concert also features opening act Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover, two venerable folk artists in their own right. In addition, the singer/songwriter contest winner and youth talent show winners will each perform a song to open the show.

Reserved seating for the Ramblin’ Jack Elliott concert is available for $15. A wide range of excellent seats are available for more, with all proceeds going to the Hibbing Arts Council. Ticket information is at www.dylandays.com.

Dylan Days promises live music every night. On Wednesday, May 21 – Dylan Days eve – Iron Range folk rock band Cowboy Angel Blue will perform at Zimmy’s from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Then, on Thursday, May 22, Dylan-inspired folk musician Travis Brandon plays Zimmy’s at 5 p.m.. The Grunt Monkeys, a traditional folk band from Anchorage, Alaska, will return to Dylan Days at 8 p.m., also at Zimmy’s.

Hundreds of writers, artists and musicians from all over the world participate in Dylan Days every year. Live music, displays and many other local cultural events are scheduled throughout the event, including the grand opening of “Tangled Up in Ore,” an original exhibit of Dylan memorabilia, photographs and local artifacts at Ironworld in nearby Chisholm, Minn. This exhibit was made possible in part by a grant from Iron Range Resources and was produced in consultation with Dylan Days.

Dylan Days is an annual event organized by a volunteer committee as part of Dylan Arts Celebration, a community initiative to honor Dylan and expand the arts in Northeastern Minnesota. Dylan Days began informally in 1991 as a musical tribute on Dylan’s May 24 birthday at Zimmy’s in Hibbing. It is now a fast growing arts event that encourages visual, musical and literary artists from Minnesota and across the world. For more information, see www.dylandays.com or call 1-866-305-3849.

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CONTACT:     Aaron J. Brown, Dylan Days media coordinator and co-chair, 218-969-9663 or info@dylandays.com.