Dylan Days
May 21-24, 2009
(last updated: May 24, 2009)

The schedule below shows our 2009 lineup; the 2010 schedule will be announced in the winter

HIBBING, Minn. ─ Bob Dylan turns 68 this year, and his northeastern Minnesota hometown will again celebrate with an exciting lineup of Dylan Days arts and entertainment activities from May 21-24, 2009. This year is the 50th anniversary of Robert Zimmerman's graduation from Hibbing High School.

Most events are free with the purchase of the Dylan Days pin. The benefit concert has a separate ticket cost with proceeds going to the Hibbing Arts Council to promote future Dylan Days events and concerts. Events are subject to minor schedule changes until two weeks prior to the event. For more information e-mail info@dylandays.com.

Pre-Dylan Days events
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
On Dylan Days eve, the Lincoln Elementary School will host a talent contest for students at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Auditorium. See some of Hibbing’s youth showcase their many talents much like a young Bobby Zimmerman would have in the 1950s.

Meantime, "Artists of the North Country" (Lake Superior Watercolor Society) invites you to attend their third exhibit of artwork inspired by the life and lyrics of Bob Dylan at the Hibbing Public Library Auditorium from May 1-June 1.

A portion of proceeds from sales will be given to Friends of the Hibbing Public Library.

Wednesday night, Dylan Days Eve, Bill Maxwell and Cowboy Angel Blue will play at Zimmy's from 7-10 p.m.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

DYLAN DAYS OFFICIALLY BEGIN!

All day, check out the sites in Hibbing and pick up your Dylan Days pins and posters. A $5 Dylan Days pin gets you into most Dylan Days events and helps support our organization. Dylan Days posters and copies of the program/literary journal "Talkin' Blues" will also be available for $5 each. All are part of a limited run, the sales of which are a major source of operating revenue for Dylan Days.

OPENING EVENT
Join us for a program and dedication of a historic photo of the Golden Chords (Bob Zimmerman, LeRoy Hoikkala, Monte Edwardson) from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Little Theater in the Hibbing Memorial Building. Hosted by U.S. Bank and the Hibbing Historical Society. Dig into Hibbing history at the Historical Society Museum in the lower level of the Memorial Building. (Open 3-7 p.m. this day).

Meantime, over at the Hibbing Public Library, a reception will be held for the artists of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society exhibit from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy Dylan-inspired art and Bob Dylan's mom's banana chocolate chip bread and punch (Refreshments provided by Friends of the Library and Library Staff).

(Note: the previously scheduled appearance of Michael Gray at the Hibbing Public Library has been cancelled).

At 7:30 p.m. see the Dylan Days Literary Showcase, featuring readings from the winners of the Dylan Days Creative Writing Contest and the world premiere of the winning play from the Dylan Days One Act Playwright Contest at the Hibbing Community College Theatre. The play will be directed by acclaimed director Mike Ricci of the HCC Theatre program who has directed plays and theatre companies across the country and cast with Iron Range actors. Admission free with Dylan Days button. This event emcee will be Aaron Brown, the Dylan Days Creative Writing Contest coordinator and author of the book "Overburden: Modern Life on the Iron Range." Brown will give a brief reading.

From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. a Community Stage will be opened at Zimmy's where musicians and writers will be welcome to share their performances with the opening night Dylan Days crowd. The Grunt Monkeys featuring Jim Foster will lead the evening's eclectic entertainment.

Friday, May 22, 2009

(The creative writing workshop originally scheduled for Friday morning has been cancelled due to scheduling conflicts; please join us for literary night on May 21 and our series of author events).

From 1-3 p.m., Steven Heine, author of "Bargainin' for Salvation" will appear at Howard Street Booksellers. At 2:30 Heine will give a brief presentation about his book.

At 3 p.m., Colleen Sheehy and Thomas Swiss, co-editors of the soon-to-be-released book "Highway 61 Revisited: Bob Dylan's Road from Minnesota to the World" will also present at the Howard Street Booksellers in downtown Hibbing and then remain available for book signing and discussion until 5 p.m.

The cornerstone of Dylan Days, the Singer-Songwriter Contest at Zimmy’s, begins at 7 and usually runs until midnight. Admission is free, but seating is on a first come basis with no advance reservations. (The Singer-Songwriter Contest showbill has filled for 2009; a waiting list is being taken and interested musicians are encouraged to participate in Thursday's community stage). See the 2009 lineup of singer/songwriters!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Ride the world-famous Bobby Zimmerman bus tour from late Saturday morning until early afternoon. The bus departs from Zimmy's at 10:30 a.m. and will return there at 2:30 after a fascinating, critically-acclaimed guided tour of the Hibbing that inspired a young Bob Dylan. Tickets are $15 and include a Dylan Days pin, advance registration required. (NOTE: As of May 15 the bus tour has filled. Reservations for the waiting list are still being taken, call 218-262-5206).

MPR and "Almanac" host Cathy Wurzer, author of "Tales of the Road: Highway 61," will hold a book signing at Howard Street Booksellers at 2:30 p.m. and will give a reading at 4 p.m.

At 3:30 p.m., an encore presentation of "Blur in the Rear View," the winning one-act play from the 2009 Dylan Days Playwright competition will be staged at the Hibbing Community College Theatre.

You can get your mail or souvenirs stamped with the official annual Dylan Days U.S. Postal Cancellation at Zimmy’s, noon-4 p.m. (Admission Free).

From 4-6 p.m., a "Meet the Class of '59" reception will be held at Zimmy's. Meet members of Bob Dylan's high school class.

Famed violinist Scarlet Rivera will headline the lineup for the 2009 Dylan Days Benefit Concert at the Historic Hibbing High School Auditorium on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Rivera, violinist for Bob Dylan in the mid-1970’s, will be accompanied by Gene LaFond & The Wild Unknown. Tickets are available online or by calling 1-866-420-1234 (toll free) or 651.209.6689. Check out the musical concert invitation!

After the concert, an after party featuring birthday cake will be held at Zimmy's.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan!

Dylan Days will host a Farewell Brunch at Zimmy’s from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $12 ($10 with Dylan Days pin).


OTHER EVENTS MAY BE ANNOUNCED

Dylan Days prides itself on homegrown traditions like the singer/songwriter contest, the literary event and the bus tour. Past events have included:

From its humble origins as a spontaneous jam session, to its growth as part of the Hibbing Area Chamber of Commerce, to its current status as a fast growing, independent community arts organization, Dylan Days seeks to enhance the arts community in Northern Minnesota in addition to conducting these annual events. Dylan Days works with many community partners, including the schools, the city, the chamber of commerce and other artistic groups.We operate off the advertising revenue for our annual publication, "Talkin' Blues," the program and literary journal of Dylan Days. Find out how to support us with your advertising dollars (lower rates available for individuals to take out small patronage ads).

For information on Dylan Days events, ticket information, or to inquire about participating in a Dylan Days activity, e-mail info@dylandays.com.

For more about Northeastern Minnesota's Iron Range, visit the Iron Range Tourism Bureau.

Dylan Days is an annual event organized by Dylan Days, Hibbing, MN, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing the arts in Bob Dylan's hometown. All content not provided for promotional purposes copyright by Aaron J. Brown.