Festival-goers need only hop, skip and jump to witness all the ancillary arts. The photography, videography, and poetry take place along a one-block stretch on Superior Street. Trying to find street parking downtown can quickly sour a good vibe, however. Pro tip: Take advantage of the Historic Arts and Theater parking ramp by Fond-du-Luth Casino or the Sheraton Duluth Hotel ramp.

The opening reception for the Homegrown Photo Show starts at 5 p.m. Blacklist Artisan Ales hosts the display as well as half a dozen different musical acts.

The premiere of the 2018 Homegrown Music Video Festival happens at Zinema 2. The fest has a retrospective aspect this year. Some of the assigned songs will be from “legacy bands” that played the first couple of festival lineups.

The newly restored NorShor Theatre hosts the Homegrown Poetry Showcase at 7:30 p.m. It’s the first time the NorShor has served as a Homegrown venue since 2010. Coordinator Tina Higgins Wussow expects a packed house. Violinist Gaelynn Lea will again provide musical accompaniment for the roughly 30 poets.

The Rex has an offbeat lineup that ranges from experimental weirdo music to noise punk, dance music, and alt-country.

Click here for the most update to date schedule!

Day-to-day stories by Lissa Maki
This year’s Homegrown hullabaloo starts at noon on Sunday with the Children’s Music Showcase. It’s the third year of the family-friendly event. Attendance spiked from 100 in 2016 to more than 1,100 last year.

“That’s a huge leap and tells me that there was a gap here ready to be filled by this festival,” says coordinator Jesse Dykhuis.

Dykhuis says the showcase gives families a way to participate in the magic of the festival together and offers a way to highlight the crazy, cool and creative things local folks are doing and making.

Along with the lineup of live music, the free event at the Great Lakes Aquarium includes activities designed for kids, like a maypole, hula-hooping, face-painting, music-based movement, yoga and more.

The Homegrown Mayoral Proclamation and official launch event is at a new location this year: Hoops Brewing. Owner Dave Hoops is thrilled to host, noting the beer hall isn’t a rock-and-roll venue but can fit 300 people and was built for community events like this.

“I think it’s a perfect fit for the kickoff event,” Hoops said, “to help everyone kind of roll into Homegrown.”

Hoops will have a special beer on tap to honor Mayor Emily Larson. As for the style, Hoops intends to consult with the mayor but hints Larson is a “major hophead.”
Teague Alexy & Erik Berry close out the night at the beer hall, then Pizza Lucé will host the traditional New Band Showcase.

Click here for the most updated schedule!

Schedule

Are you ready for next week? We are! Band packets are ready for pickup. Stop on down at the Chicken Shack during the following times to get this year’s loot.

Chicken Shack
20 W 1st St
Duluth, MN 55802

4/26 – Thursday 4:30pm – 9pm
4/27 – Friday 1pm – 11pm
4/28 – Saturday 11am – 11pm