March 13, 2008
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Dylan Days announces schedule for 2008 Iron Range arts & entertainment event

Dylan Days 2008 is May 22-25 in Hibbing, Bob Dylan’s hometown

HIBBING, Minn. (March 13, 2008) – Dylan Days 2008, an annual celebration of the arts and Hibbing’s most famous son, Bob Dylan, will be held May 22-25 in the heart of northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range.

“This year is a true feast for fans of Dylan and the creative arts in general,” said Aaron J. Brown, co-chair and media coordinator for Dylan Days. “We’ve packed the schedule with more activities than ever before and feature even more ways for artists, writers and musicians to share their work. And, as usual, we have plenty of great entertainment for fans of all genres of music.”

Music legend Robert Zimmerman, known today as Bob Dylan, grew up in Hibbing, graduating from Hibbing High School in 1959. Many of his earliest musical and literary influences came from this blue collar mining town, a fact celebrated each year during Dylan Days.

This year’s highlight includes the grand opening of “Tangled Up in Ore,” an original exhibit of Dylan memorabilia, photographs and local artifacts at Ironworld in nearby Chisholm, Minn.

Dylan Days 2008 also features classic annual events like the Bob Dylan singer/songwriter contest, the Dylan Days Literary Reading and visual arts contest, and the Bobby Zimmerman bus tour of Hibbing. This year the event will also feature the world premiere of the Dylan Days one-act playwright contest, including an original production of the winning work.

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. For more information, see www.dylandays.com or call 1-866-305-3849.

 Tentative Dylan Days 2008 schedule

Throughout Dylan Days, enjoy discount admission with the purchase of a Dylan Days button at Ironworld’s original Dylan exhibit, the Hibbing Historical Society Museum at the Memorial Building and the Greyhound Bus Museum. In addition, see the second annual “Painters of the North Country” watercolor exhibit by the Lake Superior Watercolor group at the Hibbing Public Library, which will also host special displays of Dylan memorabilia. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

On Dylan Days eve, the Lincoln Elementary School will host a Dylan Days 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.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Dylan Days begins with the grand opening of “Tangled Up in Ore” at Ironworld in nearby Chisholm. There will be free admission to this original Iron Range Bob Dylan exhibit from 5:30-9 p.m., brief welcome remarks at 6, including free treats and beverages. 

Meanwhile, at Zimmy’s in downtown Hibbing, enjoy live music all night from Travis Brandon at 5 and the Grunt Monkeys at 9. 

Friday, May 23, 2008

Dylan Days will host its second annual Creative Writing Workshop with featured author Toby Thompson at Hibbing High School (pre-registration required), from 9-11 a.m. Admission is free with a Dylan Days pin.

Thompson, author of “Positively Main Street” – one of the best works exploring Dylan’s Iron Range ties, will sign books at Howard Street Booksellers from 3-5 p.m., admission free.

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. Singer/Songwriters must register in advance to compete.

Also at 7 and running most of the night, try (or just enjoy) the North Country Jam Session at the Hibbing Memorial Building Little Theatre stage. This is the Hibbing stage where Dylan played early gigs with his first professional band. Sign up will begin at 6 pm, with a set of acoustic performers to be followed by a set of electric performances. There will be a house band playing back-up with a mix of musicians and instruments. Sound equipment will be provided by Rupar Music of Hibbing and there's always an extra guitar or two lying around! This event is sponsored by Rupar Music & Ciao Rustic Italian. 

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Ride the Bobby Zimmerman bus tour from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30. The bus leaves from the Hibbing Public Library, home of a unique collection of Dylan memorabilia, and will return there after a fascinating, critically-acclaimed guided tour of the Hibbing that inspired a young Bob Dylan. Ticket are $15 and include a Dylan Days pin, advance registration required.

You can get your mail or souvenirs stamped with the official annual Dylan Days U.S. Postal Cancellation at Zimmy’s, noon-5 p.m. (Admission Free).

Then, from 2:30-5:30 p.m., join Dylan Days featured author Toby Thompson and the winners of the Dylan Days poetry and fiction contests for a literary reading at the Hibbing Community College Theatre. After the reading, enjoy the world premiere performance of the winning play from the Dylan Days One Act Playwright contest under the direction of award-winning, nationally-acclaimed HCC director Michael Ricci. Admission is free with a Dylan Days pin.

Closing the night Saturday will be the 2008 Dylan Days Benefit Concert for the Hibbing Arts Council, featuring headline act Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, a folk music icon and Dylan contemporary. Minnesota artists Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover will open the show, which opens at 7 p.m. in the Hibbing High School auditorium, site of Dylan’s earliest controversial performance

Order tickets to see the Dylan Days Benefit Concert for the Hibbing Arts Council featuring folk icon Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Spider John Koerner and Tony Glover. Organized by the Dylan Days Benefit Concert Committee.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Dylan Days will host a Farewell Brunch at Zimmy’s from 10:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m. $12, $10 for those with Dylan Days pins.

Dylan Days will close with a One-Act Play encore presentation to benefit the Hibbing Community College Theatre from 1-2 p.m. The winning Dylan Days one-act play will be presented again in a stand-alone marquis performance. Admission $10, $8 with a pin.

Dylan Days is an annual event organized by the volunteer Dylan Days 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.

See www.dylandays.com for an updated schedule of events, times, registration, online orders and other information about Dylan Days 2008.


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



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