Dylan Days
May 27-30, 2010
(last updated: May 30, 2010)

Stay tuned for updates on Dylan Days 2011, celebrating Bob Dylan's 70th birthday and the 10th year of Hibbing's citywide Dylan Days.

Download the one-page Dylan Days 2010 schedule (PDF)

HIBBING, Minn. ─ Bob Dylan turns 69 this year and his northeastern Minnesota hometown will again celebrate with an exciting lineup of Dylan Days arts and entertainment activities from May 27-30, 2010. Last year was the 50th anniversary of Robert Zimmerman's graduation from Hibbing High School.

Throughout Dylan Days
The Hibbing Public Library Dylan exhibit will be open for all visitors.  Library hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

There will be a student Art Exhibition/Contest through the Hibbing Public Library. The project is for student artists in grades K – 12 (ages 17 and under).  The art should be delivered along with the registration form to the library before May 10th.  It will be displayed through Dylan Days.  Two art pieces will be chosen to be reproduced as post cards and will be sold by the Friends of the Hibbing Public Library as a fundraiser for improvements to the library's Dylan Exhibit. No fee. Deadline for entry May 10. (See the entry form).

Thursday, May 27, 2010
Time tbd, Hibbing High School
A Dylan Days Welcome Reception will honor the late B.J. Rolfzen, Bob Dylan's English teacher and early poetry mentor. This event will include the dedication of the new permanent plaque honoring winners of the B.J. Rolfzen Creative Writing Contest.

6 p.m., Zimmy's
Join a poetry and music gathering with B.J. Rolfzen's friends and family. This event will be in the "beat" style of Allen Ginsberg's poetry in the spirit of the 1950s and '60s poetry scene. The evening will honor Rolfzen by showing some of his interviews and poetry readings and reminding us that he'll always be in our hearts with poetry. Guests may participate in the poetry reading.

Music performed by perennial Dylan Days favorites The Grunt Monkeys from Anchorage, Alaska and other parts of the globe.

Friday, May 28, 2010
3 p.m., Hibbing Community College Theater
The Dylan Days Literary Showcase will feature winners of the B.J. Rolfzen Creative Writing contest and the world premiere of the winning play from the Dylan Days One Act Playwright contest.

7 p.m., Zimmy's
The world famous Dylan Days Singer/Songwriter Contest will take place once again at Zimmy's. Competitors from all over the world sing one Dylan song and one original. The winners receive prizes and the opportunity to sing on a Dylan Days concert stage. The show bill is now full, but there is a waiting list.

Saturday, May 29, 2010
10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Pick up at Zimmy's, drop off at Howard Street Booksellers
The Bobby Zimmerman Bus Tour has become one of the favorites of Dylan Days. A unique, guided tour of Hibbing on a luxury bus explains the people, culture and musical influences Bob Dylan knew before he left town.

Noon-4 p.m., Zimmy's
The Dylan Days Postal Cancellation Stamp will be available during the afternoon. Each year local artist Robert Hocking creates a special postal cancellation design and the U.S. Postal Service creates a unique official postal cancellation stamp. This is the 6th stamp in the series and is highly collectible because the stamps are retired after each Dylan Days. Zimmy's newest post cards will be available to purchase to have stamped or you may bring your own books, letters, envelopes or other souvenirs to be stamped free of charge.

SoHo local Hibbing artists will also display an exhibit of their works for sale on Saturday afternoon.

2:30-3:30 p.m. (after the bus tour drop-off), Howard Street Booksellers
Bill Meissner, a past Dylan Days featured author, will be signing copies of his novel, SPIRITS IN THE GRASS, which recently won the Midwest Book Award.  He'll also sign copies of two of his original poem/broadsides, both of which are tributes to Bob Dylan's early days & music.

3-5 p.m., Zimmy's
The Zimmy's "Second" Songwriter contest for visitors who were on the waiting list and other surprise guests to Hibbing for Dylan Days.

7 p.m., Hibbing Memorial Building Little Theater
The Dylan Days Benefit Concert, under the auspices of the Hibbing Arts Council, is proud to announce that the 2010 show will feature a new act made up of some of northern Minnesota's best and most traveled instrumental musicians, the Big Dipper Jazz Band. The opening act will be the Wheeler Dealers, preceded by the winner of the 2010 Dylan Days Singer/Songwriter contest. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased at Rupar Music, Howard Street Booksellers and Zimmy's in Hibbing or at Ciao Rustic Italian Restaurant of Side Lake (218-254-2007). To order by phone or access limited reserve seating options call Rupar Music at 1-888-767-4286. (More ticket info).

10:30 p.m., Zimmy's
The Freewheelers from Duluth, Minn., close out the night with some Dylan favorites and other great tunes.

Sunday, May 30, 2010
Time tbd, Zimmy's
The Dylan Days Farewell Brunch will be held to let visitors and locals chat with their new friends before everyone goes home.

After Dylan Days conclues in Hibbing, consider attending another special tour event in Dylan's birthplace, Duluth, Minnesota, organized by our friends at the Bob Dylan Way committee. (Read the complete flyer of Dylan Way events)

Open House at the Historic Duluth Armory
"See The Stage Where a 17-Year Old Bob Dylan Saw Buddy Holly Perform"
Special Guest Danny Fox (2008 Dylan Days Contest Winner)
WHEN: Sunday, May 30, 2010, 2 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Historic Duluth Armory; Jefferson Street & 13th Ave. East, London Road in Duluth

Dylan Days Art Contest judging will be finished and the winners announced.

Additional live music events may be scheduled along with other unique experiences for the visitors who join us from all over the world each year.

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.

The Dylan Way group of Duluth, Minn., is hosting their own tour of Bobby Zimmerman's roots in Duluth. If you are interested in the tour on Sunday afternoon, contact Zimmy's for more information.

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 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 for Dylan Days.