CONCERTINA: Update on an Evening of Poetry and Music

Hengel Concertina (Photo: Bonnie Jean Flom)
Rob Hardy, Northfield Poet Laureate, with Leslie Schultz (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Jake Bastyr (Photo: Bonnie Jean Flom)

On May 9, 2019, Hot Spot Music was the site of a combined poetry reading and concert. Jake Minar Bastyr, of New Prague, opened the program with tunes played on a Hengel concertina he had made with his grandfather, Jerry Minar. Then Rob Hardy, Northfield’s Poet Laureate, introduced Jake and me, and I read a selection of poems from my new collection, Concertina. Poems were followed by uplifting melodies from Jake, refreshments, and conversation. There was even some singing along, and some toes tapping, along with a few heels kicked up, during the course of that lively evening!

It was a warm-hearted and unforgettable evening for me, that’s for certain. If you were not able to attend, here are some photos and video clips that will give you the flavor of the evening. LESLIE

(This video begins with Jake playing and has some poems as they were read. Below, following the photographs, are two more short clips of Jake playing on May 9.)

View from the Stage (Photo: Leslie Schultz)
Hot Spot Music (Photo by Mattie Lufkin)
Floral Artist Mattie Lufkin (Photo: Leslie Schultz)
Tim Braulick and Leslie Schultz (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Refreshments and Floral Art (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Patricia Smith and Kristin Kasten (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Reception (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Eric Johnson with Lin and Bob Bruce (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Tim and Luke Braulick (Photo: Bonnie Jean Flom)
D. E. Green with Cahrene Dimmick and Leslie Schultz (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Becky Boling and Jake Bastyr (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Book Table (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)

Reading of CONCERTINA by Leslie Schultz
and Music with Jake Bastyr
for May 9, 2019, Hot Spot Music, Northfield, MN
 
“Under the Murmur”                                     
“Marches”                                                      
“Concertina”                                                  
Lapis Philosophorum”                                 
“Goldfish, Oboe, Paintbrush, Guitar”            
“Minou”                                                         
“Simple Beauty”                                            
“Silhouette”                                                   
“Sonnet Despite Rain”                                   
“City Rain”                                                    
“The (Not-So) Easy-Bake Oven”                  
“Music So Loud We Can’t Hear”                  
“In the Produce Aisle”                                   
“Antique Absinthe Glasses”                                      
“Prayer in Stillness”                                                   
“Weather”                                                                  

Jake Bastyr’s Play List

Thanks for this event go to Rob Hardy, Northfield’s Poet Laureate:

to the Northfield Public Library, for sponsoring the Poet Laureate program:

to the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) for funding support, through funds from the people of Minnesota and the Legacy Amendment:

and to Hot Spot Music and Martha Larson for hosting the event in this flexible and inviting space!

Martha Larson of Hot Spot Music (Photo: Mattie Lufkin)
Coral Plant (Photo: Leslie Schultz)

August 20! Celebrating 5 Years of Sidewalk Poems!

Everyone loves Sidewalk Poetry! Here is Peanut next to a winning poem by Julia.

Everyone loves Sidewalk Poetry! Here is Peanut next to a winning poem by Julia. (photo: Karla Schultz)

Sidewalk Poetry Popcorn Wagon

Sidewalk Poetry Happy Winners

Sidewalk Poetry Cross Generations

It is the hottest part of the summer, the dog days of August. In Northfield, since 2011, that means it’s time to celebrate the creativity of Northfield poets of all ages and welcome a fresh crop of poems onto the city sidewalks.

Where: Bridge Square, Downtown Northfield, Minnesota
When: Thursday, August 20, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

Sidewalk Poetry Map

Music will be provided by Northfield’s own BONNIE and the CLYDESAll of the 2015 winning poems will be read, many by their authors. The Popcorn Wagon will be open. And, on the bank of the Cannon River, the entire canon of Northfield Sidewalk poems will be displayed. 

Sidewalk Poetry Man Reading

Sidewalk Poetry Bonnie and the Clydes Sign

Sidewalk Poetry

Sidewalk Poetry Library Directors

For those who haven’t heard about Northfield’s Sidewalk Poetry, or who wish to refresh themselves on the background, there are details on the Arts and Culture Commission portion of the City’s website. There you can find complete texts of all the winning poems (2011-2015), an interactive map to show where the poems are installed, and a link to a wonderful documentary by Paul Krause covering all aspects of the project: from inspiration and blind judging of entries to installation and celebration. There is also information about the ACC’s other programs and how you can get involved.

Sidewalk Poetry Reading II

Hope to see you at Bridge Square!

Capstone Event Tight Group Image

(Blast from the past: Capstone 2013–photo: Timothy Braulick)

Sig Flowers and Art

The Northfield Sidewalk Poetry Initiative has been generously supported by the Southeast Minnesota Arts Council with help from the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library.

Legacy Logo ColorFinal