The big tent on the North House Folk School campus was full on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 17-19 for the fabulous Unplugged concerts. Mountain Stage ended its five-year run at Unplugged, but host Larry Groce hinted that they might come back someday. As is tradition, Mountain Stage brought all the performers back on stage for a final song. (L-R) Charlie Parr, Jon Neufeld, Tift Merritt, Martha Scanlan, drummer Ahmed Best, Pieta Brown and Larry Groce.
The 14th annual Unplugged event at North House Folk School rocked the big top tent, as over three nights more than 1,700 people enjoyed the music. Attendees enjoyed two live shows recorded by NPR’s famed Mountain Stage and on Saturday, the featured performance with Jon Vezner and friends. Even more participants descended on the Grand Marais waterfront campus during daylight hours shopping the folk artisan market, participating in mini courses, sailing the schooner Hjordis, and more.
This was the fifth year North House Unplugged has welcomed Mountain Stage to campus and is the last—at least for a while. Mountain Stage probably won’t be back at Unplugged in the next few years, but as Larry Groce, Mountain Stage’s host said to the Thursday night audience, “We never say never.”
Haley Bonar, a prolific indie-pop songwriter, rocked the Mountain Stage.
Each year two live Mountain Stage shows have been recorded, and each show has then been broadcasted twice across the country on over 150 public radio stations. Friday night when Larry Groce proclaimed on air that “Tonight we are in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Grand Marais, Minnesota,” it was clear he meant every word.
Visit Cook County has played a central role building the momentum of Unplugged by sponsoring the event and underwriting the involvement of Mountain Stage.
“The national exposure we receive on air during the broadcast of the Mountain Stage shines a spotlight on our community like nothing else. It’s been great to see the partnership thrive for the past five years,” said Visit Cook County Director Linda Kratt.
Other key sponsors include IRRRB, Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Public Radio, Aspen Lodge, East Bay Suites, Cobblestone Cove Villas, Terrace Point, Best Western, Bluefin Bay, Gunflint Lodge, Lutsen Mountains, Lutsen Resort, Caribou Highlands, Northern Wilds, Eagle Ridge, Sven & Ole’s, Mountain Inn, Voyageur Brewing and Fulton Beer.
Greg Wright, North House’s director, said while Mountain Stage won’t be returning next year, plans are already in place for multiple nights of music.
Featured performer and founder of Unplugged, Jon Vezner said “Connecting with Unplugged alumni, key performers who have been on the show in the past, is moving forward. Lots of great music is my goal! Plenty of details to come together, but folks should make plans for Sept 15-18, 2016.”
Wright noted, “We’ve come a long way since the first year of Unplugged. The event is strong and positive on many levels. A great example: even as we were busy here on campus, the Points North Online Auction was under way, engaging over 1,750 unique visitors who viewed the auction content that told Cook County’s story.
“Working with Mountain Stage for the past five years has been both a joy and privilege, and we have all agreed to stay in touch. Plans for next year are strong and focused, and Unplugged 2015 was a tremendous success. Our sincere thanks to the many volunteers, sponsors, business partners and community members who make Unplugged shine!”
Leave a Reply