http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php Grand fun. Grand shopping. Grand dining. Greater Grand Forks. Get away to the Red River Valley where the great outdoors meet the friendly towns of Grand Forks, ND and East Grand Forks, MN. Fri, 2 Jul 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=50 The first of the 2010 Blues on the Red series made its debut Saturday, June 26 from 6 to 10pm, in Town Square and I was lucky enough to attend! It was an evening full of Blues!The event kicked off with Stagedoor Johnny and continued with Blues on the Red headliner, The Everett Smithson Band, lead by Everett Smithson and his wife, Kathy. Although the area was in a severe thunderstorm warning, Town Square was packed! The weather turned out to be perfect throughout the entire night and each band pl Thu, 1 Jul 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=49 For the fourth season, the ND Museum of Art has opened their grounds for the Concerts in the Garden series. There are five concerts occurring throughout the summer in the Museum's Sculpture Garden.I attended the first of the five, which featured local Bluegrass band, the North River Ramblers. As always, the Ramblers put on a great show with both originally written music and cover songs that everyone could sing along with. It was a beautiful Tuesday evening on the University of ND campus. The Thu, 10 Jun 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=48 Admire the art. Savor the food. Breath in the outdoors. Feel the sun. Tune in to new music. Introduce your senses to 145 artist vendors from all over the nation and 16 concessions at the 2010 Grand Cities Art Fest June 12 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and 13 (10 a.m.5 p.m.) in downtown Grand Forks and East Grand Forks.ArtThe Grand Cities Art Fest features the fun, functional, abstract, decorative, inspiring, wearable, tasty, though-provoking and meaningful works of creative and talented people. Don't Thu, 25 Feb 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=47 Besides being one of the most uniquely beautiful buildings in Greater Grand Forks, the historic Empire Arts Center has become a downtown hub of great entertainment. Their schedule includes everything from Blues and Bluegrass concerts to movie classics and classic Broadway plays. Plus, the Empire's wide variety of events offers something for every member of the family…from Grandpa Joe to Joe the toddler!As proof of its diversity, just take a look at the Empire's upcoming schedule: February 26, Tue, 16 Feb 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=46 I got the chance to check out the musical "Annie" performed by the Greater Grand Forks Community Theater at the Empire Arts Center last weekend and what a treat! The theater was packed full of all ages enjoying the sounds of "It's a Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow". What a great group of talented performers right from the Greater Grand Forks area!"Annie" ends its run this weekend! Shows are February 18th through the 21st. Tickets available by calling 70 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=45 We ate at the new restaurant Mi Mexico this past weekend. It is located on the corner of Washington St. N. and DeMers Ave. in the old Hardees location. When we walked in Saturday evening, the place was packed...this was surprising because the city was in the midst of its first weekend storm warning of the year. Everyone around here is always geared up for trying something new no matter what the weather. While we were waiting near the entrance for a table to open up, we noticed how bright it was Mon, 16 Nov 2009 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=44 This will be great with the kiddos...Local Boy Scout Alan Ashworth of the Latter Days Saints Troop #165 recently completed the construction of a natural play area in the Greenway. The play area is approximately 150 square feet in size and is located in a grove of trees along the lower trail in the area commonly referred to as Sunbeam in Grand Forks, just north of 47th Avenue South. Alan coordinated a group of volunteers to help design and construct the many features of the play area. Logs washe Wed, 11 Nov 2009 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=43 The Empire Arts Center continues to be one of the grand jewels in Greater Grand Forks! The new staff continues to book exciting entertainment while also partnering with local organizations to create events like Art & Wine Walk and a new event I mention below.Last week I attended the Ladies Night Out: Pretty Woman Event, and what a great time it was! Women were treated to fabulous food and shopping along with prizes, a style show and movie. I am really looking forward to Empire's Oscar eve Mon, 21 Sep 2009 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=42 Fall seems to be the time for great weather and fabulous events in Greater Grand Forks! We just wrapped up another successful Art & Wine Walk with approximately 375 attendees this last weekend. The final one of the season takes place October 17th in downtown Greater Grand Forks. What a great way to shop, view regional art and enjoy unique wines!Farmer's Market will be wrapping up its season this weekend on the 26th. I know I want to get out there and grab some of the great produce and un Wed, 5 Aug 2009 http://www.visitgrandforks.com/blog.php?id=41 Crimson Creek Players, a local professional theatre company, brings the 1960s' counterculture to the stage at the Empire Arts Center. I was able to attend opening night of Hair August 4th. The show was funny, profound, edgy and fast-paced. The cast of 20 illustrated a high level of talent and professionalism as the show is almost entirely sung along with physically demanding dance numbers. You may recognize a few of the songs like "Age of Aquarius" and "Let the sun shine in" while being enthrall