Bradsgiving 2018: Pie, Music and Merriment!

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) is organizing a festive pre-Thanksgiving celebration from 6-10pm on Wednesday, November 21 at the Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse in Virginia.

Bradsgiving will include live music by four area bands, delectable homemade pie and a small silent auction. The festivities will benefit the FOBMF, a volunteer-run nonprofit with programs to celebrate and cultivate young musicians in Northeastern Minnesota.

“Bradsgiving is the perfect way to jumpstart your holiday weekend. We’ve got a full slate of extraordinary performers and we’ll be serving up some of the best pie you’ve ever tasted,” promises Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We’ll also have some fun silent auction prizes. If you’re a craft beer fan, you should definitely come to check that out.”

The FOBMF memorializes percussionist and Virginia native Brad Rozman, who passed away unexpectedly in 2009. In 2010, the foundation started the BradFest summer music festival in Two Harbors and has continued with fall and winter events, both in Virginia and Duluth.
Over the years, FOBMF has donated more than $14,000 in scholarships and programming for aspiring musicians. This marks the eighth consecutive year the foundation awarded scholarships to students in rural Northeastern Minnesota who plan to study music in college.

In 2018, Dominick Olivanti from Virginia received a scholarship. He is now attending Bemidji State University, pursuing a degree in vocal music education with minors in opera and piano. Learn more about FOBMF’s talented scholarship recipients.

Olivia Skaja from Deer River initially received a scholarship in 2017 to attend St. Olaf. The foundation recently decided to grant her an additional scholarship to help fund a trip to Norway in June 2019 with the St. Olaf Orchestra.

The FOBMF also supports causes such as the Duluth Music Resource Center, which teaches kids to play instruments, write songs and record music. In November, the Friends of Brad again made a donation to the Music Resource Center (MRC) in Duluth, which will be designated towards the production of a compilation CD by MRC students.

Bradsgiving Details:
The Shop Coffeehouse and 218 Taphouse – 235 Chestnut St. in Virginia
Wednesday, November 21 from 6–10pm
Silent auction: 6-8:30 pm at the Shop Coffeehouse
Music: 6-10 pm at the 218 Taphouse (adjoins the shop)
Featuring music by: Ingeborg von Agassiz; Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling; Sara Alexander & Friends; and Horse Fzce.

BradtoberFest 2016 Beer Lineup

 BradtoberFest Beer Lineup:
 
Here is the pub stop and beer lineup in all it’s malty, hoppy glory. Participants will receive 8 tickets (one for each 4 oz. beer sample).
 
You might not love each beer but the idea is to get a chance to taste the vast bounty of styles our awesome local breweries have available.
 
*Please sample each one (rather than going back for multiple samples of one beer) to ensure everyone gets to try each beer! Pay attention to alcohol content, some of these are strong beers!
 
BradtoberFest Beer Lineup:
Stop #: Pub: Beer(s):
1 Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Participants can choose a sample from available Bent Paddle beers. The Friends of Brad recommend jumpstarting the day with the coffee beer!

Cold Press Black Ale (6% ABV)

“Bent Paddle Black is infused with fresh Duluth Coffee Co. “Crazy Juice” cold press coffee.”
2 Canal Park Brewing Company

Canal Park Brewing Company

Participants can choose a sample from available CPB beers.
3 Endion Station Public House

Featuring beer by:

Fitger’s Brewhouse

Starfire Pale Ale (6%)

“Our signature North Shore style pale always on tap. A hop first balanced pale using American and German malts and all American hops. Stronger in hops then the usual pale but not at an IPA level. The beer the brewers drink.”

Castle Danger Brewery

Castle Cream Ale (5.3% ABV)

“Deep gold in color, the Castle Cream Ale has a soft malty aroma, slightly sweet creamy texture with a balanced bitterness, while finishing smooth and clean.”
4 Carmody Irish Pub & Brewing

Carmody Irish Pub & Brewing

TBA

Lake Superior Brewing

Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout (6.5%)

“Dark blackish hue. Pours with a creamy, tan-colored head. Pine-like, smoky aromas lead to a medium bodied palate with smooth mouthfeel and toasty finish. Some taps on Nitro! Earned the Gold Medal at the World Beer Championship.”
5 Red Herring Lounge

Featuring beer by:

Borealis Fermentery

Mon Cherries (8% ABV)

“A Belgian style dubbel ale brewed using chocolate malts and MN cherries. We complete this beer by aging on a specialty MN toasted oak lending to a wonderful smokey finish. A wonderful compliment to any red meat dish, this beer can also be enjoyed with or in place of your favorite chocolate dessert. Decadence in a glass!”

Blacklist Brewing

Makrut Wit (8% ABV)

“Smooth and fruity, this style breaking Wit was brewed with traditional techniques and ingredients. With coriander, orange peel and the unique floral and citrus aromas of Makrut lime leaves, this beer strikes a balance of richness yet remains refreshing.”
 
 

Fourth annual BradtoberFest celebrates local music and craft beer

Event memorializes Duluth percussionist, benefits young musicians

September 23, 2016 – An offbeat fall festival in the community-minded spirit of Germany’s Oktoberfest tradition will happen in Duluth on Sunday, October 2. The BradtoberFest Run/Rawk/Crawl is a one-of-a-kind event. It’s a fun run/pub crawl where participants navigate a ~5K course with stops that feature samples of local craft beer and live music.

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) has organized the festival for four years running. “We created this event, in part, to celebrate some of the best aspects of life in Duluth,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “Our local music scene and craft beer are exceptional, and the city is well known for its active outdoor culture. We’ve woven these pieces together into a fun-filled fall celebration that supports programs for young musicians.”

Participants can either walk or run the approximately 3-mile route that begins at Bent Paddle Brewing Company, stops at a number of breweries and pubs, and finally culminates at the Red Herring Lounge for a finish line celebration that includes additional music and a craft beer-centric silent auction.

The FOBMF is a 501(c)(3) that is completely run by volunteers. Since 2010, the Foundation has been celebrating and cultivating young Minnesota musicians, through music events, donations and scholarships.

The event memorializes Duluth musician Brad Rozman and benefits young musicians. Proceeds support programs such as the Duluth Music Resource Center and the FOBMF’s scholarship and other charitable programs.

For three years in a row, the FOBMF contributed to Duluth’s Music Resource Center (MRC), an innovative after-school music program where kids take music lessons, form bands, and even learn the process of producing their own albums. Friends of Brad donations have been used by the MRC to purchase a drum set and studio monitors. More recently, a donation helped fund the recording of an album by young artist Kaylee Matuszak.

The Foundation has awarded 14 scholarships to high school students in rural Northeastern Minnesota committed to carrying on musical endeavors in college. In 2016, scholarships were given to Ali Juntunen of Deer River High School, Kelly Heinonen of Virginia High School and Kari Haaversen of Two Harbors High School.

Ticket information and further info:

BradtoberFest Run/Rawk/Crawl

Sunday, October 2 – 11:30am–6pm

Event starts at Bent Paddle Brewing Co. (registration and check in from 11am–noon)

1912 W Michigan Street, Duluth, MN

Registration fee: $25 (day of the event registration $30)

BradtoberFest Tickets: http://bradtoberfest2016.eventbrite.com/

Registration includes: 4 oz. beer samples from 8 craft breweries, live music at each stop and entrance to the Red Herring finish line party. Non-registrants are welcome to enjoy music and participate in the silent auction at the finish line party at the Red Herring (suggested donation of $5-10).

In tribute to the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation’s namesake and his distinct sense of humor, the event is infused with lighthearted absurdity. Participants are encouraged to wear costumes and sport “tighty-whities” or “Bradley Briefs” underwear, with prizes awarded for most outrageously outfitted individuals and brewery/pub teams.

Performers: Black Diary, Chasm of Czar, Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling, Hannah Rey, Robot Rickshaw, Tribal Alchemie, Two Harbors Ukulele Group (THUG), Wood Blind, and more TBA.

Participating breweries & pubs and major sponsors: Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Blacklist Artisan Ales, Borealis Fermentery, Caitlin Dettmann Design, Canal Park Brewing Company, Carmody Irish Pub & Brewery, Castle Danger Brewery, Duluth Running Company, 8 Racks Screen Printing, Endion Station Public House, KUMD, Lake Superior Brewing Company, Malenius Media, Perfect Duluth Day and the Red Herring Lounge.

Full list of sponsors and donors: http://bradfest.org/sponsors/

Video from 2015 BradtoberFest event

Facebook page and Facebook event

Twitter
Hashtag: #BradtoberFest

***To donate, volunteer or become an event sponsor, please contact info@bradfest.org***

About the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation

Bradley E. Rozman’s life was tragically cut short in May 2009. The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was initially created by a group of Brad’s family and close friends to honor his memory. The Foundation celebrates and cultivates young Minnesota musicians through a variety of programs, including BradFest, a music festival. For more information or to contribute to the Foundation, contact info@friendsofbrad.org or visit http://www.friendsofbrad.org.

About Bradley E. Rozman

Brad Rozman discovered a love for drumming at a young age and pursued this passion with vigor for the rest of his life. In the early days, he formed garage bands with his musician friends and led the drum line in the VHS marching band. After high school, he went on to study percussion performance at St. Cloud State University and the University of Illinois-Urbana. When he returned to Minnesota from graduate school, Brad became involved in many music-making endeavors in the Duluth area, most notably as the drummer for the bands High Volt Rustler and Equal Exchange.

 

BradtoberFest Schedule – 2016

 
Performance Schedule*
  
When What Where
11:00am Registration opens

Bent Paddle Brewing Co.
11:30am THUG (Two Harbors Ukulele Group)
12:10 Opening Toast
12:15pm START the run/walk! Robot Rickshaw will bring up the rear.
varies by group** Hannah Rey Canal Park Brewery
varies** Wood Blind Endion Station Public House
varies** Tribal Alchemie Carmody Irish Pub & Brewing
2:30pm  Silent Auction Opens Red Herring Lounge Finish Line Celebration  

 
2.45pm DJ Mouse, prize giveaways
3:40pm Rich Mattson & Germaine Gemberling
4:40-5pm Silent Auction Close-out
 5pm Black Diary
 6pm Todd Gremmels
6:45pm  Chasm of Czar
   

*set times subject to change

**pace group determines times

  
And here is the pub stop beer lineup in all it’s malty, hoppy glory. Participants will receive 8 tickets (one for each beer). Please sample each one (rather than going back for multiple samples of one beer) to ensure everyone gets to try each beer!
 
BradtoberFest Beer Lineup:
Stop #: Pub: Beer(s):
1 Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

Participants can choose a sample from available Bent Paddle beers. The Friends of Brad recommend jumpstarting the day with the coffee beer!

Cold Press Black Ale (6% ABV)

Bent Paddle Black is infused with fresh Duluth Coffee Co. “Crazy Juice” cold press coffee.
2 Canal Park Brewing Company

Canal Park Brewing Company

Participants can choose a sample from available CPB beers.
3 Endion Station Public House

Featuring beer by:

Fitger’s Brewhouse

Starfire Pale Ale (6%)

Our signature North Shore style pale always on tap. A hop first balanced pale using American and German malts and all American hops. Stronger in hops then the usual pale but not at an IPA level. The beer the brewers drink.

Castle Danger Brewery

Castle Cream Ale (5.3% ABV)

Deep gold in color, the Castle Cream Ale has a soft malty aroma, slightly sweet creamy texture with a balanced bitterness, while finishing smooth and clean.
4 Carmody Irish Pub & Brewing

Carmody Irish Pub & Brewing

TBA

Lake Superior Brewing

Sir Duluth Oatmeal Stout (6.5%)

Dark blackish hue. Pours with a creamy, tan-colored head. Pine-like, smoky aromas lead to a medium bodied palate with smooth mouthfeel and toasty finish. Some taps on Nitro! Earned the Gold Medal at the World Beer Championship.
5 Red Herring Lounge

Featuring beer by:

Borealis Fermentery

Mon Cherries (8% ABV)

A Belgian style dubbel ale brewed using chocolate malts and MN cherries. We complete this beer by aging on a specialty MN toasted oak lending to a wonderful smokey finish. A wonderful compliment to any red meat dish, this beer can also be enjoyed with or in place of your favorite chocolate dessert. Decadence in a glass!

Blacklist Brewing

Makrut Wit

Smooth and fruity, this style breaking Wit was brewed with traditional techniques and ingredients. With coriander, orange peel and the unique floral and citrus aromas of Makrut lime leaves, this beer strikes a balance of richness yet remains refreshing. 8% ABV
 
 

Get Ready for BradtoberFest 2014!

3 Miles. 9 Breweries. 15 Local Bands. And a Whole Lot of Tighty Whities.

BradtoberFest Run/Rawk/Crawl to celebrate life in Duluth, benefit young musicians

September 18, 2014 – The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation (FOBMF) will channel the celebratory, community-minded spirit of Germany’s Oktoberfest with an upcoming festival that connects Duluth area music, craft beer, and running communities.

The BradtoberFest Run/Rawk/Crawl will take place in Duluth on Sunday, October 5. The event offers participants a unique opportunity to listen to live music and taste 4-ounce samples of local craft beer while traversing a path that links local breweries and beer-centric venues.

Duluth’s burgeoning brewery scene provided the impetus for BradtoberFest. For the first time, all 9 Duluth and North Shore breweries will be united for a single community event. “When we noticed there’s roughly a 5K route connecting all of Duluth’s breweries, we had to do something about it,” says Troy Rogers, FOBMF president. “We’re a music-focused organization, but we appreciate the craft beer aesthetic that is emerging in Duluth. It’s a culture that encourages conscious, active living. It embraces art and music. These are all elements our organization seeks to cultivate in our community.”

Participants can either run or walk the approximately 3-mile route that begins at Bent Paddle Brewing Company, stops at a number of breweries and pubs and finally culminates at the Fitger’s complex courtyard in a finish line celebration featuring food, music, games, and a silent auction. An after party with additional music will follow at the Red Herring Lounge.

Events organized by the Friends of Brad always include elements of humor and absurdity, in keeping with the playful disposition of their namesake, Brad Rozman. Participants can choose to be pied in the face at the finish line and are encouraged to wear costumes and sport “tighty-whities” underwear.

Proceeds will benefit young musicians, supporting programs such as the Duluth Music Resource Center and FOBMF’s scholarship, fellowship, and other charitable programs.

Ticket information and further info:

BradtoberFest Run/Rawk/Crawl

Sunday, October 5

Starting at noon at Bent Paddle Brewing Co.

1912 W Michigan Street, Duluth, MN

Registration fee: $25*

BradtoberFest Tickets

Registration includes: a 4 oz. beer sample, live music at each stop and entrance to the Red Herring Lounge after party. Early registrants also get a BradtoberFest t-shirt (limited availability) and can sign up for add-ons like a shuttle from the start to the end point through the Duluth Experience.

Performers: Black River Revue, The Boomchucks, The Brothers Burn Mountain, Mary Bue, Dedric Clark and the Social Animals, Preston Gunderson, Emily Haavik, Adam Herman (of The Slamming Doors), Rich Mattson and Germaine Gemberling, Hannah Rey, Robot Rickshaw (Troy Rogers walks the robots), Starling of Athens (Toby Thomas Churchill), THUG (Two Harbors Ukulele Group), Tin Can Gin and Tribal Alchemie featuring the Yabobo drummers.

Participating breweries & pubs and major sponsors: Bent Paddle Brewing Co., Blacklist Brewing, Borealis Fermentery, Canal Park Brewing Company, Carmody Irish Pub & Brewery, Castle Danger Brewery, Dubh Linn Irish Pub, The Duluth Experience, Endion Station Public House, Fitger’s Brewhouse Brewery and Grille, KUMD – 103.3 FM, Lake Superior Brewing Company, the Red Herring Lounge and 7 West Taphouse.

Fun video from the inaugural BradtoberFest Run/Walk/Crawl

***To donate, volunteer or become an event sponsor, please contact info@bradfest.org***

About the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation

Bradley E. Rozman’s life was tragically cut short in May 2009. The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was created by a group of Brad’s family and close friends to honor his memory. The Foundation celebrates and cultivates young Minnesota musicians through a variety of programs, including BradFest, a music festival. For more information or to contribute to the Foundation, contact info@friendsofbrad.org or visit http://www.friendsofbrad.org.

About Bradley E. Rozman

Brad Rozman discovered a love for drumming at a young age and pursued this passion with vigor for the rest of his life. In the early days, he formed garage bands with his musician friends and led the drum line in the VHS marching band. After high school, he went on to study percussion performance at St. Cloud State University and the University of Illinois-Urbana. When he returned to Minnesota from graduate school, Brad became involved in many music-making endeavors in the Duluth area, most notably as the drummer for the bands High Volt Rustler and Equal Exchange

 

Bradfest 2012 Lineup Announced!

***in addition to getting in on low ticket prices, purchasing tickets now may help us bring on other exciting performers…want an even more exciting lineup? Purchase now @ http://bradfest82.eventbrite.com/ !***

 

Cracker

Sick of Sarah

Toki Wright

Hammerhead

Sweet Ray Laurel

Fattenin’ Frogs

The Acceleratii

The Fontanelles

Mary Bue

Euclid

Iron Range Outlaw Brigade

Burnsville City Limits

Red Label

Expressive Machines (EMMI: musical robots)

Uprising

A Winter Downpour

Roxie Magistrate

Rosebud Social

Scott L. Miller

The RSVP

Tribal Alchemie (belly dancers)

The Spin Collective (fire dancers)

 

Lineup subject to change. Tickets non-refundable, all sales final.

BradFest Policies & Info for 2011

General Information:
BradFest is a memorial festival put on by the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation to celebrate the life Bradley E. Rozman and raise money to support young Minnesota musicians. BradFest will be an extraordinary, fun-filled weekend
featuring local/regional music, belly-dancing and a pie fight. We’ll also have some tasty local beer and food.

Date:  Friday, August 5 and Saturday , August 6

Location:  The Earthwood Inn, 933 Stanley Rd, Two Harbors, MN

Hours:  Friday: 6pm to 1am. Saturday 1 pm to 1 am

Tickets:  We want to make BradFest accessible to all, whether you have time to drop by for a single band’s set or to join us for the entire weekend. With this in mind, we’re going to try to do away with set admission prices this year.  Pay what you can. Donate what you think is fair, keeping in mind the high entertainment value we offer and the fact that all net proceeds are channeled directly to our worthy initiatives. We count on admission fees as a key component of our fundraising effort. We trust you’ll contribute accordingly. Don’t let us down!  We welcome pre-festival donations to help us cover the costs of putting on the festival, and to try and get some idea of a headcount prior to the event. So if you’re coming and want to save your place, please donate now!  As an added incentive, the first 125 people to donate will get a free BradFest reusable plastic beer stein to use during the festival, and get $1 (1 ticket) off of each drink! Sodon’t delay–donate and claim your mug today!
Suggested donation rates:
Weekend: $21.82
Friday: $12.82
Saturday: $15.82

Children:
Children of all ages are welcome, and children under the age of 12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. We will have an unsupervised, shaded children’s area with toys and activities for the kids. Children must be under the supervision of an adult at all times.

Money:
We will not accept checks or credit cards for ticket, food or beverage purchases so please be prepared with cash. There is an ATM at the Earthwood Inn.

Travel:
There may be construction-related delays in addition to the usual weekend bottle necks for those headed up the North Shore via Duluth, so be sure to allow plenty of time for travel. We recommend those coming from the Iron Range take the ‘back way’ (Hwy. 16 to Hwy. 2) to save time and hassle.

Rules and Regulations

Prohibited items:
The following items will not be allowed: coolers, food, beverages (other than water), knives or other weapons, pets (sorry!), drugs or drug paraphernalia. Audio recording of band sets is not allowed without express prior permission from the performers.

Alcoholic beverages:
A valid government-issued photo ID is required to purchase alcoholic beverages on the festival grounds. Attendees will need to show their ID to festival security personnel in order to receive a wristband that will allow them to purchase alcohol. Sales of alcohol will end promptly at 1:00 AM. There are NO REFUNDS for unused beverage/food tickets.

Security and safety:
For everyone’s safety, please respect and follow all rules and regulations. Security personnel at the festival are volunteering their time in order to ensure that this event is as safe as possible.

Weather:
BradFest will take place rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms the event will move inside. In case of more severe weather, contact BradFest staff for guidance. There will be an emergency plan in place.

Volunteer Information:
For volunteers who commit to one 2-hour shift, we are offering a BradFest 2011 t-shirt and free on-site camping. If you sign up for three shifts, you also get a BradFest mug which entitles you to $1 off each beverage you purchase. Let us know if you can help!

Contact
info@bradfest.org

Link to BradFest Policies & Info 2011 document

BradFest 2011 to Celebrate, Cultivate Local Musicians

Contact: media@bradfest.org

Bands, brew, pie, belly dancing, robots, samba, 82 pairs of men’s briefs…

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is pleased to announce the second annual BradFest—a music festival to benefit young Minnesota musicians and honor the memory of Bradley E. Rozman. BradFest will take place August 5-6 at the Earthwood Bar, Grill and Motel in Two Harbors.

The weekend-long extravaganza will transform the festival grounds into a magical space where air molecules will vibrate in compelling patterns. Hips will shake, pies will be eaten (and hurled), and robots and humans alike will utter absurd incantations. Life will be celebrated, indelible memories will be burned into impressionable psyches, and collective nirvana will be reached through contagious fits of laughter. Only the foolish, the apathetic, and the timid would dare to miss this event.

BradFest will feature a diverse mix of live music with bands from the Iron Range, Duluth, across the state and beyond, including Saturday headliner, the legendary Grant Hart (formerly of Hüsker Dü and Nova Mob). Organizers aim to cultivate a spirit of community among the musicians, entertainers and festival goers. The unique blend of entertainment will also include Brazilian street samba, belly dancing, musical robots, and more. In addition, there will be tasty local beer and food, a pie fight, and a silent auction with an assortment of high quality local products, art and crafts.

 

Confirmed BradFest performers (line-up subject to change):

Grant Hart

The Bitter Spills

Uprising

Brazilian street samba with Terry Vermillion

Expressive Machines (musical robots)

Lakes

Pauline Russell (from High Volt Rustler) and friends

Red Label

Meat Raffle Road

Rosebud Social

Roxie Magistrate

Spindrift

Tribal Alchemie (fusion belly dance)

All proceeds will benefit young MN musicians through the Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation.  To find out more, visit: www.bradfest.org

 

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation

http://www.friendsofbrad.org

The Friends of Brad Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization that seeks to honor Bradley E. Rozman’s memory by reaching out to support young Minnesota musicians.

Brad Rozman was a talented Duluth musician who believed in the power and importance of music in our lives and communities. Friends of Brad shares this belief and is committed to developing and improving opportunities for area musicians as a means of honoring Brad.

Proceeds from the first annual BradFest are already making an impact through:

  • A scholarship fund for graduating high school musicians on the Iron Range. The first two scholarships were awarded to graduates from Virginia and Deer River.
  • A donation to the Two Harbors high school band program for the purchase of new percussion instruments.
  • A fellowship for young professional musicians residing in Northeastern MN.
  • A fund for visiting artists at Brad’s alma mater, St. Cloud State University, to bring in high-caliber professional musicians to inspire and interact with students.

 

The details:

 BradFest

Friday, August 5th from 6:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Saturday, August 6th from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

Earthwood Bar, Grill and Motel

933 Stanley Rd, Two Harbors, MN (1 mile south of town)

Tickets:

By donation online/at the gate

 In order to make BradFest accessible to all, organizers are doing away with set ticket prices this year. Attendees are asked to keep in mind the high entertainment value offered and the worthy cause supported. The first 125 people to donate the suggested amount (online or in person) will receive a free, commemorative BradFest mug (which also entitles them to $1 off drinks).

Suggested donation rates:

Weekend: $21.82

Friday: $12.82

Saturday: $15.82

Children 12 and under:  free

 

 

Bradfest Kickoff at the 218 this Saturday!

Get ready for BradFest this Saturday with the amazing sounds of Roxie Magistrate, the Iron Range Outlaw Brigade, and Accelerati! The show starts at 7 – don’t be late!

In case you missed out last year, we will have some original BradFest merch on sale, including the first BradFest t-shirts AND official Bradley Briefs…

Interested in becoming a part of the BradFest 2011 team?? We will have a volunteer sign up sheet at the 218 this Saturday!!!

Making a difference

With money raised from the inaugural BradFest, we are already making a difference for some young MN musicians. We awarded two college scholarships to Iron Range musicians. We donated money to the Two Harbors high school band for the purchase of percussion instruments. We also created a fellowship for young professional musicians residing in Northeastern MN to provide support during the often-difficult time between formal music training and the onset of a professional music career (to be awarded in the fall). And we’re working to set up a visiting artist fund at St. Cloud State University (Brad’s Alma mater).

We’re gearing up for the second annual BradFest now. There will be pie and it’s sure to be a great time, with an eclectic mix of music and entertainment. New this year: Brazilian street samba led by Terry Vermillion, Brad’s former mentor! Hope to see you there!