Northwoods Folk Collective

03/04/2022

See y'all tonight!☕🎶

First Friday is tomorrow, and with it comes an opening reception for "Support Women in the Arts" art exhibit (4:30-6pm) AND Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse at 7pm - plan to join us for both!

(Almost) every First Friday we hold an open mic at our downtown Bemidji location. The event bodes a welcoming environment for folks to listen and perform. On March 4 ttendees will be sure to enjoy performances by community artists and featured performer, Annalise Aakhus☕

Annalise is a long time musician and singer/songwriter. Though she performs mainly solo these days she has been a member of multiple bands including Yasen Marie and Soul. Currently she is the New Salem Church Choir director as well as a music instructor at Headwaters where she teaches voice, guitar, and piano. Of her teaching Annalise says “singing is venting. I want to give students the skills to sing as loudly and healthy as possible so they can learn to use their voice properly." Annalise is an alumni of BSU where she got a degree in music education with an emphasis on voice. She says singing has been a lifelong obsession which seems clear as her education, skill, and natural teaching presence shine through in both her work and performances. With a voice that sings boldly and brightly, hitting high notes and low notes in one breath, Annalise is always willing to chat with audience members and students alike about the proper, healthy way to vocalize. At the present moment Annalise is focusing her voice towards a bit of a folk-rock vibe. She says "I have recently gotten into folk again, so that's kind of what the audience can expect on March 4.” She said that she may even toss in a few of her own originals.

Held on the first Friday of most months, the Headwaters Open Mic offers a welcoming and supportive community for musicians and spoken-word performers. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to sign up for a 10 to 15 minute set. Bring an instrument or a listening ear and we'll see you there🎶☕💥

02/04/2022

See you tonight!

It's First Friday which means you should plan to join us tonight, 7pm, for Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse. The event is a friendly open mic opportunity in downtown Bemidji with a welcoming environment for folks to listen and perform. Attendees will be sure to enjoy performances by community artists and featured performer, Alex Lundin. ☕

As a guitarist and vocalist growing up in Bemidji, Alex Lundin has been involved in the local music scene since he was young. He’s played in multiple bands, open mics, BSU Jazz Band, and even some musical theater with Bemidji Community Theater. Alex also performed with a couple of different rock bands in Washington D.C. while living there from 2017-2020. He hopes to move back to D.C. to further his musical career within the next year or so. Early on he was influenced by local punk and heavy metal bands such as Venomlord and Fulcrum. Another big influence is Black Metal, a subgenre of metal hailing from Scandinavia. Ever since those early inspirations Alex has worked hard to bring the music he hears in his head to life. Alex will be performing all original music. Fair warning, it’s going to be fast, and it’s going to be heavy.

Held on the first Friday of most months, the Headwaters Open Mic offers a welcoming and supportive community for musicians and spoken-word performers. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to sign up for a 10 to 15 minute set. Bring an instrument or a good ear + a mask and we'll see you there🎶☕💥

02/02/2022

Plan to join us this Friday for Headwaters Open Mic & CoffeeHouse feat. Alex Lundin 🎶☕

01/07/2022

Come warm up with some great music this evening Headwaters Open Mic & CoffeeHouse feat. April Aylesworth.

7:00 pm at Headwaters School of Music & the Arts ☕🎶

The first Headwaters Open Mic and CoffeeHouse of 2022 happens January 7, 7pm, at Headwaters. The event offers a friendly open mic opportunity in downtown Bemidji. Attendees can ring in the new year in a welcoming environment while enjoying performances by community artists and featured performer, April Aylesworth. Not Your Average Family Band will host☕

April Aylesworth is an area songwriter and vocalist who grew up performing in Bemidji’s various music programs from the BHS show choir to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. In 2019 she was a Bemidji Sings! finalist and went on to win first place at the 2019 Minnesota Sings Vocal Competition. April enjoys collaborating with area musicians on a variety of recording projects, and when singing solo, she accompanies herself on acoustic guitar. This Friday, April will share a range of cover songs from folk to pop music.

Held on the first Friday of most months, the Headwaters Open Mic offers a welcoming and supportive community for musicians and spoken-word performers. All ages and skill levels are encouraged to sign up for a 10 to 15 minute set. Bring an instrument or a good ear + a mask and we'll see you there🎶☕💥

12/28/2021

This original song features several performers from the Northwoods Folk Collective. Thanks to April Aylesworth, Doyle Turner, John Henningsgaard, Dan Will, Gary Broste, Kari Lou Pickett, Troy Foss and Matt Ayers. Love takers many forms. This video explores some of these forms.

12/03/2021

We'll see you tonight!

11/28/2021

I am grateful to Kari Lou Pickett, Doyle Turner, Dan Will, Gary Broste, Troy Foss, Matt Ayers and others for helping me put together this original song.

Nature is man's teacher. She unfolds her treasures to his search, unseals his eye, illumes his mind, and purifies his heart; an influence breathes from all the sights and sounds of her existence. (Alfred Billlings Street)