I packed enough summer into this past weekend to feel reasonably content with the fading sunshine and early sunsets. All of my Minnesota favorites—cool spring fed lakes, outdoor movies and music, and long shady bike rides--were packed into 24 short hours. For these memories I owe thanks to Paul Creager and the Square Lake Film and Music Festival. At 9:30 on Saturday morning, after watering my patio garden at the Bedlam Theatre, I checked in with the Hub to verify the bike route to Paul’s hobby farm near Marine on St. Croix. A barrage of 50 bikers loaded their gear into Liz’ Peace Coffee Sag Wagon and embarked east via the Gateway Trail.Around 1:45, I was finally able to leave. My friend Josh and I winded through the grid of St. Paul and found the Gateway Trail off of Arlington Avenue, 15 blocks north of the Capital. The Gateway trail cuts smoothly the northeastern suburbs, nearly uninterrupted by the suburban traffic (I had more encounters with horses than Hummers and Sedans).Arriving at Square Lake, many small tents had already popped up like an expanding colony of forest fungus. Three bands had already played, and Regassa was setting up on the wooden stage. The crowd was chill, absorbing the summer sun on blankets, stretching their calves and perusing the grounds, which included a “screening barn” where intervals of locally produced films were shown, including selections from the 48 Hour Film Festival.As the moon moved higher in the sky, the films moved outdoors for the Square Lake Film Showcase. These pieces were dense and delightful shorts. Ranging from the time folding, western melodrama of “The Yellow Bird” by Tom Schroeder to the hilarious Animal Planet fantasia (circa the desolate forest of central MN) “The Arctic Quadrangle” by Carmichael Lynch.The Yellow Bird
Following the films, Fort Wilson Riot took the stage, and the crowd was greeted with the greatest spectacle of the evening, complete with fog, colored light and dizzying go-bos. This band has moved up the ranks to become one of my favorite live acts in Minneapolis (next to Chooglin’). Playing with a mostly new combination, lead singer/songwriters Amy Hager and Jacob Mullis, were backed by a trio of new musicians. The result was a full throttle chronicling of their synth-pop baroque fables. Amy Hager’s light and lyrical sound cut through the darkness like Lindsey Buckingham, mixing with Jacob Mullis rock and roll tenor. Together they provided multiple voicings for unique theatrical impact. The band also presented a new score for the classic silent film, “The Devilish Tenant” suiting their sound to the big screen action.Fort Wilson Riot
Other musical highlights were the Spaghetti Western String Company (who have added wind instruments to their quartet). I also loved Nicholas Lemme's vocal lines, lulling tired, sun soaked campers back to their tents. I expected headliners Happy Apple to be a grass thumper summer jam band, instead it was more along the lines of dull experimental jazz. Black Blondie maintained their usual excellence with Samarah on sassy lead vocals. I would have been nice to see more dancing and grooving (but that's a usual complaint of mine). I even liked the stand-up comedy between sets!I regret missing the earlier band, Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapels, with the lead singer on ukulele. I’ve been playing the uke since mid July. My greatest joy is playing music that people can sing along to (Magnetic Fields and Lou Reed have been great starters). I thought I was on the verge of something new, but as I carried the ukulele around in my Crumpler bag, the more I found others who also play the ukulele. And by the end of the month, the Style section of the New York Times, had written an article on the ukulele and its burgeoning popularity. It’s an amazing instrument.Square Lake Beach
My housemates and I put a cap on the weekend by taking dip in Square Lake (just a 5 minute bike ride from the festival) before our 40-mile track back to Minneapolis. Though we were in the middle of Michelle Bachman-land, I thank Washington County for maintaining such wonderful beaches (I guess the National Parks are a legacy of the Regan era as well, I can't substantiate that).All in all, the Square Lake Music and Film Festival represents the type of community event outside of the bounds of corporate sponsorship and $4 bottle of water, where like minded (though a bit homogenous) folks can chill and enjoy the best of what's out there in one beautiful dose. There was no media sponsorship (except my favorite volunteer radio station). There were no digital cameras and no flickr documentation to prove how cool the event was. I speculate if this era of recession and high media access will create the perfect conditions for such events (low environmental impact, high in cultural density, short on dollars, long on cache). Next year will be the 8th year of the festival. Let's try to keep it a secret.
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