Writer's Block | September 25th, 2015
‘On Wednesday, Sept. 30, poet Kevin Zepper and musician Roger Gress will hold a dual poetry reading/drum solo show at the Red Raven, starting at 7:30 p.m. The title of this show is “Approximately Improvised,” as they plan on improvising a portion of the performance.
For over two years, Zepper, an English professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead, has collaborated with local pianist Terrie Manno as part of their project entitled Lines and Notes. Most recently, they performed at MSUM as part of the Performing Arts College Recital.
“We both have our own projects as well as Lines and Notes,” Zepper has said of Manno. “I want to see where drums and poetry might lead. Roger and I might do this once, maybe a few times. It just depends.”
This will be Zepper’s first time working with Gress with the goal of performing.
“I have always wanted to try poetry with a drummer, and Roger was the first person I thought of for this kind of collaboration. There are many fine drummers in the area, and I wanted to work with someone from the community, an independent artist. I knew Roger was a songwriter. He's currently with two other musicians performing original music.”
Back in February, Gress was one of 15 musicians who took part in DylanFest, a festival at the Fargo Theatre that celebrated the work of Bob Dylan with covers of his songs. The other musical acts included bands like Amanda Standalone and the Pastry Shop Girls, Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome, D Mills and the Thrills, and Werewolf Bar Mitzvah.
In addition to being a musician, Gress has been the executive director of the Fargo Park District since 1996. Over the years he has expanded the district by 60 to 70 new parks, and plans to retire at the end of next year. He also holds an architecture degree from North Dakota State University.
“Drums and poetry is a bit different from Lines and Notes, based on material and other factors,” Zepper said. “I would like to think the poems I've selected to work with Roger might work a bit better than collaboration with a piano or guitar. We'll see.”
Regardless of how it turns out, Zepper declared, “Ultimately, Roger and I are doing this to have fun. We know we're going to have fun and we hope the audience will have some fun with it as well.”
November 23rd 2024
April 18th 2024
October 2nd 2023
April 23rd 2023
March 15th 2023
_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
By Winona LaDukewinona@winonaladuke.com The business of Indian Hating is a lucrative one. It’s historically been designed to dehumanize Native people so that it’s easier to take their land. ‘Kill the Indian, save the man,”…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com The onion calendar is an old German folk tradition used to predict levels of moisture each month throughout the coming year using salt, a knife, an onion and a little bit of patience. Donna and…
Sunday, December 29, 9:30 a.m.Cellar 624, 624 Main Avenue, FargoEnd the year on a high note with performances from the CyberHive Collective, pancakes and glitter (served separately of course). Brunch options include gluten free and…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I’m really sick of the “Nobody wants to work anymore” narrative. Like, really sick. I can’t hide the eye rolls and I don’t even try to hide them anymore. In fact, I feel like they’ll…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comA new type of Civil War: “smash-and grab” capitalism and healthcare The Divided States of America has the greatest economic inequality among wealthy nations on Planet Earth and has birthed a…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.comPhoto by Rick Gion To say the least, this election season was a doozy. Anxiety was high for many on both sides of the political aisle. To calm down and settle the nerves, a comforting meal is…
__300x100.jpg)
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Local band Zero Place has been making quite a name for itself locally and regionally in the last few years. Despite getting its start during a time it seemed the whole world was coming to…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com Essential viewing for cinephiles of any generation, director David Hinton’s engrossing documentary, “Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger,” celebrates one of cinema’s…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comIn 1974, the Jamestown Arts Center started as a small space above a downtown drugstore. It has grown to host multiple classrooms, a gallery, performance studio, ceramic studio and outdoor art park.…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comHigh Plains Reader had the opportunity to interview two mysterious new game show hosts named Milt and Bradley Barker about an upcoming event they will be putting on at Brewhalla. What…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Josette Ciceronunapologeticallyanxiousme@gmail.com What does it mean to truly live in a community —or should I say, among community? It’s a question I have been wrestling with since I moved to Fargo-Moorhead in February 2022.…
By Faye Seidlerfayeseidler@gmail.com On Dec 5, the Turning Point USA chapter at North Dakota State University hosted an event called BisonFest. This event featured Chloe Cole, a former trans kid, known for detransitioning and…
__300x100.jpg)
By Curtis W. Stofferahn, Ph.D.Curtis.stofferahn@email.und.edu In June, two events markedly contrasted the difference between two different visions of agriculture: precision agriculture and regenerative agriculture. The dedication…