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.”
February 18th 2026
December 18th 2025
June 19th 2025
June 19th 2025
June 19th 2025
_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)__293px-wide.png)
__293px-wide.png)
By Bryce Vincent Haugen By his own account, Edwin Chinchilla is lucky to still be in the United States. As a 12-year-old Salvadoran, he and his brother were packed into a semi with a couple dozen other people and given fake…
By Michael M. Miller Rev. Salomon Joachim, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, North Dakota., delivered an address to the Western Conference of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church in 1939. His presentation was…
Wednesday, March 25, Group lesson 7 p.m., Dance 9 p.m.Sons of Norway, 722 2nd Avenue North, FargoCare to dance? If you don’t already know how to dance, the Northern Lights Dance Club can show you a thing or two about social…
By John StrandDisclaimer: This editorial is the work of someone who’s spent most of his adult life working in the media — most of those years co-owning this very entity, the High Plains Reader, since 1996. The notion that folks…
By Ed RaymondBernie Sanders is on the world’s longest and oldest walkaboutAdolescent Australian Aboriginal males often volunteer to challenge the transition to adulthood by performing well (that means staying alive) in 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 GionFor those folks with busy lives who can’t afford or attend culinary school, community cooking classes are a good way to learn new tips and tricks in the kitchen. Cookbooks, instructional online videos and watching…
The Slow Death at The AquariumSaturday, March 21, doors at 7:30 p.m. The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe Slow Death is a punk supergroup led by Jesse Thorson, with members and collaborators that include…
By Greg Carlson A number of critics and media outlets have already noted the variety of cinematic antecedents that have influenced writer-director Amy Wang’s movie “Slanted,” pointing out how the story of a frustrated…
Saturday, March 7, 4-8 p.m.Swing Barrel Brewing, 814 Central Ave., MoorheadEmpty Bowls is a nationwide, grassroots, artist-led movement to support hunger related organizations in their communities. On March 7, prepare to fill your…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
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 Ellie Liverani In January 2026, the 2026-2030 dietary guidelines for Americans were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are supposed to be revolutionary and a “reset” from the previous ones.…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
By Vern Thompson Benjamin Franklin offered one of the most sobering warnings in American history. When asked what kind of government the framers had created in 1787, he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Few words…