Best of February

Hello, February. What a calendar lineup we have here in Fargo-Moorhead.

BeethovenFest | All of February

Kicking off with a free screening of “Beethoven Lives Upstairs” and an All-Beethoven Concert by the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony on Jan. 31, the area’s first ever BeethovenFest will be a month-long community-wide event celebrating one of the most important and influential composers of all time. Check out our story inside this week’s issue for more details.

Fargo Winter Blues Festival @ Baymont Inn | Feb. 7

The Fargo Winter Blues Festival will celebrate 15 years of bringing in some of the best regional and national blues talent this Feb. 7. The lineup includes Corey Stevens, Sena Ehrhardt, Dave Weld and The Imperial Flames and Big George Jackson Blues Band. More info is available at fargobluesfest.homestead.com.

A Woman’s Perspective | Opening Feb. 8

Poetry, music, dance, art and more will be represented at the opening reception for A Women’s Perspective. Come for a chance to meet and interact with some of the most distinguished female artists in town. The reception runs from 1 to 4 p.m. with a program starting at 2. More info is available at awp.handworks.org.

Sing Our Rivers Red event | Feb. 9-11, 13-14

Sing Our River Red is an awareness-raising event for murdered and missing indigenous women. The multi-day humanitarian event will feature a concert, film screening, workshops, exhibition, honoring ceremony and march/rally the week of Feb. 9 to 14. Stay tuned to next week’s HPR for more info or visit facebook.com/singourriversred.

Josef’s Annual Fashion Awards @ Avalon West | Feb. 13

Fargo is home to the “biggest runway show in the Midwest.” This year the award show is celebrating 10 years with more than 250 models walking the runway in wild hair and makeup, regional celebrity judges and a full house of fashion enthusiasts. For more information, visit josefsschoolofhairdesign.com.

Erotic Art Show @ Red Raven Espresso Parlor | Feb. 13

The Red Raven’s Erotic Art Show is heading into its 10th year, celebrating sexuality and human nature through different mediums of local art. Erotic-themed submissions will be accepted until Feb. 12. Drop ‘em off at the Raven.

Bartenders Battle @ The Venue | Feb. 15

Eight bartenders from some of the most popular restaurants in Fargo-Moorhead will compete in a mixology competition. Last year it was called the “Bartenders Gala,” this year HPR has rebranded it as the Bartenders Battle. All 21-plus members of the community are welcome to attend this one-of-a-kind event. Tune into next week’s HPR for extended coverage or visit bartendersbattle.com

New Direction Fest @ The New Direction | Feb. 20 to 22

New Direction Fest is perhaps the area’s most punk rockin’ all-ages music festival. High Hopes, Molly’s Worst Enemy, Lost Cause, Kwaician and Baltic To Boardwalk are just a few of the acts performing over the course of three days. Festivities also include a punk-rock garage sale and punk-rock potluck. Visit facebook.com/thenewdirection for more info.

Unglued Craft Fest @ Plains Art Museum | Feb. 20 and 21

Unglued Craft Fest is easily the best local event that celebrates small-business makers, crafters, artists and musicians. Hundreds and hundreds attend this three-level, art-museum-held event put on by Fargo’s very own Unglued Market. Gala is on 20th, main event is on the 21st. Visit www.ungluedmarket.com for more info.

Celebration of Women and Their Music @ The Fargo Theatre | Feb. 21

This year, the Celebration of Women and Their Music main stage show has paired down to eight core performs: Lindsay Mac, Jessie Veeder, Darin Henze and Michelle Marie Gelinske, Emy Miller, Peggy Bartunek, Diane Miller (yes, that’s me) and Andi Thoreson. And there will be plenty of pre and post shows featuring artists like Randi Olsen and Haley E. Rydell. For more info, visit facebook.com/CelebrationOfWomenAndTheirMusic

Fargo DylanFest @ The Fargo Theatre | Feb. 28

Local and regional musicians are getting together to perform songs such as “Like A Rolling Stone,” “Forever Young” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” honoring the legendary folk singer/songwriter Bob Dylan, a Minnesota-native and one-time Fargo resident. Acts include Tim Sparks, Amanda Standalone, Poitin and much more.