Category: Volunteer

2021 Volunteer Spotlight – Theresa Ekblad 

By The Chicken

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Full Name
Theresa Ekblad

How long have you volunteered for Homegrown?
Last year would have been my third year.

What is your favorite Homegrown memory?
There are so many, I’m freezing up when I try to choose – so instead of a memory, I’ll just share the feeling I get when it’s Homegrown time.  It truly is like a holiday for me – I do my best to take time off from work so I can celebrate and contribute as much as possible.  There are many people that I don’t get the opportunity to see outside of the Homegrown week when so many of us are out and about, exploring the great music that happens in our region.  I love the feeling of knowing that I’ll see friends and happy faces, listen and dance to fantastic music, and wish passersby “Happy Homegrown”.

How has music helped you through the pandemic thus far?
I have missed live music so much this year.  A few weeks into the pandemic, you could tell that musicians truly missed that connection too.  It was wonderful to see artists and bands get creative and find ways to share their music and connect with their fans.

Do you have any advice for future Homegrown Volunteers?
Every little bit helps!  It’s such a great opportunity to contribute to the local music community and help however you can.  Sign up with a friend and choose what shifts you want to work together!  Being a part of the magic makes me appreciate and enjoy the whole festival just a little bit more.

Thank you to all of our volunteers! We would not be able to have the festival without your help. 
Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/
Liz Minette photo

2021 Volunteer Spotlight – Liz Minette

By The Chicken

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Liz Minette photo

1. Full Name: Liz Minette

2. How long have you volunteered for Homegrown? I’ve been a volunteer for Homegrown since 2012.

3. What is your favorite Homegrown memory? Hmmmm… Poetry Showcases, especially the ones at Sacred Heart, NorShor and Duluth Folk School (all sweet spaces); working the shows at Clyde Iron, especially when Trampled by Turtles was playing; seeing TbT at Pizza Luce the time before the last time (when they tweeted their surprise show at Luce : ); all the shows at Cedar Lounge, especially when Venus de Mars played her acoustic set and we all were pretty much in tears it was so beautiful; Mary Bue, Retribution Gospel Choir & Wolf Blood at Luce; working the door at Quinlan’s; the sweet shows at Blush; creating music videos for Homegrown & all the Homegrown Music Video screenings

4. How has music helped you through the pandemic thus far? Music has helped very much through the pandemic; whether listening to tunes while taking walks, but more importantly, my Mom and I can watch concerts of local artists from home – we’ve watched Charlie Parr’s concerts at Sacred Heart via YouTube cast to our tv as well as Al Sparhawk & Friends at First Ave.

5. Do you have any advice for future Homegrown Volunteers? Show up for the shift you signed up for; have a great time hanging out with your crew; have fun; respect the Chicken : )

Thank you to all of our volunteers! We would not be able to have the festival without your help. 

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/

2019 Volunteer Spotlight – Jevne Billiet

By The Chicken

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Jevne is new to the Homegrown festival volunteer team as of the 2018 festival season.  

Her favorite venues are Sir Ben’s and Clyde Ironworks. Weekends are her favorite because there is just so much to choose from with great lineups all over town!

Pro Tip: Embrace the unknown/unfamiliar/brand new and just enjoy it.

Jevne’s DO NOT MISS band is the Latelys.

Best Homegrown memory?  The Retribution Gospel Choir’s secret surprise show at the Red Herring in 2016.

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/

2019 Volunteer Spotlight – Robert Kajer

By The Chicken

HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVAL VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Robert joined the Homegrown volunteer team in 2016 as a “broke college student” and hasn’t looked back.  His college years are behind him but the broke not so much 😉

He says the trick to being a stand out venue in Duluth is to name your venue something that starts with a B because his faves are Blush, Blacklist and Beaners.

Robert’s Pro Tip for new volunteers: Trying to yell over the band is fruitless.  Be prepared to communicate all the common questions you’ll get non-verbally. Have a price guide on hand to point at, plan to tap your finger on your own wristband to get folks to show you theirs, and make sure the set list for your venue is displayed prominently at or near your table.

Robert’s “don’t miss band(s)” for 2019 are MRS and the Sordid Affairs – they are simply everything he could want in a band – Queer as hell, unafraid to go all out, and some absolutely killer music to back it up.  We all certainly agree!

Robert proved that volunteering for Homegrown is possible while still a college student and so we know you can do it too! One time he volunteered the night before a big final and had successes both with the festival and his grade!

Thank you for all you do for Homegrown Robert!

Sign up for your HGMF volunteer shifts today: https://duluthhomegrown.org/volunteer/