Classes

Date Event Venue
  • February 8, 2025
    8:30 am

Fika & Fiber

Join us for a free, drop-in knitting and fiber arts group! Saturdays at 8:30 am at the Dovetail Cafe. Come share a cuppa’ and craft! *Fika is a beloved Swedish custom of pausing for a moment of quality time to connect with others, often with a cup of coffee and a sweet treat. Please note:Continue Reading
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  • February 8, 2025
    9:00 am

Canceled - Green Wood Shrink Boxes

Shrink boxes are a fun and easy way to create your own wooden containers using green wood sides and dry wood bottoms. Though they are called boxes most are round. The process is very simple: Hollow out a branch, cut a slot in the bottom of the cylinder and snap in a bottom piece. TheContinue Reading
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  • February 8, 2025
    5:00 pm

Folk School Night

Join us for Folk School Nights every Saturday from 5pm – 7pm! Good-hearted folk are invited to gather and see what’s going on at Duluth Folk School. We’ll have rotating activities and programming, so there’ll always be something new happening each Saturday. (Just step on in, Folk School Nights are completely free.) February’s Folk SchoolContinue Reading
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  • February 9, 2025
    9:00 am

Introduction to Spoon Carving

Join us for a 3 hour introduction to the craft of greenwood spoon carving. You will finish the class with your own hand carved serving spoon. For the first part of class we will study safety, knife grips and traditional techniques for carving. For the rest of the class you will apply what you haveContinue Reading
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  • February 9, 2025
    5:00 pm

Open Mic

Come share your music! (Or come hear some great local musicians!) If you’d like to play or perform, you can register for a time slot when you arrive. We’re a friendly community where everyone is welcome — and we’d love to have you join us!
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  • February 10, 2025
    5:30 pm

Cooking with Winter Vegetables: Taking Winter Storage Vegetables to Winter Feast!

Dark winter days call for bright flavors and satisfying dishes. While we wait for fresh green vegetables to fill the markets in the spring, we can find so much joy in winter storage vegetables. Whether you already love them and look forward to them all year long or you’re looking to cultivate a new appreciation,Continue Reading
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  • February 10, 2025
    6:00 pm

Building an Appalachian Egg Basket

In this class, you will spend almost two months building an Appalachian Egg Basket! Together we will make hoops, weave rosettes to anchor the frame, and then add ribs to build out the frame. We need to spend so much time incrementally weaving the baskets closed to allow sufficient time for the willow weavers toContinue Reading
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  • February 11, 2025
    5:00 pm

Ski Coat Rack

Our repurposed ski racks are a hit everywhere and now is your opportunity to make one of your own (or make one as a gift)! We’ll take skis that are cast-offs from our friends at the Chester Bowl ski program and turn them into creative and unique coat racks. Or if you prefer, you canContinue Reading
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  • February 11, 2025
    5:30 pm

Hamantaschen: A Triangular Taste of Tradition

Celebrate Purim – a Jewish spring holiday – by baking traditional Ashkenazi hamentaschen. These jam-filled treats are said to represent the ears of the evil Haman. And what better way to celebrate the defeat of your enemies than by eating their ears? We’ll talk about the Purim story and roll, fill, and bake dozens ofContinue Reading
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  • February 12, 2025
    5:00 pm

Game Night

Join us for Game Night every Wednesday 5 pm – 8 pm at Dovetail Café! Cribbage and Board Games Free Admission  
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  • February 12, 2025
    5:30 pm

Craft Your Own Wool Sauna Hat

In our “Craft Your Own Wool Sauna Hat” workshop, you’ll dive into the art of sewing a cozy and functional sauna hat from soft, insulating wool. We’ll guide you through each step of the sewing process, from pattern cutting and stitching to adding finishing touches. By the end of the class, you’ll have a custom-madeContinue Reading
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  • February 12, 2025
    6:00 pm

Tortoise & Hare Footware Run Club

Join us for a FREE weekly run group and explore Lincoln Park! No registration required. Just show up! Location: Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace Time: 6 pm every Wednesday. Meet at Dovetail a little before 6 pm. Runs: 30-45 minutes. Direction of the runs may vary, but the start and end will always be Dovetail. TheContinue Reading
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  • February 14, 2025
    5:30 pm

Writers Open Mic

We’re inviting poets, creative writers, and expressive people of all kinds to share their work at our Writers’ Open Mic. We welcome anyone. Come and share your creativity, or just come and listen! Five minute limit.
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  • February 15, 2025
    9:00 am

Canceled - Rosemaling an Acrylic Dala Horse

In this class students will paint their own acrylic Dala horse. While learning about the history and styles of rosemaling, students will paint one side of the horse in oil paint using either the provided pattern or their own creation. Instructor Tara Austin started making these acrylic Dala horses in 2019. They are fabricated atContinue Reading
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  • February 15, 2025
    5:00 pm

Old Time Jam Session

Come on down for a free old time music jam session at the Duluth Folk School! Bring a fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, or bass and learn new tunes! Play along, or just sit back and listen to old chestnuts and local favorites, played in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Everyone is welcome to play along, listen,Continue Reading
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  • February 15, 2025
    7:00 pm

Community Dance

Tamarack Dance Association is hosting a folk dance at the Dovetail Cafe/Duluth Folk School! Rotating live band with caller every month. New dancers are invited to learn a new art form, and experienced dancers, musicians, and callers will have the opportunity to continue developing their skills. To ensure youth safety and a positive dance experience for participants,Continue Reading
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  • February 19, 2025
    6:00 pm

Planning Your BWCAW Canoe Trip

Are you wanting to learn how to plan your own canoe trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness? Now is the time to start planning. Ken Gilbertson has 50 years of experience leading trips into the BWCAW. He will share planning tips from permits, route selection, food planning, safety, and equipment. You will leaveContinue Reading
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  • February 20, 2025
    6:00 pm

Winter Sowing Native Wildflowers

During this class you will learn about native wildflowers, how to grow them using the ‘Winter Sowing’ method, and complete a hands-on activity during class. All materials are provided, and you will go home with your own ‘mini-greenhouse’ planted with wildflowers (then all you have to do is wait for spring)! Before we get ourContinue Reading
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  • February 21, 2025
    5:30 pm

Speed Friending

SPEED FRIENDING returns at Dovetail Cafe! Everyone will meet everyone one-on-one. By the time we finish, we’ll all have more acquaintances than we did before! Hurray! Whether you consider yourself an introvert or extrovert, young or old, from near or far, or someone in-between all those — we want you to come! Everyone is welcomeContinue Reading
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  • February 21, 2025
    5:30 pm

Making a Penny Whistle Sound Good

In untrained or malicious hands, a penny whistle can be an instrument of torture. In this class we will study several techniques for getting surprisingly wonderful sounds out of these little devices. You will receive instruction starting with the basics of how the whistle works and ending with suggestions for continuing practice. Each technique canContinue Reading
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  • February 22, 2025
    9:00 am

Creating Mobiles

Have you ever wondered how someone could hang a bunch of objects on wires or sticks and get them to magically balance? Have you ever been in awe of the simultaneous size and lightness of a giant Alexander Calder mobile? Well, there are some fundamental techniques and secrets that aren’t evident until you try toContinue Reading
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  • February 23, 2025
    10:00 am

Demystifying Sewing Machines

Discover the secrets of your sewing machine in “Demystifying Sewing Machines,” a hands-on class designed to build your confidence and understanding of this essential tool. We’ll dig into typical sewing machines and learn about the mechanics of how a stitch is formed, walk you through threading your machine and winding bobbins, and demystify the artContinue Reading
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  • February 25, 2025
    6:00 pm

Lightwork Meditation Refresher Session

Give yourself the gift of guided meditations over the winter season. Lightwork teacher Viola Clark will guide you through the Lightwork meditation sequence in this refresher session. Use this session to keep your meditation practice on track, to refresh your memory of the meditation sequence, to ask questions or to just make sure you haveContinue Reading
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  • February 26, 2025
    5:30 pm

Sharper Living: Reviving Your Household Blades

Feeling a little dull? Bring your blunt and battered blades to life in this fun, hands-on sharpening class! Whether it’s the chef’s knife that’s become a butter spreader, scissors that can’t even handle gift wrap, or lawnmower blades that tickle grass instead of cutting it, we’ve got you covered. We’ll teach you the fine artContinue Reading
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  • March 1, 2025
    1:00 pm

Kitchen Beers

Humans have been brewing beer for eons. Using an infinite variety of ingredients and processes, we’ve been making fermented beverages since we originated as a species. While modern practices can be quite technical and require a great deal of equipment, the fundamentals of brewing are surprisingly simple. Beer was made at home for most ofContinue Reading
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  • March 5, 2025
    5:30 pm

Wood and Canvas Folding Camp Chair / Gardener’s Stool

Dive into woodworking and sewing to build a folding chair! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to cut wood, basic joinery, and sew seams. You’ll leave the class with your very own versatile folding chair, perfect for camping, fishing, or any outdoor escapade. Registration Includes Instruction and all materials are provided. You will go homeContinue Reading
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  • March 6, 2025
    6:00 pm

Café Scientifique

Cafe Scientifique Twin Ports is dedicated to creating a more curious, informed, and collaborative society by hosting free monthly public discussions in science, technology, and more. Local experts are invited to share their knowledge with the public in a relaxed, discussion-oriented format. Topics are diverse, and all are welcome to attend.
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  • March 7, 2025
    5:30 pm

Dovetail Trivia!

Hosted by the nefariously big-hearted Nick Heck, come have a fun evening with great people in a great space. Recommended team size is 6. (We’ll help teams form, so don’t worry if you’re solo or just with a friend!) 1st round: General knowledge 2nd round: Current events 3rd round: Sports 4th round: Night’s theme 5thContinue Reading
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  • March 7, 2025
    6:00 pm

Intro to Mosaics: Create Your Own Mosaic Mirror

Welcome to the magical world of mosaics!  If you’ve ever been captivated by the vibrant beauty and intricate patterns of mosaics, this class is the perfect opportunity to dive in and learn the basics while creating your own masterpiece.  Join this introductory class and learn the basics about the technique while creating your own masterpiece!  EachContinue Reading
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  • March 8, 2025
    10:00 am

Home Roasting 101

This class will be a hands on opportunity to roast your very own coffee! You will start by getting to know the mechanics of roasting and will employ a wide range of tools from woks to whirley-pops and cast iron skillets to popcorn makers. At the end of class you will take time to evaluateContinue Reading
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  • March 8, 2025
    3:30 pm

Fix-it Clinic

Just because it’s broken doesn’t mean it belongs in the trash can! Whether it’s cracked, torn, stained, missing a piece, or just not working properly, broken things can be made good as new with the right skills and tools. WLSSD is partnering with the Duluth Folk School and Duluth Makerspace to host Fixit Clinics whereContinue Reading
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  • March 12, 2025
    5:30 pm

Introduction to Watercolor

This class is perfect for individuals looking to try watercoloring.  You will explore fundamental watercolor techniques including paint mixing, water use, and brushstrokes. This class provides the building blocks of watercolor in a fun and creative environment. Whether you’re new to painting or have experience, this class will be engaging for all. Registration Includes InstructionContinue Reading
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  • March 15, 2025
    1:00 pm

Intro to Stained Glass Assembly

Learn the basics of stained glass assembly while creating a unique stained glass piece. You will learn how to foil, solder, clean, frame, and polish this project with the prepared glass kit provided to you (precut and ground). The first 15 minutes of class we will cover safety, tools, and the materials you will beContinue Reading
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  • March 17, 2025
    6:00 pm

Woodworking 101

Curious about woodworking but unsure where to begin? This four-session beginner’s course will introduce you to the essential tools, materials, and techniques to confidently start working with wood. Through hands-on projects and guided instruction, you’ll build foundational skills that can be expanded on through further practice or future classes. What to Expect: Session One: SafetyContinue Reading
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  • March 22, 2025
    10:00 am

Home Roasting 101

This class will be a hands on opportunity to roast your very own coffee! You will start by getting to know the mechanics of roasting and will employ a wide range of tools from woks to whirley-pops and cast iron skillets to popcorn makers. At the end of class you will take time to evaluateContinue Reading
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  • March 23, 2025
    12:00 pm

Intro to Mosaics: Create Your Own Mosaic Mirror

Welcome to the magical world of mosaics!  If you’ve ever been captivated by the vibrant beauty and intricate patterns of mosaics, this class is the perfect opportunity to dive in and learn the basics while creating your own masterpiece.  Join this introductory class and learn the basics about the technique while creating your own masterpiece!  EachContinue Reading
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  • March 29, 2025
    1:00 pm

Hand Drumming for Beginners

During this class you will learn the basics of playing hand drums, with a focus on djembe style drums. You will learn the different sounds that you can make with your drum, and how to use those different sounds to develop basic rhythms. We will talk about the different kinds of hand drums and whatContinue Reading
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  • March 30, 2025
    9:00 am

Will it Dye? Creating Dye and Watercolors from Nature

During this class, you will be exploring how to extract and create with colors that can be found in natural materials. We will consider materials that you might have on hand in your pantry, and will even explore materials that participants bring in or forage themselves. Using kitchen items, we will coax out the colorContinue Reading
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  • March 31, 2025
    6:00 pm

Learn Lightwork Meditation: Level 1

Lightwork Level 1 Meditation is a 7-class journey of self-discovery and personal empowerment. You learn the core components of your energy system and how to recharge them using meditation techniques. It is common to not know much about your energy system. But like your body, you can be aware of it and take care ofContinue Reading
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  • April 2, 2025
    5:30 pm

Build a Wooden Garden Tote

In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to craft a sturdy and stylish wooden tote, perfect for carrying tools, gardening supplies, or other essentials. Designed with both function and form in mind, this project is an ideal introduction to basic woodworking techniques. Over the course of the workshop, you’ll explore essential skills such as measuring,Continue Reading
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  • April 9, 2025
    6:00 pm

Elements of Poetry

In this workshop, we will discuss ways to develop a writing habit and how to find inspiration for new poems. We will talk about some elements of poetry that make great poems and how we view our own work as compared to that of poets we enjoy reading. There will be some writing prompts andContinue Reading
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  • April 11, 2025
    8:30 am

Selecting, Using and Maintaining Vintage Handsaws

The purpose of this one-day block of instruction is to introduce students to saw selection, use and maintenance through proven traditional sawyering techniques that have endured throughout the centuries, back when communication moved at the speed of a horse or a sail. Much of the information below has been forgotten when generations of woodworkers followingContinue Reading
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  • April 26, 2025
    1:00 pm

Hangin’ With Your Own Hammock

Embark on a journey to create your own outdoor adventure gear—beginning with crafting a lightweight hammock! In this hands-on class, you’ll transform a stack of fabric, cord, and thread into a portable nylon hammock. Using Airwave ripstop nylon, renowned for its enhanced breathability and comfort, you’ll learn essential outdoor gear construction techniques such as materialContinue Reading
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  • May 5, 2025
    5:30 pm

Cooking with Spring Vegetables: Learn to Prepare, Cook, and Bake with the Treasures of Spring

In this class, new and experienced cooks will explore the treasures of the season — the long-awaited spring vegetables. We’ll begin with some discussion and end with a feast you help prepare! We’ll go over what’s in that first CSA box of the season and what to expect to find at farmers markets and groceryContinue Reading
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  • May 6, 2025
    5:30 pm

Twist and Shout! Baking Challah and Babka

Rich in flavor and tradition, challah is a central part of every Jewish Shabbat observance and babka is its sweet chocolatey cousin. You’ll get hands-on experience mixing, kneading and braiding your own loaves of babka and challah and learn about the traditions behind them. Registration Includes All instruction and ingredients are included. You will goContinue Reading
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  • July 11, 2025
    8:30 am

Selecting, Using and Maintaining Vintage Handsaws

The purpose of this one-day block of instruction is to introduce students to saw selection, use and maintenance through proven traditional sawyering techniques that have endured throughout the centuries, back when communication moved at the speed of a horse or a sail. Much of the information below has been forgotten when generations of woodworkers followingContinue Reading
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Contact

1917 W Superior St
Duluth, MN 55806

Duluth Folk School
Office: 218-216-6929 or info@duluthfolkschool.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday (9 am – 1 pm)

Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace
Cafe: (218) 481-7888 or kitchen@dovetailcafe.com
Marketplace: market@dovetailcafe.com
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday (8 am – 8 pm); Monday & Tuesday (8 am – 3 pm)

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Duluth Folk School is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit.

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