Classes

Date Event Venue
  • July 10, 2026
    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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  • July 10, 2026
    6:00 pm

Introduction to Watercolor

Welcome to watercolor! Watercolor paint is an incredibly playful and flexible medium to work with, but many people do not know where to start. This class breaks down all of the basics. In this class, you will learn all of the basic skills that you need to begin watercolor painting. You will learn how toContinue Reading
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  • July 11, 2026
    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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  • July 11, 2026
    12:30 pm

Natural Watercolor Making Workshop

During this class we will dive the process of creating natural watercolors from plant to palette! Pigment is all around us, and we will explore the process of “laking” for pigments made from organic matter, as well as creating earth pigments from inorganic materials. Expect this session to be packed with information, and any folksContinue Reading
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  • July 11, 2026
    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. Resource Renew is partnering with the Duluth Folk School and Duluth Makerspace to host Fixit ClinicsContinue Reading
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  • July 12, 2026
    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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  • July 15, 2026
    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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  • July 15, 2026
    6:00 pm

The Flying Tortoises Run Club

Welcome to the club. Everyone is invited! The Flying Tortoises group is the brainchild of several members of the Duluth running community who wanted to build an open environment for all who want to run! No matter race, gender identity, pace, or anything else, you are welcome with us. We meet every Wednesday at 6Continue Reading
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  • July 16, 2026
    5:30 pm

Ecoprinting Silk Scarves

Plants contain a variety of natural pigments that can be printed directly onto fabrics in a technique called ecoprinting (also known as ‘contact dyeing’). You’ll take a silk scarf, lay out a design in leaves and flowers, and learn how to roll it into a bundle. You’ll take your completed roll home to bake. TheContinue Reading
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  • July 16, 2026
    6:00 pm

Duluth Folk School Field Trip: The Geology of Duluth!

Our Duluth landscape is the product of both very ancient and relatively recent geological processes. And the contrast between these prime movers is even more stark; put simply, fire and ice! Join UMD geology grad Dave Pagel for a boots-on-the-ground look at how billion-year-old rifts and Pleistocene glaciers have underpinned and sculpted the Duluth regionContinue Reading
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  • July 17, 2026
    5:00 pm

Cattail Cordage

Discover the hidden strength of a common wild plant in this hands-on beginner class focused on making cordage from cattail leaves.  Learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare cattails for twisting into strong, natural twine. We’ll guide you through basic cordage techniques using dried leaves, and explore how this simple skill can be applied toContinue Reading
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  • July 17, 2026
    5:45 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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  • July 18, 2026
    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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  • July 24, 2026
    5:30 pm

Storyfolk

Storyfolk is where you tell a story. Each teller gets 5 to 8 minutes. (Rule: no notes or reading. This is telling a story.) The stories should be okay for all ages, but the emphasis is entertainment for adults. An old rule of story is that you can take your listeners anywhere but bring themContinue Reading
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  • July 26, 2026
    10:00 am

Design Help for "First Light"

“First Light” is an upcoming illuminated art exhibition, with an emphasis on encouraging artists to explore lamp/lit objects as a new medium! If you are interested in contributing a piece for this early 2027 show, you’re invited to join TJ and Elden for a Drop-in Workshop for design help! That will be Sunday, July 26thContinue Reading
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  • July 26, 2026
    12:00 pm

Creepmas Craft Session

Each winter, there is a parade through Lincoln Park! It’s a collection of fun people, great costumes, and a bit of magic. Creepmas Parade Duluth is hosting two craft sessions this summer at Duluth Folk School. You can learn about how to join in the festivities, what’s new this year, AND get a start onContinue Reading
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  • July 27, 2026
    5:00 pm

Cattail Harvest and Cordage

This outdoor class invites students to learn directly from the landscape while working with cattail. Together, we will explore where cattail grows, how to identify healthy stands, and how to harvest with care using principles of honorable harvest. Students will learn how to properly prepare cattail leaves in the field, including splitting, drying, and storingContinue Reading
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  • July 28, 2026
    5:00 pm

Cattail: From Plant to Basket

In our first class meeting, we will spend time getting to know the cattail plant. We will discuss honorable harvest practices, exploring how to gather, and the many uses and versatility of cattail. We will also cover how to properly dry and store cattail leaves so they remain strong, flexible, and ready for weaving. InContinue Reading
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  • July 29, 2026
    5:30 pm

Flower Arranging and Watercolor

In this class you will learn how to arrange flowers and then paint your arrangement with watercolor. After we arrange our flowers, we will consider light and shadow for our composition. We will make adjustments to our arrangement according to our desired composition utilizing artistic elements. Finally, we will learn how to successfully capture yourContinue Reading
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  • July 30, 2026
    6:00 pm

Make Your Own Ginger Ale

Make your own lightly fermented Ginger Ale! Using ingredients purchased from the local co-op and home brew store, we will learn how to brew and ferment this delicious, easy-to-make beverage. We will create a basic ginger ale and sample several variations. Students will learn the ins and outs of fermentation, and learn how to applyContinue Reading
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  • July 31, 2026
    6:00 pm

Introduction to Watercolor

Welcome to watercolor! Watercolor paint is an incredibly playful and flexible medium to work with, but many people do not know where to start. This class breaks down all of the basics. In this class, you will learn all of the basic skills that you need to begin watercolor painting. You will learn how toContinue Reading
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  • August 2, 2026
    12:00 pm

Invasive Color: Using Invasive Species as Natural Dyes

Many of the plants we now consider invasive species were brought to this country for a purpose. This workshop explores several invasive plants which can be used as natural dyes. There’s no guilt about peeling off the bark or pulling up the whole plant to make these dye baths! You will learn plant identification, aContinue Reading
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  • August 6, 2026
    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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  • August 6, 2026
    6:00 pm

Lake Superior Surfing

Come learn the basics of surfing on the big lake! This class will give you an overview of surfing history, methods, safety, locations, and gear. The instructor will explain the parts of a surfboard and what gear you need for lake conditions. This course is classroom based, and you will leave with the knowledge ofContinue Reading
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  • August 7, 2026
    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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  • August 8, 2026
    11:00 am

Aurora Photography 101

In this class, you’ll learn everything from A-to-Z about aurora photography, including how to use your full frame camera, set up, initial settings, and understanding the data on SpaceWeatherLive. If time permits, beginning editing, and Lightroom will be covered. Registration Includes You go home with lecture notes, and the ability to know when, where andContinue Reading
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  • August 15, 2026
    12:00 pm

Sun Printing: Intro to Cyanotype Printmaking

Cyanotype printmaking is a fascinating cameraless photographic process also known as “sun printing.” In this 3-hour class, you’ll discover how to create stunning deep blue and stark white images by placing objects like leaves and plants on specially prepared paper. Cyanotype is perfect for anyone eager to explore the magic of photographic art without aContinue Reading
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  • August 20, 2026
    5:00 pm

Wild Mushrooms 101

During this class, you will learn about foraging and identifying wild mushrooms. We will discuss some basic information about mushrooms, steps for identifying mushrooms, steps for foraging mushrooms, common edible mushrooms, common toxic mushrooms, recommended resources, etc. You will also get to handle real mushrooms to get some hands-on experience with some of the mushroomsContinue Reading
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  • August 24, 2026
    5:00 pm

Twined Cattail Basket

In this class, students will learn the art of twining using cattail leaves to create a basket. Twining is a traditional weaving technique that uses two strands woven around upright supports, creating a strong and flexible structure. We will begin by preparing cattail materials, discussing proper hydration to ensure they are workable and durable. StudentsContinue Reading
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  • September 9, 2026
    5:30 pm

Mountain Biking for Mature Riders

Join our four-session mountain biking class designed specifically for mature audiences looking to enhance their comfort and confidence on the trails. Perfect for novices and those seeking to refine their skills, this course covers essential topics such as equipment selection and setup, balance, body positioning, and cadence. You’ll learn to navigate uphills and downhills safely,Continue Reading
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  • September 10, 2026
    5:00 pm

Beginner Embroidery: Making an Embroidered Needle Book

Embroidery work is an old art form used both to decorate and to repair. Recently, embroidery has made a major resurgence. Designs are showing up on everything from traditional folk garments to modern runways. In this class, you’ll learn the basics of embroidery including different materials to use and how they interact, learn 10 differentContinue Reading
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  • September 11, 2026
    5:30 pm

Cattail Cordage

Discover the hidden strength of a common wild plant in this hands-on beginner class focused on making cordage from cattail leaves.  Learn how to identify, harvest, and prepare cattails for twisting into strong, natural twine. We’ll guide you through basic cordage techniques using dried leaves, and explore how this simple skill can be applied toContinue Reading
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  • September 12, 2026
    9:00 am

Quiltmaking for Beginners: Disappearing Nine-Patch Meets Flying Geese

Using cotton fabric scraps and repurposing slightly used cotton fabrics, you will first create simple Nine-patch quilt blocks. Then, you will cut them up and turn them into Flying Geese blocks to make a small quilt, a table runner, or even a pillow. This technique is easy and fun, with lots of design possibilities. Plus,Continue Reading
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  • September 17, 2026
    5:00 pm

Wild Mushrooms 101

During this class, you will learn about foraging and identifying wild mushrooms. We will discuss some basic information about mushrooms, steps for identifying mushrooms, steps for foraging mushrooms, common edible mushrooms, common toxic mushrooms, recommended resources, etc. You will also get to handle real mushrooms to get some hands-on experience with some of the mushroomsContinue Reading
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  • September 20, 2026
    3:00 pm

Learn and Sing Sea Shanties!

Ahoy me hearties! Come sing sea shanties at Duluth Folk School! Chanteyman Paul Webster will help everyone learn and sing a variety of work songs. Experienced and inexperienced singers welcome.
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  • September 29, 2026
    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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  • November 19, 2026
    5:00 pm

Ukrainian-Style Egg Decorating for Christmas

Come learn a centuries-old craft found throughout Eastern Europe! While Ukrainian eggs (pysanky) are traditionally associated with Easter, the art form lends itself well to Christmas as well. Ukrainian eggs, or pysanky, are created using a wax batik method.  We’ll examine traditional design elements, what the colors symbolize, and some of the stories associated withContinue Reading
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  • December 9, 2026
    5:00 pm

Needle Felted Ornaments

Have you always wanted to try needle felting? Are you looking for a little special something to give for the holidays? Then this class is for you! Using cookie cutters as a template, you will fill them with wool roving and needle felt it into a solid piece. You’ll embellish your felted base with beads,Continue 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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