May 14, 2026 open mic

Summary of Tonight’s Open Mic Night at The Grand (New Ulm)

A cozy, low-key open mic night with a small but enthusiastic crowd of locals, artists, musicians, and friends. Amy (Molly) and Jim (Sonny Boy) hosted and kicked things off with two original songs: the relaxing “Relax Your Mind,” the fun country tune “Tired Old Maid” (written for the Brown County Moo Off), and a solid cover of “Mama Tried.”

Highlights:

  • Jess delivered heartfelt performances of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and Michael Bublé’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
  • Comedian Isaac made his debut with sharp, funny new material — family stories, therapy woes, a wild Paris airport incident, and more. The small audience loved it!
  • Jerry brought strong folk/rock energy with Bob Dylan’s “Shelter from the Storm,” America’s “Sandman,” and R.E.M.’s “Radio Free Europe.”
  • Artist Craig Groe closed the music with a nice set of covers (including “San Antonio,” “A Red, Red Rose,” and “Hurt”) plus an original, while his art exhibit (on display until May 29) was open upstairs.

There was plenty of friendly chatting beforehand — catching up on family, karaoke at Rodney’s, art, local events, health updates, and NUCat’s video filming. People enjoyed treats, explored the gallery, and appreciated the intimate vibe. A few folks had to leave early, but the night felt warm and supportive of local talent.

Overall: Small turnout but big heart — great music, laughs, and community connection. Next open mic is Thursday, June 11. Hope to see more faces then! 🎤🎨

Small crowd but big heart.
Artist and musician Craig Groe

Here is a link to May 14th Open mic night video

https://youtu.be/xgGEultG-hY?si=oX1DyiLIHvxv9Ec1

🌍 Behind the lens: Why travel vlogs make me worry 🎥

🌍 Behind the lens: Why travel vlogs make me worry 🎥

By Amy Zents

I love watching travel vloggers explore remote places—lush jungles, mountain villages, desert trails. Their footage is stunning, their curiosity contagious. But somewhere between the drone shots and the campfire chats, I start to worry.

What if they get injured? What if there’s no signal, no help, no one nearby who speaks their language? I’ve seen how quickly things can go wrong, even close to home. And many of these creators don’t have fixers, insurance, or backup teams. They’re brave, yes, but also vulnerable.

Maybe it’s the journalist in me. I think about liability, logistics, and the stories that never get told when something goes wrong. I wonder if they’ve signed waivers, mapped emergency routes, or even told someone where they’re going.

It’s not just about risk, it’s about responsibility. Who protects the storytellers when the story turns dangerous?

#TravelVloggers #BehindTheScenes #StorytellerSafety #RemoteTravel #JournalismMatters #EthicalStorytelling #AdventureAndRisk #SoloTravel #MediaResponsibility #ProtectTheStorytellers

Dark skies may loom for storytellers in isolated areas