Last weekend, several hundred people from all across the North Star state braved the wind and cold to kick off the 2009 Art Shanty Projects. They were treated to, among other things, a Norse blessing, the world-famous BIcicle Race, all the ice auguring they could stand courtesy of the dICEHOUSES, and two highlight performances by Captain Yonder and the Roe Family Singers.

This weekend, there's even more to see and do. Events on Saturday begin at 11 am with a croquet tournament using hand-made wickets from artist Bill Gorcica. There'll also be the gypsy-punk combo The Ex-Lovers in the Black Box Shanty from noon to 2pm, followed by an old-fashioned pageant of survival and warfare playing in the Imperial Transatlantic Expedition Shanty. You'll have another chance to flex your competitive muscles in the BIcicle Race or with the recently-completed World's Largest Cribbage Board.

Sunday will see the Brass Messengers return to the ice, and Colleen Harriss presents an interactive dance performance (with cameras!) at noon. The Norae Bang Shanty, meanwhile, will be open for all of your karaoke needs on both days. Check the calendar at http://www.artshantyprojects.org/calendar for more details!

See you on the ice!