Selfie by white man in his 40s, posing against a white brick wall wearing a furry winter hat and sunglasses.

Jay Gabler

Arts and Entertainment Reporter

Jay Gabler joined the Duluth News Tribune in 2022. As arts and entertainment reporter, he writes regular features about the individuals, organizations and events that make up the Northland's arts scene. He writes a weekly column, Front Row Seat, and writes regular reviews of movies, books and performances. He also picks each week's Best Bets, and contributes to the Northlandia series.

His previous experience includes eight years as a digital producer at The Current (Minnesota Public Radio), four years as theater critic at Minneapolis alt-weekly City Pages and six years as arts editor at the Twin Cities Daily Planet. He's a co-founder of pop culture and creative writing blog The Tangential and an alumnus of the National Critics Institute. He's a member of the National Book Critics Circle, the Minnesota Film Critics Association and the Society of Professional Journalists.

Gabler grew up in St. Paul and Duluth before heading east to attend college at Boston University and graduate school at Harvard University, where he earned three degrees including a Ph.D. in sociology. Readers can reach Gabler at jgabler@duluthnews.com or 218-409-7529.

Subscribers Only
A new production of "What the Constitution Means to Me" opens the downtown nonprofit's 2025 slate, the second full season since reframing its stage offerings.
Bill Alexander organized the acclaimed Strikepoint in 1984. Based at First United Methodist Church, the group has toured widely and expanded the repertory.
Also this week: "Flow" at Zeitgeist, Charlie Parr residency at the Cedar Lounge, Superior goes back to 1945 and the DECC goes from Folsom to "Chicago."
Subscribers Only
The Duluth singer-songwriter just recorded her debut single, drawn from a growing collection of songs she describes as "tender bubble grunge."
Continuing a tradition, the Duluth-founded Americana band will play Bayfront Festival Park on July 5. Tickets go on sale Friday.
UMD students are among performers presenting free readings of "A Collectible Sensation," a musical about four pioneering art-world women.
Subscribers Only
Per official News Tribune style, it's just "gulls." A local bird expert says that's exactly correct — although some Northland gulls do see saltwater during their lifetimes.
Subscribers Only
Indecent Proposal has filmed music videos at Enger Tower, the William A. Irvin and even Denfeld High School. Getting access to the Aerial Lift Bridge might be trickier.
Also this week: world's coldest birdathon, Salmela sisters cabaret, new art at MacRostie, Anastasia Bamford art opening and a special event at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum.
The sprawling East Hillside bookstore is located in a former Seventh-day Adventist church. It will increase its community-facing programming under new owner Tina Higgins Wussow, a longtime employee.