Let’s hope the weather cooperates and we get to have some nice summer breezes this weekend as Bemidji prepares for another couple of firsts.
The Loon Opera Company makes it debut this Friday at the Mask and Rose Theater with two short, in English, operas by Gian Carlo Menotti. The first is a “piece of fluff” with Linda Wagner and Dallas Dubke—a lighthearted romp that should get the audience involved early in the evening by whetting their appetite for sung dialogue which essentially all that opera is in the long run.
Italian born but naturalized American, Menotti started writing opera back in 1937 with “Amelia Goes to the Ball” which was quickly followed by “The Old Maid and the Thief” in 1939—his most familiar (to American audiences) opera is “Amahl and the Night Visitors” which is usually sung during the Christmas holidays. Personally, I am very excited about this production—especially after hearing a rehearsal Sunday night at the Mask and Rose Theater. Karissa Korbel who, as of late, is singing on Sundays at First Lutheran Church and jazz at Jammers, is amazing in the role of Madame Flora or Baba as she is called by her daughter, Monica, aptly portrayed by Sara Wabrowetz. Karissa is made for this role which reaches deep into the dark side of alcoholism and mental illness for she is intense, focused and costumed so well that she looks like a gypsy fortune teller one might call upon in the real world. The entire cast is professional and will do a credible job in this production which I hope Bemidji turns out to see for the only two performances—Friday and Saturday night—June 25 and 26.
After the show, Sara will be returning to her home town of Duluth and a production of the “Pirates of Penzance” during the Tall Ship Festival the last weekend of July. She will begin rehearsing her role of Kate, one of the daughters of the Major General. The festival is a three-day event and I will put more information about it on the blog in the very near future.
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Rain or Shine—the fundraiser for the Beltrami County History Center will go on at Diamond Point Park. The history center, such an integral part of the Bemidji community, struggles to keep their doors open and gets help with the bills by holding these events. The “Red, White and Blue High Tea” from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 26 promises the usual savories, scones and sweets (all made from traditional recipes by volunteers and board members) are served with teas donated by Holly from our local Tea and Gift Shoppe downtown Bemidji. This year music will be added with the Bemidji Barber Shop Quartet and The Sweet Quartet scheduled to appear. It is a wonderful event—a step back into time when families got together during the summer months and enjoyed each other’s company and the treats during Tea Time. If you haven’t done it yet, you’re missing out! I hope to see some familiar faces there at this new venue—Diamond Point Park.
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“Picasso at the Lapin Agile” opens this week at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse and promises to be a hilarious romp with Ari Hoptman as the young physicist Albert Einstein on the verge of his discovery of the Theory of Relativity. Ryan Parker Knox as the quixotic Pablo Picasso who knows he’s on the verge of something big (Cubism) but doesn’t know how to describe it in words. These two young men spar with each other in this left brain/ right brain duel to a surprise finish when they discover (with the help of a mysterious player) that both sides are valuable to civilization. The play is set in the avant-garde society of Paris’s left bank but some of the characters are less than literati. Mark Fulton is an aged inebriate who bemoans his prostate problems and failing sexual prowess, Randall Funk as owner of the cabaret and his wife (Katherine Tieben) have heard it all and see it all—many, many times. Written by comedienne Steve Martin who is obsessed with the creative process couples his love of the arts and deep interest in science in an imaginary event. The meeting of two great minds and those who attach themselves to these “celestial beings”—the play has subtle humor, stimulating dialogue and intelligent conversation. Jessie Ladig deserves extra credit as she convincingly switches from a countess to a young woman of questionable morals. Another familiar Bemidji face is Matt Goinz who plays Picasso’s art dealer, Sagot. This production will be on stage at 8 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday June 23 – July 3 with a half-price matinee this Sunday at 2 p.m. This production is rated PG-13 because of adult situations and sexual innuendo and well worth the effort for all adults.
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Noted water color artist Paul Jackson, AWS (American Watercolor Society) and NWS (National Watercolor Society) will lead a three-day watercolor workshop—August 26-28. Jackson is acknowledged as one of America’s eminent watercolor artists and will demonstrate the versatility of watercolor paint. He will show how to mix colors with a limited palette, working in thin washes and the building up of layers to produce luminous colors. Artists will add to their understanding of how watercolor can be controlled, how to correct mistakes, value planning and thinking through composition. The workshop will be held at the Beltrami Electric meeting room and the cost is $150 per participant. The deadline to register is July 31. Call the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts (444-5606) to sign up or for more information.
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One of my favorite theater companies is located in Grand Forks–Crimson Creek Players. They are opening a musical comedy "Spelling Bee" on July 6–see below for more information. Their performances are always worth the trip–Last summer’s performance of "Hair" was truly outstanding. Their newsletter can be seen at www.ggfct.com/newsletter_410htm.
ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ADD AN EVENT, PLS. SEND NOTICE TO PRALL@BEMIDJIPIONEER.COM
July 2010
July 4 at 7 p.m. Bemidji Community Band concert at Baker Park or Bangsberg depending up weather.
July 7 – 17.—–“Dracula,” a play written by Stephen Dietz based upon Bram Stoker original story about the eternal struggle between good and evil.J
July 6-17 Crimson Creek Players–"Spelling Bee" musical comedy at the Fire Hall Theater, Grand Forks,ND. Tickets at 701-777-4090.
July 7 at 12 noon- BACM Dr. Beverly Everett on the organ, St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church, 1800 Irving Ave.NW.
July 7,14,21, 28 at 3 p.m. "The Kitchen Witches" by Caroline Smith, Long Lake Theater, 218-732-0099 longlaketheater@hotmail.com for ticket information and reservations. (change of play)
July 8-10, 15-17, 22-24, 29-31 at 7:30 p.m."The Kitchen Witches" by Caroline Smith Long Lake Theater, 218-732-0099 longlaketheater@hotmail.com for ticket information and reservations. (change of play)
July 14 at 12 noon-BACM Lois Simonson on piano, Evangelical Covenant Church, 5405 Hwy. 2 W.
July 16 -18 "Clean House" by Sarah Ruhl at Wild Rose Theater.
July 17—Summer Pops Concert, BSO. free
July 18–7 p.m. Bemidji Community Band concert at Baker Park or Bangsberg depending up weather.
July 21-31—-“Boys Next Door,” by Tom Griffin is a dramatic comedy about four developmentally disabled men who live together in a group home,
July 21 at 12 noon–BACM Glenn Seibel on euphonium and Wayne Hoff on piano, United Methodist Church, 9th and Beltrami Ave.
July 28 at 12 noon–BACM Calvary Musicians, Calvary Lutheran Church 2508 Washington Ave.
August 2010
August 1 — 7 p.m.,Bemidji Community Band concert at Baker Park or Bangsberg depending up weather.
August 3-14, Mel Brooks comedy, "The Producers" by Crimson Creek players, Burtness Theater on the campus of University of North Dakota, tickets $18/15. 701-777-4090.
August 4 -14—–“Gypsy,” by Stephen Sondheim tells the story of Gypsy Rose Lee and how she became a burlesque star.
August 4 at 12 noon–BACM Wayne Hoff on the organ, Aardahl Lutheran Church, Co. Rd. 403 (East on Roosevelt Rd. to Van Buren, turn right.)
August 6, 7,8 Family Music Festival at lake Itasca–see www.FamilyBluegrass.com.
August 11 at 12 noon –BACM Joe Henry on piano and organ, Church of St. Philip, 702 Beltrami Ave.
August 18 at 12 noon–BACM Muff Magelssen,organ; Don MacKinnon, piano and The Other Mountain Remnant Band at First Presbyterian Church, 501 Minnensota Ave. NW.
August 4,11,18,25 at 3 p.m. "The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged" Long Lake Theater, 218-732-0099 longlaketheater@hotmail.com for ticket information and reservations.
August 5-7, 12-14, 19-21,26-28 at 7:30 p.m. "The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged" Long Lake Theater, 218-732-0099 longlaketheater@hotmail.com for ticket information and reservations.
August 25 at 12 noon–BACM Kenneth J. Wold,organ; Mike Fiske, Violin; Leah Kelm, flute; Tracy parthun andLeah Kelm bell trees at Evangelical Free Church, 115 Carr lake Rd. SW.
September 2010
Sept. 17—Oompah for the Arts, the major fundraiser for Bemidj Area Arts Endowment at the Town and Country Club.
Sept. 24–7 p.m. Desserts by Design, a fundraiser for the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra sponsored by the Orchestra Guild.
Sept. 25–Billy Collins, former Poet Laurete of the U.S., evening lecure, Bemidji High School. More information to follow.
October 2010
Oct. 22-24– Bemidji-First City of the Arts Studio Cruise
Tags: artsnews bemidji, bemidji concert series, bsu theater productions, calendar, fundraisers, greater grand forks symphony orchestra, paul bunyan playhouse summer season, summer stock, theater, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra,
