Texas Two-Step with local musicians Timberline, Kari Munson and John Essig, from 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Nov.27 at the Solway Grill on U.S. 2 E.
The Headwaters School of Music and the Arts is calling for all Tuba and Euphonium players to sign up and be a part of a Christmas tradition, Merry TubaChristmaS 2010 that started 1974 with Harvey Philips. The 2010 concerts will be performed in over 250 cities throughout the country. It costs no money to participate and music will be provided. There will be one rehearsal at 10 a.m. on Dec. 4 at the HSMA, 519 Minnesota Ave. N.W. Call 444-5606 to sign up to be a part of this holiday concert at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4 at the Paul Bunyan Mall.
Free tickets are available now at the Bemidji Library for “The Golden Age of Radio†with Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard, at 4 p.m., Dec. 4 at Calvary Lutheran Church, 2508 Washington Ave. SE. Vocalist Prudence Johnson and pianist Don Chouinard perform during an interactive program of classic radio standards from the 1930’s and ‘40’s (“Beer Barrel Polka†and “Singin’ in the Rainâ€), photos, stories and audience sing-a longs. Attendees are invited to get dressed up in vintage inspired attire and tap their toes to favorites like “A Tisket a Tasket†and “Accentuate the Positive.†Blackduck Public Library will provide transportation to the event with a wheelchair accessible bus. Call the library at 835-6600 to register or for more information. Look at the KRLS.org website for information on the performance at other libraries in the system. “The Golden Age of Radio†is funded with money from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and is presented as part of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation in the Libraries, a partnership between Minnesota Regional Public Libraries and the Minnesota Historical Society.
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse is offering stocking stuffers of a gift certificate for the coming 2011 summer season: “Forever Plaid,†“A Midsummer Night’s Dream,†“Lend Me a Tenor,†“21A†by Kevin Kling and “The Full Monty.†To receive the gift certificate, send a $100 check per person to the Paul Bunyan Playhouse, 314 Beltrami Ave. NW or email them at paulbunyanplayhouse.com.
Tickets are on sale now for holiday shows in Bemidji, Akeley and Hubbard. The first show to open will be “A Christmas Carol†at the Historic Chief Theater in downtown Bemidji. Director Greg Gasman has taken favorite scenes from seven previous productions and written a version of the original play with a new twist. Based upon the original story by Charles Dickens, Gasman and his players have twisted this “yarn†into an original tapestry with stories, music and singing on stage and in the audience. A family show that is suitable for all ages is collaboration among Bemidji Community Theater, KG Entertainment and the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m., on Dec. 3,4,9,10 and 11 and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4. Tickets are $10 general admission and $8 for seniors and students and are available now at Harmony Natural Food Co-op, The Wild Hare Bistro, Brigid’s Cross Irish Pub and at the door.
The Minnesota Folklore Theater in Akeley will have on stage a Victorian living room and the story of “The Night Before Christmas†an original script written by artistic director Fred Rogers. Performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday and Fridays and at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and runs from Dec.9 through Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children and may be reserved on-line at minnesotafolkloretheater.org or call 652-2666. The theater is located in downtown Akeley at 6 Broad Street E.
Long Lake Theater in Hubbard (south of Park Rapids) will welcome “Ole and Lena’s –It’s a Wonderful Life†Minnesota’s favorite Scandinavian couple. Ole’s dreams of escaping a small, northern Minnesota town and pursuing adventure in the wild Midwest are repeatedly quashed.  On Christmas Eve, Ole’s guardian angel descends to save him from despair and remind him that this is, after all, a wonderful life. Performances are Dec. 2-5, 9-12 and tickets are $14 adults, $7 for children 4-12 and $12.50 for groups. Call 218 732-0099 or e-mail at longlaketheater@hotmail.com. They will reply with a confirmation of your reservation. For directions to the theater, see website.
The Beltrami County Historical Society will host a High Tea at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11 at the center. This annual holiday event is for the whole family with an array of teas, savories (sandwiches), scones and sweets. Participants are encouraged to wear some vintage apparel (hats or clothing) and be prepared to step back in time and enjoy the elegant offerings. The cost is $12 per person and includes refreshments, free museum admission, raffle drawing and a keepsake photo. Call 444-3376 or stop by the History Center for reserved seating as both sessions have limited seating. These fundraising events are what help keep the doors open at the History Center.
“When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and your favorite Sesame Street friends will explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene – all in a quest to put the “super†back in Super Grover. It’s Elmo’s Healthy Heroes to the rescue!†The new event center will welcome Grover and his friends this December: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 28 and 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec.29, Sanford Center, 1111 Event Center Drive North East. Tickets: $10, $14 & $19. A limited number of $24 Gold Circle seats and $44 Sunny Seats (premium seat location and a pre-show meet and greet with two of the Sesame Street Live friends are also available. A facility fee of $1.00 will be added to all ticket prices. Additional fees and discounts may apply. For more information, call 218-441-4000. To charge tickets by phone, please call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. For information online, please visit www.sesamestreetlive.com
We wish a happy Thanksgiving to all; my favorite holiday because it is about thankfulness. I am thankful to you all for reading this blog, the arts column and preview articles. To let you in on a big secret, today I got the word that Big Bird and I will be chatting for a feature article before the December show. I’m a big Sesame Street fan from way back, actually from the beginning.
