Tag Archives: Sesame Street Live Elmos Health Heroes

Texas Two-Step with Timberline, holiday shows have tickets on sale now

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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 Rain”), 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.

Plaza Suite for Theater, Old Salem Hall Craft Sale, thanks to Saaren’s Productions and Previews of some upcoming events

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The next few weeks will prove to be very busy for local performing groups as they all help usher in the coming holiday season. Tonight’s opening of “Plaza Suite” by Neil Simon at the historic Chief Theater is the last offering of non-holiday productions. It is interesting to me (and Ernie) to see what mid-westerners perceive as New Yorker’s quirks and “over the top” behavior and dress! As many people here know, we are transplants from NYC and call Bemidji our home; having just passed our 10th anniversary of moving to this fair city. This comedy which pokes fun at New Yorkers involved in everyday situations, not so unlike those in any part of the country, gives the actors a chance to use their finest regional accents and perceptions of east coast living. The play is fun with lots of Simon’s dry humor cast about willy-nilly, daring the audience the “get the catch line.” As one of the directors, Vicki Stenerson said, “It’s not hit you in the face humor (like “three men walk into a bar…) but sly humor like she says, “I enjoy a very good reputation” and he says, “I’m glad you enjoy it.” This could also be an Ole and Lena joke. The show opens tonight at 7:30 p.m., with shows at the same time on Friday and Saturday nights. The matinee will be at 2 p.m., on Sunday, Nov.21. Tickets are consumer friendly: $12 for adults and $6 for students. Perhaps the show would have a PG rating for some adult situations but there is nothing “out there” per se and the final act is slapstick funny. Mark Fulton (BSU Biology Professor) gives his all as the harried father of a reluctant bride.

Cheryl Winnett has used her fertile imagination to craft and execute Plaza Sweets for intermission—these alone are worth the price of admission! A sample of her work can be seen now in the display window of the Paul Bunyan Playhouse—the wedding cake from Bemidji Community Theater’s production of “Cinderella.” Dwayne Johnson’s set construction gives the illusion of a fancy hotel suite complemented by the loan of furniture from Dave Walter’s Homes here in Bemidji. The set does not look thrown together; pieces gathered from dark corners of storage places. The three rooms constructed by Dwayne Johnson and decorated by Mary Knox Johnson are the kind of set one expects from a BCT production—thoroughly researched, skillfully constructed and well appointed. For those who have never noticed, the Johnson team always leaves the carved figures of the Indian Chief on stage left and right in full view of the audience. Perhaps it is done as a tribute to or maybe as thanks to our Native American neighbors.

Don’t forget to stop by the 6th Annual Craft Sale in the old Salem Hall in Turtle River tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 20 for some high craft work in fine jewelry, silk garments, hand knit mittens and furniture to name just a few of the exhibitors. Make sure to get there for lunch or refreshments. The sale will be on from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and admission is free. Old Salem Hall is north of Bemidji to 71 Bar in Turtle River—follow the signs to the hall.

Thanks to Saaren’s Productions for a chance to see local actors and the debut of a play, “Avenues of Attack” by local author Nick Johnson skillfully played by Kathryn Lavelle and Andor Loftus. I wouldn’t want to be accused of being partial but it seemed that the audience really got into the last piece; “Rainbow Sprinkles” directed by Steve Saari.  The play between the clown (Ernie Rall) and the political correct mother (Linda Wagner) gathered the most laughs for its slapstick, and the realistic costume and make-up by Saari. The first piece was a poignant portrayal of a young couple by Emily Claypool and John Peterson, “Where Have All the Lighting Bugs Gone?”  Both actors brought forth memories of childish games and wonderings of the teen years that caused the audience to realize how fond they had become of the two young people on the cusp of adulthood. Congratulations Steve and DeeJay for bringing another memorable theatrical offering to Bemidji.

Just in case you haven’t heard yet, Elmo, Super Grover and Friends are coming to the BREC in December, just in time for a nice family holiday show. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster 800-745-3000 or on-line at www.ticketmaster.com.

There will be many other holiday offerings this season including the 2010 Bemidji Chorale Christmas Concert with three youngsters (Halle Fodness, Lauryn and Vanessa Petrich) as soloists in “Away in a Manger” arranged by Iseler.  Mallory Pynn will play the violin in the premiere of a new holiday piece by Paul Brandvik. There will be an upcoming preview piece about the concert.  That same weekend, BCT and KG Productions are bringing “A Christmas Carol…Gasman’s remembrances” to the historical Chief Theater. Both will begin on the first weekend in December and more information to follow. Tickets are on sale now for the 42nd Annual Madrigal Dinner at BSU.

Of course, last but not least, tonight is the concert of Trombones of Bemidji at Thompson Recital Hall. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

That’s all she wrote, folks til next time!