Weekend of Arts and Culture Starts Tonight

Holmquist Show ArtOnWater.jpg…at the ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 7 pm, in the ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street. The show features…and I can’t think of a better way to say it…the ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL art of Chris and Sue Holmquist and Laura Meddaugh. The Holmquists’ work all features a story-telling scene upon a pot and Meddaugh’s pieces share stimulating scenes that open onto landscapes of possibilities. It’s art that will be appreciated by audience members of all ages.

Up at Buntrock Commons, on St. Olaf’s hill, Jeanine Bassinger, professor of film studies at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut (have I mentioned that I’m a graduate of Wesleyan?) will present a lecture on the “classic American” film “The Star Machine” at 7:30 pm. A book signing will follow.

Northfielder Todd Thompson will play at the Tavern Lounge, overlooking the Wild and Scenic Cannon River at the back of the Historic Archer House, 212 Division Street. Stop in for more details.

On Friday, Monroe Crossing will play The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street. Hear what is considered “the best independent bluegrass band out there”; the Sawtooth Bluegrass Band opens, starting at 6:30 pm. The ArtOrg Winter Concert Series continues, with local Super Group, The Rice County All Stars, 7 pm at the Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street. The Carleton College Orchestra Concert is at 8 pm in the Concert Hall, including Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 in C “Jupiter” and Hindsmith’s “Symphonic Metamorphosis on Themes by Carl Maria von Weber”, directed by Hector Valdivia. Finally, Dave Hudson will do his personal blend of acoustic-rock music at Froggy Bottoms, 305 Water Street, at 9 pm.

Saturday night features Autumn Leaves at The Contented Cow. The band members include David Beckey, Jon Busey-Hunt, Steve Kent, and Keith Paterson. The Northfield High School Choir Concert is 7:30 pm in Boe Chapel at St. Olaf. If you hunger for a little theater, it’s House Arrest, 2 and 7:30 pm at the Haugen Theatre on the St. Olaf College Campus; playwright Anna Deavere Smith explores how Americans continue to reinvent our national character even after 230 years of existence.

Finally, on Sunday, the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra joins the Cannon Valley Youth Orchestra and the Northfield Harp Ensemble in concert with a repertoire that includes Tschaikowsky’s “Serenade of Stings” and Dvorak’s “Serenade of Winds”. It’s 3 pm at St. John’s Lutheran Church.

…and a thanks to Gus DeMann for the photo…

One thought on “Weekend of Arts and Culture Starts Tonight

  1. I must apologize to my audience…all six of you who read this blog. I did not adequately promote The Rice County All Stars. I just caught their act at the Upstairs Rueb and they truly are a super group of talented artists. Every member of the group can rip out the riffs without stepping on any one else’s toes. If you make like a baker and haul buns, you can catch them down at the Cow, starting shortly after 11 pm.

    Not only did I juggle the ball on the all stars, Meredith Fierke was the opening act. I have probably gushed over her, a d whatever supporting and talented musicians she brings to the dance, several times on at least two websites. Folks, check her out whenever you get the chance. There is a rumor that she may be playing at the Tavern Lounge next Saturday night.

    I suppose I could blame it all on the information available to me. The ArtOrg Concert series said “To Be Determined”. ArtOrg E. D. Dave Machacek told me the story behind it tonight. Improvisation on the fly is unpredictable but can be very rewarding.

    Let’s all keep our eyes and ears open, and make resolutions to catch Meredith Fierke and the Rice County All Stars the next time they’ve got a gig in…

    …Downtown Northfield.

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