In New Orleans, down river is Downtown and up river is Uptown.

Up river (that’s the Cannon River) in Northfield is the Arcadia Charter School.  This weekend, they’re doing The Laramie Project.  It recounts the story of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old student at the University of Wyoming who was kidnapped, beaten, and left to die.  This production is a mixed cast of Arcadia students and adults from the Northfield community.  Students under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Up on the western hill, there is St. Olaf College.  They’ve got a bit of a reputation…for their music.  This Sunday, afternoon and evening, there’s a whole lot of music going on up on that hill.  It includes a chorus and some singers, Norse brass, and some of that nationally-recognized St. Olaf Jazz.   Check it out and see if the reputation is well-deserved.

Then there’s downtown.  At least three places have live music on both Friday and Saturday nights.  We are fortunate, here in Music City, Minnesota, so come on down(town) and enjoy it.

Friday, May 9th: Carey Langer, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Contented Cow; Luke Fox, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe; Companydance Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m., Kelsey Theater on the St. Olaf College campus; The Laramie Project, 7:30 p.m., Arcadia Charter School; Sasha Mercedes, 8:00 p.m., Tavern Lounge; Shoot Lucy, 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., The Contented Cow; and Jazz Concert I, 8:15 p.m., Lion’s Pause on the St. Olaf College campus.

Saturday, May 4th: And the Ship Sails On, 4:30 p.m., Weitz Cinema on the Carleton College campus; Better Together, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Hogan Brothers Acoustic Cafe; Companydance Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m., Kelsey Theater on the St. Olaf College campus; The Laramie Project, 7:30 p.m., Arcadia Charter School; Very Short Play Festival VII, 7:30 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater; Martin Devaney and Jake Hyer, 8:00 p.m., Tavern Lounge; Matthew Griswold, 8:00 to 10:30 p.m., Contented Cow; and The Damn Band, 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., Contented Cow.

Sunday, May 5th: Viking Chorus/Manitou Singers, 2:00 p.m., Boe Chapel on the St. Olaf College campus, Jazz Concert II & III, 4:30 p.m., Lion’s Pause on the St. Olaf College campus; Norseman Band, 7:30 p.m., Skoglund Center on the St. Olaf College campus; and Quiz Night, 8:00 p.m., Contented Cow.