MICHAEL GERSON: THE GREAT CAUSES OF OUR TIME -- Great River Shakespeare Festival

Front Porch Conversation -- Great River Shakespeare Festival
Winona, Minnesota

Former President Bush speech writer and current columnist for the Washington Post speaks about his work in AIDS relief in Africa.

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Although there are personal reasons for Mr. Gerson to visit Winona at this time, I admire his being here, in what is generally a liberal town.

I also admired Mr. Gerson's dedication and commitment to his beliefs. Whether you agree with im or not, he strongly believes in what he does and is willing to say so, even if unpopular. Perhaps not enough people are this way.

Gerson's work in AIDS relief is exemplary. His descriptions of what he's seen touches a nerve. However, I couldn't help but wonder if his talk of progress seemed a bit rose-colored. Are things really taking affect as quickly as he indicated?

After his prepared speech Gerson opened up for questions and respnded to all, even those mild attacks on his politics.

Again, I commend Gerson on his committment to his beliefs, but I will say that I disagree with him totally on a number of aspects. His ability to persuade is frightening, considering how "wrong" I believe him to be. His own passion can be a real persuader to those who aren't totally committed.

An interesting speech and discussion. Admirable traits in an intelligent man. Too bad his politics are where they are.

SHOWTUNE: CELEBRATING THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF JERRY HERMAN -- Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre

Saint Mary's University

Conceived by Paul Gilger

director: Judy Myers
music director: Anthony Freeman
costume designer: Janis Martin
choreographer: Christine Martin
lighting designer: Matthew Albrecht
scenic designer: Kit Mayer
stage manager: Michael Dutton
cast: Libby Snyder, Danny Pancratz, Ashely Dillard, Andy Greene, Maria Ciangiola, Stephen DiBlasi, Anthony Freeman

A musical Review of the works of Jerry Herman. Featuring the songs from the following shows, hesitantly put together with the wisps of a storyline.

Milk and Honey (1961)
Hello, Dolly! (1964)
Mame (1966)
Dear World (1969)
Mack and Mabel (1974)
The Grand Tour (1979)
A Day in Hollywood (1980)
La Cage Aux Folles (1983)

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I believe that this was the dullest evening of musical theatre I have ever endured (with the possible exception of the recent production of Camelot with Michael York).

What would possibly possess a producer to open a new summer theatre with a musical review of some lesser known works?! Unless you are more actively involved in theatre, you probably don't know any of the works listed above, with the exception of Hello, Dolly!, and maybe Mame.

However, that wasn't the worst problem here. I happen to know Mr. Herman's music and I was looking forward to hearing some songs that I wasn't readily acquainted with, and still I cringed.

Problem #1, already discussed, choice of show. Problem #2 ... male performers who can't sing. Yes, that's right. A musical review and half of the cast can't carry a tune. They hung in there admirably, but I was embarassed for them and grateful any time it was the women alone on stage.

Problem #3: the script. I know it's difficult to write a story around a set group of songs, but it can be done well. See Crazy For You for a wonderful example. See this for a lousy example. The best, absolutely best, part of the show was in the second act when performer Ciangiola goes through a pregnancy and sings "It Only Takes a Moment", "What Do I Do Now?" and "Tap Your Troubles Away." This was the best (possibly only) acting in the evening, as well as the best dancing.

The dancing. Problem #4. Was there a reason that there wasn't more dancing? How many times can we watch a jazz square? Ciangiola's tapping was wonderful (she easily out-tapped the men) and I would have liked to have seen more of it. Instead, we got a lot of men-lifting-the-girls type of thing, which was also VERY embarassing considering that Ciangiola was hefty and her partner wasn't able to lift her. So why no dancing? Can't they dance? If the men can't sing, nobody dances, and they aren't given any real opportunities to act, what is there?

The costumes were nice. The set was nice. The piano playing was wonderful.

Do I even need to make a recommendation?

OUR TOWN -- Minnesota Marine Art Museum

The Leo and Marilyn Smith Folk Art Collection
"carved and painted wood portraits of people, past and present, from our region"
Minnesota Marine Art Museum -- Winona, MN

A collection of wood carvings depicting local characters from a nearby, rural river town.

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This exhibit was certainly more interesting that the "Wood and Wind to Steel and Steam" exhibit. The carvings were well done, and the stories behind them were quite fascinating.

Still, one wonders as one passes through the room ... "So?"

Woodcarving is a hobby of mine and I tend to appreciate it simply from a craftsman viewpoint, but even here, this simply isn't the best work I've ever seen. So what is it about this that would make it interesting?

See a town represented by the different individuals, certainly. But when one is looking at hand-carved work, one generally tends to look at the detail that's gone into the piece. I don't think that's an issue here. Not to say that it's not well done, just not extraordinarily well done.

If you're at the museum, you will likely enjoy this exhibit. Is it worth a special trip? My vote is, no.

WOOD AND WIND TO STEEL AND STEAM -- Minnesota Marine Art Museum

Minnesota Marine Art Museum -- Winona,MN
The Keirlin/Burrichter Collection

Explore the transformation from sail propelled wooden ships to steam powered, steel hulled vessels. On display will be paintings, models and objects from the end of the golden age of sail to an era of technological and industrial revolution. [from the MMAM website]

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I absolutely love the fact that Winona, MN has a bona fide art museum which exhibits works of the calibre that they have been able to present, but I found this particular exhibit quite boring.

I totally understand that not everything is going to have the draw and panache that an exhibit related to the Titanic will have, but this really had nothing of interest for the average layman. I can understand the significance of the change to the steel and steam ships, but the hardware meant nothing to me, and the paintings themselves held very little interest.

To bring people back to the museum to see the same exhibit more than once is going to require a much more interesting assortment.

Recommendation is to pass on this exhibit and wait for the next.

THE 20TH ANNUAL LAKE WINONA JAZZ FESTIVAL -- The Upper Mississippi Jazz Society

Jaycee Pavilion - Lake Park East
11-Noon -- WSU Dixieland Music Camp Musicians
Noon-2:00pm -- The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band
2-4pm -- Gate City Jass Band
4-6pm -- The Turkey River All Stars

Dixieland Jazz played by amatuers and "professionals" near Lake Winona.


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We were only in attendance for the second half of the music camp musicians and the first half of The Barbary Coast Dixieland Band, but we really enjoyed what we heard.

Reminded me of my days at the Sacramento Dixieland Jazz Festival that I used to attend. Good music. Great weather. Enjoyable time.

Lots of fun and we look forward to making more of it next year.

THE CANADIAN BRASS -- Minnesota Beethoven Festival

Minnesota Beethoveen Festival
Somsen Auditorium, Winona State University

Chuck Daellenbach - tuba
Gene Watts - trombone
Joe Burgstaller - trumpets
Jeff Nelsen - french horn
Magnon Lafrance - trumpets

The popular, world-famous quintet playing a wide range of music.

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I've enjoyed the music of The Canadian Brass for many years, but seeing them perform live is an unparalelled treat. This group of musicians are not only incredibly accomplished at playing music, but they are fantastic performers as well. They know how to entertain!

I simply can't remember when I've been so moved by music or laughed so honestly at the simple, refreshing humor on the stage.

This particular performance were particularly notable for two reasons ... it marked the first performance of Jeff Nelsen after a two year absence from the group; and it was the first full performance for Magnon Lafrance, the first woman to perform with the group.

Joe Burgstaller must certainly be the among the best, if not the best, trumpet players living. His notes were incredibly sharp and crisp, and yet he could play with AMAZING speed and had fantastic range. While all the musicians were notably talented, Burgstaller was absolutely outstanding, even amongst these other great performers. Part of his charm was that he seemed to play it all with such ease.

I cannot recommend this highly enough. If you have the chance to see this group, treat yourself and do so!

(Note that clicking on the image in the upper right of this blog will take you to the Canadian Brass home page where currently there is a music player which will run through an assortment of their songs.)