A WINTER CONCERT - Rushford-Peterson Bands 6th-12th

Rushford-Peterson Public Schools Winter Band Concert
Directors: Burton Svendsen and Jacob Olson

6th Grade Band
"Jingle Bells"
"The Dragons of Komodo"
"Away in the Manger"
"Frosty the Snow Man"
"Edmondson"

7th and 8th Grade Band
"Pirates of the Caribbean Dead Man's Chest"
"Acapulco Holiday"
"Queenwood Overture"
"Jingo Jango"

Senior High Band
"Good King Wenceslas"
"Greensleeves"
"A Christmas Festival"

Combined Band 7th-12th
"A Marshmallow World"
"Christmas Sing-a-Long"

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Once again I've come away from a school concert more impressed than I anticipated. The quality was quite good and the directors seemed to have a very good control of the students.

I noticed that there definitely is a marked difference between the grades which suggests that there is strong instruction during the course of the school year (as there should be).

I believe that one of my first experiences at a local band concert was less than impressive, so my hopes and anticipations are low, but that is changing and I'm soon going to expect much higher quality from this school.

FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL -- Rushford-Peterson Middle School

script: Jack Frakes
director: Forrest Musselman
cast: Freddy Scaife, Alex Kopperud, Amy Bessler, Alex Courrier, Rebecca Munson, Alisa Warnes, Audra Lea, Katie Wolter, Bridgette Volkman, Kyli Torkelson, Annie Scaife, Katie Prinsen
stage manager: Heather Brevig

Possibly the world's worst production of Cinderella is beginning the final dress rehearsal.

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This one act comedy is full of laughs. These young students, mostly seventh and eighth graders, keep the show moving quickly, never dropping the pace.

Director Musselman manages to keep the show interesting to the audience without losing sight of what this is about ... a bad show.

All the actor cameos are well performed.

A fun, one-shot production.

RUSHFORD-PETERSON VOCAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM

Rushford-Peterson High School and Elementary School Christmas Concert


High School Choir
"A Garland of Carols"
"Christmas Time is Here"
"Girls Rock the Fifties"
"Santa Baby"

(Choir personnel: Bekka Bunke, Laura Elit, Emily Frick, Katie James, Alicia Klungtvedt, Kat Lozano, Hannah Nitecki, Kristen Ostrem, Nikki Otterness, Kaitlyn Peterson, Carina Schiltz, Sawyer Stennes, Hannah Thompson, Tracey Todd, Elsa Van Gorp)


Grades 4 and 5
"Festive Processional" -- Audrey Snyder
"Goin' to Grandma's" -- Catherine Bennett
"The Reindeer Rap" -- Sally Albrecht
"First Footprints" -- Phyllis Wolfe-White & Karen Bodoin
"Merry Christmas to All" -- Arr. Jay Althouse


Grades 1, 2, and 3
"Six Little Snowflakes"
"The Day Before, The Day Before Christmas"
"Bonding"
"Mi Casa, Su Casa"
"Christmas is Music"

cast of characters:
Snowflake 1 - McCoy Hanson
Snowflake 2 - Alexandra Meldahl
Snowflake 3 - Lukas Rasmussen
Snowflake 4 - Adelia Buege
Snowflake 5 - Taige Kruger
Snowflake 6 - Megan Holien
Man - Landon Goree
Lady - Abigail Wieser
Soup - Julianna Malone
Tree - Allison Oian
Blanket - Sydney Boyum
Ham - Hayden Stensgard
Gravy - Ashley Keenan
Homeless People - Melody Paulson, Amanda Doerr, Nathan Wick
Xylophones - Ashley Agrimson, Aaron Munson, Savannah Skalet
Storyteller 1 - Samantha Kryzer
Storyteller 2 - Jordi Markegard
Storyteller 3 - Dalton Johnson
Storyteller 4 - Abigail Sand
Storyteller 5 - Joy Hundorf
Storyteller 6 - Taylor Warnken

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The standard, school Christmas concert with all the typical 'hard-to-understand' acting from the young kids.

What was different and very nice this year was having the high school choir perform (in their new robes!). Also slightly different was having the oldest go first. This prevented the parents and kids getting up and leaving during the concert (which has generally been the case).

Always nice to have the young students perform. A great opportunity, but certainly not recommendation-worthy.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE -- Martin County West High School

Three Dollar Bill Productions
book: Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan
lyrics: Dick Scanlan
new music: Jeanine Tesori
original story and screenplay: Richard Morris
director: Daryl Lanz
vocal and musical director: Sarah Carlstrom
cast: Krista Weiss, Scott Hemann, Liz Rabbe, Naomi Posivio, Alexis Janssen, Alaina Helmstetter, Sabrina Steen, Elizabeth Anderson, Mattie Steen, Kelly Claussen, Sarah Manzey, Matt Stoffel, Juston Holm, Liz Alsworth, Mattie Olson, Karen Suter, Blake Potthoff, Sean Crayne, Reilley Olson, Jordan Schwager, Nancy Bebernes, Caleb Krusemark, Alysia Smith, Aziley Smith, Megan Suter, Elisha Gowen, Ciara Pearson, Megan Schultz
costuming: Biny Claussen
sound: Kevin Diekmann & Daryl Lanz
stage crew: Dakota Fuller & Justin Carlstrom
pit band: Sue Krueer (flute), Marji Carlson (calrinet), Olivia Latimer (trombone), Nils Carlson (bass), Biny Claussen (percussion), Sarah Carlstom (piano)

A 1920's "modern" girl from Nebraska toughs it out in the Big Apple

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I'd never seen this play before, though I was moderately familiar with the score. However, as someone who really enjoys musical theatre, and having not seen this particular show, I was eager to finally get a chance to take it in. And I wasn't disappointed!

This young cast (and director) kept the show moving quickly and never got too bogged down in the plot or among the scene changes.

"Millie" was exceptionally good, as were the two young men who spoke Chinese quite fluently.

There were a couple of vocal issues (as in 'I couldn't hear them') among some of the cast, but not in any of the leading roles.

A good use of the sets.

A remarkable and enjoyable production.

FLOODAPALOOZA - Rushford Area Society of the Arts

Rushford-Peterson High School

A marathon day of performances in celebration of the good citizen's of Rushford and the flood recovery. A free event, donations accepted ($10,000 raised for flood relief).

Volunteer acts were:

RASA's cast of How To Talk Minnesotan
"Two Rivers" Blue Grass Band
"Winona Hims" Male Chorus
Jackie Bird - Native American Hoop Dancer (photo at right) with Maza Kute - nationally known drummers
"Irish Minstrels" Celtic music
"Trouble Shooter" band
"Take Note" SE Minnesota Show Tune Choir
"Runners-Up" Winona Comedy Improv Theatre
"The Lovers Show" -duo of Rock singers with a twist
"Bluesberries" blues/rock band
John Bernadot, Cody & King music and anecdotes

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As a member of the organization that produced this event, I will admit that I wasn't sure how well this was going to come off. There was very little preparation and lots of questions as to the quality of the acts that volunteered, but I am happy to admit that this was a fantastic show.

The Improv Group didn't work too well, but not necessarily because they weren't good, but because it was the wrong kind of crowd and the auditorium was too large to pick up the subtleties of what they were doing. Beyond that, every group was incredibly good. In fact, some were actually professional performers, which I did not realize.

Of particular note (and it's actually hard to single out a performance, they really were that good) was "The Lovers Show" featuring Jared and Noni. This duo (who apparently met while they were both performing in Stomp) were incredibly professional, great entertainers, and a whole lot of fun. I would pay to see these two perform again.

"Bluesberries" was tremendous. Not just 'blues', but kick-back rock.

The Irish Minstrels were also fantastic. Very good performers and engaged the audience well.

A top notch day of entertainment!

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM - Prairie Fire Children's Theatre

The Prairie Fire Children's Theatre
presented by Rushford Area Society of the Arts
adapataion: Ben Ratkowski, Deborah Nelson Pick, & Daniel Stock
cast: Rachel Gabel (PFCT actor/director), Jordan McNamer, Leah Leisen, Wesley Trejo, Kallie Carlson, Josh Doerr, Brittany Kuss, Maverick Hanson, Emma Malone, Gabe Mierau, Clara Wieser, Shayna Hanson, Jena Gutnecht, Olivia Hoff, Maria Doerr, Morgan Kingsley, Carissa Bieberdorf, Kila Feller, Blaire Pronschinske, Ashley Brown, Kate MacKenzie, Mariah Olson, Nicole Howe, Brooke Johnson, Kelsey Toomey, Anna Malone, Zoe Feller, Irelynn Pronschinske, Indy Hermanson, Nicole Eidenschink, Autumn Laumb, Megan Brown, Savannah Neitzke, Ben Ratkowski (PFCT actor/director), Jordan Honken, Hannah Kopperud, Ellen Nelson, Emily Rasmussen, Shayna Bellock, Kate Klungtvedt, Abby Wieser, Andrea Larson, Tatyanna Bronk, Savannah Skalet, Abby Eidenschink, Mason McManimon-Myers, Morgan McManimon-Myers, Landon Goree, Sierra McNamer, Nick Hoff, Cadence McManimon-Myers, Samara McManimon-Myers, Elizabeth Wick, Bailey O'Hare, Rebekah Rislov, Joel Trejo, Logan Gappa, Bryce Kingsley.

Shakespeare's classic play, with a few twists.

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I'm not a huge fan of the PFCT performances, mostly because the quality of a show is pretty bad. Not surprising since they tend to have around 60 kids and only five days to rehearse. However, of all the PFCT performances I have seen (and I've seen too many), this is easily one fo the best.

The script managed to be quite faithful to Shakespeare's, and the costume's were gorgeous! The McManimon-Myers girls were tremendous actors, and the humor was well played.

This still had the usual problems of too many kids who can't speak loudly enough, and almost no actual acting, but it moved along and was enjoyed.

My favorite Prairie Fire Children's Theatre production so far.

TALES TOLD 'ROUND THE WORLD -- Winona State University

playwright: Forrest Musselman
director: Vivan Fusillo

A young boy, Jack, chooses to read his story homework on the internet, rather than from a book. A nasty virus keeps shutting him down.

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There was some nice material here, but as with other productions I've seen, directed by my mentor, Vivian Fusillo, this just never reaches the level of intensity that it needs to reach.

There really isn't much to comment on about the script. It seemed pretty simple. The sense of the virus and it's interaction with jack never really materialized. Is this the fault of the playwright, or the director. Hard to say.

The energy was low and dragging and the wonderful set was never fully utilized. What has happened? Where is the wild creativity? The lack of performers may be one issue, but my recollection of 20 years ago (okay, 25 years ago), was that Vivian worked magic with kids who weren't "theatre" students. And people WANTED to be in a Vivian show. That doesn't seem to hold true today.

I hate to admit it, but it is a struggle for me to go to one of these shows now. I do do out of respect, but it takes an effort.

MOMIX remix -- Page Series

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
School of the Arts -- Page Series

artistic director: Moses Pendleton
associate director: Cynthia Quinn
performers: Danielle Arico, Todd Burnsed, Sara Kappraff, Suzanne Lampl, Nicole Loizides, Steven Marshall, Timothy Melady, Brian Simerson
technical director: Jim Berman
stage manager: Rebecca Ball

A collection of performance pieces, mostly dance but unusually so.

"Sonoran: But Not Asleep"
"Tuu"
"Orbit"
"Pole Dance"
"Spawning"
"Gila Dance"
"Zaar"
"Millenium Skiva"
"Dream Catcher"
"The Wind Up"
"Sputnik" ("Fellow Traveler")
"E.C."

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This was a fantastic show.


None of the sketches were too long -- each left you wanting just a little more. Each was incredibly unique and most definitely pushed the boundaries of what we consider dance ("Tuu" amd "Zaar" were the most dance traditional).

It would be difficult for me to pick a favorite. I really enjoyed the energy and masculinity of "Pole Dance" but "Millenium Skiva" was just really fantastic! (The photo above of a dancer on skis is the "Millenium Skiva" dance.) "Gila Dance" was unique, "Tuu" was fantastic, "dream Catcher" was so totally different from anything else, etc etc etc!

I realize that this particular touring company is probably not the "A" squad of Momix, but I never felt that we were seeing second rate performers. Everyone was on their mark.

I highly recommend a visit to see any Momix performance, even if you aren't normally inclined to see a dance concert!

CELEBRATING PEACE & CULTURE SHOW: 100 YEARS OF MARIA MONTESSORI -- University of Houston

The Ibn Sina Foundation Montessori School for Underserved Children
director: Tony Smith

A variety of acts in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Maria Montessori.

Ariel Silks with Dreya Weber
Kuumba House Dance Theatre and School of the Woods African Drummers
Houston World Dance Ensemble
Anjali Center for Performing Arts
Ann Candler Harlan with School of the Woods Singers
Ariel Swing with Dreya Weber
Rebekah Loweke and kit Reid's Jackson Square Band
Cass Academy of Irish Dance
Round Rock Entertainment Brazilian Dance Ensemble
Lee's Golden Dragons

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This extravaganza lacked focus. It was a light show with some variety acts or greatly varying talents. The interludes between acts was interesting with its history of Maria Montessori. What the acts had to do with anything was not at all clear -- except that they all were geared toward a specific culture.

Most of the talent was amateurish -- it had the feel of a showcase. Dreya Weber was good and very interesting as the ariel artist. The dancers which appeared a number of sections were talented and I'd liked to have seen more of them. Outstanding was the Lee's Dragons. Their big number with a dragon (manned by two people) jumping along pylons was absolutely incredible and well worth the admission price by itself.

The Irish dancers were very good and it was a joy to watch them. Sadly, there was one very obvious error made by one dancer, which took away from the overall feel for the group.

I was invited to come to this, and I'm glad I did. However, I would not have paid money for it myself. First, it was definitley aimed at a target audience, which I am not part of. Secondly, I am very critical of this type of performance. I don't want to see amateurs. If it bills itself as amateurs than I have no problem and accept it for what it is. This was billed as high quality entertainment.

The biggest problem here was the lighting. It seemed obvious that the lighting designer was given free reign to do as he pleased and he made it a light show, an industrial. I understand that he probably felt that the talent needed to be backed by something spectacular, but often the lights were distracting and in some cases even prevented us from seeing the talent.

ART -- Saint Mary's University

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota - School of the Arts

playwright: Yasmina Reza
translator: Christopher Hampton
director: Dr. Steven Bouler
cast: Andrew Winecke, Peter Snell, Curtis Kempton
scenic designer: Kit Mayer
lighting designer: Kirstin "Fluffy" Blake
costume designer: Alice Flo, Dr. Steven Bouler
stage manager: Katie Simon

A man buys a piece or art that becomes so controversial it begins to unravel his friendships.

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When Serge buys a white canvas with white stripes painted on it, his best friend, Marc, calls it "shit" and the friendship breakdown begins.

Although the question "What is 'art'" is certainly prevalent, the question "What is a 'friend'" is the dominant question. Too bad director Bouler doesn't make this connection.

Director Bouler's sole point here, seems to be to play up the comedy. This just doesn't work. The play is funny by itself and doesn't need cheap laughs (which come from only a handful of the patrons that saw it the Saturday night that I was in attendance).

When a script calls for actors to have soliloquies, in which they step out of the action to directly address the audience, there should never be any addressing the audience except for those moments. In this production, the cast was CONSTANTLY addressing the audience, either with looks for a laugh, or simply by talking to us as if we were actually there for the conversation. Keeping it "internal" -- on the stage -- would be much funnier. Instead there was a muddiness as to where we were and when.

With only a cast of three, it is important to have strong performances. All three young men did a fine job, though Curtis Kempton stood out as the slightly off-beat friend (but why the hell did he deliver the long, funny speech at his entrance straight out to the audience!!!!!).

Andrew Winecke was good as the curmudgeonly friend who hated the art. However, he sounded like the guy on the tv commercial who is always shouting. Andrew could use some advice on the difference between projection and shouting.

Peter Snell did a fine job as the art connoisseur, though frankly he didn't have much to do other than defend his choice in art (and friends). I have a personal frustration with Snell's work on stage -- he doesn't know how to walk or stand! He has a very affected stage walk that never looks relaxed or natural, and he always stands with his feet close together (often slightly pigeon-toed). He gets roles which require some authority, but his body language always betrays what he's trying to accomplish (also tends to act from the waist up, making his stance even more obvious).

I went, expecting ... HOPING ... to like this play. Instead I was greatly disappointed with the directorial structure. A beautiful, elegant, avant-garde set; nice lighting; appropriate costumes gave this a nice look, but....

MERCY OF A STORM -- Jon Hassler Theater

Jon Hassler Theater, Plainview, MN

author: Jeffrey Hatcher
director: Matt Sciple
cast: Phil Kilbourne, Lindsay Hinman
sets: Ralph Ryan
costumes: Kay M. Robinson
lights: Benjamin Hain
sound: Kathryn Horowitz

A clandestine rendezvous between an estranged husband and wife who take one last shot at rekindling the romance in their relationship while revelers welcome the New Year nearby.

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I very much enjoyed every aspect of this production. The acting was quite good, the direction simple, appropriate, and tight. Production values were good, and I watched, wondering how/when they changed the hands on the working grandfather clock so that it read the correct time as mentioned during the play (and I never could discern when it was changed!).

If I were to have any "bone to pick" with this production it would be the two times that the woman used a child's voice to quote the man's daughter from a first marriage. The voice she used was a Betty Boop voice, which, while appropriate for the era, was annoying as hell.

The audience attendance was small. I believe I was one of 30-35 in a theatre that seats maybe 200. This is sad, considering the quality of the production!

I did hear a number of the playgoers complaining about the ending of the script as we exited. Certainly it does not end on the up-beat ending that we come to expect in the last ten minutes, but I think I understand where Mr. Hatcher was coming from and why he ended it the way he did. Considering the duplicity going on throughout, it is unrealistic to believe that either one of this couple has really turned a corner and made a change.

An interesting play, very well produced. I look forward to seeing more work at the Jon Hassler Theatre!

COSMOS MYSTERY AREA -- Rapid City, SD

Nature gone berserk. A location where the natural laws of physics don't seem to cooperate with the rest of the world.

*****

This was a stop on our recent vacation, and normally I wouldn't list vacation spots in my entertainment journal, but this tourist attraction was much more akin to a P.T. Barnum hook than to any natural wonder (such as Wind Cave or Devil's Tower or the Badlands).

For the most part, it was quite easy to detect how the set-up here relied greatly on optical illusion and the confusing of the senses to create the mystery.

One spot that I couldn't quite figure out how it worked was when they had two people stand on slabs, facing each other. The person standing on the uphill slab appeared quite a bit shorter, even if that person was normally taller (see photos to the left). The illusion started with the guide placing a level on both ends of the slabs to show that they were on an equal plane.

Of course, we were moved along pretty quickly, so I couldn't stop to really look to try and figure it out.

The kids enjoyed this stop on the vacation trip, immensely. I found it to be mostly sham, but moderately fun, though probably not worth the money.

LEND ME A TENOR -- Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

playwright: Ken Ludwig
director: Steve Snyder
scenic designer: Kit Mayer
costume designer: Janis Martin
lighting designer: Matthew Albrecht
cast: Andy Greene, Ashley Dillard, Chris Kernan, Stephen DiBlasi, Mariah Ciangiola, Danny Pancratz, Augusta Lane Hefti, JoLeen Davis



A modern-day farce in which a visiting opera star gets sick and the nerdy theatre assistant fills in.

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While much better than their previous offering, this Gilmore Creek production lacks nerve.

The biggest problem was pacing. A fast-paced comedy needs action, and lots of it. It does not need to dwell on dialog. The idividual performances seemed adequate, though they often looked as though they lacked direction. Zany comedy needs careful direction so as to appear wild and uncontrolled. When actors are turned loose to do it themselves, it never feels safe or real.

Mariah Ciangiola as "Maria," the opera star's nagging Italian wife, seemed over-the-top, but perhaps only because the other performances were under-played. DiBlasi as the opera star was good, and Andy Greene as the nerdy assistant did fine, but he seemed the least controlled or directed. The women did nothing to stand out. Perhaps one of the better performances was Chris Kernan as the "Saunders," the owner of the theatre that was bringing the opera star in. He was brief and believable, and had an energy that could be felt in the theatre. However, he was also staged with some of the oddest moments ... in his occassion mock speeches to a pretend audience, the director chose to bring down the lights and bring up a spotlight on Saunders. Why? These are not actual speeches he is making to a crowd ... these are "what if" speeches! Don't confuse the audience! There was no need for this! Then, when we really were seeing what was going on at the theatre, we weren't sure any more.

The set was nice (the the hallway entrance seemed to have gotten knocked askew during intermission and was never fixed, so every entrance showed the false wall). The costumes were fine, but the lighting was distracting. I understand that we're separating the two areas of the stage and that we don't need to light both sides all the time, but a good lighting designer knows that a slower count to bring the lights up is less apparant. Leave them up, leave them down, or change it slowly so that we don't really notice it, please!

Although a favorite script of mine, this production is not recommended save for the heartiest theatre-goers.

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.)

AS YOU LIKE IT -- Great River Shakespeare Festival

script: William Shakespeare
director: Paul Barnes
cast: Andrew Carlson, Carla Noack, Chris Mixon, Kern McFadden, Kim Martin-Cotten, Christopher Gerson, Tarah Flanagan, David Graham Jones, Laura Coover, Zachary Fine, Jonathan Gillard Daly, Doug Scholz-Carlson, Art Moss, Brian David Frederick, Jacques Roy
set design: Scott C. Neal
costume design: Rosemary Ingham
light design: Darren McCroom
sound design: Katharine Horowitz
composer: Daniel Kallman


Shakespeare's gender-bending, word-play comedy.



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I think that Great River Shakespeare Festival does the comedies exceedingly well. The plot and subplots, text and context and subtext are all very clear.

If there is a failing here at all, it is that this is not one of Shakespeare's better works. However, I have to admit that it has always been among my favorites -- I love the intelligent word play, the morose Jacques, the terrible love poems, the off-kilter gender-switching Rosalind, and the fact that Shakespeare even dared to have a woman fall in love with the woman (as a man). Oh what fun!

Noack as Rosalind and Carlson as Orlando didn't quite have the spark that is really necessary to make a romantic comedy click. Where there should have been fireworks in theirs eyes at their initial meeting, I instead saw actors pretending to like each other. This Rosalind seemed to take a more maternal interest in her Orlando, rather than a young woman's sudden flight into love.

Chris Gerson was brilliant as both Duke Frederick (giving us chills at his outburst toward his niece Rosalind and daughter Celia) and as William (where he made us laugh at William's simple earnestness).

The set and costumes worked well and there really wasn't a bad performance in the lot.

An exquisite night at the theatre.