Culturology Calendar 2-16-12

by Travis Ryder

Thursday, Feb. 16

Central Lakes College presents its production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” Thursday through Saturday at 7:30, and Sunday at 2.  The show will be presented in-the-round at CLC’s Dryden Theatre in Brainerd.

Friday, Feb. 17

The Nisswa Winter Jubilee and Walker Eelpout Festival are happening this weekend with events starting Friday.

Saturday, Feb. 18

There’s Old-Fashioned Winter Fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Blackberry Farm & Antique Association, east of Grand Rapids on Highway 2.  There will be sleigh rides, activities for kids, and food for a nominal admission fee.

The Greenway Area Business Association presents the Trout Lake Plunge with activities running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Individuals with at least $50 in pledges will take the plunge at Trout Lake Beach in Coleraine starting at 2.  On the ice before and after that, there will be food, beverages, a bonfire, hayrides, games, and family activities.

Author David Treuer presents his book, Rez Life, Saturday at 4 at the Bemidji Public Library.

The Itasca Symphony Orchestra performs with guest violinist Alex DePue.  The show is at 7:30 at the Reif  Center in Grand Rapids.

In Bemidji, The Minnesota Bluegrass Association brings The High 48s and The Cactus Blossoms to the Chief Theatre stage at 7:30 Saturday.

The Mask and Rose Women’s Theater presents “Ajax in Iraq” at the downtown Bemidji Masonic building.  Dinner theater starts at 5:30 Saturday and 12:30 Sunday.  The Monday show at 7 is strictly the performance.  Advance tickets are available at the Wild Hare bistro, which is catering the Middle Eastern meals.

Tuesday, Feb. 21

The Rhymesayers record label brings the Welcome to Minnesota hip-hop tour to Bemidji’s Sanford Center.  Atmosphere, Kill The Vultures, Mally, Big Quarters, and BK-One will perform starting at 7.  Listen for Charlie Pulkrabek’s interview with MC Slug of Atmosphere tonight at 6 on Centerstage Minnesota.

Thursday, Feb. 23

The Edge Center for the Arts in Bigfork presents the local production of Circle Mirror Transformation.  The play itself deals with an adult acting class.  Performances are Thursday through Saturday at 7 and Sunday at 2.

MINNESOTA HISTORY DATEBOOK

Feb. 16, 1864 The Waseca County Horse Thief Detectives are organized in Wilton. One of several such pioneer groups, it would continue to hold social meetings after 1880 and, when horse-thieving became a thing of the past, it would focus its energies on tracing stolen cars.

Feb. 15, 1870 A groundbreaking ceremony for the Northern Pacific Railroad line is held at Northern Pacific Junction, later called Carlton. The line to the Pacific Ocean, completed on September 8, 1883, with the same spike used to begin construction in Minnesota, is the first single-company transcontinental line.

Feb. 13, 1909 President Theodore Roosevelt establishes Superior National Forest. Six weeks later Ontario's government responds in kind by creating Quetico Provincial Forest Reserve. Exploitative practices are restricted in these areas, thereby preserving the beauty of lakes and trees for future generations.

Feb. 17, 1972 The U.S. Department of Justice files a pollution suit against Reserve Mining Company, which operated a taconite plant on Lake Superior and dumped tailings contaminated with asbestos-like fibers into the lake. Lasting five years, the proceedings would be the nation's longest and most expensive environmental legal battle to that date.

Feb. 12, 2000 Cartoonist Charles M. Schulz dies in California. That summer, in his childhood home of St. Paul, 101 individually decorated, five-foot-tall statues of Snoopy are displayed. Later in the year, Snoopy statues are auctioned with the proceeds to fund a bronze Peanuts sculpture for downtown St. Paul, and scholarships at area art schools.

Culturology Calendar 2-9-12

by Travis Ryder

Thursday, Feb. 9

The Edge Center in Bigfork presents the latest in their Classic Movie Series. It’s the 1976 retelling of the Robin Hood saga, “Robin and Marian,” starring Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn.  It’s a free show at 6:30.

Larry Yazzie and the Native Pride Dancers perform a free show at the Hobson Union Ballroom at Bemidji State University at 7 p.m. Thursday.  There’s also an interactive workshop on campus with the troupe starting at 9 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 10

Steve Kaul and The Brass Kings perform as part of the Grassroots Concerts series at the Live Well Nightclub in Nisswa.  The show starts at 6:30.

Jazz-fusion guitarist Todd Clouser and his outfit A Love Electric perform shows at the Blue Ox Bar in Brainerd Friday at 8, and Brewed Awakenings coffeehouse in Grand Rapids Saturday at 6.

Weizenegger image courtesy: Crossing Arts Alliance

Saturday, Feb. 11

There’s a reception Saturday for the Peter Weizenegger retrospective at the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd.  It’s from 4 to 7 PM for the exhibition which runs through the end of the month.  Peter died in 2007, and worked primarily as a sculptor with precision, detail and humor as his trademarks. Peter also worked in preparation for the Tweed Museum at UMD.

Northwoods Friends of the Arts have a fundraiser at the Comet Theater in Cook starting at 5:30.  The movie “War Horse” will be shown as part of the fundraiser.

The Mesabi Community Orchestra presents two concerts this weekend featuring pianist Alexander Sandor.  Performances are Saturday at 7 at Virginia High School’s Goodman Auditorium, and Sunday at 2:30 at Washington Auditorium in Ely.  Works from Sibelius, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff are on the program.

Central Lakes College presents its production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” starting this weekend.  Performances are Saturday at 7:30 and Sunday at 2, then next Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30, and another Sunday matinee at 2.  The show will be presented in-the-round at CLC’s Dryden Theatre in Brainerd.

Jason Petty performs a tribute to Hank Williams and other honky-tonk heroes at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, starting at 7:30 Saturday.

Sunday, Feb. 12

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra presents the concert “History Meets Music.”  Historical re-enactor Clay Jenkinson portrays American physicist Robert Oppenheimer.  The Symphony plays chamber music connected to Oppenheimer’s times.  The show begins in the Bemidji High School auditorium at 3.  Jenkinson will be on hand at Book World for a signing at 2:00 Saturday, and a free lecture Saturday night at 7 in the Thompson Recital Hall on the BSU campus.

Monday, Feb. 13

A faculty and staff show at Bemidji State’s Ramsey Gallery opens Monday.  It’s called Midwinter Interlude, and the open house reception runs from 2 to 6.  The show is up until March 9.

Tuesday, Feb. 14

Author David Treuer appears at the Bemidji Public Library to talk about his new book “Rez Life.”  The chat starts at noon Tuesday.

Wednesday, Feb. 15

Your antique or collectible item can get a free verbal appraisal Wednesday at the Duluth Depot heritage and arts center.  The St. Louis County Historical Society has arranged for appraisers Dan Sershon and Denny Mager to be available from noon until 3 in the rotunda.

MN HISTORY DATEBOOK

February 10, 1763 Minnesota east of the Mississippi becomes British territory as France transfers the land.  It was part of the treaty ending the French and Indian War.

February 7, 1867 Laura Ingalls (Wilder) is born near Pepin, Wisconsin. Her family would settle in Walnut Grove, Redwood County, from 1874 to 1880 (living briefly in Iowa for the year 1876–77). She is remembered for writing the Little House on the Prairie books, which chronicle her family's experiences as pioneers.

February 9, 1895 The University of Minnesota's School of Agriculture defeats Hamline University 9 to 3 in the world's first intercollegiate basketball game, played on the Hamline campus by nine-man teams, who shot the ball into peach baskets without backboards.

February, 1996 Extreme wind chills on the 6^th cause Governor Arne Carlson to order all schools closed.  The kids go outside and play anyway.  On the 10^th, a blizzard occurs over the entire state. 15 inches of snow fall on Duluth.  Governor Arne Carlson again closes all schools. 

Culturology Calendar 2-2-12

by Travis Ryder

Thursday through Monday

Crosslake Winterfest offers a big list of activities through Saturday.

Ruby Lips Above The Water is an original play showing at the Wild Rose Theater in downtown Bemidji, 7:30 Thursday through Saturday and Monday, and 2:00 Sunday.

Friday, Feb. 3

First Friday art and performance events run rampant in Grand Rapids and Bemidji.

The percussive dance and theater company Joe Chvala & the Flying Foot Forum will perform at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids Friday night.

Vocal trio Bluebird will perform starting at 7 at the Cabin Coffeehouse in Bemidji.

Saturday, Feb. 4

The Laskiainen sledding and Finnish heritage celebration happens at the Loon Lake Community Center south of Aurora.

Logging day at the Buena Vista ski area, in Bemidji. Starting at 8:30, it’s horse-drawn sleigh rides, live music, all-you-can-eat flapjack meals, lumberjack history & horse-assisted logging demonstrations.

Scorpion Snowmobile homecoming event in Crosby, starting at noon on the ice.  These machines were built on the Cuyuna Range in the '60s and '70s.

The One-Lunger 100 vintage snowmobile race is happening at Craguns Resort in Brainerd.

The art work of nine Hibbing Community College students who are completing the Fine Arts Program will be presented at the First Stage Gallery in Virginia.  The show will open with an Artist's Reception on Saturday, February 4th from noon until 2:30.  The show will run throughout the month of February.  Participants are: Becca Arnold-Sauer, Kelle Nenadich, Kourtney Kruger, Russel James, Lynn Johnson, Kathleen Rumler, Sandra Koch, Brianna Shober, and Gina Wheatman.  Students have completed studio art classes in painting, sculpture, ceramics, drawing, art history and design and the show will be representative of works created in these classes.  

Classic Cuban music from the Nachito Herrera Trio will flow at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids starting at 7:30.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

A national touring company will present Shakespeare's Julius Caesar at CLC-Brainerd, 7:30 p..m.

Minnesota History Datebook

Feb. 4, 1803 The Reverend William Boutwell is born in New Hampshire. In 1832 he went with Henry Schoolcraft on the trip that confirmed Lake Itasca as the source of the Mississippi River. Boutwell supplied the Latin words from which Schoolcraft named the lake (veritas, true, and caput, head).

Jan. 30, 1867 Ralph Waldo Emerson lectures in Winona at the courthouse. Sponsored by local library associations, Emerson's tour of the Midwest also includes stops in Faribault, St. Paul, and Minneapolis.

Feb. 2, 1996 Minnesota's coldest temperature is recorded at Tower, a minimum extreme of 60 degrees below zero (Fahrenheit) that bests by one degree the previous scientifically measured low established in 1899.

Culturology Calendar 1-13

by Travis Ryder

Friday, Jan. 13

A tasting and investment solicitation event for an upstart brewery is on the slate for Friday night.  Bemidji Brewing is gathering momentum to build a microbrewery in that city.  New Year, New Beer is the title for the event, held from 6 to 10 at the Keg n' Cork downtown.

Saturday, Jan. 14

First Stage Gallery in downtown Virginia welcomes pointillism artist Rob Christensen.  His work is on display there now, and he’s in town for an artist’s reception Saturday from noon to 2:30.  He’ll will demonstrate the pen and ink process of creating detailed images comprised of single dots of ink.

Sunday, Jan. 15

Winter Under Ice is the event at Lake Bemidji State Park that exposes the effects and activity under the ice covered world of Lake Bemidji. A vehicle permit is required to enter the park, otherwise free from 2 to 3:30.

At 2:30, cellist Josh Aerie and Pianist Samuel Black will be at The Edge Center in Bigfork for a special concert. They are active in the Arrowhead area music activities including chamber music performances tailored to take the chill out of a January Sunday afternoon.

Monday, Jan. 16

The Great Decisions Discussion Group will kick off its spring schedule with a free session open to the public on Monday at 1, at the Heartwood Senior Living Center in Crosby.  Thomas Hanson returns for the 4th year to present a well-informed analysis of  Middle East uprisings known as the “Arab Spring”.  He will discuss U.S. foreign policy and global implications and share his perceptions of current challenges.   Hanson, now retired and a consultant, has had many assignments with the U.S. State Department in countries such as East Germany, France, Norway, Soviet Union, Sweden, Mongolia and Estonia.  Hanson also appears in Baxter at the Lord of Life Church on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Bluegrass duo Dailey and Vincent appear at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids Tuesday night.  They lit up the bluegrass scene in 2008, taking their debut, self-titled album to #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass chart. They collected seven awards at the International Bluegrass Music Awards, including Entertainer and Emerging Artist of the year – an unprecedented feat. Together they make breathtaking music, seamlessly connecting country music's roots to its future in exhilarating, full-throttle bluegrass.  The show starts at 7:30.

Wednesday, Jan. 18

The Enough for All campaign comes to Itasca County next week.  On Wednesday at 6,  the Reif Center hosts a performance illustrating Members of Circles of Support and their experience of living in poverty.    After the performance, at 7:15, there’s a reception at the MacRostie Art Center  for the “Enough for All” art exhibit.

Minnesota History Datebook

Jan. 10, 1925 "The Arrowhead" is selected as the official moniker for northeastern Minnesota, the result of a nationwide contest sponsored by the Northeastern Minnesota Civic and Commerce Association of Duluth.

Jan. 8, 1934 During the Great Depression, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds a Minnesota mortgage moratorium law, a decision that state Attorney General Harry H. Peterson applauds as a "victory for the people of Minnesota that will enable many farmers and city dwellers to hold onto their homes until good times return."

Jan. 13, 1944 The cruiser Duluth is launched in Newport News, Virginia, christened by Ella T. Hatch, wife of Duluth mayor Edward H. Hatch. In May 1945 the ship becomes part of the U.S. fleet in World War II.

Jan. 8, 1971 President Richard Nixon signs a law creating Voyageurs National Park. The measure was supported by former governor Elmer Andersen as well as famed aviator and politician Charles Lindbergh.

Jan. 13, 1982 Nature writer and environmentalist Sigurd Olson dies in Ely. Born in Chicago in 1899, Olson served as a canoe guide in the boundary waters region and was active in environmental issues beginning in the 1920s, playing a prominent role in the battle for federal protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and serving as president of the Wilderness Society.