Thursday, January 22, 2009

Guido's Guide to the Arts with Steve Downing




Ironworld in Chisholm. “Apron Chronicles: A Patchwork of American Recollections” (subtitled ‘Tie one on---an apron, that is’), 1/31-4/30. A travelling exhibit from the Women’s Museum in Dallas: vintage aprons, pictures, stories, history. Lots of accompanying workshops, lectures, story-telling, group tour opportunities, plus chances to show off your own aprons and other related stuff. ironworld.com

Range Creative Art Center in Hibbing. A number of winter classes start this month: woodcarving, water color, stained glass---details on their newsletter at rangeartcenter.org

Edge Center for the Arts in Bigfork. The Edge takes a bit of a break during the slow winter months, but this Sunday (1/25) it’s their 4th Annual Polar Revue; sometime this month or next they’ll have the Blandin Male Chorus in a free concert, a thank-you to patrons; on 2/6 at 10 & 2 local 2nd and 3rd graders will present “Jack & the Beanstalk”; and, whenever there’s an event, selections from The Edge’s permanent visual-arts collection will be on display in the lobby. the-edge-center.org

Bemidji Community Art Center’s “Call For Art” is out now (through 1/30) to BCAC members, for their annual show. Bring in 1-3 pieces of your work for approval and installation. Opening reception 2/2, 5-7, and the show runs till 2/28. The Center’s closed till 2/5, but for other Bemidji area arts info go to bcac.wordpress.com E.g., Bemidji Community Theater is doing “Moon Over Buffalo” at the Historic Chief Theater 1/29-2/1, evenings at 7:30, Sunday matinee at 2.

Brainerd neighborhood. This weekend (1/23-1/25) at Central Lakes College: “The Hunt for Stinky Pederson”, musical comedy for the whole family (somehow) concerning a missing (stinky) dead body and the Mighty Hunters from the Mule Lip Saloon, happy ending (somehow) guaranteed. Sunday (1/25) at 2 the Staples Motley Area Arts Council presents cellist Patrick Riley at the United Methodist Church in Motley---an afternoon of chamber music, also involving Michelle Laliberte on violin and Stephen Carlson on piano. brainerd.com

Ripple River Gallery near Deerwood. Bob Carls & Amy Sharpe are between exhibit calendars now, till early March, but stop in anyway. They’ve always got top-notch art to look at, and Bob’s usually out in the studio, just waiting for an excuse to turn off the lathe and talk politics or discuss the world shortage of exotic wood (not unrelated topics in Bob’s expansive regard). ripplerivergallery.com

Jaques Art Center in Aitkin. Now through 2/7 “North Country Views”, their annual juried nature exhibit (note: Sara Schwerin of GR won a 2nd place award for her photo ‘Early Morning’). This weekend (1/23-1/24) it’s the Recycled Art Fair: no furniture, appliances, computers, clothes, or toys (i.e., no dumping), but otherwise it’s all about the eye of the beholder. Proceeds to JAC. N.B.: no brown bag lunch this month. jaquesart.com

MacRostie Art Center in Grand Rapids. The January exhibits, sponsored by Cub Foods, are Bill Gossman’s terrific wood- and soda-fired pottery and the travelling show from North House Folk School, “All From One Tree”. The world hasn’t seen many projects this creative, this earth-friendly, this educational, this flat-out beautiful. John Zasada: congratulations, and thank you. MAC winter classes: kids’ pottery with Lisa & Bob Stein starts next week (1/29); Donna LaBeau’s doing drawing/painting for adults starting 2/5; Sam Miltich teaches music just about anytime to just about anyone interested---call MAC at 326-2697 to schedule your lesson-time. macrostieartcenter.org

Brewed Awakenings in Grand Rapids. Lea Friesen this month (VERY accomplished work), and a change of plans next month: not Marva Harms but Mateya Miltich. There’s more than music-art in the almost excessively gifted Miltich family---check out Mateya’s work at BA in February. Don’t forget jazz, 3rd Thursdays, open mike,1st Fridays, and occasional Saturday gigs, too. brewedawakenings.biz

Reif Center in Grand Rapids. Tomorrow night (1/23): Williams & Ree, the Indian & the White Guy. If you can leave your PC vulnerabilities at home, these guys will make you laugh, at everybody; their humor is indiscriminate (in the fullest sense of the word). Lehto & Wright (Anglo-American folk/folk-rock) 1/30, 7:30, sponsored by Grand Rapids GM. Air Supply 2/7,7:30, sponsored by Anderson, Ophoven, Stauffer Law Office & IKON. Robin & Linda Williams (contemporary country) 2/18, 7:30, sponsored by Minnesota Public Radio. And there’s a wonderful exhibit in the Reif lobby now, by Kathy & Mike Jasper (Mike’s clay vessels & Kathy’s photography). Early alert (more on this later): the Itasca Orchestra will be on stage 2/28.

Out of town recommendation. SoHo Playhouse/Manhattan: Sam Rosenthal’s satire, “Blanche Survives Katrina in a FEMA Trailer Named Desire”. Tennessee Williams has NOT left the building; nor has Blanche DuBois.

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