Norm's Bait and Tackle Choir performing in Gregory Park

Norm’s Bait and Tackle Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Gregory Park in Brainerd.

This Brainerd area group plays a wide variety of music. Their style, zany antics and humorous song parodies are sure to tickle the funny bone.

All the members of this group have played in other bands for many years and have entertained audiences at convention centers, community centers, fairs and festivals throughout the local area.

Concerts are a collaboration between the City of Brainerd Parks & Recreation Department and The Center.

Crossing Arts kits to be distributed

On Saturday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon, Crossing Arts will be distributing creativity kits to anyone who wants a little bit of creative fun.

Kits will be available on tables in the front of Crossing Arts, 711 Laurel St., Brainerd. These kits have two art projects, a coloring sheet and more. Creativity Kits are free to the public. Kits are limited to the first 200. First come, first served.

In addition, there will be 100 Creativity Kits distributed through the Full Tummies program on the same day, put on by the Baxter Cafe and The Raboin & Francis Law Firm.

For more information, contact Crossing Arts at 21-833-0416, info@crossingarts.org.

BookEnds Online Edition to feature J. Ryan Stradal

BookEnds Online Edition will feature J. Ryan Stradal's second book, "The Lager Queen of Minnesota,” at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 via Zoom hosted by the Wadena County Historical Society. To receive an invitation, email 603wchs@arvig.net.

The novel became a national bestseller its first week of release and was featured on the New York Times Booklist.

"The Lager Queen of Minnesota" is a novel of family, Midwestern values, hard work, fate and the secrets of making a world-class beer.

BookEnds is a monthly literary event connecting readers and writers.

BookEnds is hosted by the Wadena County Historical Society and Travelin’ Storyseller in collaboration with the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

Crossing Arts presents '84 artwork by Tony Powers

’84 is an artistic reaction to the volatile social and political climate of 2020.

Created during the COVID-19 quarantine by Tony Powers, pieces respond to an array of extreme current events surrounding this time in history. Works include commentary on issues such as human trafficking, violence, censorship and voter suppression.

The rough, bold graffiti style of the show is not something others may be accustomed to seeing from the tattoo artist and muralist and was chosen specifically to reflect the important protest movements going on across our country in response to police assaults and racial injustice.

The show title ’84 is a nod to Orwell’s 1949 novel, a prophecy of authoritarian social practice, psychological manipulation and class struggle and an acknowledgement to parallels seen in today’s world.

This exhibition will be on display through Aug. 29. Due to COVID-19 and regulations for large group gatherings, there will not be a public reception for this exhibition, but the public is invited to visit during regular business hours to view the artwork. In addition, a gallery tour video will be posted on the website and social media pages for those that are unable to view the exhibition in person.