Entertainment Briefs — July 27

The Lakes Area Music Festival opens its 14th annual season on Saturday, July 30, and Sunday with “Tribute to the Earth” at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts in Brainerd. Saturday’s concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s event is at 2 p.m.

Music Director Christian Reif will lead the concert and includes Jean Sibelius’ masterful ”Second Symphony,” and the world premiere of a new work by Peruvian-American composer Jimmy López-Bellido.

López-Bellido’s “Pago a la Tierra” (“Tribute to the Earth”) is based on an ancient Andean ritual of thanksgiving for nature’s bounty, and it serves as a fitting commemoration of the music and culture to come at this year’s festival, according to a news release.

Contributed / Lakes Area Music Festival

“The Lakes Area Music Festival has always been committed to masterworks of the past — people like Mozart, Beethoven and others,” stated John Taylor Ward, festival artistic director. “And we now have the opportunity to put a classic like Sibelius alongside a work that point to the future of our artform, performed for the very first time locally.”

Tickets can be purchased on a “name-your-price” sliding scale, to ensure universal access to world-class performances, via the festival’s website at www.lakesareamusic.org or by calling 218-831-0765. General inquiries can be made at 218-275-5263.

Founded in 2009, the Lakes Area Music Festival is a nonprofit. The 2022 season is bringing 180 artists from around the world to participate in chamber music, symphonic repertoire, opera, outreach and education. The renowned series runs through Aug. 21.

Poppa Bear Norton is an award-winning act whose musical style, funny stage banter and captivating lyrics will have you laughing one minute and tearing up the next, according to a news release.

Non-country folks like ‘em because they look wild, play fast and have fun performing a style of music they may have never heard before, in a way they have never seen.

Country fans love ‘em because their energy, music, and stage banter remind them of something genuine and familiar, yet at the same time something completely new and different.

Poppa Bear Norton will perform outdoors for free from 7-9 p.m. Friday, July 29, on the south lawn of Central Lakes College’s Brainerd campus. Bring your own chair or blanket.

Performances in the Park continues with Arnie Anderson and the Stony Brook Strings at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29, in Gregory Park in Brainerd.

Anderson, a lifelong student and now teacher of music, guides the members of his Stoney Brook Strings through the staccato rhythms and signature elements of Scandinavian folk or hymns. The group ranges from kindergartners to octogenarians.

Contributed / The Center

Stoney Brook Strings emerged from the musical sandbox of the Nisswa-stämman Scandinavian Folk Music Festival. Scandinavian music has been a focus of Anderson’s own violin performances for more than 30 years.

Performances in the Park is a collaboration between the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department and The Center. Those attending should bring a blanket or lawn chair. The rain site during inclement weather is The Center at 803 Kingwood St.

The Crosslake Ideal Lions has arranged a fabulous slate of live music coming to Crosslake's Town Square at 35770 Allen Ave. every Saturday night beginning at 6 p.m.

The Twin Cities-based Fathom Lane, with three critically acclaimed full-length albums, will perform this time. Touching on classics but with a contemporary sound, this band delights listeners with audio suprises. For more information, visit www.fathomlane.com .

Caleigh will perform at 7 p.m.Sunday, July 31 as part of the Music in the Park Series in Staples.

Comprised of musicians Lenore Siems, Dee Furfaro and April Larson, Caleigh is a Minnesota band whose sound is earthy and eclectic. Expect to hear a fusion of world folk, Celtic, bluegrass, American Old-Time and original compositions.

Caleigh has shared their musical journey of 20-plus years with audiences throughout Minnesota and fans worldwide via the internet.

According to information at their website, “Caleigh’s music will inspire the imagination of listeners as they travel through a time-honored musical experience.” For more information about the band, visit www.caleigh3.wordpress.com .

Contributed / Staplesworld

The Music in the Park Concerts are held in the Northern Pacific (NP) Park on Sunday evenings at 7 p.m. and will run through Aug. 7. For more information on the Music in the Park series, check out www.staplesmotleyarts.org .

Northern Pacific (NP) Park is located at 625 Sixth St. NE. In case of rain, the concerts will be moved to Faith Lutheran Church in Staples.

The Music in the Park Series is funded by the Staples Host Lions Club. The series is organized by the Staples Motley Area Arts Council, with the assistance of the city of Staples.