Entertainment Briefs - March 2

Cultural Thursday set at noon today

The next Cultural Thursday will be at noon today in the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd with local businesswoman Claudia Allene.

Allene will present "One Woman's Solo Journey Around the World," during Women's History Month and a week before International Women's Day.

Allene will speak about her three-year journey and the safety of traveling solo around the world as a single woman. What started out as a journey to allow her to process her mother's death became a journey of healing and adventure.

Allene visited 41 countries in three years of travel. She traveled from Southeast Asia through Dubai to Eastern Europe, South Africa and South America.

For any questions about Cultural Thursday presentations, call Tracey Kloeckl-Jiménez at 218-855- 8183.

Local artist's work featured at Brainerd library

Brainerd lakes area artist Joyce Popkin's paintings will be on display at the Brainerd Public Library through May 31.

The free exhibit includes acrylic and watercolor paintings of both still life settings and nature themes. Popkin has lived in Minnesota since she was a teen. She had a 30-plus year career as a registered nurse.

"As a young adult I briefly did some work with oils. Now semi-retired, I have the opportunity to enjoy painting in watercolor and acrylics," Popkin stated in a news release.

Popkin's work has been exhibited at the Northland Arboretum, the Crow Wing Community Services building and the Holiday Art Show at the Franklin Arts Center.

Exhibits are coordinated by the Brainerd Area Art Club and the Brainerd library. For more information, contact the library at 218-829-5574.

Second Saturday event at TCAA

Photographer Christopher Griffith will be the featured member artist through March at The Crossing Arts Alliance in Brainerd.

As part of TCAA's Second Saturday events, from 10 a.m. to noon March 11, Griffith will be on-hand in the Crossing Arts Gift Shop with a selection of his photography and timelapse compilation that brings to light a view of nature many have not yet experienced, it states in a news release. Visitors are encouraged to stop in and meet the artist and learn more about his technique. The event is free and open to the public.

Mary Aalgaard will lead the Crossing Arts Kids class, titled Creative Writing, from 10 a.m. to noon. Youth will make paper plate puppets and backdrops and develop a story to share with the class. Older children also can create storyboards using materials provided. This class is $3 per child/$5 per family. No child is turned away due to need. No pre-registration is needed. This class is co-sponsored by Brainerd Public Schools Community Education.

A selection of abstract paintings by Minnesota artist Heidi Jeub also will be on display in TCAA Gallery through March 31.

TCAA activities are held in the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd. Email info@crossingarts.org or call 218-833-0416 for more information.

The Great Gatsby Gala set March 24

BAXTER-The Friends of the Brainerd Public Library and The Crossing Arts Alliance are hosting The Great Gatsby Gala March 24 at Arrowwood Lodge in Baxter.

The event will begin with a social hour from 6-7 p.m. which will include appetizers, photographs and 1920s themed opportunities. At 7 p.m., live 1920s era jazz music will be provided by the Brainerd High School Jazz Ensemble. The Spirit Movement Dance Studio will start the night with professional 1920s dance moves. Guests will be able to try their hand at a few swing steps, or just sit back and enjoy the music. Dressing up in 1920s themed attire is encouraged but not required. Awards will be given out for the best 1920s look.

Throughout the event the TCAA will provide an "Experience Auction" for guests to bid on to support TCAA as staff provide the gateway to the Arts through Access, Education and Experiences. The silent auction showcases items such as lessons, trips, activities and more. The event also will support the activities of the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library as they enhance the Brainerd Public Library so that it may fulfill its literary, educational, technological, community and cultural purposes.

Tickets are available for the gala online at www.wineandwordsandfriends.com/gatsby or at the library or TCAA office.

Music General dancers attend convention/competition

Teen and Senior Company Lines from Music General dance studio competed Jan. 27-29 in the JUMP Dance Convention and Competition at the Westin Hotel in downtown Houston, along with 46 studios from Texas, Louisiana, California and Mexico.

Jump is the largest dance convention in the world, touring 26 U.S. cities and five international cities. Dancers took two full days of classes with some of the most highly respected dance professionals in the industry today. In addition to classes, dancers competed 13 routines against more than 400 entries for top honors. Dancers from the Teen and Senior Company lines scored a total of five "You Rock JUMP" awards with 291-300 points; five High Gold awards with 276-290 points; and three Gold awards with 261-275 points.

Music General soloists took home top honors. In the senior division, Savanna Oberfeld placed third overall and Megan Miller placed eighth. In the teen division Libby Borash placed first overall and Nariah Fett placed third overall.

Borash also was selected as the JUMP VIP Teen Scholarship Winner 2017.

Music General Senior Company routine "Try a Little Tenderness" was second overall, Best Tap of the weekend " Best in Show." In addition to routine awards, several individual dancers from Music General were also awarded scholarships in tap, ballet and jazz.

Little Shop of Horrors cast announced

The Stage North Theatre Company announces the cast for its upcoming production of "Little Shop of Horrors" to be performed March 30-31 and April 1, 6-7 at the Franklin Arts Center.

"A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, 'Little Shop of Horrors' has devoured the hearts of theatergoers for over 30 years," it states in a news release.

The meek flower shop assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" after his coworker crush. One of the longest-running off-Broadway shows, "Little Shop of Horrors," has been produced worldwide.

The cast includes Ben Gordon as Seymour, Rachel Kline as Audrey, Jesse Brutscher as Mr. Mushnik, Sean Costas as the dentist, Nick Benner as Skip Snip, Jana Johnson as Mrs. Bernstein, Laura Oldham as Mrs. Luce, Phylipe Bell as Patrick Martin and Dave Endicott as the voice of the Plant.

The Divas are played by Liz Davies, Kim Heuther, Jenny Kiffmeyer, Abilgail Oldham, Jocelyn Tanner and Sadie Wunder. The chorus includes Sarah Ciesluk, Bobbi Cruikshank, Mark Ford, Taisha Linder, Rachel Martin, Olivia Ostrowski, Mackenzie Renford, Mich'le Rolan and Elaina Tanner.

The production also requires a crew of plant operators: Gary Binda, Ron Kiffmeyer, Rita Linder under the direction of lead puppeteer Mike Anderson.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 218-232-6810, online at www.stagenorththeater.com or at the door. Adults are $10, seniors age 62 and older are $9 and children ages 6-12 is $5.

Founded in 2014, the Stage North Theatre Company is a non-profit community theatre.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

'It's for the Birds' class

AITKIN-The Kaleidoscope class with Pam Andell will be "It's for the Birds" from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday at the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin. The class will be taught with acrylics on canvas and collage with birds as a theme.

Author talk set at Kitchigami libraries

Minnesota author Colin Mustful will appear for several author talks at Kitchigami Regional libraries in the Brainerd lakes area, including one at 5:30 p.m. March 16 at the Brainerd Public Library.

Mustful is the author of three novels which tell the story of the people and events surrounding the U.S.Dakota War of 1862. Utilizing elements of fiction and nonfiction, Mustful writes a cross-genre in order to convey this period of Minnesota history in a manner that is both compelling and educational. Learn about his books, Minnesota history, the writing process and the self-publishing experience at this event.

This free Legacy Program is funded in part or in whole with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008 which dedicated funding to preserve Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage.

Other appearances include:

• 2 p.m. March 11, Lifehouse Coffee Shop in Pine River.

• 1 p.m. March 13, Pequot Lakes Public Library.

• 6 p.m. March 14, Walker Public Library.

• 2:30 p.m. March 17, Margaret Welch Memorial Library in Longville.

• 11 a.m. March 18, Wadena City Library.

DreamWork Wellness to present event

DreamWork Wellness will host "The Art of Art, Music, Dreams and Tarot" from 1-3 p.m. Sunday in Suite 124, also known as "The Gathering Place" in the Franklin Arts Center in Brainerd.

Marty Gegner, owner of DreamWork Wellness, who is a certified dream facilitator, describes the event as "The soul speaks in images. Discover why all forms of imagery have the ability to move us deeply."

Cost is $15 and people should RSVP by emailing marty@dreamworkwellness.com or calling 703-608-1030.