Entertainment Briefs — Nov. 16 - Brainerd Dispatch | News, weather, sports from Brainerd and Baxter

By Dispatch staff report

November 16, 2022 at 1:55 PM

Second annual Lakes Band Festival

Musicians from four area bands will perform a free concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts.

The second annual Lakes Band Festival is an extravaganza open to all interested in hearing a variety of music.

The event will open with the Crosby-Ironton High School Symphonic Band, followed by the Milaca High School Wind Symphony and Brainerd High School Wind Symphony.

The 86-piece Central Lakes Wind Symphony, a semi-professional ensemble under the direction of Jonathan Laflamme, will perform during the second half of the show, with movie music, classical tunes for Mozart and French impressionist pieces.

With a song called “America Veteran,” Laflamme’s ensemble will also pay tribute to the area’s veterans. The piece is based on the true story of a World War II veteran from Minnesota and will include narration and other sound effects.

Laflamme hopes to get an audience to fill the Gichi-ziibi, located at Brainerd High School.

“They can expect to hear high school students at their best, playing their souls out, playing their hearts out through their instrument — lots of energy and fun — and hear an absolutely top-tier band, a semi-professional band … and the culmination of music by area music educators putting their hearts and their love into their instruments,” Laflamme said of those who attend the concert, which he expects to last about two hours.

Gathering of Waters

The Central Lakes Wind Symphony will join forces with the St. Cloud Municipal Band for a free community concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, at the Charles D. Martin Auditorium in Little Falls.

The 86-piece Central Lakes group will perform music from movies, from Mozart, the French impressionist style and a piece dedicated to local veterans. “American Veteran” tells the true story of a World War II veteran from Minnesota through music, narration and the use of other sound effects.

Both groups are semi-professional bands.

Christmas Marketplace open at Jaques Art Center

The Christmas Marketplace is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays until Dec. 23 at the Jaques Art Center, 121 2nd St. NW, Aitkin.

Over 50 artisan vendors have put together their shops at the marketplace. Gift wrapping is provided.

For more information, call 218-927-2363, email info@jaquesart.com or visit www.jaquesart.com .

CLC orchestra concert Friday

The community is invited to "Strings in Europe", a Central Lakes College String Orchestra concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in the Chalberg Theatre, Brainerd campus.

A livestream is also available: https://youtu.be/hQLxfy0Cc6c .

Pints for a Purpose at Jack Pine Brewery benefits Breath of Life

Jack Pine Brewery will host Pints for a Purpose to benefit Breath of Life Adult Day Service 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16

From every beer sold during that time, $1 goes directly to Breath of Life. Papa Murphy's Pizza will be available for a free will offering. Representatives will be available to answer your questions about the programming at Breath of Life.

Learn more about Breath of Life at www.bolads.org . For more information call 218-270-8072 or email info@jackpinebrewery.com .

Local author publishes book on epilepsy

A photo of a book cover. — Barbara Mack's book, “The Hand I’ve Been Dealt: A Life With Epilepsy.”

Barbara Mack of rural Brainerd published her book, “The Hand I’ve Been Dealt: A Life With Epilepsy” this November. Mack grew up in a loving home on a typical hard working family farm. Her life as she knew it suddenly changed at the age of 20 when a near tragic car accident changed her life forever. Diagnosed with a seizure disorder when there was little information or support, caused her to lean even more on her tight knit family. Just as her seizures were becoming manageable, a new wild card was added to her already challenging life when an unexpected pregnancy happened. Barb’s new role as a single mom led to more challenges. But once again the support of friends and family helped her navigate trying times. Through her whimsical stories of family life and heartbreaking years’ worth of medical challenges, Barb’s story educates and inspires others to better cope with the hand they’ve been dealt.

A book launch celebration is scheduled 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, at the Green Lantern. There will be a short presentation at 1:30 p.m. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale. The event is free and open to the public.

By Dispatch staff report

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.

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