Around the Arts, December 3

Marsh to perform during First City Poetry Reads

BEMIDJI-Watermark Art Center will present the next event in the First City Poetry Reads series, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Anytime Fitness. The theme will be "Our Physical Selves," featuring poet Erin Lynn Marsh, who will address the personal and cultural aspects of physical disabilities. Marsh is a Bemidji-area poet and teacher who received her master's degree in creative writing from Lesley University of Boston. Her poetry has been featured in various publications, and she is completing a poetry collection.

In addition to Marsh's reading, the program also will feature demonstrations and discussions on the themes of fitness, strength, bodybuilding, weightlifting and rehabilitation. Toni Bratager, who

recently won a bodybuilding competition in Duluth, will discuss and demonstrate her training

methods. Bratager has a degree in dietetics and is a registered nurse at Sanford Hospital in Bemidji. Other personal trainers and competitors will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their experiences.

An open mic session will take place at the event. Area poets are encouraged to share their work

surrounding the theme "Our Physical Selves." Anyone interested in pre-registering to read can

contact Marsh Muirhead at (218) 556- 6313 or email mgmuirhead@midco.net . Poets are asked to keep their reading to three minutes and provide family-friendly content.

For more information, visit watermarkartcenter.org.

Shevlin History Center holiday updates

SHEVLIN-The History Center in Shevlin will be open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9, when Santa visits. The current exhibit is "Creative Clearwater," which showcases the talents of county artists and crafters, past and present. There is no admission fee to visit the museum.

The History Center then will be closed Friday, Dec. 22, through Monday, Jan. 1, for the holidays. The museum will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 2.

Tours of the History Center will still be available by appointment. Office and museum hours at the History Center during the winter months are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and by appointment. For more information or to schedule a tour, call the History Center at (218)

785-2000, call Tamara Edevold at (218) 694-2856 or email clearwaterhistory@icloud.com .

Bemidji Public Library hosts book launch

BEMIDJI-The Bemidji Public Library will host a book launch from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, for "Nightvision Twilight Shadows." The novel is written by local author Care Halverson, who writes under the name C.H. Knyght. For more information, visit www.chknyght.com .

Book launches planned for local author

BEMIDJI --Local author Barbara Schlichting will host two events for the public to purchase and have signed her new book "Body on the Tracks." The first will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 7, at the Beltrami County Historical Society. The second will from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brigid's Pub.

BSU student presents senior vocal music recital

BEMIDJI-Freyberg, a music and business administration major from Mankato, will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8, in the Carl O. Thompson Recital Hall at in BSU's Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

Freyberg's recital will focus on the effects of historical events on musical style and theory from the Baroque period to the modern age. Freyberg, a soprano, will be accompanied by pianist Eric Gustafson. After graduating from BSU, Freyberg plans to attend graduate school and study music therapy.

'Swingtime Canteen' to take stage in Bagley

BAGLEY-"Swingtime Canteen," a musical review featuring songs from the World War II era, will be on stage at the Bagley High School auditorium at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8 and 9 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10. The production by the Bagley Community Theater, directed by Marilyn Hood, features a group of female performers who are touring and performing for the troops overseas, a press release said. They sing favorites such as "Sentimental Journey," "How High the Moon," "Don't Fence Me In" and an Andrew Sisters Medley featuring 10 of their top hits. The performers' friendships and rivalries add to the humor of the show.

Also part of the production is a six piece, on-stage swing band directed by Josh Gunderson. Tickets for reserved seating are currently on sale at the Bagley Senior Center and Mark's Hardware in Bagley. Tickets will also be available at the door 30 minutes before show times.

First City Dance Studio brings The Nutcracker to life

BEMIDJI-First City Dance Studio will present "The Nutcracker" this Christmas season for three performances. They will be held at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16 and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17 at the Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji. Tickets are $8 and are available at First City Dance and at the theater 30 minutes before the show. Children ages 5 and younger will be admitted free.

Symphony Orchestra releases Handel's Messiah CD

BEMIDJI-The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra recently announced the release of its CD, "Handel's Messiah," as recorded live in concert April 30 at the Bemidji High School Auditorium.

Joined by four soloists and three choirs in a 70-minute performance of selections from this masterpiece, the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra welcomed the largest audience to date for the concert, a press release said. Beverly Everett conducted.

The CD features the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra joined by Jennifer Olson, soprano; Leandra Craigmile, mezzo-soprano; Jace Erickson, tenor; and Cory J. Renbarger, baritone; plus the combined members of the Bemidji Chorale, the Bemidji Choir, and the Park Rapids Classic Chorale.

The 2-disc set costs $20 and can be purchased with check or cash at the Bemidji Symphony Orchestra's holiday concert "The Snowman: Music and Film" on Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. Or call (218) 444-7914.

Bagley library plans 'Storyteller' series

BAGLEY-Farm by the Lake will host the series "storytellers" over several months at the Bagley Public Library, 79 Spencer Ave. SW. The series is free and open to the public. The scheduled events include Slam Storyteller Ward Rubecht on Jan. 14, local storyteller Dick Roue on Jan. 28, comic storyteller Michael Venske on Feb. 11, naturalist storyteller Al Batt on Feb. 25, interactive storyteller Nothando Zulu on March 11, and a writing workshop with Will Weaver on March 25.

Festival of Wreaths comes to Bemidji

BEMIDJI-Headwaters Music and Arts and Bemidji Area Sertoma Club will host the inaugural Festival of Wreaths. Area businesses have sponsored and decorated wreaths to be on display and then auctioned off to benefit Bemidji Sertoma's mission of supporting speech and hearing needs as well as Headwaters Music and Arts' music scholarship program, a press release said.

The public wreath viewing was held on Friday, Nov. 24, at Headwaters Music and Arts.

The wreath auction will then be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Headwaters, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW, with a $10 admission fee. There will be a cash bar from Brigid's Pub and live music will be provided by Mike and Miles Tangen, April Aylesworth, Kari Grace, Dan Will and Preston Hoiseth. Participants are encouraged to wear their "sparkliest, shiniest, or silliest holiday wear" to take part in the "Get Decked" contest with prizes from local businesses, the press release said. Tickets are available at the door or by calling Headwaters Music and Arts at (218) 444-5605 or by visiting www.headwatersmusicandarts.org .

Headwaters creates ornament crafting event

BEMIDJI-Headwaters Music and Arts, 519 Minnesota Ave. NW, will host an event for participants to create birch bark ornaments. There will be two sessions for the event, including Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is open to people of all levels of experience ages 18 and older. Registration is required, as there are a limited number of spots available. The class will be led be weaver and local woods-woman Emily Derke. The Tuesday class costs $30 for the public or $25 for Headwaters members. The Saturday class costs $40 for the public or $35 for Headwaters members. For more information or to register, call (218) 444-5606 or visit headwatersmusicandarts.org/event/birch-bark-ornaments.

Arts Association produces 'It's A Wonderful Life'

FOSSTON-The Fosston Community Library Arts Association recently announced this year's production of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Fosston Library Theater.

The performances will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 30, Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $7 for children.

Based on the 1946 film, the musical follows George Bailey's life from his childhood dreams to his midlife disappointments and beyond, a press release said. "Cinematically scored and theatrically staged, the adaptation breathes musical life into a familiar story, while retaining the warmth, humor and pathos of the original," the release said.