Arts Column: Macalester College Pipe Band to perform

Editor's note: Patt Rall is on vacation this week.

The Macalester College Pipe Band of St. Paul carries a 50-year tradition and is one of only a handful of college pipe bands in the United States. The band will perform a concert at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Chief Theatre. General admission tickets cost $10 and may be obtained at the Grimes Realty Office located across from the Hampton Inn & Suites.

Local piper, Brian Solum, founder of the 1st City Pipe Band, has been with Macalester since 1993.

Led by Pipe Maj. Mike Breidenbach and Drum Sgt. Steve Sutherland, the band has achieved Champion Supreme status in the Midwest Pipe Band Association three out of the past four years in their respective grade. The band has secured top rankings across the country and Ontario. This summer the band will travel to Skagit Valley, Wash., to compete against the great piping traditions of Simon Fraser University - four-time World Champions.

The band features numerous solo piping and drumming champions and will also present a class of Premier and Pre-premier Highland Dancers at the concert along with other traditional Celtic instruments.

Talent show

Area students, ages 9 to high school, and adults are invited to compete in the Laporte Community Talent Show, at 7 p.m. March 23 in the school commons. Acts may include music, drama, comedy, dance or variety. Registration forms are available in the Laporte School office and must be completed and returned with payment by March 16. The entry fee for acts is $5 per person, up to $15 per group. Two $50 grand prizes will be awarded, as well as trophies and door prizes. Tickets will be available at the door: preschool free, $5 for students, $6 for adults, family rate $20. The event is a fundraiser for the Laporte music and drama departments, and Knowledge Bowl. For more information contact Louise Bass, 224-2288, ext. 129.

Folk dance

Terrance Smith of Duluth, a Minnesota State Arts Board artist with a specialty in American Folk Dance, will hold a series of dance opportunities for the community, as well as serving as artist in residence at Schoolcraft Learning Community. His community schedule is 4-5:30 p.m. March 19 Boys & Girls Club of the Bemidji area, mixed ages games and folk dances; 6:45-8 p.m. March 20, dance workshop at the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts; 6:30-8 p.m. March 21 Brigid's Cross Irish Pub informal jam session.

Other events

E Gallery North, 502 Third St. N.W. (Irvine Bridge Shops), features artists from the BSU Designers Guild through March. Also on display are the Artist's of Minnesota Mini Show of miniature paintings representing artists from throughout Minnesota. Glenn Ferguson and Erma Stelter, members of Gallery North, will be the featured artists.

E Wild Hare Bistro and Coffee House, 523 Minnesota Ave. N.W., welcomes Jay B. Jones and his "Visual Cohesion-Abstract Thoughts of Nature and Structure."

E Great River Gallery, 202 Third St. N.W., provides a wide array of artwork ranging from fine silver jewelry to paintings from more than 20 regional artists in a newly redo rated art space.

E Bemidji Community Art Center, 426 Bemidji Ave., hosts the "Bemidji State University Student Awards Exhibit," a wide range of work submitted by students applying for 2007 Visual Arts Scholarships and the 2007 Dalzotto Awards for graduating seniors. The activity is free and open to the public and is made possible, in part, by the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

E As a fund-raiser for the musical "Les Misérables," the Mask and Rose Women's Theater Collective will host a French Flair All Adult Spelling Bee from 6-9 p.m. March 29, postponed from the previously announced date of Friday, at Headwaters School of Music and the Arts. The event will feature music from "Les Misérables" sung by the actors, French hors d'oeuvres and wines, a silent auction of art objects and Minneapolis theater tickets. The spelling bee will consist of English words derived from the French. The grand prize for the spelling bee winner is a night's stay at the Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington and dinner for two at the French restaurant Chez Collette. Tickets for the event cost $15 and can be reserved by calling Cate Belleveau at 243-2685 or purchased at Brigid's Cross Irish Pub, 317 Beltrami Ave. N.W.

E North Country Health Services Art Committee announces a new exhibit, "Memories in Pastel" by Bemidji artist Joann Hovet at Neilson Place, 100 Anne St. N.W. The exhibit will be displayed through May and is for sale. A price list is available at the reception desk. This event is free and open to the public.

E Region 2 Arts Council is seeking new board members from Clearwater and Mahnomen Counties for two-year terms starting July 1. Those who feel that the visual, performing, and literary arts are an important contribution to the quality of life in north central Minnesota are encouraged to consider serving on the Board. Region 2 Arts Council is one of 11 such councils in the state of Minnesota and awards more than $58,000 annually for arts activities in the five counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen. The council operates with funds from the Minnesota state Legislature and a grant from the McKnight Foundation. Members are responsible for planning, setting policy and reviewing and awarding grants. Meetings are eight times a year in Bemidji on the third Monday of the month. Members are reimbursed for travel expenses. To receive an application, email r2arts@paulbunyan.net or call Terri Widman at 751-5447 or 800-275-5447. Completed applications must be received by April 1.

E Bemidji Community Theater in collaboration with the Theater Department of BSU, present a musical version of Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew," "Kiss Me, Kate" at 7:30 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday on the main stage of Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, 15th Street and Birchmont Drive. The musical features voice and music students from BSU and community members. This musical comedy is aimed toward mature audiences. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students through college and are on sale at Iverson Corner Drug in downtown Bemidji and Ken K. Thompson Jewelry in the Paul Bunyan Mall. Tickets will be sold at the theater starting one hour before show time. For group rates and further information, call Sarah Einerson at 335-2400.

Those attending "Kiss Me, Kate" will have an opportunity to sign a petition asking the BSU administration to reconsider their proposal to cut the theater major. Many students at BSU participate in activities offered by the Theater Department regardless of their major field of study. The productions afford an opportunity for students and community members to expand their interest in the performing arts by designing, play writing, directing and the other support activities involved in theatrical productions. BSU and Bangsberg Hall are synonymous for many people who live in Bemidji and surrounding towns and who rely upon the University for fine entertainment in the performing arts. If you do not have the opportunity to sign the petition, but would still like to voice your opinion, contact BSU President Jon Quistgaard, or Provost Joann Fredrickson, 1500 Birchmont Drive N.E., or jquistgaard@bemidjistate.edu and jfredrickson@bemidjistate.edu .

E Tin Pan Gallery of the Blackduck History and Art Center, Main Street and Margaret Avenue, will host a quilt show, featuring the Blackduck "Wednesday Quilters" through March. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and 1-5 p.m. Thursdays. For more information or for special arrangements to see the show, call 218-835-4478.

E The Minnesota Orchestra to return to Bemidji for a concert at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Bemidji High School. Beethoven's Third and Eighth Symphonies will be performed. This event is sponsored by the BSU Department of Music where the tickets are now on sale. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $10 for students and may be.

E Tickets for student version of "Les Misérables" are now on sale at Brigid's Cross Irish Pub, 317 Beltrami Ave. N.W. The Mask and Rose Theater Collective, under the direction of Cate Belleveau, will present a regional premier of the musical featuring local talent and some Minneapolis youth. Two shows for high school students will be presented at 9 a.m. on April 26 and 9:30 a.m. April 27 for $5 per ticket. Reservations for the school performances may be made by calling P. Lester at 751-6284. Four rows of prime center seats at $20 each may be reserved until April 1. For further information, contact Cate Belleveau at kayakc2@mac.com . General admission tickets for $12 for adults and $9 for students may be purchased in advance. Tickets at the door will be $14 and $9. Performance dates are April 25-29 at the Chief Theatre, 314 Beltrami Ave. N.W.

Announcements of arts and entertainment events may be sent to the Bemidji Pioneer, P.O. Box 455, Bemidji, MN 56619-0455 or e-mailed to news@bemidjipioneer.com