Patt Rall Arts Column: Weekend will be full of events

This proves to be another weekend in Bemidji where there will be many choices in the visual and performing arts. With the right timing, one will be able to get to all the opening receptions for this month's art walk and finish up with an evening of music and laughter.

Student art

Bemidji Public Library is hosting Kristin Gustafson's art students from Treknorth High School on their library wall located near the public access computers. Gallery North in cooperation with the Bemidji Public Library seeks out area school art students to provide them with an opportunity for the public to view, encourage and support them. Summer exhibits are by those artists who have not had the opportunity to have a one-person show and are a stepping stones for those people to be more visible in the community. Interested art departments and individual artists may contact Beverlee Olson at 368-3032 for more information. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The library is located at 509 America Ave. N.W.

Continuing display

Beltrami County History Center, in conjunction with Gallery North, continues "Love Is" on the art wall. The center is located at 130 Minnesota Ave. S.W. in the historic James J. Hill Great Northern Depot. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday- Saturday.

Mini show

Gallery North will once again hold a two-day reception for the Artists of Minnesota Mini Show which is the feature on the Guest Showcase Art Wall. Mary Morton will demonstrate the art of Ukrainian Easter eggs and Joyce Martin will demonstrate watercolors from 2-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Enjoy refreshments and talking with the artists at Gallery North, 502 Third St. N.W.

Drawings exhibit

Wild Hare Bistro and Coffee House, 523 Minnesota Ave. N.W., welcomes artist Sarah Birmmanns and her pen-and-ink drawings of nature and texture studies accentuating form and design found within the seemingly random but orderly patterns of science. The opening reception is 3-5 p.m. Friday.

Photo gallery

Dunn Bros Coffee, 501 Paul Bunyan Drive S., features the work of northland artist and photographer, Kate Lalone in her "Photography by Lilly's Eye" for March and April. Also on display and for sale is Levandowski Pottery, stoneware and Raku made with nontoxic clay and lead free glazes. The opening reception is 5-7 p.m. Friday.

Craft show

Bemidji Community Art Center announces the opening of "With These Hands," a presentation of the Northern Minnesota Craftswomen. The installation was inspired by member Emeline Cook's 2007 UNESCO trip to Poland and will feature original handmade items in a broad range of media. The exhibit is dedicated to the memory of NM Craftswoman, Debby Grebe. "Fused Glass and Sterling Silver Jewelry" by JoAnn, Jade and Sage Hovet will be on display and for sale in Gallery X3. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Friday with a short presentation by Emeline at 6 p.m. The exhibit runs until March 29. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and noon-4 p.m. Saturday. All of the above openings and receptions are free and open to the public.

Comedy act

Mask & Rose Women's Theater Collective will feature open mic with "Mask & Rose Does Monte Python" sketches, a comic travel tour with Onion newspaper's satirical "Our Dumb World" with music by Shannon Murray and others. Open mic for musicians starts at 7 p.m. with sign-up for a three song set at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $2 for individuals and $5 for families. While there, be sure to walk upstairs to the Fleur de Lis Gallery exhibit, "Heart and Soul" which features regional artists Deb Davis, Mary Therese Peterson, Al Belleveau, Carol Jacobson and Amanda Anderson among others. The Wild Rose Theater is located in the Masonic Temple, 501 Bemidji Ave.

Woodcuts exhibit

D. L. Houseman of Tenstrike has an opening reception for his installation of woodcuts Saturday at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids. The public is invited to the opening from 10 a.m. until noon and the show will be up until March 26.

Blackduck gallery

Tin Pan gALLEry in the Blackduck History and Art presents, "Art Gumbo," a smorgasbord of art in oils, watercolor, photography, baskets, mixed media and other delights by Blackduck area casual artists. The opening reception will be held from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday and is free and open to the public.

Bagpipe concert

The Macalester College Pipe Band returns to Bemidji for its Second Annual Bagpipe and Drum Concert complete with Highland Dancing. In its 46th year of performing, this group is composed of professional musicians who are students, alumni and community members and has earned Champion Supreme Status. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at Brigid's Cross Irish Pub or at the door the night of the performance 7 p.m. Saturday in Bemidji State University's Thompson Recital Hall of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex, Birchmont Drive and 14th Street.

Variety show

For those whose tastes run to Bluegrass and Cajun fiddle with Norwegian jokes on the side, stop by the Mask & Rose Theater at 7 p.m. Saturday as Hank Reitan his group perform. Tickets may be purchased at the door, 501 Bemidji Ave.

Film festival

The third annual Bemidji Independent Film Festival will open at the Cantabria Coffee House, 211 Second St. N.W., with movies 5-7 p.m. Monday-March 13. The festival then moves to the Wild Rose Theater at 5 p.m. March 14 for a presentation and film by Winona LaDuke and the White Earth Recovery Project. Indigenous films will be shown from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 15 with a special 2 p.m. viewing of "Our Land, Our Life." All events are free and open to the public. The sponsors are the ACLU-MN Greater MN Racial Justice Project, Bemidji Indian Center, Cantabria Coffee Co., the Indigenous Environmental Network, and Mask & Rose Theater.

Summer opera

The Lake Bemidji Summer Opera Festival will hold auditions for roles and chorus members for its inaugural season featuring the operas "Carmen" and "Paul Bunyan," part of the celebration of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial. Local artists are needed to complete the casts and as chorus members. General director is Fulton Gallagher, musical director is Beverly Everett, Bemidji Symphony Orchestra conductor, and artistic designer is Patrick Carriere, who is also technical director. For further information, contact Gallagher at fgallagh@paulbunyan.net or at 755-4253. The performances are supported in part by the Minnesota State Arts Board and local patrons of the arts. Auditions are from 3-5 p.m. Saturday in Room 230 of the Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex.

Opera gala

Tickets were sold out early for the Opera Night Gala last summer at Ruttgers Birchmont Lodge. This year's gala is scheduled for June 3 and 4 with additional information forthcoming in this column. This is definitely a "don't miss it!" event so put the dates on your calendars now.

Other events

-- "Alice in Wonderland," a musical theater presentation by Bemidji Community Theater in collaboration with the BSU Department of Theater, will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday on the main stage of Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex. Tickets are $8 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, children and students and free for BSU students with a valid ID and are available now at Ken K. Thompson in the mall and Iverson Corner Drug in downtown Bemidji and will be available at the door on the nights of the performances. Performances are made possible in part by a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature and the BSU Foundation

-- The Tally Gallery presents "Rules of Engagement," the works of painter Cat Crotchet in a show that will run until March 21. Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, the gallery in the BSU Education Building is barrier free and open to the public at no charge.

-- Stop at the Tourist Information Center, 300 Bemidji Ave., by the statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe for a map and information on the pieces included in the Sculpture Walk.

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