Local entertainment briefs
Monroe Crossing to perform
STAPLES - Monroe Crossing, a Midwest bluegrass and gospel quintet, will perform Feb. 27 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples.
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The 7:30 p.m. concert is supported by Arvig Communications Systems. Advance tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for students or $15 for adults and $7 for students at the door. Tickets are available from the Centennial Auditorium Box Office at (218) 894-5416 or (800) 213-6877.
Named in honor of Bill Monroe, "The Father of Bluegrass," Monroe Crossing plays an upbeat blend of classic and traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel and heartfelt originals. The group plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals across the country.
Monroe Crossing - Mark Anderson (left), Benji Flaming, Matt Thompson, Lisa Fuglie and Art Blackburn - will perform Feb. 27 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples.
Monroe Crossing is known for its dynamic stage show, its on-and-off stage interaction and how it honors requests after intermission.
The only bluegrass band ever nominated as "Artist of the Year" in 2004 by the Minnesota Music Academy, Monroe Crossing won the MMA's "Bluegrass Album of the Year" award in 2003. The group also took home awards for Best Female Vocalist, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association's 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet.
Monroe Crossing was an International Bluegrass Music Association Showcase Band at the 2007 World of Bluegrass Convention in Nashville and was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame that same year.
Quintet members of Monroe Crossing are Art Blackburn, Lisa Fuglie, Matt Thompson, Mark Anderson and Benji Flaming.
For more information on the Monroe Crossing concert or the rest of their season, go to the Staples Motley Area Arts Council's Web site at www.staplesmotleyarts.org.
Crosslake 'Book Talk' set
CROSSLAKE - Mike Holst, a Crosslake author and columnist for the Northland Press, will be the guest speaker at the next Crosslake Area Library "Book Talk" at 1:30 p.m. March 9.
Holst was the first in a series of authors to speak at "Book Talk" when he discussed his first published novel, "A Long Way Back," in May. Since then, Holst has published two additional books.
His second novel, "Nothing to Lose," is the story of a Minneapolis police detective who is killed in the line of duty and his wife's subsequent attempt to find his murderer.
Holst's latest book, "No Clues in the Ashes," is about a fire department in Minneapolis and is roughly based on Holst's personal experience as a former longtime firefighter. Copies of Holst's books will be available for purchase and for signing at this presentation.
Admission is free and refreshments will be served.
BHS Windfall choir in festival
Brainerd High School's Windfall will participate in a Vocal Jazz Festival on Friday and Saturday, hosted by Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa.
Vocal jazz choirs from around the region will perform for each other, attend workshops on improvisation and singing techniques and receive critiques from faculty at the college.
The SWCC music program was founded and designed by Brainerd graduate Phil Mattson, who also will be on hand at the festival. The festival also will feature the "Real Group," one of the world's finest vocal jazz ensembles from Sweden. The group will work with ensembles and perform a concert each night of the festival.
Medical satire scheduled at CLC
The Central Lakes College Theatre Department will present Moliere's scalpel-sharp satire of the medical profession, "The Doctor In Spite of Himself," at 7:30 p.m. March 5-7 and 10-11 and at 2 p.m. March 7 in the Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
Stephanie White (left), Kenny Simon and Shane Keran strike the "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" pose as characters in the satire "The Doctor in Spite of Himself" - March 5-11 at Central Lakes College.
The production, performed in the style of Monty Python, the Marx Brothers and the Three Stooges, is a wild romp designed to entertain the whole family.
Playing the troupe of Zanies are Jacklyn Bench, Shane Keran, Joe Wall, Gabe Franz, Justin Jordan, Kayla Gervie, Nic Brutscher and Kenny Simon, all of Brainerd; Marc Oliphant, Baxter; and Stephanie White, East Gull Lake.
The script is translated by Albert Bermel into English that is speakable, playable, lively, witty and natural. The production is designed and directed by CLC theatre director Dennis Lamberson.
Tickets are $5 for the general public and free to CLC students. Tickets may be reserved with a credit card by calling the theatre box office at 218-855-8199.
Lakes Bluegrass Festival canceled
After six successful year, the Lakes Bluegrass Festival held in Pine River has been canceled.
John Wetrosky brought the event to Pine River and was instrumental in marketing the festival and bringing in the necessary sponsors. Chris Hannekan and Bruce and Donna Winder, all on the planning committee, also were helpful with the event.
The Bluegrass Festival raised $20,000 in the past two years and was used to build a first-class stage on the Pine River fairgrounds and for power upgrades and repairs and maintenance.
Wine-tasting, silent auction set
JENKINS - The Friends of the Pine River Library Foundation will sponsor a wine tasting and silent auction March 7 at the AmericInn Lodge and Suites, south of Jenkins.
The proceeds from the fundraiser that begins at 6 p.m. will be used for a new roof on the library.
Ultimate Liquors in Pine River will provide the wine and specialty beers and Lakes Latte in Pequot Lakes will provide hors d'oeuvres.
Advance tickets may be purchased at the Pine River Library for $15. Tickets at the door will be $17.
For more information, call the Pine River Library at (218) 587-4639 or e-mail pineriver@krls.org.
Yesterday's Gone to host benefit
Yesterday's Gone will host a benefit at 8 p.m. Saturday, with proceeds going to the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen.
The benefit will be the Doc Brently's Medicine show, featuring Menage-A-Bation and The Imaginary Friends. Cover charge is $2.