Tempo tidbits
Area bookstore owner Wendy Rosnau is starting to live the dream that has driven her for the past nine years.
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Her first published book, "The Long Hot Summer," will be released this month by Silhouette Books, an imprint of Harlequin, the largest publisher of romance fiction in the United States.Hal
Fittingly, the author will host her first book signing in her own store, CatTale's Book and Gift in downtown Brainerd, from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Other signings are scheduled for 7-8 p.m. March 21 at the Hallett Library in Crosby and noon to 2 p.m. March 25 at River Nith Coffee and Books in Westgate Mall.
She started writing nine years ago and now her perseverance has paid off, she said. Romantic Times magazine rates "The Long Hot Summer" with four stars, on a scale of five, according to the author.
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Eric B. Graham, one-time executive director of the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, has been named as a program associate with the Arts Across Minnesota program.
A division of the State Arts Board, the program issues $500,000 in taxpayer funds each year to underwrite the cost of statewide tours by some of Minnesota's best known performance groups, including the James Sewell Ballet Co., which appeared recently for a weeklong demonstration in Little Falls public schools.
Graham is widely credited with bringing national attention to the Regional Cultural Center's annual Think-Off Essay Contest.
Yong-Yan Hu is leaving his position as music director with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra at the end of his contract in June, according to a recent announcement. A native of China, Hu has accepted a similar position with the Shanghai Broadcast Symphony Orchestra. He will continue to consult with the Duluth-Superior Orchestra until December, ending his five-year affiliation that brought the orchestra widespread praise, according to the announcement.
Marion Judish, concertmaster for Heartland Symphony and other central Minnesota orchestras, performed a solo -- Beethoven's "Romance in F, Opus 50" -- during the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra's winter concert last weekend in St. Cloud. Axel Theimer, long-time music director at St. John's University, conducts the chamber group. Judish has served the orchestra as concertmaster since its founding several years ago. She is an assistant professor of violin and viola at St. Cloud State University.
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse in Bemidji has announced the lineup for its 50th professional summer stock theater season, starting with "Steel Magnolias" on June 14. "The Mystery of Irma Vep" will open June 28, followed by "Charlotte's Web" on July 5, "The Elephant Man" on July 19, "The Mousetrap" on July 26 and "Cabaret" on Aug. 9. The theater offers several season ticket options, including all six for $60. For more information, call the box office at 751-7270.
A trio of Baxter residents is touring with the Concordia College Choir under direction of Rene Clausen, the college announced this week. The members include: Chad Nelson, a junior and son of Robert and Shari Nelson; Erica Maier, a senior and daughter of Daniel and Nona Maier; and Evan Kuhn, a sophomore and son of Daniel and Susan Kuhn. The choir will perform at locations in Minnesota, Iowa, Indiana, Wisconsin, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee before it returns home for a 7:30 p.m. March 12 concert in Concordia's Memorial Auditorium.
Speaking of students, the Arts High School in Golden Valley announced that the work of visual arts student James Holien of Brainerd will be featured at the Perpich Center for Arts Education March 9-April 14. An opening reception is scheduled for 5-7 p.m. March 9 at the center, 6125 Olson Memorial Highway.
Two folk singers in the Red House Records stable have been nominated for an Indie Award by the National Association for Independent Music, the Twin Cities record label announced this week. An Indie Award is the NAIM's version of a Grammy. The winners will be announced May 6 at the AFIM national convention in Cleveland. Lucy Kaplansky -- a New Yorker who appeared in a Grassroots Concerts event recently in Nisswa -- was nominated in the pop category for "Ten Year Night," her most recent release. Adrian Legg was nominated in the acoustic instrumental category for "Fingers and Thumbs."