Tempo tidbits

Folk instrumentalist Paul Imholte kicks off this summer's Performances in the Park concert series June 13 at Gregory Park, starting at 7 p.m. It's the first of six outdoor concerts co-sponsored by the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department and the Brainerd Eagles Club through July 25. Admission is free.

"Imholte is known as a musical stringman because he brings about a dozen string instruments to every performance," said a news release announcing the concert series. "His repertoire blends country hoe-downs, enchanting Celtic melodies, classical transcriptions for folk instruments ... and treasured ballads."

Imholte's instruments include the dulcimer, fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, autoharp, viola, harmonica and others. The series resumes June 20 with The Lonesome Tradition, followed June 27 with Charlie Roth, July 11 with Jerry Frasier, July 18 with Dennis Warner and July 25 with Holly Garner. All performances are at 7 p.m.

Agatha McGee, one of novelist Jon Hassler's most memorable characters, comes to life in the theatrical version of "Dear James," opening this weekend at the Jon Hassler Theater in Plainview.

Hassler began his writing career as a teacher at the then-Brainerd Community College (now Central Lakes College). McGee, the stern sixth-grade "old maid" teacher of Hassler's imagination, appears in several of Hassler's works, including "Staggerford," "A Green Journey" and "Dear James."

The Plainview theater, stage-managed by the Lyric Theatre Co. of Minneapolis, was created to honor Hassler and his works. He is a native of the southeastern Minnesota town.

"Dear James" will run Saturday through July 7, with evening and matinee performances. Tickets are $9-$15 and are available by calling (507) 534-2900.

Folk musician Peter Mayer will headline this year's installment of One Big Event, an outdoor festival featuring music, crafts and garden tours June 22 at Summer's Memories Gardens south of Sabin.

Other musical acts include Margot Wagner, Brenda Weiler and Mark Reeves. The non-alcoholic festival runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the gate.

Speaking of music festivals, Ozzfest 2002 featuring Ozzy Osbourne is scheduled for Aug. 17 at Float-Rite Park in Somerset, Wis. Tickets went on sale last weekend at $50. Call (651) 989-5151.

In addition to Osbourne, the musical lineup includes System of a Down, Rob Zombie, P.O.D., Drowning Pool, Black Label Society and many others.

Promoters are billing the event as "the baddest festival of the year."