Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
For week of Aug. 7-13; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.
BRAINERD
Blue Ox Bar
608 Laurel St.
Christopher Banker Band, Fri-Sat
The Iron Rail
707 Laurel St.
TBA, Thu-Sat, Wed
Coco Moon
601 Laurel St.
Johnny Jay Huhta will perform country music at 7 p.m. Sunday at Northern Pacific Park in Staples as part of the Music in the Park series. Admission is free.
Bluegrass jam, 6:30 p.m. Thu
Yesterday's Gone
612 Front St.
Imaginary Friends (CD release party), Fri
Open jam night, 7 p.m. Sat
Pit Stop Bar
723 Laurel St.
DJ, Fri
Buffalo Creek Bar & Restaurant
2115 S. Sixth St.
DJ, Fri-Sat
Villella's Bada Bing
18071 Highway 371 N.
DJ, Thu-Sat
King's Ransom, Fri (outdoors)
Touched, Sat (outdoors)
DJ (International Night), Tue
BACKUS
American Legion
Frankie Lamb, 2-6 p.m. Sun
CROSBY
The Bridge Tavern
26929 Highway 6
Austad Family (classic country), 4-8 p.m. Sun
DEERWOOD
American Legion
Nobody Famous (bluegrass/country/rock), 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Fri and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat
HARDING
Sportsman's Bar & Grill
24997 Quest Road
Kenny Jake Band, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sat
LAKE SHORE
Zorbaz
Highway 77
DJ, Fri-Sat
Lost Lake Lodge
7965 Lost Lake Road
Hans Blix and the Weapons Inspectors (bluegrass), 7-9 p.m. Fri
MOTLEY
Ten Hi
133 Highway 10
Marshall Daniels Band, Fri-Sat
NISSWA
Nisswa Square
Alpheus Ward Project, 2:30 p.m. Thu
American Legion
25807 Main St.
Earthtones (jam session), 6:30-10:30 p.m. Mon
PILLAGER
KC's Uptown Saloon
116 Cedar Ave. E.
The Jammers Club, 8:30 p.m. Fri-Sat
Performing arts
BRAINERD
From Age to Age
Choral ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. N.E., free-will offerings accepted, www.fromagetoage.org. Performing works by Byrd, Bach, Faure, Luboff, Christiansen, Tavener, Rutter, Cullton and Miller.
Joe Trucano
Summer Organ Series, noon Wednesday, Trinity Lutheran Church, 1420 S. Sixth St., free.
Heather Larson
Summer Organ Series, noon Aug. 27, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 418 Eighth Ave. NE, free.
"Eye 2 Eye"
Elton John/Billy Joel tribute show, 6 and 9 p.m. Aug. 29, Chalberg Theatre, Central Lakes College, $17 (adults), $15 (55 and older and 12 and younger), 855-8199.
Cowboy & Hobo Days Festival
Country, bluegrass, rockabilly, old-time and gospel, Sept. 5-7, fairgrounds, $8 (daily), $15 (three-day pass), 763-3662, www.cactuswillie.net.
AKELEY
Woodtick Musical Theater
Bluegrass, folk, country, gospel and comedy, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and Wednesdays, 3 p.m. Thursdays and Wednesdays, through Sept. 13, Woodtick Theater, 65 E. Broadway St., $15.50 (adult), $14.50 (senior), $9.50 (ages 13-17), $6.50 (child), group rates also available, (800) 644-6892, www.woodticktheater.com.
BREEZY POINT
"Mid-Life! The Crisis" musical
Staged by Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, 7 p.m. (dinner), 8 p.m. (show) Friday-Saturday, Breezy Point Resort, 30375 Alpine Drive, $75, (866) 687-4243, www.ticketworks.com, proceeds benefit Central Lakes College Foundation.
CROSBY
Music in the Park
John Pribyl and Clark Hamdorf and Gen3 (variety), 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday, Memorial Park, free.
Faith Boblett (folk) and Dirty Bomb (variety), 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 21, Memorial Park, free.
CROSSLAKE
Concerts in the Park
Miller Papke Duo (rock/folk), 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Town Square, www.crosslakemusic.com.
Everett Smithson Band (rock/blues), 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Town Square, www.crosslakemusic.com.
The Squires Band (dance variety), 6:30 p.m. Aug. 23, Town Square, www.crosslakemusic.com.
SKATYRS (classic rock), 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30, Town Square, www.crosslakemusic.com.
Drivin' Wheels (rockabilly/country), 6:30 p.m. Sept. 6, Town Square, www.crosslakemusic.com.
Barbary Coast Dixieland Band
7 p.m. Aug. 16, Crosslake Lutheran Church, $12.50 (advance), $15 (at door), tickets available at church, (218) 692-3682.
HACKENSACK
Metal/punk concert
Kentucky Sound Arsenal and other bands, 7 p.m. Aug. 21, Community Building, 110 Third St. N., $5, www.myspace.com/evilstenchproductions.
Kelly Joe Phelps
Singer/songwriter, 5:30 p.m. (dinner), 7 p.m. (concert) Aug. 30, Deep Portage Learning Center, 2197 Nature Center Drive N.W., $20, (218) 682-2325.
LITTLE FALLS
Concerts in the Park
Kelsey Rae (singer/songwriter), 3 p.m. Sunday, Maple Island Park, south of downtown, free, bring own lawn chairs, www.greatart.org.
Musician TBA, 3 p.m. Aug. 17, Maple Island Park, south of downtown, free, bring own lawn chairs, www.greatart.org.
LONG PRAIRIE
"Guys and Dolls"
Staged by the Prairie Players, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School auditorium, $10 (adults), $4 (students).
McGREGOR
Polka Fest
Thursday-Saturday, Larson's Barn on Rat Lake, $14 (daily), www.larsonsbarn.com.
NISSWA
Scott Lykins
Cello recital, with pianist Cathy Taylor, 2 p.m. Sunday, Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, free, donations to Music Matters welcome.
Fundraiser concert
7 p.m. Aug. 16, Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, free, donations to Brainerd High School orchestra program welcome. Featuring BHS orchestra graduates Joe Trucano, Alexandra Jones, Heather Mastel-Lipson and Lyndie Walker.
ONAMIA
Grand Casino Mille Lacs
Events & Convention Center
Highway 169
Trace Adkins (country), 8 p.m. Aug. 20-21, $38 and $44, (651) 989-5151, www.ticketmaster.com.
Neil Sedaka, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 5-6, $30 and $36, (651) 989-5151, www.ticketmaster.com.
PINE RIVER
Sixth Lakes Bluegrass Festival
Aug. 21-24, Pine River Fairgrounds, $35-$45 (adult weekend), $15-$20 (adult single day), $12-$15 (adult single evening), $7-$10 (adult Sunday gospel show), $17.50-$22.50 (teen weekend), $7.50-$10 (teen single day), $6-$7.50 (teen single evening), $3.50-$5 (teen Sunday gospel show), free (12 and younger), $30-$55 (camping), www.lakesbluegrassfestival.org.
STAPLES
Old Wadena Rendezvous
and Folklife Festival
Various musicians, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Old Wadena County Park, $10 (weekend), $8 (Saturday only), $5 (Sunday only), free (ages 12 and younger), www.oldwadenarendezvous.org.
Music in the Park
Johnny Jay Huhta (country/rockabilly), 7 p.m. Sunday, NP Park, 611 Iowa Ave. N.E., free.
Cactus Willie, Boxcar Bob and the Drifter (country/folk/rock), 7 p.m. Aug. 17, NP Park, 611 Iowa Ave. N.E., free.
Visual arts
BRAINERD
Crossing Arts Alliance Gallery
Franklin Arts Center
1001 Kingwood St.
Various artists, ongoing.
City Hall
501 Laurel St.
Encore Art Club members, paintings, ongoing.
Brainerd Public Library
416 S. Fifth St.
Linda Axvig (watercolors), through August.
Crow Wing County
Historical Society
320 Laurel St.
Various exhibits, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, 829-3268, www.crowwinghistory.org.
Porthole Gallery
712 Washington St.
Paintings by Michaela Poepping, through Aug. 30, reception 3-5 p.m. Aug. 16.
AITKIN
Jaques Art Center
121 Second St. N.W.
Paintings of Aitkin (juried contest exhibit), through Aug. 16, (218) 927-2363, info@jacquesart.com.
Art by Francis Lee Jaques, ongoing, (218) 927-2363, info@jacquesart.com.
Ripple River Gallery
27591 Partridge Ave.
"Art of the Tile," various artists, through Aug. 17, (218) 678-2575, ripriv@mlecmn.net, www.ripplerivergallery.com.
David Norstad and Tracy McMan, paintings, collage and constructions, Aug. 20-Sept. 21, (218) 678-2575, ripriv@mlecmn.net, www.ripplerivergallery.com.
BAXTER
Northland Arboretum
Excelsior Road
Lorna Klein, paintings, through August.
CROSSLAKE
Community Center and Library
14126 Daggett Pine Road
Paintings by Diane Runberg, ongoing.
24th annual Crosslake Art Club Art Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with demonstrations at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily, free.
HACKENSACK
13th annual Art
Festival & Book Fair
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 23, outside Community Building. Featuring artists, authors, illustrators, publishers, music and food vendors.
LITTLE FALLS
Great River Arts Center
104B Second St. S.E.
Paintings by Eva Deli, through Friday, (320) 632-0960, www.greatart.org.
Morrison County
Government Center Gallery
213 First Ave. S.E.
James Graham, abstract paintings, through August, (320) 632-0960, www.greatart.org.
Weyerhaeuser Museum
2151 S. Lindbergh Drive
"Commemorate!," artifacts from Minnesota's 150-year history, ongoing, open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, free, (320) 632-4007, www.morrisoncountyhistory.org.
NISSWA
The Path Less Traveled gallery
In the Integrity Realty buidling
25282 Hazelwood Drive
Katy Ross (apparel), 4-6 p.m. Friday, 820-9354.
Special events
BRAINERD
Northcountrymen
Barbershop Chorus
Practices, 7 p.m. Mondays, First Congregational Church, 415 Juniper St. New members and audiences welcome. If interested, call Dick Jensen at 829-9663 or Yibby Knudsen at 829-1214.
Franklin Arts Center
Open House
10 a.m.-4 p.m. second Saturday of every month, 1001 Kingwood St. Featuring children's activity from 10 a.m.-noon.
Brainerd Writers'
Alliance meeting
10 a.m.-1 p.m., third Saturday of every month, Central Lakes College cafeteria, $10 annual membership dues, 825-0461, www.brainerdwriters.org.
Used Book Sale
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 21-22 and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 23, Brainerd Public Library, 416 S. Fifth St. Booksellers welcome after noon Aug. 21. Sponsored by Friends of the Library.
AITKIN
Cuyuna Range Community Band
Practice, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Aitkin High School band room, (218) 546-7402.
BAXTER
"Chefs' Challenge"
6:30 p.m. second Tuesday every other month, Chef & Company, 15133 Edgewood Drive, free. Cooking competition similar to "Iron Chef.
CROSSLAKE
Crosslake Days
Variety of events, through Sunday, throughout town.
Book Talk series
Arvid Lloyd Williams and Bonnie Shallbetter, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Crosslake Community Center, 14126 Daggett Pine Road.
Crosslake Art Club meeting
1 p.m. first Monday of every month, Crosslake Community Center, 14126 Daggett Pine Road.
DEERWOOD
Deerwood Summerfest
Various events, Friday-Saturday, throughout town.
HACKENSACK
13th annual Art
Festival & Book Fair
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 23, outside Community Building. Featuring artists, authors, illustrators, publishers, music and food vendors.
LITTLE FALLS
Prairie Point Quilters meeting
7 p.m. first Tuesday of the month, First Lutheran Church, 2100 Riverview Drive, (320) 632-4254 or 825-9345.
Used book sale
10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 4, noon-6 p.m. Sept. 5 and noon-5 p.m. Sept. 6, Carnegie Library, 108 Third St. N.E., bring own bags.
STAPLES
Pizza Party for Kids
Ages 6-12, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Staples Public Library, 611 Iowa Ave. N.E., free, pre-registration required, attendance limit is 25, (218) 894-1401.
Stories with Tammi
For children, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Staples Public Library, 611 Iowa Ave. N.E., free, pre-registration required at (218) 894-1401.
Classes/workshops
BRAINERD
Beginner wood carving class
9 a.m.-noon third Saturday of the month and 6-9 p.m. third Wednesday of the month, Franklin Arts Center Woodworking Shop, 1001 Kingwood St.
Adult book club
7 p.m. second Thursday of every month, Brainerd Public Library, 416 S. Fifth St.
Teen book club
4 p.m. second Thursday of every month, Brainerd Public Library, 416 S. Fifth St.
Senior Center Book Club
10:30-11:30 a.m. third Wednesday of every month, Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, 803 Kingwood St.
AITKIN
Jaques Art Center workshops
121 Second St. N.W.
Photography Workshop with Dee Kotaska, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, $25 for one session, $70 for all three sessions, (218) 927-2363, info@jaquesart.com.
Beginning Weaving with Joanne Arvidson Hall, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 25-28, $25 (adults), $15 (students), ages 12 and older, young weavers should be accompanied by an adult, (218) 927-2363.
Weavers' Club, 1 p.m. first Saturday of the month, (218) 927-2363, info@jaquesart.com.
Calligraphy study group
5-7 p.m. first Monday of the month, 9-11 a.m. fourth Wednesday of the month, Jaques Art Center, 121 Highway 210 N.W., (218) 927-2363, www.aitkinbeanery.com, www.northernlightswine.com.
CROSBY
Unlimited Learning series
Druids, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Hallett Community Center, free (members), $6 (non-members), (218) 678-3034, llfoote@mlecmn.net.
DEERWOOD
Forest Road Art Studio class
23650 Forest Road
Drawing, 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, $4, for all ages, (218) 534-4936.
LITTLE FALLS
Great River Arts Center classes
122 First St. S.E.
Ceramics Open Studio, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, $5 (GRAA members), $8 (non-members).
Drawing Discovery Book Club, 3:30-4:30 p.m. first Thursday of the month, free, (320) 616-5421, www.greatart.org, kampas@fallsnet.com.
Great River Writers meeting
6:30 p.m. first Tuesday of each month, Carnegie Library, (320) 632-1848, (800) 809-1848, www.bookinitontheweb.com.
Spirituality Book
Discussion Group
6 p.m. first Thursday of the month, September-May, Bookin' It, 113 First St. S.E., (320) 616-5580, www.bookinitontheweb.com.
Good Living Cookbook Club
7 p.m. second Tuesday of the month, Bookin' It, 113 First St. S.E., (320) 616-5580, www.bookinitontheweb.com.
Out of town
MINNEAPOLIS
"The Government Inspector"
Various times through Aug. 24, Guthrie Theater, 818 S. Second St., $24-$59, (877) 44-STAGE, www.guthrietheater.org.
ST. PAUL
"Star Wars: Where Science
Meets Imagination" exhibit
Through Aug. 24, Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard, $16.50-$19, www.smm.org.
Jeff Cesario
With Scott Hansen, comedy, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Saturday, This Place is a Joke Comedy Club, Holiday Inn St. Paul East, 2201 Burns Ave., $20 (advance), $25 (day of show), $44.95 (dinner and show, advance), $49.95 (dinner and show, day of show), (651) 789-4503, www.thisplaceisajoke.com.
DETROIT LAKES
WE Fest
Country music, Thursday-Sunday, Soo Pass Ranch, 25526 County Highway 22, $140-$300, www.wefest.com.
DULUTH
Bayfront Blues Festival
Thursday-Sunday, Bayfront Festival Park, $25-$99, www.bayfrontblues.com.
EXCELSIOR
"Forever Plaid"
Presented by Old Log Theater, 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 1 p.m. selected Wednesdays and Thursdays, through Sept. 27, Excelsior Playhouse, 5175 Meadville St., $19.50-$32, (952) 474-5951, www.oldlog.com.
Butch Thompson
Jazz music, 8 p.m. Monday, Excelsior Playhouse, 5175 Meadville St., ticket prices TBA, (952) 474-5951, www.oldlog.com.
MORRIS
"Horizontal Grandeur" art exhibit
Art featuring prairie life, through Oct. 31, Stevens County Historical Museum.
NEW YORK MILLS
Regional Cultural Center
24 Main Ave. N.
Charles Beck, woodcut prints and wildlife sculptures, ongoing.
Somali weaving, ongoing.
Art by Duane and Bambi Goodwin, ongoing, reception 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22.
PARK RAPIDS
"Last of the Red Hot Lovers"
Presented by Long Lake Theater, various times through Aug. 30, Lake Lake Theater, 12183 Beacon Road, $9-$18, (218) 732-0099, www.longlaketheater.net.
RICHMOND
Minnesota Bluegrass &
Old-Time Music Festival
Thursday-Sunday, El Rancho Manana, I-94 exit 153, nine miles south on County Road 9, various prices, (800) 635-3037, www.minnesotabluegrass.org. Featuring Mountain Heart, Grasstowne, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Mike Seeger, Dirk Powell Band, Cadillac Sky and Balfa Toujours.
ST. JOSEPH
Bob Carls and Amy Sharpe
Wood turning and weaving exhibit, through Aug. 31, Whitby Gift Shop and Gallery, reception 2 p.m. July 20, (320) 363-7113.
WALKER
Northern Lights Casino
Junction of Highways 371 and 210
Cherry Poppin' Daddies (swing dance), 7 p.m. Sunday, $25-$30, www.northernlightscasino.com.
Laughs at the Lights, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, free.
If you would like your event listed in the entertainment guide, e-mail John at john.hansen@brainerddispatch.com, call 855-5863, fax 829-0211 or mail to John Hansen, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401. Please include time, date, place, admission price and contact information. Deadline is Monday for Thursday publication.