LOCAL BRIEFS

Brainerd High School Bands will present their annual fall concert at 7 p.m. Thursday in Tornstrom Auditorium.

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The program will include performances by the BHS Marching Band, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Band and Symphonic Band. The performance will begin with the BHS Marching Band showcasing some of their fall marching literature complete with surround sound. Concert Ensembles will play works by Stalter, Spears, Ticheli, Gounod and Sousa.

Admission is $6 for adults, $4 for students and seniors.

Laura Ingalls Wilder presentation at Brainerd Public Library

The work of Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of the popular "Little House" series of children's books, will be brought to life at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Brainerd Public Library through a presentation by Alison Edgerton.

Edgerton will present the life and times of the Ingalls family through the authors' books, music and historical artifacts. Little House refreshments will be served.

This program is presented by Kitchigami Regional Library with funding from the State of Minnesota Art and Cultural Legacy fund. Everyone is welcome, but children in grades three and four may enjoy the program the most. This program is free, but seating is limited.

Whitetail Weekend scheduled in Backus

BACKUS - The Backus American Legion will host its annual Whitetail Weekend Friday and Saturday.

The weekend events are held in conjunction with the opening of the firearms deer season. Activities begin Friday with a noon opening of the clubrooms; a bake sale at 3 p.m.; a meat raffle at 5:30 p.m.; and chili and barbecue sandwiches will be served from 4-9 p.m.

Saturday features the annual Hunters' Dinner from 4-8 p.m., with turkey, ham, all the trimmings and homemade pie. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 3-10. Free cash and customer drawings at 9 p.m.

Still on the Hill in New York Mills

NEW YORK MILLS - Still on the Hill, a bluegrass and folkgrass concert, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

Still on the Hill, a bluegrass and "folkgrass" duo, is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center.

Advance tickets are $12 and $15 at the door. For tickets call (218) 385-3339.

Still on the Hill, an Ozarkian duo of Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna, has performed at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival and Summerfolk. Awards they have received include: Member of the Hall of Fame at the Northwest Arkansas Music Awards; several Ozark Music Awards for "Best Folk Group of the Ozarks" and "Best Guitarist."

The Ozarkian duo are accomplished songwriters and play a plethora of acoustic instruments including acoustic guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and harmonica. The group's repertoire is primarily their own original, roots-based compositions (a genre hybrid they term "folkgrass") interspersed with new arrangements of traditional songs. The twosome has also created several popular children's shows and educational workshops which they perform under the name Toucan Jam.

The Legacy Chorale Fall Concert Series kicks off

CROSBY - The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota, now in its eighth season, is busy preparing for its fall concert series, which opens with a performance at 7 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Crosby-Ironton High School Auditorium in Crosby.

The concert will feature a special appearance by the C-I High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers (under the direction of Wayne Ellingsen), who have been invited to sing two numbers with the Chorale as part of The Legacy Chorale High School Outreach Concert Program.

Two more performances of the series are scheduled for Nov. 14 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake and Nov. 15, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter. Admission for the Crosby and Baxter concerts is $10 for adults and seniors and students age 18 and younger are free. Tickets can be purchased at the door at each concert; at the Brainerd Dispatch; Bethany Bookstore in Baxter; or by calling Bill Satre, Legacy Chorale manager, at (218) 820-4558 or by e-mail at legacychorale@charter.net.

The repertoire for the Legacy's Fall Concert Series, entitled International Choirbook, is comprised of three sets of choral masterpieces from around the globe: "Ave Verum Corpus" (England), "Psalm 96" (Netherlands), "Our Father" (Russia), "Arirang" (Korea), "Erev Shel Shoshanim" (Israel), "O Sifuni Mungu" (South Africa), "Waltzing Matilda" (Australia), "Salmo 150" (Venezuela), "Chester" (USA), "All My Trails" (Bahamian Spiritual), "Bonny Portmore" (Scotland), and several others. Many of the numbers will be sung in different languages, including Latin, German, French, Hebrew, Korean and Swahili.

The Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota is a non-profit organization. The group's mission is to ensure the legacy of excellence in choral music in the greater Minnesota area while enriching, inspiring and renewing the communities in which we live. Currently there are 68 singers in the Legacy Chorale representing 15 greater Minnesota communities: Aitkin, Baxter, Brainerd, Breezy Point, Crosby, Crosslake, Deerwood, East Gull Lake, Garrison, Hackensack, Little Falls, Merrifield, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes and Pillager.

For further information about the Legacy Chorale of Greater Minnesota contact Satre or visit their Web site at www.legacychorale.org.

'Folkmusik Stills: The Nisswa Stamman' exhibit to be displayed

Art Matters Gallery will exhibit "Folkmusik Stills: The Nisswa Stamman," photographs by John Erickson celebrating the Stamman's 10th anniversary during Franklin Arts Center's Christmas Open House on Nov. 14.

The exhibit, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is a collaboration with Concordia Language Villages, the Nisswa Stamman and the American Swedish Institute. Music will be provided by select Nisswa Stamman musicians. Portions of all sale proceeds will benefit Concordia Language Villages, the Nisswa Stamman and the American Swedish Institute. After the event the "Folkmusik Stills" may be seen by appointment by calling (218) 330-1780 through Jan. 2.

CLC sponsors free Mixed Blood theater performance

Mixed Blood theater brings "Theory of Mind," its new play about a young man with autism, to Central Lakes College in Brainerd for a free performance at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in Chalberg theater.

The college is sponsoring the event in recognition of Disabilities Awareness Month.

Like the spectrum of colors in the rainbow, people with autism can have different symptoms. Health providers think of autism as a spectrum disorder, a group of disorders with a wide range of related features. This spectrum, known as autism spectrum disorders, includes the milder disorder known as Asperger's Syndrome.

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder of development that lasts throughout a person's life. It is sometimes called a developmental disability because it usually starts before age 3 and it causes delays or problems in many different skills that arise from infancy to adulthood. The main signs and symptoms of autism involve language, social behavior and behaviors concerning objects and routines.

"Theory of Mind" is a sensitive yet unsentimental portrait of Bill, a college-bound 17-year-old with Asperger's Syndrome. He is equipped with scholastic brilliance but low emotional intelligence; keen self-awareness, but an inability to read social cues; and a charming directness.

He is also uncertain about relationships, anxious about dating and prone to taking everything he hears literally. His outing with a girl from his school becomes a memorable, insightful look at the tugs, shifts and about-faces found on the autism spectrum.

"Theory of Mind" is written by Ken LaZebnik, a veteran Mixed Blood company member whose other writing credits include "Touched by an Angel" and the Mixed Blood-produced plays "Calvinisms," "League of Nations," and "Vestibular Sense," also about a young man with autism.

Holiday comedy show set Nov. 21 at Green Lantern

A holiday comedy show featuring three Minnesota comedians is set at 8 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Green Lantern in Brainerd.

Minnesota comedians Darlene Westgor, who is called Nick@Nite's funniest mom in America; Tom Steffen, who was featured in the 2009 CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival; and Shannon Paul, a semi-finalist on NBC's "Last Comic Standing" will perform.

Dinner and the comedy performance cost $22 or $15 just for the performance. Reservations can be made by calling 764-2323.

CLC students to present 'Donuts, Dogs and Snow'

Central Lakes College's theater for a Diverse Population will present five performances Nov. 18-20 of "Donuts, Dogs and Snow" in the Dryden theater on the Brainerd campus.

The drama is comprised of six short plays that deal with social issues in rural Minnesota.

Theater for a Diverse Population is a course which brings together students with different backgrounds, learning styles and life experiences. Through the use of literature, observation, creative writing, theater games, and theater skills the class creates a theater production dealing with diversity and social issues.

"Donuts, Dogs and Snow" explores the topics of bullying, sexual and verbal abuse, unemployment and the homeless, self awareness and teen suicide.

The cast includes 23 actors, 60 percent of whom have disabilities.

Cast members include Katelyn Amundson and Caleb Nurnberger, Motley; Sarah Bergerson, Backus; Erin Billing, St. Cloud; Emily Carter, Ashby; Laura Desotell, Clarissa; Megan Ergen, Kettle River; Gabriel Franz, Matt Borgstrom, and Emily Jensen, Brainerd; Andrew Kayfes, Deerwood; Stacie Lang, Menahga; Briana Larson, Big Falls; Rebecca Miklesh, Isle; Katie Nier, North Branch; Angela Pederson, Onamia; Zachary Schulz, Fargo, N.D.; Robyn Sillznoff, Crosby; Brent Thorsett, Princeton; Carissa Ulsch, Paynesville; Amanda Warme, Warren; Breanna Yeager, Greensbush; and Christine Zirbes, Parkers Prairie.

The 50-minute production was written by Dennis Lamberson, CLC theater instructor. He said it is based on true stories.

Since 2002 theater for a Diverse Population performances have been presented across Minnesota. In 2006, Lamberson received the International Leadership Award from The Chair Academy for the development of the program.

This year's production is designed for audiences ages 13 and older and is an excellent way to stimulate conversation among families, students, civic organizations and church members on sensitive social issues.

Performances are at 10 a.m. Nov. 18, 21 and 23 and 11 a.m. Nov. 19 and at noon Nov. 20. Tickets are $5 for the general public, and free to CLC students and staff.

To reserve tickets, call the theater box office at 855-8199.

Holiday peacock party set at Jaques Art Center

AITKIN - The Jaques Art Center in Aitkin will host a holiday peacock party on Nov. 14. The art center will be decked out with peacock decorated trees, wreaths and gifts for everyone.

A silent auction begins Nov. 6, featuring Chanhassen Dinner Theater tickets, a quilt, gift baskets and jewelry. Participants may bid on a special gift for Christmas while enjoying an array of art mediums offered by local artists. Each household will receive a 1940 Federal Duck Stamp print by F.L. Jaques, a $90 value.

Appetizers and wine will be served at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m.

Tickets are $100 and are available by calling the art center at (218) 927-2363.

Sidewalk Caf with Rhonda Laurie Grassroots Concert set in Nisswa

NISSWA - The Grassroots Concerts series welcomes the Sidewalk Caf and Rhonda Laurie to the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa for a 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 concert.

Sidewalk Caf is well-known in the Twin Cities and ever-growing in sphere of influence since the release of their first CD. The Sidewalk Cafe CD, "Musette Cinq," is mostly originals and some standards in the style and spirit of Stephane Grapelli and Django Reinhardt and contains solos from all members.

The ensemble features Gary Schulte on violin, Reynold Philipsek on guitar and Jeff Brueske on bass. Rhonda Laurie, jazz vocalist and native New Yorker, joins the ensemble for the Nisswa concert. Together they explore a diverse repertoire of jazz standards, ranging from Cole Porter and Duke Ellington to Leonard Cohen and Alison Krauss.

A veteran of "A Prairie Home Companion," Schulte is one of the busiest and most diverse of Twin Cities violinists, playing over 200 dates a year in 12 different ensembles. Philipsek has played in national rock bands, jazz ensembles and recently released the 25th CD under his own name. An active composer, he contributes many of his own compositions to the group.

Multi-instrumentalist Brueske has studied under jazz bass virtuosos Anthony Cox and Rodney Whitaker, as well as Robert Anderson of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Jazz vocalist Laurie has become well-known as the silky sound threading gypsy-jazz melodies produced by the trio of instrumentalists. They can often be found in the Artists Quarter and at Minneapolis neighborhood bistros like Cave Vin.

Admission is $10 at the door, which opens at 6:30 p.m. Nonperishable food donations for the local food shelf will be accepted.

Volunteer-led Grassroots Concerts are made possible in part by a grant from the Minnesota Legislature awarded by the Five Wings Regional Arts Council. For information call 829-4092, go to www.grassrootsconcerts.org or e-mail grassrootsconcerts@charter.net.

'Curtains' a musical comedy to open Nov. 13

PEQUOT LAKES - Pequot Lakes Community Theatre's fall musical comedy "Curtains" will open Nov. 13 on the Pequot Lakes High School stage.

The musical will have six performances on Nov. 13-15 and Nov. 20-22. The Friday and Saturday shows are at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday shows are at 2 p.m.

"Curtains," the musical comedy whodunit, is based on the book by Rupert Homes, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb and the original book and concept by Peter Stone. "Curtains," presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide in New York, was nominated for eight 2007 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original ScoreScore.

It's the brassy, bright and promising year of 1959. Boston's Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of Robbin' Hood! "a new musical of the Old West." The troubled show has just completed its finale when the leading lady collapses in a heap. After she is rushed to the hospital, the show's authors and producers search the newspapers in vain for a single charitable review. And then the fateful news arrives that the actress is dead. An impromptu funeral ceremony is interrupted by the arrival of a homicide detective, a theatre buff who saw Robbin' Hood! In previews and thinks that the cast are all spectacular performers in on heck of a show that just needs a little work.

Because the actress met her demise on-stage, the detective thinks someone in the company is responsible and surest way to solve the crime will be to keep the entire cast of suspicious characters sequestered in the theatre. And while he goes about solving the crime, he can offer helpful advice on how to fix the show.

Rehearsals of number from Robbin' Hood! Are interspersed with scenes of detection, romance, and maybe a few more murders before the surprising resolution of the investigation is reached (audiences will be sworn to secrecy). Along the way, this engaging combination of musical and mystery, written by modern masters of the form, will entertain on every level.

Call Pequot Lakes Community Education at (218) 568-9200 to reserve tickets. Adult tickets are $12, seniors age 60 and over are $10 and youth age 18 and under are $8. Tickets also will be sold at the door starting one hour before show time.

Great River Strings adds a second conductor

AITKIN - The Great River Strings, which provides string music for Aitkin and the surrounding communities, added a second conductor, Arnie Anderson, local violinist and instrument maker, to their roster.

Anderson will lead the Ripple River Strings beginners group. His focus will be on teaching string techniques and developing skills necessary to playing an instrument correctly. He has written and arranged four compositions for this group. Anderson has invited interested members of the GRS to join the Ripple River Strings in the last part of their practice sessions to give them the full orchestra sound.

The principal conductor of the GRS is Rich Aulie, who is beginning his 11th year as music director. Aulie will now have more time to work with the GRS and the Great River Ensemble which is composed of players interested in pursing more difficult selections.

The fall concerts that will feature the variety of moods created by natures' surprises as the seasons of the year unfold has been set that will include pieces such as "Last Spring" (Grieg) to "Autumn" (Vivaldi) to a "Sleigh Ride" (Leroy Anderson).

Concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at First Lutheran Church in Aitkin and at 2 p.m. Nov. 15 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Onamia. Admission for adults is $8, students and seniors is $5, families is $20 and children under age 6 are free.

Four vacancies on Jaques Art Center board

AITKIN - There are four vacancies on the Jaques Art Center's board of directors in Aitkin.

Board meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the art center. To learn more about the positions contact the executive director at (218) 927-2363.

Mother and son team publish children's book

Ellen Baumgartner and her son Dr. Joel Baumgartner wrote a book called "The Gift," that is available at Book World in Baxter, St. Joseph's Medical Center gift shop in Brainerd and Rainy Day Book Store in Nisswa.

Ellen Baumgartner authors the book and Joel Baumgartner was the illustrator of the book that talks about the true meaning of Christmas.

More spaces for arts and crafts sale in Staples

STAPLES - The Staples Community Center still has spaces available for the annual arts and crafts sale set Nov. 21. To register or for more information call (218) 894-2553 or e-mail Anna Nice at anice@ci.staples.mn.us.

Brainerd students on tour with Concordia Orchestra

Concordia College students in Moorhead - Lise Holte, the daughter of David and Ellen Holte of Brainerd, and Joe Trucano, the son of Charles and Dagney Trucano of Brainerd - will tour with the Concordia Orchestra from Oct. 31 through Sunday.