“A Christmas Carol – The Musical” Opens tonight at Historic Chief Theater

Posted on 12/01/2011 | Comments Off

Head on over to the Historic Chief Theater in downtown Bemidji to see A Christmas Carol -The Musical. 

This is the first show of Bemidji Community Theater’s 30th season and is a collaboration with the Paul Bunyan Playhouse.

The show runs Thurs, Fri, Sat, December 1,2,3 at 7:30pm and Fri, Sat, December 9 and 10 at 7:30pm.  The final show is Sunday, December 11 at 2:00pm.      

A Christmas Carol -The Musical is under the direction of Mary Knox-Johnson with music directed by Karen Bradley and accompanied by Wayne Hoff. This joyous new show from England with music by Piers Chater Robinson and brilliantly adapted by Chris Blackwood is a traditional, vibrant, two-act musical based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens.  The play, written and produced in England just last year, has only been performed in the U.S. on three previous occasions.

Tickets are modestly priced at $12 for adults and $6 for children under 18 and may be purchased at Iverson’s Corner Drug and Ken K. Thompson at the Mall. Tickets may also be purchased at the box office one hour before the performance.

Bring a non-perishable food item for the Food Shelf to the theater, and receive a $1 refund on the price of a ticket.

This production is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

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Posted in Announcements, Arts Projects Grants, Beltrami County, Theater

Bemidji Symphony Orchestra Presents Messiah Holiday Concert, Dec. 6

Posted on 11/30/2011 | Comments Off

The Bemidji Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dr. Beverly Everett, will present its 7th Annual Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 6th at 7:30 PM in the Bemidji High School Auditorium.

Along with selections from the Messiah, a special treat this year will be a focus on the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including a commentary by Dr. Everett on her visit to Mozart’s homeland this past summer. The Holiday concert falls just one day after the anniversary of Mozart’s death.

Oboist Gretchen Rusch will play the first movement of Mozart’s Oboe Concerto. Amanda Boring will sing the Alleluia from Exsultate Jubilate by Mozart, and Amber Joel will sing Rejoice Greatly from Handel’s Messiah—both are vocal students at Bemidji State University.

As is the tradition, audience members are encouraged to bring their Messiah scores and sing along on the choruses.  Musical scores will be provided at the door for those who need them. The concert also includes holiday favorites such as Carol of the Drum by Katherine Davis, Leroy Anderson’s Christmas Festival, and Sleigh Ride, White Christmas and Frosty the Snowman.  Don’t miss this fun evening of music to usher in the holiday spirit!

Tickets are available at the door:  $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $10 for college students with ID.  Children grades K through 12 are admitted free.  For those who hold BSO Season Tickets, the Holiday Concert is included as part of the season.

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Posted in Announcements, Beltrami County, Music

This Thursday: Grant Writing Workshop in our R2AC Office!

Posted on 11/29/2011 | Comments Off

Attention Individual Artists, Non-Profit Organizations, and Schools! Do you have an arts-related project in mind that needs funding?

In preparation for the upcoming grant deadlines, Region 2 Arts Council is hosting a drop-in session and grant-writing workshop on Thursday December 1, 2011 in the R2AC office at 426 Bemidji Avenue in Bemidji.  Drop by our office between 4:30-5:30 p.m. to pick up application materials and discuss which R2AC grants best support your project ideas or plan to attend our grant-writing workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for an in-depth discussion of grant writing strategies and a closer look at grant-specific requirements. The following grants will be highlighted in this workshop:

Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants
Deadline: January 17, 2012
Providing opportunities for arts, arts access, arts education, and cultural heritage activities. Individual artists can apply for grants up to $3,000 and organizations can apply for grants up to $6,000.

Individual Artist Grants
Deadline: February 7, 2012
Supporting individual artists in creating and promoting their art.  Individual artists can apply for grants up to $1,000.

Community Arts Support Grants
Deadline: February 15, 2012
Fostering the development and sustainability of new and existing arts organizations. Based on their annual expenses, organizations can qualify to receive between $4,000 – $12,000 to be paid over two years.

Please RSVP for the grant writing workshop by calling or emailing Region 2 Arts Council, 218-751-5447 / 1-800-275-5447 / staff@r2arts.org.

R2AC grant applications are available at the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601 and for download here.  Contact our office at any time for assistance in the application process.  Projects funded through R2AC’s grants programs should have primary impact on and accessibility to residents of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen Counties. 

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Posted in Announcements, Artist and Operational Grants, Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Region 2 Counties

Bemidji Chorale 2011 Christmas Concert

Posted on 11/25/2011 | Comments Off

The Bemidji Chorale under the direction of Patricia Mason and accompanied by Wayne Hoff will give their 33rd Annual Christmas Concert on Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011 at 3PM and again at 7PM at First Lutheran Church on the corner of Bemidji Ave. and 9th Street in Bemidji.

This year’s concert will begin with literature celebrating the bounty of the harvest and the passage into winter. Arrangements of “Autumn Leaves”, “A ‘Soalin’ “, and ” The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus will lead the listener into more familiar carols of the season.

The organ will be featured in several pieces played by Wayne Hoff. He will accompany the Chorale in “Praise Ye The Lord” by John Rutter and a complex arrangement of “Joy to the World” arranged by Frank Kuykendall.

Audiences will be charmed by the haunting English Horn played by Gretchen Rusch and touched by the premier of “Away in a Manger”, a new arrangement by BSU student John Stewart. The men of the Chorale will sing Bach’s “Glory and Honor are Before Him.”

The variety of the programming is designed to include “Something for everyone!” The community is cordially invited to begin the 2011 Christmas season with music by the Bemidji Chorale. Admission is free although donations to the Chorale will be gladly accepted. Coffee and cookies will be served afterwards.

This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

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Posted in Announcements, Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Beltrami County, Music

Schoolcraft Learning Community to Present its Winter Concert

Posted on 11/23/2011 | Comments Off

On Monday, December 5, 2011 at 6:30 p.m., Schoolcraft Learning Community will present its Winter Concert at the Bemidji High School Performance Arts Center.

The concert  is open to the public, will showcase Schoolcraft choirs, orchestras and French programs, and admission is free.  This activity is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Region 2 Arts Council through funding from the Minnesota State Legislature.

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Posted in Announcements, Arts Projects Grants, Beltrami County, Music

“No Risk” Workshop Funding Available

Posted on 11/22/2011 | Comments Off

Duane Shoup in his "Make a Rustic End Table" No-Risk Workshop, Spring 2011

The Region 2 Arts Council invites individuals and organizations from our five-county area (Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen Counties) to propose workshop ideas to R2AC for direct funding.

No-Risk Workshop funding makes high quality arts workshops affordable for participants and a worthwhile undertaking for artist presenters.

The workshop must focus on learning experiences for adult artists and be open to the public.  Any group that wants to bring in an artist to do a workshop is eligible, as are regional artists who wish to present a workshop themselves.  Proposals are considered on an ongoing basis, but funds are limited, so the sooner you contact us, the better.

Please call our office at 218-751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 or e-mail staff@r2arts.org if you have questions or wish to request a workshop application sent in the mail.  Of course you may also download an application form from our website today!

Encourage creativity in our communities; apply for a No-Risk Workshop grant today!

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Posted in Announcements, Region 2 Counties, Workshops

R2AC Awards Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grants

Posted on 11/21/2011 | Comments Off

The Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) has recently awarded $3,750 through the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Program.  Monies awarded are for arts activities related to its mission of supporting, maintaining, and promoting traditional and contemporary Native American arts in North Central Minnesota.   The grant recipients and information about their projects are listed below.

Bonita Desjarlais, of Bena, received $1,000 to purchase tools and equipment to complete Ojibwe style stained glass projects for display in art exhibitions.

Luella M. Zimmerman, of Blackduck, was awarded $1,000 to purchase materials and equipment to make star quits for sale.

Melvin Losh, of Bena, received $1,000 to purchase a laptop computer, flatbed scanner, software and accessories to digitize photographs to create an online archive of his art and quillwork from the last 37 years.

Clem May, of Red Lake, was awarded $750 to purchase a new drum set to use in performances.

The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative grants program is supported by a grant from the McKnight Foundation. Current AAI Council members are Tom Buckanaga, Mary Guardipee, Douglas Lee, Genny Lowry, Bernice Mitchell, Delana Smith, Debra Warren, Delina White, and Harold “Dunesy” White, Jr.

The next deadline for the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative (AAI) Grant is March 6, 2012.  The next deadline for other grants available is the Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant, due on January 17, 2012.

Applications for these grants will be available in the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601, or call the Region 2 Arts Council office at 751-5447 or 1-800-275-5447 or see the applications and download them here.

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Posted in Anishinaabe Grants, Announcements, Grant Deadlines, Region 2 Counties

Don’t let the January/February Grant Deadlines Pass you by!

Posted on 11/18/2011 | Comments Off

Attention Individual Artists, Non-Profit Organizations, and Schools!
Do you have an arts-related project in mind that needs funding?

In preparation for the upcoming grant deadlines, Region 2 Arts Council is hosting a drop-in session and grant-writing workshop on Thursday December 1st, 2011 in the R2AC office at 426 Bemidji Avenue in Bemidji.

Drop by our office any time between 4:30-5:30 p.m. to pick up application materials and discuss which R2AC grants best support your project ideas.

Plan to attend our grant-writing workshop from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for an in-depth discussion of grant writing strategies and a closer look at grant-specific requirements. The following grants will be highlighted in this workshop:

Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants
Deadline: January 17, 2012
Providing opportunities for arts, arts access, arts education, and cultural heritage activities. Individual artists can apply for grants up to $3,000 and organizations can apply for grants up to $6,000.

Individual Artist Grants
Deadline: February 7, 2012
Supporting individual artists in creating and promoting their art.  Individual artists can apply for grants up to $1,000.

Community Arts Support Grants
Deadline: February 15, 2012
Fostering the development and sustainability of new and existing arts organizations. Based on their annual expenses, organizations can qualify for funds up to $12,000, to be paid in 2 installments.

Please RSVP for the grant writing workshop by calling or emailing Region 2 Arts Council, 218-751-5447 / 1-800-275-5447 / staff@r2arts.org.

R2AC grant applications are always available at the Region 2 Arts Council Office, 426 Bemidji Avenue, Bemidji, MN  56601 and for download.

Region 2 Arts Council strengthens the presence of the arts by supporting opportunities for arts creation, promotion, and education for the people of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen Counties.

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Posted in Announcements, Artist and Operational Grants, Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants, Grant Deadlines, Region 2 Counties

Arts Downtown Park Rapids – Thursday Nov. 17

Posted on 11/15/2011 | Comments Off

The Arts Downtown PR series will continue from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17 in downtown Park Rapids.

Enjoy a sneak preview of Long Lake Theater’s Christmas production, “Fruitcakes,” from 5 to 6 p.m. at Beagle Books, 112 3rd Street West. Musicians Mike Chase and Paul Albright will play their original and familiar folk, rock, country and other selections from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Bella Caffè, 116 3rd Street West. Poet/writer Bob LaFleur will read excerpts from his forthcoming book and some humorous poetry from 5 to 5:30 and 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Blank Canvas Gallery & Education Center, 311 South Main Ave. Alex Ziemann will give an encore performance from 5:30 to 6 and 6:30 to 7 p.m. at The Good Life Cafe, 220 South Main Ave.

Region 2 Arts Council staff will be at Coldwell Banker/Clack & Dennis Real Estate, 101 South Main Ave., to discuss grant opportunities and share effective grant writing strategies. Stop in anytime between 5:30 and 8 p.m., pick up a grant application and chat with R2AC Executive Director Terri Widman about grants and grant ideas.

Third Thursday events are designed to bring audiences to see and hear visual artists, musicians, writers and other artists in businesses in downtown Park Rapids on the Third Thursday of the month. The public is invited to attend and encouraged to make a free will donation to the artists. Contact Lu Ann Hurd-Lof at 652-4081 or luann47@gmail.com.

This activity is funded in whole or in part by a Region 2 Arts Council Grant through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund passed by Minnesota voters on Nov. 4, 2008.

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Posted in Announcements

Bemidji Jazz Quartet CD Release Party Saturday

Posted on 11/11/2011 | Comments Off

members of BJQ

The BJQ (Bemidji Jazz Quartet) will be performing to celebrate the release of their second CD, “Return To Oz” on Saturday November 12th from 7-11 pm at Brigid’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, 317 Beltrami Avenue, downtown Bemidji.

The release party will feature the quartet performing all of the selections from the CD in their entirety during their second set. The music of traditional and contemporary jazz artists along with the projects centerpiece, “The Oz Medley” will be featured.

Members of The BJQ are, Kevin Daley – guitar, Steve Konecne – saxes & flute, Pat Riley – bass and Greg Gaston – drums.

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Posted in Announcements, Beltrami County, Music