Many are called, few are chosen

Iam part of an elite and exclusive club. Most people go their entire lives without having the privilege of even glimpsing this world, this alternative lifestyle. Long cloaked in darkness and occasionally shame, it’s a world not for the faint of heart (or the extremely sweaty).

Yes, I’m talking about being a mascot.

My fascination with mascots started at the delicate age of 35. I was strongarming my way through a group of kids at the State Fair to get to the front of the line to have my picture taken with the Department of Natural Resources mascot — a catfish in full uniform. After all, how often does a gal have a chance to have her picture taken with a 6-foot-tall fish? He was wearing a hat for heaven’s sake; how could I miss that?

My maiden voyage into the mascot culture began in the midst of a cold, fall morn at the University of Minnesota (U of M) Homecoming Parade. The air was ripe with excitement, as I looked forward to my debut as the character who rules the world of crescent rolls and has that recognizable giggle. Yes, I was ready to bring to life the beloved Pillsbury Doughboy.

One of the many details not offered prior to your mascot showcase is that when wearing said costume, you won’t be able to see anything … and I mean anything … at all.

Your only window to the outside world is via the actual smile on the inflatable costume.

This teeny porthole will be fogged up with your own breath in a matter of minutes. Also not mentioned is the fact that it will be unbelievably hot inside the costume and you better not be wearing much more than cotton spankies, a bra and socks.

Let me paint you a quick picture. You’re basically standing naked inside a closed MRI machine, outdoor on an asphalt parking lot in Florida during a record-breaking heat wave. The only sounds you hear are the distant voices of what sound like a school of dolphins, but turn out to be squealing children. These voices help you get your bearings right before you plead with God to take you and end it all.

When I crawled inside the puffy white skin for the first time, I had just one thing in mind: “Get me the hell out of here.” I had no idea how claustrophobic I was until I got all the way in; it was inflated and I was sealed into my slippery vinyl coffin. I immediately backed out, took a few deep breaths, and tried again.

The costume itself is roomy and keeps its shape no matter where your arms are. The sponsors just want you to dance around and entertain people. Take pictures with the tots, hug a few college students, get the crowd whipped up, that sorta thing. Unbeknownst to me, was the fact that everyone (did I make it clear? everyone) you encounter along the parade route will want to poke your belly and see if you make the high-pitched sound the illustrious character makes. Fun fact, the belly button of the costume was located exactly over my crotch.

The entire parade consisted of me hearing the faint phrase, “See if he makes the noise,” only moments before being rushed by drunken frat boys who would ram their fists into my nether regions over and over while laughing like crazed hyenas.

Surprise attacks from behind caused me to teeter into a pile of cheerleaders who wanted to know “if there was a girl or a boy inside there” while they attempted to put a U of M sweatshirt over my voluminous head. Somebody grabbed my arms and wanted to dance which caused me to spin in circles and nearly topple over a concession table. Little kids threw their arms around my marshmallow-like legs and practically dragged me to the ground when they wouldn’t let go. Every once in a while, a strong wind would kick up and cause my costume to act like a sail. I would find myself tipping back and forth like it was Pledge Week at my old sorority and beer was free.

You would think I had learned my lesson after that adventure. However, Round 2 was soon upon me.

I’ve had a pretty extensive background in the theatre arts beginning with my fifth-grade portrayal of a Wiseman in the religious play “Cool in the Furnace.” Not to be confused with my internationally acclaimed debut as a woman playing a man playing a woman in a college performance of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” My one line in that Shakespeare piece opened the play and really was the highlight of the twohour show.

My command of the stage that night is perhaps what led me to my burning desire to share my stellar talent and transform into “Honey.“

“Hi, my name is Honey. Do you think I’m pretty? Would you like to have your picture taken with me?” This is what I found myself repeating endlessly to a tsunami of tradeshow attendees during my second foray into the magical mascot world.

I was performing at the New York Licensing Tradeshow with a few gazillion stressed-out exhibitors. We were showcasing a line of products with inspirational messages targeted to young girls and women. I was a very tall, lime greenhaired doll named “Honey.”

I had a giant tent-like fuchsia/orange shiny dress, big blue paddle hands and huge ballshaped blue feet. My handmade costume was produced in Minneapolis by the same agency who did the Sesame Street characters. I thought I was in the big leagues.

I wasn’t instantly recognizable like most of the A-list cartoon characters, but the Asian attendees seemed especially smitten with me. Everyone wanted a picture. Most likely they were going home and laughing about the weird creature with the enormous head that they had met in the Big Apple.

One of the best parts of the whole adventure was getting to dress in the official mascot changing room. It was an industrial space filled with half-naked, primarily shorter young people stuffing hair dryers into all the orifices of their costumes to dry them out. The preferred clothing inside these suffocating skins was white cotton underwear, socks and T-shirts. Each performer had piles of these items to have a fresh change every time they donned their alternate persona.

Because these sweaty costumes are basically impossible to see out of, you’re required to have a handler when you’re performing. This person’s entire job is to help you maneuver through crowds. The handlers call out directions and alert you to stairs and other troublesome obstacles.

They let you know when there are VIP’s who want photos and they sometimes hold your arm to steady you. Basically, they make sure you know when it’s time to ham it up. Being that I’m 6’1” before I put my costume on, my handler’s main task was helping me get my gargantuan head unstuck from a plethora of low-hanging devices.

Much like the rest of life, there’s a hierarchy among the characters in the costumed world. People immediately want to know your “mascot credentials.” It became apparent relatively quickly that if you were the only person who wore your costume that was custom-designed for you, you were a BDD (Big-Damn-Deal).

If the costume was handmade, you traveled to perform as that character year-round, you had a business card in your character’s name, and you had more than one variation of said costume (i.e. Scooby Doo, NASCAR Scooby Doo, Surfing Scooby Doo, etc.), you were basically Beyonce. I quickly discovered I was low man on the totem pole.

A bottom feeder if you will, all because my costume had an open face. To make matters worse, I just wore it this one time to help out some friends who were exhibiting at the show. Serious performers are completely shrouded in their character’s skin. A costume with a human face showing ruins the illusion of you “being” the character.

I immediately flashed back to grade school and getting picked last for dodge ball when my fellow mascots started questioning me. Do you do this full-time? Was the costume made for you? Do you do any cruise ship work? Do you perform internationally?

Little did I know wearing an open-face costume in the performance world was the equivalent of putting a “Kick me” sign on your back in high school or having someone discover you’re a closet Celine Dion fan. Being dissed by a 4’ 10” teenage girl dressed as a Mutant Ninja Turtle is something you don’t soon forget.

When I admitted I had only performed one other time, didn’t travel with my own handler or have an agent, a hush fell over the room. Once they realized I hadn’t suffered ringworm from sharing a costume or fainted in a theme park, I was basically shunned. None of the Power Rangers would speak to me and Felix the Cat moved his dressing area to the opposite side of the room.

Back to being Honey … my “hair” weighed about 20 pounds. Every once in a while, I would bend over to hug a child and forget that it was so massive, I needed assistance straightening back up. My bulbous noggin also tended to hit doorframes and thrust me backward.

Once that happened, I would tip over like a beetle unable to right myself. That never ended well. Did I mention my open-face outfit prevented any peripheral vision and my big, puffy dress meant I wasn’t able to view my own feet, and I tended to get my snowshoe-sized shoes stuck on all sorts of hazards.

This is also when I learned about the hardcore performers who wore “ice vests” inside their costumes to keep their internal organs cool and prevent them from passing out. Hence the reason those characters you see outside at Disney World Florida only perform for short stretches at a time. You can’t take your head off or pass out in front of an audience. Your handler has to sneak you away to throw up in a back hallway if things go awry.

Sure, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Stuart Little (the mouse) and Miffy the Bunny were impressive, but Scooby Doo with a NASCAR outfit who also works the cruise line circuit was treated like a rockstar. The most impressive creatures were the stilt-wearing army of 10’ tall Japanese robots that made their own scary sound effects and had costumed handlers who looked like Secret Service agents. It was like watching Brad Pitt saunter through the crowd. All action stopped when those gargantuan silver robots stormed the tradeshow aisle.

In the real world, mascots are just dorky fun. Who doesn’t love the giant cob of corn that has to work the mall food court or the roadside Statue of Liberty during tax season?

I infiltrated their secret world, and I had a blast. I can hardly wait for Round 3. 

THURSDAY, MAR 30

Build on this Gesture - North eld-- St. Olaf Collect Flaten Art Museum. Build on this Gesture features eight studio artists currently working and teaching within St. Olaf College’s Department of Art and Art History and Flaten Art Museum. Open during regular museum hours.

Photographic

Journeys - St. Peter-- 1-5 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. See the landscape photography of Jonathan Zierdt, showing during normal gallery hours through March 23.

Beeswax Collage Workshop - Montgomery-3:30 p.m., Montgomery Public Library.

Learn how to turn simple blocks of wood, photocopies, and beeswax into personal works of art. With their lived-in patina, these storyblocks offer endless options to personalize. Free. Supplies provided.

Tony Sammis - Owatonna-- 6-8 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Tony is no stranger to the brewery scene, jamming out all across the Twin Cities with the occasional trip to Florida even. Tony plays the best acoustic jams around.

FRIDAY, MAR 31

Convocation with Emily Ford - North eld--

10:50-11:50 a.m., Emily Ford is an aspiring winter adventurer and thru-hiker based in Duluth, Minnesota. She has completed many thru-hikes in the midwest including the 1,200-mile Ice Age trail, which crosses Wisconsin east to west from Potawatomi State Park to St. Croix State Park on the Minnesota border.

Gallery Opening - Faribault-- 5-7 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. In the Carlander Gallery are works by Jodi Reeb; in the Lois Vranesh Boardroom Gallery are works by Pamela Christensen; in the K&M Gallery are works by Ethan Edvenson and Members’ Corner; and in the Corey Lyn Creger Memorial Gallery are works by Shattuck-St. Mary’s students. Shows regular hours through May 6.

Arboretum Springtime Egg Hunt - St. Peter-- 10 a.m., Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Ave, St. Peter. Search for egg treasures under the branches and down the trails of the Arboretum. Options for kids of all ages, and prizes in the eggs. Kids must be accompanied by adults. Free and open to the public. Snacks provided. Free will donations suggested.

April Fools Shenanigans - New Prague-6-8 p.m., Music from duo Shenanigans and food from Sunny Days Comfort Food. Crazy good vocals.

Rush River

Delta & Little Wing

Dessa - Faribault-- 7:30 p.m., Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Faribault. Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations — her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100-voice choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and top-200 entries on the Billboard charts. Tickets online.

4-H Easter Egg HuntFaribault-10:30-11:30 a.m., Rice County 4-H Building, 1900 Fairgrounds Dr. #17, Faribault. This free event is open to the community and geared toward ages 2 through fth grade. For more information, go to the Rice County Extension website at z.umn.edu/RiceEasterEggHunt.

Phil Berbig - Owatonna-- 1-3 p.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W. Broadway St, Owatonna. Craft beer and live music.

Hops for Habitat

- Northeld-- 7-10 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., North eld.

The full seven-piece band will hit the stage at 8 p.m., with the always fantastic Little Wing opening the show at 7 p.m. This is sure to be a night you won’t want to miss. Two bands and a full bar at the beautiful and intimate historic theater. $15 at the door.

Wicked Garden - Owatonna-- 8:30 p.m., Reggie’s Brewhouse, 220 N. Cedar Ave., Owatonna. Join at Reggie’s Brewhouse for rock hits from the 90s from bands like Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Tool, Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins and many more.

The Play That Goes Wrong-- 7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. What would happen if Sherlock Holmes and Monty Python had an illegitimate Broadway baby? You’d get The Play That Goes Wrong, Broadway and London’s award-winning smash comedy. Shows March 31, April 1, 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m., plus April 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. Tickets online or at the box of ce.

SATURDAY, APR 01

Riverwalk Winter Market - North eld-10 a.m.-2 p.m., 115 Fifth St. W., North eld. Riverwalk Market Fair hosts indoor Winter Markets at the old North eld News Building. Offering unique one of a kind, handcrafted art and crafts, food, and locally grown produce. Don’t wait until the summer to get your Riverwalk x. Last indoor market of the winter.

- Owatonna-- 3-7 p.m., Four Seasons Centre, 1525 S. Elm Ave., Owatonna. Come sample local and statewide beers, seltzers and wines. Live music, a food truck and corn hole will be back by popular demand. Tickets available for online purchase soon.

Gun & Cash Bingo

- Le Center-- 4 p.m., A fun night of Bingo to win cash and guns to support the Le Sueur County Free Fair.

MONDAY, APR 03

Action Figure

Terrariums

- Waseca-- 1 p.m., Waseca Public Library, 408 N. State ST. Teens will create adorable tiny environments for their mini action gures at Waseca Public Library. This free event is exclusively for ages 13-18.

TUESDAY, APR 04

Youth Naturalist Series:

The JamBoyz - Janesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Performing upbeat music acoustically.

Nature Art - Henderson-9-10 a.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. Art about nature; nature made into art. Get inspired as Ney tries some fun nature crafts that bring out your child’s creative side.

Easter Egg HuntOwatonna-- 4-5 p.m., Benedictine Living Community, 2255 30th St NW, Owatonna. Ages 3 and under at 4 p.m. Ages 4-6 at 4:15 p.m.

Ages 7 and up at 4:30 p.m. To be held indoors. Mask required and provided for individuals 3 and over.

WEDNESDAY, APR 05

Health nders Film

Screening - Northeld-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit 2. A free lm screening and panel discussion on youth and mental health, as part of the spring lm festival and in preparation for the Armory Square gala fundraiser.

THURSDAY, APR 06

Minnesota’s Most Haunted Locations

- Faribault-- 6-7 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. Paranormal Investigator Chad Lewis tells us about the many haunted locations in Minnesota in this Legacyfunded event. Are there haunted places in your city? This event will be ASL interpreted.

FRIDAY, APR 07

Convocation with Matthew MacWilliams - North eld-10:50-11:50 a.m., Carleton College Skinner Memorial Chapel. MacWilliams has launched surveys and qualitative research exploring the global rise of authoritarianism and discussed the implications of his ndings for the future of democracy with elected of cials and civil society leaders across the United States, Europe, and Eurasia.

Giant Sorry and Yahtzee - Waseca-1-3 p.m., Waseca Public Library, 408 N. State ST. Turn up the notch on your favorite games with these oversized versions. Free and exclusively for ages 13-18.

Paul StewartJanesville-- 6-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Paul Stewart performs 50s, 60s, country, rock, and blues.

Adult Prom Night - New Prague-- 7-10 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Next Chapter Winery presents their rst ever Adult Prom Night Featuring Singer and looping performer Tony Williams. Don whatever your heart desires, but prom dresses/suites (especially those from the 80’ and 90’s) are encouraged. Cover charge is $5 at the door.

SATURDAY, APR 08

Easter Egg Hunt and Breakfast - St. Peter-8-11 a.m., St. Peter Community Center, 600 S. Fifth St., St. peter. Dad’s Belgium waf es from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., followed by the hunt at 10:30 a.m. Breakfast is $10 in advance, $12 at the door for adults; $8 in advance for kids 6-10 and $10 at the door; kids eat free. All proceeds go to the annual hunt.

Le Sueur Lions Easter Egg Hunt-10-11 a.m., The Le Sueur Lions are excited to be having its annual Easter Egg hunt at the Legion Park and can’t wait to see all kids. The Easter egg hunt is open to third grade (ages 8-9) and younger.

Jeff ReinartzOwatonna-- 1 p.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W. Broadway St, Owatonna.

Jeff Reinartz is a singer/songwriter from Austin, Minnesota. He’s been performing live for over 30 years and is a veteran of several bands. He is now a solo acoustic performer and has released two EPs that were produced by Scotty Rohr at Zension Studio in Austin.

Betty and The NoiseOwatonna-- 8 p.m., Reggie’s Brewhouse, 220 N. Cedar Ave., Owatonna. Bring your dancing shoes.

A Tribute to Roy Oribson w/ Elvis - Northeld-- 2-5 p.m., Grand Event Center, 316 Washington St., North eld. David K rocks The Grand as Roy Orbison, this year bringing along Elvis Presley in this matinee performance. Tickets online.

Scene Steve BoykenOwatonna-6:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Special solo performance by Steve Boyken, half of Ron & Steve Unplugged. Enjoy acoustic pop and rock classics from the 70s and 80s.

Smokescreen - Kasota-- 9 p.m., The Blue Moon Bar & Grill, 300 S. Webster St., Kasota. Rocking the Blue Moon in Kasota, Smokescreen takes the stage at 9 p.m., playing a variety of rock and country music.

TUESDAY, APR 11

Angela Two Stars TalkNorth eld-- 4-5 p.m., In this conversation, Two Stars will talk about her role as the director of All My Relations Arts, a program of the Native American Community Development Institute, in Minneapolis. Two Stars’ artwork is rooted in language revitalization, and she uses her own language journey to share a deeper understanding of cultural identity and healing through the Dakota language. Free and open to all.

WEDNESDAY, APR 12

Geocaching for Bunny Baskets - Henderson-- 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson. Celebrate the spring with one of our favorite animals, the rabbit. Ney will have themed bunny baskets hidden throughout the park for your family to discover and enjoy. At the beginning of your session, staff will send GPS coordinates where your basket is located. Staff will be available on site, but this is designed to be an “on-yourown-adventure.” Tickets online - $12 members; $15 non-members. April 8 and 9 morning and afternoon sessions available.

Community Egg Hunt - Faribault-- 10:3011:30 a.m., Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Faribault. Bring your family and friends to the Shattuck-St. Mary’s School campus to hunt for eggs throughout the campus. Ages 1-11 are welcome to attend.

Easter Egg Hunt - Waseca-- 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Clear Lake Park, Waseca. Location is not nalized and is dependent on weather conditions.

Mitchell Hall & The Tennessee TrioMontgomery-- 7-10 p.m., Revival on Main, 209 First St. S., Montgomery. Mitchell Hall and the Tennessee Trio bring their Johnny Cash & June Carter tribute show.

Music of Buddy HollyKasota-- 7:30 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota. Enjoy the early Rock n’ Roll stylings of the Hoppers and the divine vocal harmonies of the Silver Belles as they travel through the ‘50s and ‘60s and explore the roots of Rhythm and Blues. Tickets available online.

BrandedOwatonna-- 8 p.m., Owatonna Eagles 1791, 141 E. Rose St., Owatonna. Branded performs all the latest hot country songs.

Pints for Pride - North eld-- 5-8 p.m., Imminent Brewing, 519 Division Street South Unit

2. Help the Pride in the Park committee raise funds for North eld’s third annual Pride celebration. Pints for Pride, hosted by North eld’s own Mrs. Moxie, will include fun, games, and a silent auction, as well as opportunities to simply donate directly.

THURSDAY, APR 13

Todd Michael JamesonOwatonna-6-8 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna.

Todd Michael Jameson is a seasoned musician and Rock

Steady Records recording artist, with many years of experience. Along with performing originals and covers as a solo artist, Todd also plays bass in Hawt Beir (Original Rock and Roll). Playing over 175 gigs per year, Todd travels across many genres and entertains audiences of all sizes.

Chick Flicks Trivia Night - Waseca-- 6-8 p.m., The Bar on Main, 100 N. State St, Waseca. Trivia about your favorite chick flicks. Register for free online: facebook.com/thebaronmain.

Gustavus Dance Company in Concert - St. Peter-8-10 p.m., Gustavus Adolphus College, 800 West College Ave, St. Peter. Join in reveling in the ephemeral nature of dance, existing solely in the body, revealing the essence of each moment in all its scintillating beauty and raw, courageous vulnerability. Shows 8 p.m. April 14-16, plus 2 p.m. April 16.

FRIDAY, APR 14

Convocation with Gaelynn Lea - Northfield-- 10:50-11:50 a.m., Carleton College, 1 N College St., Northfield. Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016. Since then, she has captivated audiences around the world with her haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. Gaelynn Lea has opened for Wilco, The Decemberists, LOW, and the industrial rock supergroup Pigface. Masks strongly encouraged.

Gwen Westerman

Keynote Address - Northfield-- 4-5:30 p.m., St. Olaf College, 1520 St Olaf Ave., Northfield. The St. Olaf College

Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community is hosting Dr. Gwen Westerman, Dakota author, artist, and Minnesota’s poet laureate. Westerman’s visit will focus educating the community about the Dakota land that St. Olaf resides on and how St. Olaf can live out its land acknowledgment statement. Free.

Comedy Under The Bridge - Faribault-7-10:30 p.m., 10,000 Drops, 28 4th St NE, Faribault. For $12 (pre-sale) you’ll get four amazing comedians, tons of laughs, and access to stellar cocktails, beer and wine.

Greg Coleman headlines, with Courtney Baka and James Stanley. Drew Hehir is hosting. Tickets also available at the door at $15.

EZ JazzOwatonna-7 p.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W. Broadway St, Owatonna. They play a combination of original, modern, and standard jazz. Stop down to Foremost for an evening of jazz music and beer with friends.

The WildwoodsOwatonna-- 7-9 p.m., Owatonna Art Center, 435 Garden View Ln, Owatonna. Enjoy some acoustic guitar, violin and bass at the Art Center.

SUNDAY, APR 16

Bee Balm Fields - New Ulm-- 7-9 p.m., Grand Center for Arts & Culture, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm. Bee Balm Fields draws inspiration from many different styles of music but has been described as an Indie Folk/Americana band. Karels is a big fan of Willie Nelson, Patsy Cline and Roger Miller. This event is free and all are welcome.

SATURDAY, APR 15

Community Market Fair

- Dundas-- 9 a.m., Dundas Dome, 2033-2198 Cannon Road, Northfield. More than just a home and garden show, join for this year’s Community Market Fair featuring local exhibitors for all your home, garden, lifestyle, health and leisure needs.

Bridal Show - Waseca-- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., The Mill Event Center, 310 2nd Ave SW, Waseca.

TUESDAY, APR 18

Inventor’s Lab - Montgomery-3:30 p.m., Montgomery Public Library. Invent toys using Hanz Inventors Lab kits. These pieces can be rearranged into hundreds of different combinations. Ages 7-12.

THURSDAY, APR 20

Melissa Kugler ExhibitionNorthfield-12 a.m., Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division St. S., Northfield. Found and thrifted puzzles provide the base for Melissa’s dynamic and textural works. Open during regular gallery hours at the Up Gallery.

Habitat Hops & Vine - New Prague-- 5-7:30 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Support Habitat for Humanity South Central Minnesota at this fun event.

Square Dance - Dundas-- 4-7 p.m., Keepsake Cidery, 135th St. East, Dundas. No experience necessary, all are welcome. All you need to do is show up ready to dance and the rest will be done for you. Music by Steam Machine and friends. Dance calling by Ann Carter. Cost is $10; free for kids 11 and under.

Vendors from all around the southern Minnesota area. Swag bags will be given to the first 50 brides through the door. If you RSVP prior to the event your name will go in a second time to the door prize drawings.

MONDAY, APR 17

Finding Clara Author Talk - Northfield-7-7:30 p.m., Northfield Public Library, 210 Washington St., Northfield. Join Jeri Fuller for a presentation on the genealogical journey that culminated in a book, “Finding Clara.” The titular Clara was born in 1875 in Northfield. A Q&A and book signing will follow.

Montgomery Farmers Market-- 4-7 p.m., The Revival on Main, Montgomery. The final 2023 indoor Montgomery Farmers Market before the weather warms up.

Pollinator Gardens - Faribault-6-7 p.m., Buckham Memorial Library, 11 Division St. E, Faribault. In the third part of a four-part gardening series, master gardener

Lisa Reuvers presents how to put together a pollinator garden. Registration is requested at 507-334-2089. The program is free.

Los T - Janesville-- 5:30-8:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Los T offers Tex Mex music.

Dosh - Faribault-- 6 p.m., Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, 515 NW 2nd Ave., Faribault. Martin Chavez Dosh, better known mononymously as Dosh, is a multi-instrumentalist based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Industrial Hemp Talk - Northfield-- 6:307:30 p.m., Northfield Public Library, 210 Washington St., Northfield. Tom Michaels is a Professor with the UMN Department of Horticultural Science. His research projects focus on plant breeding and genetics of horticultural and specialty crops. During his 40-year career, he has released 25 new crop varieties, mostly dry edible beans, and is currently working toward the release of new industrial hemp, sweet sorghum, lettuce, and dry bean varieties.

Tell Me A

Story - St.

Peter-- 7:309:30 p.m., Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Ave., St. Peter. A collection of individuals volunteer to tell stories, up to 5 minutes long, on a given topic. This will be the second in a four-part series for 2023 at the Arts Center. The third and four parts are Oct. 12 and Nov. 16. Topics to be announced.

FRIDAY, APR 21

Deuces

WildKasota--

6-9:30 p.m., Chankaska Creek Ranch, Winery and Distillery, 1179 E. Pearl St., Kasota.

Sing, clap, laugh and drink along with Dave & Ted: Deuces Wild. For over 19 years they have traveled coast to coast in the USA, Canada, Panama, and Mexico as the most sought-after dueling piano act in the country. Their highenergy mix of comedy, music and extensive audience participation makes this a show unlike any other. Tickets online.

Bryce Leppert - Owatonna-6-9 p.m., Owatonna Elks, 126 E Vine St. Enjoy some live music at the bar.

Amy Manette BandNew Ulm- 7-9 p.m., Grand Center for Arts & Culture, 210 N Minnesota St, New Ulm.

Amy Manette has an amazing dynamic range unmatched by most singers. She has a powerful, soulful voice but can also sing with great tenderness. She’ll perform with Brad Holmberg on electric and acoustic guitar, Andrew McNamara on piano, Ethan Pinto on six-string electric bass and upright acoustic bass, and Marvin Topp on drums and vocals. Free and open to the public.

Messier Marathon - Kenyon-- 7 p.m., Cherry Grove Observatory, 8485 520th St., Kenyon. A Messier Marathon is an attempt to find as many Messier objects as possible during one night. The Messier catalogue was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 18th century and consists of 110 relatively bright deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters).

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Owatonna-- 7:30 p.m., Little Theatre of Owatonna, 560 Dunnell Dr # A, Owatonna. George, a professor at a small college, and his wife, Martha, have just returned home, drunk from a Saturday night party. Martha announces, amidst general profanity, that she has invited a young couple — an opportunistic new professor at the college and his shatteringly naïve new bride — to stop by for a nightcap. When they arrive, the games begin. For mature audiences. Tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for students. Purchase online or at the box office.

SATURDAY, APR 22

Earth Day

Celebration

- Northfield-12 a.m., Northfield. Northfield is offering a weekend of celebrating Earth Day, including a Sip n’ Swap at Imminent Brewing Thursday night 6-8 p.m., a Contra Dance from 7-10 p.m. Friday night at Armory Square, and music, speakers, food, exhibitors and more all afternoon at Bridge Square Saturday.

Tree Jamboree - Henderson-- 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Ney Nature Center, 28238 Nature Center Ln, Henderson.

Welcome to the Tree Jamboree, an exciting new Earth Day event at Ney celebrating the beauty and importance of trees in our environment. This event is filled with fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy, with live music, delicious food, arts and crafts, informative booths, tree plantings and more.

Cannon Valley Farmers MarketNorthfield-12-3 p.m., Bridge Square, Northfield. The Cannon Valley Farmers’ Market is focused on local foods and farm products.

Adam Moe

- Owatonna-5:30-8:30 p.m., Mineral Springs Brewery, 111 N Walnut Ave, Owatonna. Adam Moe is a fiddler and singer/ songwriter based in Duluth, MN. In 2012, he started the folky-tonk duo Pushing Chain with then partner Boyd Blomberg. For the next eight years, Pushing Chain toured the US and Canada, playing venues big and small and gaining fans the oldfashioned way — face to face, one at a time.

Marv and Kaat - Janesville-- 5:308:30 p.m., Indian Island Winery, 18010 631st Ave, Janesville. Enjoy live music with your food and drinks.

Matt Hannah - Owatonna-- 7-9 p.m., Foremost Brewing Cooperative, 131 W. Broadway St, Owatonna. Matt Hannah is a Minneapolis-based folk Americana singer-songwriter. His third fulllength studio album House of Illusion (March 2022) charted on NACC 200 and was lauded as a “standout album” by WVIA Host George Graham.

Carpenter’s Close to You - Faribault-7:30 p.m., Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave N, Faribault. Singer and playwright Lisa Rock has compiled a moving tribute to the music and life of Karen Carpenter and brings it to the stage with her 6-piece backing band.

SUNDAY, APR 23

Wedding Fair - New Prague-- 12-3 p.m., Next Chapter Winery, 16945 320th St., New Prague. Join for a day of celebration, food tastings, live music, and of course, wine and beer, as you work on securing the last of your wedding details! This low-pressure, small-scale wedding fair is meant to help bring couples and vendors together in a relaxed, casual, and fun environment. Free to attend.

Sean BenzKasota-- 4-7 p.m., Westwood Marina Bar & Grill, 1400 Lake Washington Access Rd., Kasota. Come and join me for three hours of great fun.

TUESDAY, APR 25

Northfield Hospital Auxiliary Book Fair- 5-9 p.m., One of the biggest book fairs you’re likely to find, this event runs for five days: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday. Free books are then given away from 1-3 p.m. Saturday.

WEDNESDAY, APR 26

Ag Career Exploration - Waseca-- 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Farmamerica, 7367 360th Ave, Waseca. Our Ag Career Exploration days are designed for students in seventh and eighth grade. The event explores all six sectors of the Minnesota career wheel and shows how every sector connects back to agriculture through a hands on experience. Professionals in ag-based careers teach the sectors and talk about their jobs to students. Open to all; pre-registration at jdelnay@ farmamerica.org or 507-835-2052.

Do you want to submit an event to this calendar? Send details to editor@ southernminnscene.com.

Did we miss something? Let us know! We may still be able to get an important event on one of our weekly pages that run in the newspapers.