Scene dec 2014

DECEMBER 2014 - southernminnSCENE.com

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204 2nd Street South West, Waseca, MN

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Call for information & Reservations: 507.835.1146 After 4pm: 507.467.1610

204 2nd Street South West, Waseca, MN 507.833.8756

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204 2nd Street South For Reservations: 507.461.1387

204 2nd Street South West, Waseca, MN 507.833.7540

Call for information & Reservations: 507.835.1146 After 4pm: 507.467.1610

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DECEMBER 2014 / VOLUME 2 / ISSUE 12

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12

Yes, MaxScene, there really is a

Lucky Santa Clause

C

es you to make your is myme to assist you. the 80-20 itrule hristmas favorite reading now, but honestly for a 5 peak. For example, if I’m not is when effects holiday. sure if80% it’s of the year old girl to sit on Santa’s lap and ular job, youbecause would go come 20% of the it’s near myfrom birthday havecauses. him hand her a gift was really profession, then rulelights, applies to amagical. number of (Dec wait 11) or if this it’s the ning the to come along. things, where I am to the Santa Christmas presents, the family time,and the one tree area In addition saidor dream job, it certain of it exists the overwhelming feeling love is contests. that wasn’t enough), my Eve visitIt(ifmeans m the as luck, 20% of at thethat people that 80%put out cookies and foroutside humankind that happens sisterenter, and Iwin would s working to my get favorite. of the prizes. we allmilk know in time, hard but it’s Christmas forsomeone Santa (cause like, obviously the 20%.

You know he that person whoback with more gifts is also where a lot of family tradiwas coming e two kinds luck.and raised is always fricking winning stuff?be I hate tions areofborn to become and would hungry). No matter k, which isn’t really those people! no we I don’t. big strong traditions that get passedJust kidding, how early woke up on Christng everything you canafter(Yes I do.) No I don’t…well ok maybe a down generation generation, mas morning, we woke up to a half ant,each get where you it their little.

If you see them putting name and a massive one making own. eaten platetheir of cookies nowing how or when to in, you know there’s no point in putting In our family, the big guy in the amount of new toys under our tree. ace when the opportuyours in, because they will wIN! It’s scIred suit is a huge part of our family’s It was an awesome sight. It was so an grab it. the last part eNce! tradition. My parents (as well as my awesome in fact, that my sister and Because I think a lot of oh, I almost forgot about the 3rd kind aunts and uncles) did a phenomenal I made my parents put “Santa gifts” r their dreams, finally of lucky. that is, the Daft Punk kind that job of convincing us that Santa was a under the tree after we were sleepty and don’t go after you apparently have to wait up all night real guy who lived in the North Pole, ing well into our high school years for, and win Grammys. that’s a speflew a sleigh with the aid of reindeer because wePatrick’s loved it so much. Eventue other kind of luck, cial rare kind of lucky. this st. and after delivered presentsDay, to every allyyou, mom finally it’s said to us, we’re not 4 t chase – which I hopekid. luck finds whether had an answer to every question They doing that anymore, Yes, MaxScene, there really is a ance. have you ever because you worked for it, you’re in the all the presents

we(aka had.the How does every mall havestayed up areall under the:-)tree right now. (Cue 0 rule Pareto 20% or you night.

Santa Clause. a Santa?

Those my16 year old sad face). re not familiar, alloware Santa’s helpers, and they report back to him what What I’m trying to say is, it’s ok 6 everyone wants. How does Santa get to believe in Santa. There are people Loose ends from 2014. into houses with no chimneys? He that believe in ghosts, in aliens and

can shrink himself and fit through Bigfoot. Out of all those things, beNew! See a any keyhole. How does he get to all lieving in Santa seems like the most 7 InDon’t addition Land view ininto the houses one night? The sleigh is legit, and least harmful. be to the MSP Airport, Holiday hits (and misses). to Air Express now offers multiple daily super-charged and can fly really fast. afraid to let your kids believe.

And the tunnels trips from Mankato to Rochester and INTRODUCES YOURreal for them. My Well ok then, this dude MUST be real. INTRODUCES to make the story YOUR 8 Southern MN destinations in between. at C11!

On Christmas Eve, my whole family Christmas memories are some of the Convenient Mankato shuttles are still available (aunts, uncles, cousins) would be at best ones of my childhood and every I’ll day to and from the Minneapolis International Airport. our house and “Santa” would come. never look back and wish that it was We take a look at just a few young Southern MNand Connection To prep for Santa, all the kids would different. You’re only once SoMinn holiday celebrations.

Mall of America - Saturday Daytrip ($35) Mankato -can’t Rochester (Cites inbewteen) $5-$20 go down into the family room and Promo MOASAT once you stop believing, you Code: Book 3-31-14.

4-30-14 listen to the radio. The radio statobycall it a Travel-by10% ever get it back. I refuse 12 Online Discount Roundtrip tion would play sleigh bells and say lie, it’s a story, for children, in the inPromo Code: ltasmart14  Mall Of America - Saturday Daytrip ($35) that Santa was in the neighborhood. terest of creating something magical Promo Code: MOASAT We would be SO excited! Finally, he for them, for memories they’ll have

A closer look at the Merely would arrive, with his red suit on and for a lifetime. And there’s nothing ter Players. his bag full of gifts! He would come rible about that. in and we’d sing some songs for him 16 and then he would pick presents out anage Museum Check out our top SoMinn people of his bag and each child would sit

to watch in the coming year. on his lap and claim their gift. I laugh

16

MaxSCENE Column

26 Amy’s TV Crush

SoMinn State of Mind

28 The TimeLine

No Apologies

Celebrating the Season, SoMinn Style Christmas & the Community Theater

People to Watch in 2015

18 Chasing the Light 507-625-3977

50 Sibley Got a question about sex, love, romance or the meaning of life?Parkway MaxSCENE Mankato has

phanagemuseum.com landtoairexpress.com or call an answer. Giver her a shout atVisit maxSCENE@southernminnscene.com

St. Olaf professor profiles Cloud Cult in recently published book.

20 A Designer Closet

emOval ng

Fearless fashion to wear in Minnesota for the winter warrior.

22 A Dog’s Tale

Meet the star “Stormin’ Norman”.

.

18

‘Twas the Prime Time before Christmas.

The SoMinn’s most comprehensive calendar of things to be SCENE.

42 Outdoor Adventures

A mighty climb to the end of the road.

4 4 Devour

The sights, sounds and smells of

the holiday...

4 6 CD Reviews:

• Ehrhardt show that she belongs on ‘Live My Life’ • Matthew Griswold’s upbeat, optimistic Travelin’ to the Grave • Flaming Lips squash the Beatles with tribute.

• The Ericksons bring a little more light, and electronics, on Bring Me Home.

• Toki Wright makes his best work while reminding us that we all come from the same place on Pangea.

50 The Bearded Life

Maybe this year will be better

than the last.

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Publisher & Editor: Rich Larson, 507.645.1104, rlarson@southernminnSCENE.com Calendar listings: 507.333.3130, editor@southernminnSCENE.com Advertising: Northfield/Lonsdale/South Metro - Lauran Rott, 507.645.1110, lrott@northfieldnews.com

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RICH LARSON

Rich Larson is the publisher and editor of SouthernMinn Scene. You can reach him at rlarson@ southernminnscene.com.

SoMinn State of Mind

Loose ends from 2014

T

here were three columns I should have written this year, but didn’t. And if you’re waiting for my promised evisceration of the NFL and Roger Goodell, this isn’t it. Stay tuned. I plan on unveiling that one to coincide with the Super Bowl.

No, I should have written a tribute to three people who have either meant the world to me, or helped shape my life in fundamentally positive ways.

Well, two people. One dog.

In January I had to put my dog down. His name was Billy. He was a 120 pound yellow lab; the biggest lab I have ever seen. He was mostly muscle with a tail that could clear a coffee table and knock two toddlers three feet across the floor all in one joyously excited swipe. He was also dumb as a bag of hammers, and I think he liked it that way, too.

All labs are genuinely friendly and happy animals, but Bill never had a bad day in his life. Everything he experienced was the greatest thing that had ever happened, no matter how often he’d done it before. Every trip up to Nana and Grampa’s cabin was AWESOME! That tail would be moving nonstop as he tracked some sort of field critter through 14 acres of doggy amusement park. He loved ice, whether it was cubes from the freezer or the early March chunks he would scrape off the deck. He loved winter and the snow, and he loved summer and the water. We used to walk the cross-country trail on the St. Olaf College campus that essentially runs right through a nature preserve with two separate ponds. No walk was complete without 10 minutes of coaxing him out of both those ponds, because swimming was the greatest thing ever.

Until, of course, I produced a tennis ball.

Right after the holidays, he started having seizures. The vet said it was a brain tumor, brain lesions or kidney failure. All of those things were headed in the same direction, so we made the toughest decision I’ve ever been a part of. You should have heard him in the car on the way to the

vet that day. Being in the car was the GREATEST THING EVER. I’ve never known a better companion. He was everything you could ever want from your dog and so much more. I miss him terribly, and I am so grateful for the twelve years he was in our lives.

Losing Bill right after the holidays was really hard. Unfortunately, he wasn’t the only one who was getting sick.

That cabin Bill loved so well - the one my inlaws own - is where we spend the holidays every year. Last year at Christmas it was obvious that my father-in-law wasn’t feeling all that great. What wasn’t obvious was just how bad he was feeling, and how soon he’d be gone.

Jerry Olson, my wife’s dad, was a giant of a man in both stature and personality. He liked everybody to think that he was an old-school tough guy, but the gruff personality he loved to display was a complete sham. This man’s heart was enormous.

My brother-in-law’s friends used to call him TGM – Tough Guy Marshmallow. If Big Jer had a hard time keeping his opinions to himself, it was only because he had such an incredibly strong sense of right and wrong. It was something to aspire to, really. He was one of the most honest men I have ever known, with more common sense and integrity than I would have thought possible (traits he passed down to his children and, I hope, his grandchildren). I loved that, despite his Norwegian Lutheran upbringing, he couldn’t help but wear his emotions on his sleeve.

He was a true Minnesota outdoorsman who really loved hunting and fishing. It wasn’t necessarily for the hunt itself, though. Jerry loved the camaraderie of his hunting and fishing buddies. I have no doubts that, after he passed away in April, he looked at his all the compatriots who had preceded him to the other side and said “Ok. Let’s go fishing.”

This year hasn’t been all about loss, however. It’s also been about celebrating the most remarkable discovery of my life. I was an adopted kid, and on

Labor Day of 1994, I was able to make contact with my birth mother, Elizabeth, a graceful, unassuming, amazing woman from Kentucky. We’ve been in touch now for twenty years, and it has been one of the most rewarding relationships of my life. She lives in Louisville with her wife Nancy (my birthstep-mother) and is the executive director of an organization for GLBT teenagers. Through her, I’ve gained three cousins, two aunts, and one redneck uncle, none of whom I can ever get enough of.

She’s given me what I call “Kentucky Roots,” which include (among other things) my love of bourbon, horse racing, My Morning Jacket, and UK Basketball. She’s helped me understand why I am the way I am. She’s incredibly smart and even more loving.

I take her for granted and then wonder how that’s possible during one of our too-infrequent visits. I have such deep admiration for her strength, her wisdom, her kindness and her patience, but above all I find her selflessness to be staggering. She made the single most impactful decision anyone has ever made for me about my life, and it was without question the greatest thing anyone could have done for me. It’s put me here, with amazing parents, the greatest brother and the greatest sister ever, and a wife and two daughters whom I cherish more than anything. I would have none of them if not for Elizabeth’s courageous decision. And now, twenty years after that first six-hour phone call, I have her, too. I am a lucky, lucky man.

This column is maudlin, sentimental and overly long, and I must thank you for allowing me the indulgence. But the point to all of this is that there is nothing more important than family, in whatever form it may take. If there is one time of year when we should all take stock of that and appreciate those closest to us, this is it. 2014 has taught me that lesson in spades.

To you and yours, SoMinn, the crack staff at the plush and secret headquarters of SouthernMinn Scene wishes you a very merry holiday season and an even better 2015.

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Gift cards and great gifts need a potato masher or carving board? How about a Fair Trade Market basket?

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Holiday Hits

E

ven a cynic like me gets swept away by the holiday season.

The razzle. The dazzle. The glitz and the schlitz. The Grinch!

Frosty! Rudolph! The jingling of bells and the savory of smells.

(Did I just write that?!?). Most of all, I love the music. For realzy. It’s the one time of year I get excited to sit down at the piano and plunk out the holiday jamz. Crack open my decades-old book of Christmas classics and play them all from cover to cover (along with vocal accompaniment, of course). Fa la la la la, la la la la! The chestnuts roasting on the open fire, and boughs of holly decking the halls, the angels that are heard on high. That holiest of nights.

My favorite song OF ALL TIME is “Let It Snow!” and I delightfully (and perhaps a tad defiantly?) sing it all year long (and I can belt out a darn good version, if I do say so myself). There’s something about all those classic holiday tunes that automatically get me into the spirit of the season.

That said, beyond the “classics,” I really hate holiday music. Really, truly.

Nothing curls my toes more than having my ears bombarded by the latest holiday muzak release from Boyz To Men. Or Amy Grant. Or Susan Boyle. Or Barbara Streisand. Or Mariah Carey. Or...(yes, I could go on and on and on....). Is it my age? Am I a total traditionalist? Am I simply stuck in the mud? I ask you, Why oh why do we need yet another Christmas CD from sappy pop stars of yesteryear and today???

Seriously. Think about it. It’s like remakes of your favorite movie. Why did Tim Burton need to re-make (errr, “reboot”) “Planet of the Apes” -- when the original series is SO DARN GOOD and the original series is still immensely relevant and frightening?!? Why did Ron Howard and Jim Carrey feel compelled to bring The Grinch “to life” -- when the 1960s animated version still continues to rock our socks off?!?

In that same vein, please oh please, no more sugary pop, over-thetop versions of “Santa, Baby” -- please, I beg you! Madonna (or Taylor Swift or, worse yet -- Ariana Grande!) trying to emulate Eartha Kitt pretty much killz my buzz. Big time.

Each and every year, the music industry’s “biggest names” try to milk the depths of our collective thirst for nostalgia with their own signature gravy train of holiday tunes. Why the annual onslaught of mind-numbingly derivative music, cranked out solely for purposes of commercializing the season?? I say, stop the madness.

Don’t get me wrong.

I appreciate my share of parodies. Barking dogs and croaking frogs and chirping chipmunks? Sure, it’s all fun and games for a listen or two. But shortly thereafter?

Guaranteed to make me wanna fill every darn stocking with nothing but leaden lumps of coal.

I’ve worked in retail for many years.

I also work at a radio station (surprise, surprise) and at some point in the season, we’re

MUSIC

JESSICA PAXTON NO APOLOGIES

(and Misses) Burl Ives and (the afore-mentioned) Eartha Kitt. Brenda Lee. Frank and Deano and Sammy. Elvis and Ella and Johnny Mathis and Nat King Cole! And who doesn’t love themselves some Motown holiday hits?!? Furthermore, what a sad

a time or two during the season. But pretty much other than honky tonk heroes Trailer Trash (quick plug -- DO NOT MISS THEIR ‘TRASHY LITTLE XMAS SHOW’ at The Grand in Northfield on Dec. 12! Bringin’ all the glitz and glamour guaranteed to make even a grumpy Grinch like me grin with glee!) and Sufjan Stevens (yes, ‘tis true’), I hate *new* Christmas music.

And while I’m at it. No more Mannheim Steamroller. Or that darn Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ‘Nuff said.

So, with that in mind, here are my top fifteen (or so) holiday albums: • Ella Fitzgerald: Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

• Johnny Cash: Christmas With Johnny Cash • Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr.: Christmas With The Rat Pack • Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker • Bing Crosby: White Christmas

The Ventures: The Ventures Christmas Album • Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass: Christmas Album

• Various Artists: Christmas Cocktails • Elvis: Elvis’ Christmas Album • George Winston: December • The Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas

Jessica Paxton, is the host of KYMN’s “All-Wheel Drive,” weekdays from 4-6 pm on 1080 AM and streaming online at www. kymnradio.net. Feel free to contact her at jessica@ kymnradio.net. You can also follow her on Twitter @callmejpax.

• The original soundtrack from “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (years ago, I stumbled upon a CD recording of the 1966 original television broadcast, all the music and the complete narration

by Boris Karloff. Solid gold. I play it from start to finish every Christmas Eve on KYMN Radio.

Gather the kidlets together and tune in around 5:30 pm or stream online at kymnradio.net) • Sufjan Stevens: Songs for Christmas (hey, what can I say, I’m a hipster wannabe!)

• Louis Armstrong and Friends: The Best of Christmas Songs • Beach Boys: Christmas With The Beach Boys • And last but certainly not least, Phil Spector: A Christmas Gift For You “required” to play holiday music.

24/7. For the most part this can be torture. But not so much if you stick to the classics. I love me some Perry Como and Bing Crosby and

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holiday soundtrack it would be, without a whole lotta Vince Guaraldi and George Winston. And I’ll admit to spinning “Do They Know It’s Christmas”

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Oh, and one more request on my holiday wish-list: Please, for the LUV OF GAWD, do not start playing holiday music until after Thanksgiving. Seriously, people.

Demonstrate a modest amount of decorum.

Now, get off my lawn!

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Celebrating the Season,

SoMinn Style Holiday Lights

Holiday Lights

Cars travel through the lighted tunnel at the Kiwanis Holiday Lights as the rest of Sibley Park shines behind it last week. The park is lit up for 33 nights this Christmas season. Photo by Pat Christman

By GRACE WEB gwebb@northfieldnews.com

W

intertime in Minnesota conjures up all sorts of scenes: pristine snow coating the streets, kids sledding down hills, rosy-cheeked carolers and snuggling in front of crackling fireplaces with a mug of steaming hot cocoa. But of course, the best part of wintertime is the holidays—and their celebrations. Here in southern Minnesota, there are countless holiday events, and we’ve found some of the best for you and your family to enjoy.

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Northfield’s Winter Walk Every December, Northfield, Minnesota transforms into a winter wonderland. The city’s downtown is strung up with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, and visiting shoppers can meet Santa, take a ride in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, listen to carolers and check out the deals offered by dozens of shops along Division Street. It’s all part of the city’s annual “Winter Walk” event, one that draws hundreds of participants every year.

“You’re almost overwhelmed by the amount of activity going on,” said Event and Membership Manager Jane Pausch.

“It’s just an explosion of extrasensory delight.”

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Holiday Train Photo by Kristopher Grunert

According to Pausch, Winter Walk started in 1998 as a way to draw area businesses together and encourage people to support their community. Businesses can sign up to participate, which means they’re included in the event’s program telling visitors what to explore. It’s free to participate, but businesses are asked to contribute towards the event’s expenses—Pausch said it isn’t cheap to put together every year.

There are also local sponsors who pitch in to fund certain events like the opening lighting ceremony.

Pausch said the event has grown and changed over the years as events were added. Two years ago, they started hosting the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, which includes an address by Northfield Mayor Dana Graham and a performance by the Northfield Middle School choir. The organizers also started offering strolling musicians, Santa and his elves and other kid-friendly winter characters. Other activities, such as Main Street Moravian Church’s chili feed and interactive Nativity, have been going on since the event began.

Not every change has worked out.

One year, organizers tried to expand the carriage ride route, but it was too hard to weave around events. And while bringing in live penguins sounded whimsical, it turned out that the birds were too energetic to control.

Organizing such a large event takes a lot of volunteers, ranging from high school students to area nonprofits. Pausch said the committee starts planning the event in the spring, but things really get rolling in September.

“It takes a lot of work and a lot of cleanup work, but once it’s up and running, it’s really majestic,” she said. “Even though it’s a lot of work and everybody’s exhausted, once you see everything, it’s certainly gratifying.”

Pausch said last year, more than a thousand people attended—so many that they’re thinking of expanding the event to a full weekend instead of just a Thursday night.

This year’s event will be on Dec. 11 from 4-9 p.m. For more information, visit visitingnorthfield.com and click on the “Things to Do” tab.

The New Prague European Christmas The outside of the New Prague Ballroom might not look especially impressive to shoppers arriving on Dec. 7, but once you step inside it’s an entirely different world: one of Czech folk dancers, Slovak beeswax decorations and dozens of vendors selling gift items from across Europe.

It’s New Prague’s yearly European Christmas event, which has been organized by the local Czech Heritage Club since 2009.

According to co-chair Deb Ziskovsky, the club had the idea to start hosting such an event when members noticed how there were holiday choir concerts but nowhere

Winter Walk

for the local Czech folk dance group, the Domácí Dancers, to perform. They decided to start hosting an event where people could celebrate their heritage and community.

“We know that people are diverse, so instead of just having a Czech Christmas program, we decided to make it a European event,” she said.

She added that it’s grown over the years. For the first year, it was held in the New Prague Community Center, but there were so many participants that they had to move to the ballroom. They’ve also branched out from only local performers to other ethnic groups from around Minnesota. Last year, they received a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council to offer stipends to performers, so they’re able to bring in professional groups from the Twin Cities, though they also still invite local performers.

This year, organizers have invited Polish folk dancers, Czech folk dances, Bavarian dancers and the New Prague Czech singers, among others. There are also going to be wood burning and egg decoration demonstrations.

“Every year, we try to add some different things,” Ziskovsky said.

A big part of the event is the shopping.

Ziskovsky said the club hand-picks vendors to invite during the months leading up to December, in order to provide a variety of products for shoppers to browse. Some vendors come every year, while the club also finds new vendors to invite.

Ziskovsky said the event is organized by club members and local volunteers, such as the local Boy Scout troop, and the commit-

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tee spends all year planning.

“As soon as one year is done, we start searching and organizing entertainment and demonstrators,” she said.

The event is free, but shoppers are asked to bring food for area food shelves.

“They’re always very happy with what we give them, so apparently we must raise enough,” Ziskovsky said with a laugh.

She added that about 300-400 people come every year, and organizers are hoping for even more this time.

“People should check it out because it’s a great opportunity to see a diverse showing of vendors and an opportunity to

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see European-style dancing and entertainment that they would not normally see in this area,” she said. “There is something for everyone, and you can spend the whole day there. The things you see there are not going to be something to see at your local store.”

This year’s event will be on Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the New Prague Park Ballroom. For more information, visit the club’s website at www.czechheritageclub.com and click on the “European Christmas” page.

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European Christmas

The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train

European Christmas From 9

Mankato’s Kiwanis Holiday Lights Display As far back as the 1940s, Mankato’s downtown would light up like a Christmas tree every December, with colored Christmas lights and paper lanterns hung along the streets. But by 1980, the city’s lights had become too old and unsafe to hang.

Facing budget constraints, the city decided not to continue its winter tradition, and the vibrant downtown went dark.

Years later, the Mankato Kiwanis Club decided to fix this.

According to Kiwanis Vice President Kyle Mrozek, club members wanted to create an event that would become a Mankato tradition and also give back to the community, since Kiwanis is a service-oriented organization. After seeing light displays in other cities, members decided to create something in Mankato’s Sibley Park.

“It became apparent that this could fit the bill and be a huge community event that Kiwanis could stake its name to,” Mrozek said.

After nearly two years of planning, members turned on the lights for the first time in 2012. The display featured more than one million lights, including a tunnel cars could drive under and a section that would blink in time to music that could be

played through car radios. The event was free, but people were encouraged to bring canned food to donate to local nonprofit organizations.

Now, only two years later, the event has already attracted 250,000 visitors, raising $60,000 and more than 30 tons of food for area food shelves.

The event has grown, too. At first, Kiwanis members bought lights and used old Christmas displays from area cities’ events.

Now, there are trees that dance around in circles, a 30-foot-tall Santa’s toy factory, an Armed Forces display, animated light displays, ice skating, reindeer, an opening night parade and lighting ceremony, trees decorated by area nonprofits and more.

Mrozek said this year, the club is adding a 19-piece Nativity set and an animated snowball fight, as well as adding more to the music program, since that’s a fan favorite (even though it takes 15-20 hours just to program a two-minute song).

All this adds up to more than eight miles of extension cords, but, thanks to the use of only LED lights, it only costs about $30 a night to light everything up—adding up to about $1,300 for the 34 nights.

That’s not to say the event is cheap to put on. Kiwanis members fundraise throughout the year to be able to afford it, and they depend on volunteers and sponsors. Mrozek said last year, it took more than 7,000 hours of volunteer time to organize everything, with more than 100

people volunteering every weekend for the month leading up to opening night. About 75 nonprofit organizations, as well as about 50 businesses, help, with 20-30 people volunteering every night of the event to operate it. It takes another full weekend just to tear things down in the beginning of January—and then the planning process begins all over again.

“It’s a huge community undertaking,” Mrozek said, adding that the city of Mankato has been very supportive as well.

“It’s turned into exactly what we’re hoping for. You get so many people that help, and they take ownership of it. That’s what you want: you want the community to say, ‘This is ours.’”

The display lights up the day after Thanksgiving—this year, it’ll be Nov. 28.

The first night features a parade at 6 p.m. and a brief lighting ceremony around 7 p.m. The lights will stay on until Dec. 31.

People can drive through or walk through, but Mrozek suggests walking since wait times for the line of cars can stretch to more than an hour. No matter how you explore it, though, he says it’s definitely worth the visit.

“The cool thing is, you hear from a lot of people how this has become their new tradition,” he said. “That’s when you know this is truly an event that we can be a part of.”

For more information, visit www.kiwanisholidaylights.com.

Ten months out of the year, the Canadian Pacific rail company ships everything from coal to sugar across Canada and the United States. But starting in midNovember, two of its trains are covered in thousands of holiday lights and transformed into the CP Holiday Train, North America’s longest rolling food bank fundraiser.

According to rail spokesman Andy Cummings, the company started its holiday train in 1999 after employees started suggesting it as a way to raise awareness for those suffering from hunger in the areas where the train traveled.

“Hunger is an issue that affects their neighbors,” Cummings said. “We launched a train… to raise money, food and awareness and put on shows to support local food shelves.”

The company actually sends out two trains, one that travels across Canada and one that travels across the U.S. Between the two of them, they manage to go nearly coast-to-coast across North America, traveling as far east as Pennsylvania and as far west as Canada’s Port Coquitlam. Along the way, they make stops in 150 communities, putting on performances by guest musicians, as well as the company’s house band.

A typical Holiday Train visit includes a brief ceremony involving local food bank officials and about half an hour of traditional and modern holiday-themed songs.

The event is free, but people are encouraged to donate food supplies. The train doesn’t actually collect any food donations; instead, local food banks collaborate with Canadian Pacific employees to organize collections when the train rolls in. Then, when the train leaves, all donations stay in the community for local distribution.

“It’s a beautiful train and a great opportunity for people to donate to a good cause and have a good time in advance of the holidays,” Cummings said.

The train runs from mid-November to mid-December. In the 16 years it has been running, the program has raised about $9.5 million and 3.3 million pounds of food.

This year, the train will be coming to several Minnesota locations, including La Crescent, Wabasha, Hastings, Winona and the Twin Cities. To find out more information, visit www.cpr.ca/en/community/ holiday-train.

Grace Webb writes for the Northfield News, the Lonsdale News Review, and is a frequent contributor to SouthernMinn Scene. You can reach her at gwebb@northfieldnews.com

European Christmas

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Shattuck-St.Mary’s

Faribault, MN Fesler-lampert perForming arts series

* tu Dance thursday, December 4, 2014 Founded by Toni Pierce-Sands and Uri Sands, both former dancers with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, TU Dance is celebrating their tenth year by bringing their dance works of “buoyant energy and amazing grace” (Dance Magazine) to the Newhall Auditorium stage. Uri Sands’ awe-inspiring choreography brings together a variety of dance styles including traditional, ballet, West African, modern and streetwise American dance. www.tudance.org Adults $15 • Students $9

Starting

acoustic roots music series

Together

Coming in January:

cHarlie parr

January 8, 2015 Adults $15 • Students $9

siX mile groVe Adults $15 • Students $9

SSM Box Office: 507-333-1620 www.s-sm.org • feslerlampert@s-sm.org All pricing: Adults $15 • Students $9 All Performances at 7:30pm in Historic Newhall Auditorium.

Childbirth Education District One Hospital

January 22, 2015 * “This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota

StarƟng Together is a 4-week prenatal class to educate pregnant women and their partners about labor and delivery. We will discuss what happens during the hospital stay, infant care and breast feeding.

Are You Ready to Kick the Habit? on November 4, 2008.”

Classes are recommended for expectant mothers who are 23 to 32 weeks gestaƟon.

Classes should ideally be completed by 36 weeks gestaƟon. Mothers planning for a delivery at a facility other than District One Hospital are welcome to aƩend.

Upcoming Classes - 2015 (Wednesdays | 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.)

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200 State Avenue · Faribault, MN 55021 Phone: 507.334.6451 www.districtonehospital.com

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The Merely Players’ ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’.

Christmas the & Community Theater

By Amanda Dyslin amandadyslin@gmail.com

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alf a dozen would-be cast members of the Merely Players’ “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” circled the stage, waiting for their next cue.

“Act like you’re 80 years old,” the director would say, prompting them to hunch over and walk slowly and stilted.

Some pretended to be holding canes.

“Now act like you’re 2 years old,” he said, to which those auditioning became even more unsteady on their feet, wobbling around and falling to their hands and knees.

“Perfect,” Director Seth Rausch said with a laugh.

The exercise itself – as well as the age range of those performing it, 43 down to 10 years old – proved quite the interesting parallel to the rebirth of the community theater troupe itself. A few years ago the Merely Players was hardly a poster group for multi-generational theater.

The 32-year-old troupe had somewhat of a stigma

attached for being a group of seasoned regulars. Theater veteran Jonas Nissen said not everyone in the troupe was especially welcoming when he came aboard a few years ago to perform in “Night of January 16th.”

“The perception for many people was that it was kind of a closed community that wasn’t always the most welcoming,” said Nissen, who holds a Ph.D in theater arts and has been involved in hundreds of productions and various companies. “To a certain degree, that was absolutely true.”

The role of community theater Nissen took over as the Merely Players artistic director in 2012. He had great respect for what the community theater had done for the past three decades, but he had also a different vision.

“I strongly believe in the value of community theater and that its value is dependent on cross-generational support and encouragement,” he said. “This is truly a community experience, where people come together to create art with and by the community.”

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Merely Players’ Creative Director Jonas Nissen.

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Beyond just entertainment, community theater benefits all of those involved, he said, including through emotional support and encouragement. There should be a place for a variety of individuals, whether it be a role on stage or as a member of the support team.

One of Nissen’s goals has been to nurture actors and coach them into becoming better at the craft.

“It is a place for people to experiment -- to come to learn and to develop and grow,” he said. “That means that sometimes we have to start people slow and work them into smaller parts and develop them into bigger parts.”

But at the same time, the Merely Players’ stage in the Lincoln Community Center isn’t meant to be viewed by an audience as strictly a training ground for amateurs.

“The product is not inherently poor; community theater can actually be quite good performance art,” Nissen said.

“For that reason, certain people don’t get cast.”

Success in these areas has been measured in a variety of ways. The cast and crew are having fun. Actors are coming back to audition again and again, but they’re also seeing new faces for each production.

“We’ll find a place for anyone in the theater,” Nissen said.

All aboard Nissen’s vision of what community theater should be was apparent during the Christmas production’s auditions.

For one, the man in charge, Rausch, is 22 years old, the youngest director Nissen has ever put in a directing position. Then there was the roster of those who signed up to audition: a range of ages, and a range of experience in theater. There were also newbies to the Merely Players’ stage, as well as returning actors.

The youngest to audition, 10-year-old Skyler Davis, was also one of the more experienced. She already had roles in the Merely Players’ “James and the Giant

Seth Rausch, Director of the Merely Players’ ‘Best Christmas pageant Ever’.

Skyler Davis in the Merely Players’ production of ‘The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe’.

Peach” and “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” At the time of auditions, she was also gearing up for her debut on the Minnesota State University Theatre & Dance stage for “Our Town.”

Skyler remembers being nervous to take the Merely Players’ stage for the first time, despite being so outwardly witty and personable. One of her favorite aspects of the experience, she said, was working with actors a lot older than she was.

“It was really fun to learn and have them help me out,” Skyler said.

Taylor Anderson, 24, isn’t surprised to see the youngsters coming back to audition. Two years ago he acted in his first Merely Players show, and that has turned into nine productions in a row. And for every show he’s been in, there’s been a wide variety of new faces at auditions, he said.

“It’s great to see,” he said.

Many of the new Merely Players have served as ambassadors the past couple of years, attracting others who want to be a part of the troupe, too. Nora Lybeck, for example, a Merely Players newbie at the recent auditions, had seen her friends act in the troupe’s children’s theater productions, so she wanted to take part this time.

Rausch came on board in much the same way. Two years ago, Rausch knew the director for “James and the Giant Peach,” which is what led him to act in that production and now he’s moved up to directing.

One of the best aspects of being involved has been the camaraderie, Rausch said. The group “does everything together,” Raush says, including movie nights and even attending other theater performances when they can fit it into their schedules.

“It’s definitely multi-generational, and it’s a huge family feel,” Rausch said. “And we love to see all the new faces.”

The Merely Players’ Best Christmas Pageant Ever will run at 7:30 p.m. on December 5, 6, 12, & 13 and at 2 p.m. on December 6, 7, 13 & 14.

For tickets and information visit www.merelyplayers.com, or call 507-388-5483

Amanda Dyslin is a freelance writer in Mankato. She can be reached at amandadyslin@gmail.com.

Happy Holidays Holiday Open House

December 12th · 2-4pm · in our lobby

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Free, but limit one per customer, please.

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tive, just because we felt more open I guess and we kind of knew everything was almost already there, so when we wrote “Bring Me Home”, the title track, that was just kind of us playing music in a room together and it kind of just like piece by piece came along, so yeah, way more collaboration this album.

What brought you back [to MN] from Brooklyn? (The LaCrosse natives started out their music career in Brooklyn when Jenny graduated from college, eventually moving it back to MN).

B - I think we always knew that NY wasn’t going to be a permanent residence, and then I fell in love with my husband who’s Minnesotan through and through, he’s just very rooted here. [Bethany’s husband works at Gustavus.]

We kind of talked about it and saw the Twins Cities as an awesome option for the music so I moved back here first.

J - And then I followed it and it was just kinda, it was such a good...Minnesota actually has such a nice, amazing music community that, I mean, I forget now that other places don’t have the radio that we have and the culture and people that are actually willing to support local music.

You know?

Did you record both of your last albums at April Base (Justin Vernon’s studio in Fall Creek, WI)?

B - Yeah we did The Ericksons, Jenny Kapernick (left) and Bethany Valentini (right)

How did you make those connections?

With the Bon Iver /Field Report guys?

A Conversation with The Ericksons

By SARAH OSTERBAUER editor@southernminnscene.com

were older songs, like the second track on the album “Go On” was a song I wrote 8 years ago, it was kind of a simple folk song and then a lot of lyrics were old.

he first time I heard a song by folk-duo, The Ericksons, it was via their video for “Gone Blind” upon which I had stumbled through the great internet tool that is youtube. Right away it was clear that there was something special about these women. Their sound has a lovely antique store texture while carrying modern cadence and sensibility. On their new album, Bring Me Home, they have infused their signature vintage sound with electronic elements. I met with sisters, Bethany Valentini and Jenny Kapernick over beer and french fries at the Blackbird Cafe in Minneapolis, to discuss the new album, their southern MN connection, and if they ever get star struck.

B - Yeah that’s true.

T

When did you start writing your new album? Are these old songs? New songs? All stuff that came to you within the last year?

Because I feel like your last album came out not that long ago J - No it didn’t, which is really weird. It was like January 2013 and this was September 2014. Some of the songs

J - Just a lot of lyrics that never made it onto past songs or any other records, those lyrics kind of came back into play. Last fall a year ago now, we hunkered down for two months. We pretty much lived in the same house together with our husbands and Bethany’s little one and just hunkered down and wrote and played.

J - So yeah we were just in this basement studio and we wrote in our mornings and nights, writing. and writing together for the first time too. So it all kinda happened quickly in a weird way.

That was going to be my next question.

Is one of you the primary writer?

J - Bethany writes more of our material than I do. She’s definitely the primary writer and then we kind of just bring whatever we have to the table and then write it together.

B - We’ve never written so much together, like I suppose on the last album I wrote 7 songs…

B - So three years ago when we did our first album called Don’t Be Scared, Don’t Be Alarmed we recorded that in Madison at Smart Studios with Beau Sorensen (that’s the guy we made everything with pretty much). ...We connected through Beau from when we recorded in Madison and then we came back to record “The Wild’ [their 3rd album], he had done a little work with Field Report, maybe with somebody else too? Maybe, I’m not sure, so he had a connection just to the studio, so when we were looking for a place he said that could be a possibility if you guys want. And also he said, I know this pedal steel player who could be great for you guys and that was Ben Lester (of Field Report), who has played on both albums and then it was Ben who said, I know someone who would really love your music and that was Sean Carey (of Bon Iver). So it was kind of like, one to one to one. That kind of equation.

Cool.

B - Yeah, it was funny when we were going to record The Wild. Beau said that April Base was a possibility...it took us like weeks or maybe even months to decide. We kind of look back and see how funny that is because an opportunity like that is pretty cool and we were like, real iffy about it. We were like well, we’ll see, if there’s a better spot, if something else feels more right or if-- you know? Then it was like, “what are we doing?!” You know, Beau works out of Portland and he just kind of travels to wherever. His parents live in Spooner, WI and we were like, we could record it at his parents house or...we were weighing all of them equally!

[Jenny lets out a squealing laugh.]

J - And then one day we were just like “Umm we should probably do it there.”

J - Probably more than that like, 8 songs

B - I just remember when it hit me, like it’s great that we’re so true to the music and so true to whatever we do, but at some point it’s just like hello!

B - I don’t know, whatever! But this was more collabora-

J - That really explains Bethany to the ‘T.’ She will do

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anything that’s true to our music and what feels good and rarely will it ever be for a professionally smart reason.

Bethany laughs.

J - No I stick to that!

B - Oh ok I see what you’re saying.

J - Because you are deeply rooted in the music, in the heart of it.

Haha! You don’t give a shit whose studio it is! It’s all about what feels right.

J - She doesn’t actually! I mean, with April Base, we’ve recorded there three times now because it felt amazing those times. We did the first album and then for the second album we went two other times...There is this like, kind of like power behind it or mystique? It’s amazing, but it’s also like, we continue to go back for where we were at and it felt good for Beau. It’s funny. I just mean that with her it’s completely about the art and completely about the vibe. I think that’s why we were weighing out everything like ‘Justin-who was here?” [Laughs] What kind of feedback do you get from fans?

J - I think one thing at the release, literally almost every person that came up to say hello, said, “I was crying” and I just said, “Good!” because for me the best thing in the world is when I go to show and just cry. You know when multiple people said it made them cry, I was just like, ‘oh gooood.” It’s good to feel something.

B - It’s all felt pretty appropriate. You know when someone hears something about your life and they connect with it, that’s what it’s about. The entire release show I cried ...

B - If it doesn’t hit them in that way, it doesn’t hit them at all.

J - it’s true!

Were you guys familiar with Field Report or fans of Sean [Carey] or Bon Iver?

B - Definitely big fans of Bon Iver Do you get star struck? You seem pretty grounded.

B - We’re pretty grounded, I mean it was cool when we met Justin, I think out of that whole crew that was the only one where we were like [makes wide eyed face] J - The most starstruck I ever was when I saw Viggo Mortensen. Like all the music stuff it’s like they’re all musicians so it’s like oh hello Justin, hi Sean. Annnd they’re from Wisconsin, so it’s like whatever….

I saw Viggo Mortensen driving, he drove up next to us!

B - We were on Sunset Blvd J - He was wearing a hockey jersey and I literally screamed and then burst into tears.

That’s so awesome.

Is there anything in particular that you want people to know about the album?

J - I think with the [new] album...it’s about finding home both emotionally and physically. And we just came by it so honestly.

B - Yeah I guess I would say that our first and foremost goal is just to connect with people, kind of in the way that we have, you know, in a real way.

J - Like you said earlier, people either get it on this deep level, or maybe they miss it and that’s ok! We played a show in Winona and this guy came up after, it was a bar, it was late, he was probably drunk and all he said was, “do you like music?” And he was at the show, in the front row. I think he maybe got nervous or something. Then his friend came up and he said, “I just want you to know, we don’t usually come here, it’s kind of a hipster bar, but then my friend told me we should come hear your music and first song I was like, that was kinda weird. Keyboards? That was kinda weird. I’m an alt country/country rock guy, but then, it was cool. And we liked it. We stayed for the whole thing. I wanted you to know.” I was like, thank you! It was hilarious.

Is there anyone that you want to collaborate with, big or small?

J - Mines probably different than yours [motions to Bethany]. I would love to make music with Jeff Tweedy.

B - You know who mine is? Dangermouse!

J - [Laughs] That totally encapsulates our music!

Sarah Osterbauer is a die-hard music lover. When she does her budget each month, food comes after concert tickets. Find her on twitter @SarahOwrites.

Simeon Rossi (left) and Mark Schiller (right), the founders of Loon Liquors.

The Loonshine Guys

By Julee Daniels editor@southernminnscene.com

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their product has helped them become an award winning distillery. Loonshine was awarded a silver medal in the “light whiskey” division at the prestigious Washington Cup Spirits competition this past summer.

Currently Loonshine is sold in over 100 liquor stores in Minnesota. As we head into 2015 there are several things to watch for from Loon Liquors. Whether you are a knowledgeable whiskey drinker or novice, take some time to look up www.loonliquors.com so you can find the liquor store located closest to you that carries Loonshine.

Next, settle in your most comfortable chair, invite some friends, and sip on a fine whiskey while waiting anxiously for the newest batch of Loonshine to be released.

Remember the mentioning of the organic botanicals earlier? I was privileged and honored (and super excited)

uring my time with the owners of Loon Liquors the first thing I noticed was how we were laughing and at ease. I know you may be thinking, “of course you’re laughing and at ease; you’re sampling whiskey.” While there may be some truth in that, Mark Schiller and Simeon Rossi really do have that effect on you and it’s not just the Loonshine.

Loonshine is their award winning whiskey that these two men distill and bottle right here in Southern Minnesota. They have taken their mission statement which reads, “To craft the most delicious spirits from organic, local suppliers while quantifiably improving social and environmental sustainability, and throwing in some humor from time to time” and put that mission to work in creating a fine whiskey and a successful business.

Mark and Simeon are friends that grew up, went to school and graduated from Northfield High School. They are true Northfield “Townies” and therefore it made sense, based on their love for the community, that they chose Northfield as the location for the distillery (this gives them the distinction of being the only distillery in Southern Minnesota). All but one of the grains used to create such a masterpiece as Loonshine are obtained from a farm a short ten miles down the road. Sustainability, community support, using organic ingredients, and being mindful of the environment have been incredibly important pieces of the business to these two whiskey wizards.

In fact, it costs a mere $10 a month to light the building.

Having never been to a distillery, it was hard to know what to expect. I can tell you it was bright, clean and (as you can imagine) there was a great deal of whiskey. The grain room held organic ingredients: un-malted barley, malted barley, wheat and some botanicals (I’ll get to that later). I noticed as we were walking how excited and passionate Mark and Simeon were about the whole process.

It’s a good thing Simeon has a college degree in biology because it takes quite the education for distilling excellent whiskey. I was told that the most important part of the distilling process is temperature control, but from talking to both Mark and Simeon, it seems that every stage of the game matters. The two things that I found most interesting, other than taste testing the Loonshine, was the milk tank and the recycling of the water. They truly take their mission statement seriously.

Mark and Simeon’s obvious passion for what they do combined with the compelling nose and superb flavor of Bottles of Loonshine.

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past year’s achievements. One of his favorite and most financially rewarding shoots wound up on a billboard in New York as well as on all the taxi cabs. In addition, the reputable list of companies Tyler has done work for is across-the-board. He has been seen in campaigns for Gillette, Lee Jeans, Remington Shaver, Joseph & Banks, along with modeling in advertisements for Target, Wilsons Leather, Oakley, and Under Armour. He has even starred in a Miller Lite commercial. His motheragency is out of Minneapolis, but in addition he works with the famous Wilhelmina Agency. According to Tyler, “Anyone who is aspiring to be a model has heard of Wilhelmina.” He is also with Next Model Management.

Tyler gives credit for his recent accomplishments to being part of two of the most respectable agencies, an extensive portfolio, and a look that, much like his success, has grown. A model’s career is unpredictable. Tyler’s athletic, educational, and professional reputation clearly shows he is a driven individual, and given the year that he just had, it is safe to say we can expect great things from him. Regardless if modeling is in his future, he plans on pursuing his Master’s degree in Divinity. Simply put, Tyler’s plans for 2015 are to, “start my master’s degree, love Jesus, and love my wife.”

Autumn Van Ravenhosrt is a staff writer for SouthernMinn Scene. Reach her at autumn.vanravenhorst@gmail.com

Tyler Turner.

SoMinn’s accidental model

By Autumn Van Ravenhorst autumn.vanravenhorst@gmail.com

L

et us all take a moment in the name of sincerity, free of all clichés relating to how we don’t believe in stereotypes, and ask ourselves what it takes to be a male model. I am sure I am not the only one who pieces together a perfectly symmetrical bone structure and chiseled abdomen, along with what some would call “empty space” sitting atop the shoulders of this masterpiece. And let’s not forget, these individuals have somehow had it easier than the rest of us and work in an industry that requires little to no effort at all. Is my depiction a bit harsh? Maybe, but I tend to be more candid than most. Though Northfield native Tyler Turner currently works as a male model extraordinaire, he is much more than a pretty face.

Breaking the mold of these male model stereotypes, including my somewhat exaggerated portrayal, Turner has an extensive background in both athletics and education. One boxing

career and a football scholarship later, Turner pursued an education in Criminal Justice.

“That is what I went to school for but I had no idea what I was doing,” says Turner, and I am sure many college students can relate. After receiving his degree Tyler moved on to another unforeseen part of his professional life: modeling. While that wasn’t something he thought about growing up, he has had tremendous success. And he does fit at least one feature of my male model depiction, that being his overall striking good-looks.

Contrary to popular belief, male modeling is anything but easy. “If you have an opportunity to be a model or become involved in acting, it is going to be tough. It is very competitive. It is going to be years before you make a legitimate living. In the beginning, I did not make a living and it was tough to get by. The last couple years, especially this one, I have financially been able to provide for my family,” says Turner. He explains that he will sometimes go three months without working. Luckily, that has not been the case in 2014 which has been his best year yet.

“God has been great,” says Turner, who is very passionate about his faith, in describing his

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Working the still.

From 15 to sample Mark and Simeon’s latest creation: Gin. It’s not your everyday, piney gin. The delightful and aromatic botanicals used in the distilling process create that feeling of old-school, 1920’s style gin. I almost felt sophisticated as I sipped on Metropoligin. Let me tell you, this gin has some legs and is quite smooth.

Schiller and Rossi started their research into distilling whiskey four years ago. The journey, while still young has created a work of art with much more to look forward to. When you have the bottle of Loonshine in your hand take a look at it closely. Read the writing on the back of the bottle.

It reads “Always think of others”. These two have it right. When you care about the environment, the community that supports you, and those around you anything is possible. Not to mention how delightful life is with a snifter of Loonshine in your hand.

Julee Daniels is a freelance writer in Faribault. Contact her at editor@southernminnscene.com

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By Autumn Van Ravenhorst autumn.vanravenhorst@gmail.com

“Y Little Shop of Horrors.

DalekoArts comes of age

ou know, I don’t know,” said Ben Thietje when asked why New Prague has such a large following of theater junkies. In a town of roughly 8,000 that already has two existing performing arts centers, and now a third being recognized for their recent success, it is no wonder we are all interested in what DalekoArts has to offer.

Ben and his wife, Amanda White, founded the theater in 2012 and serve as the coartistic directors. This non-profit theatre has no full time staff and runs strictly on volunteers and professional actors from the Twin Cities. “We prefer they be from the metro as part of our mission to provide a high-quality theatrical performance,” he said.

Now, my entire family is born and raised Minnesotans, but I still had no idea what the name “Daleko” means or where it comes from. According to Ben, it’s a Czech word that means “far-away” and this refers to their spatial relationship to the Twin Cities which is seen as the cultural center. Ben said, “We are in New Prague, it is a Czech community. We wanted a bohemian-background name from the roots of this place.

We searched for something that would make sense in that regard and also something that reflects our values. We work with local artists, keeping close ties to the performance hub that is the twin cities, that sort of thing.”

The troupe is moving to its third location in its third season, but this is a space that Ben hopes to be in for years to come. DalekoArts originally began in the Middle School and from there they moved to what Ben described as a “really small oil mechanics garage.” This hurt them a bit as the building could only fit an audience of forty. But no

longer will attendees be sitting in a place where they once had their snowmobile serviced. Instead, it will be in an eclectic old cinema located on Main Street. “It is perfect, it has a great marquee,” said Ben. In addition to their new location, this arts and education center hopes to expand their education sector in the coming year.

Taking in both experienced and completely unskilled individuals of all ages, Ben hopes to add an adult theatre appreciation class. This class would consist of group rides (hello, adult field trip!) to the Twin Cities to see shows and later come together and elaborate on what truly makes theatre good and not-so-good. They also offer an improv class and something that caught my attention, a stage combat class. This class teaches kids how to sword fight on stage, like a Shakespearean tragedy. Or, as Ben so eloquently described, “If someone has to punch another person. There are safe ways to do that on stage.”

What truly makes DalekoArts unique is their location and overall mission. “One of the reasons we started here is we wanted to decentralize the professional theatre scene in the Twin Cities. For those who don’t live right in the Metro, we wanted to give access to smaller communities. We are working with a core company of actors. Some places still do that, most don’t anymore. We tend to keep that company going so we have a good consistency in our work,” said Ben. The new season will begin for DalekoArts with at least 75 season ticket holders — and those were sols before the shows were even announced! The first show of their 2015 season, Main Street Holiday, will be held December 5th through the 21st and a comedy, Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park, will hit the stage in March. But, what I will most definitely be reserving seats for is titled Always Patsy Cline, which can be seen in early May. Autumn Van Ravenhosrt is a staff writer for SouthernMinn Scene. Reach her at autumn.vanravenhorst@gmail.com

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St. Olaf professor profiles Cloud Cult in recently published book

St. Olaf College professor and author Mark Allister.

(Submitted photo)

By KEVIN KREIN kkrein@northfieldnews.com

B

ecause I apparently like to listen to music, people often suggest to me bands or albums that I should check out. More often than not, I don’t do it—partly because I am a self-absorbed jerk, and I don’t want somebody else’s questionable taste infringing on my own.

Also, I don’t have all the time in the world to sit around listening to everything that is pushed my way.

If I am given a suggestion of something to check out, I usually respond with, “I’ll take it under advisement.” If that person ever follows up with me, and I never got around to listening, or even thinking about listening, I will say, “Yeah, I haven’t really absorbed that one yet.”

As a professor of both English and Envi-

ronmental Studies at St. Olaf College, Mark Allister first heard of the band Cloud Cult around seven years ago. It was some of his students that suggested he should listen to the band, if not for their music, at least for their renowned ethics, something that is practically unheard of within the music industry.

And much like myself Allister neglected to take his student’s advice.

It was a few years after that when the band performed on the St. Olaf campus. Allister was again encouraged to take a listen.

He finally conceded, and as he did more reading on the band, he said he found himself drawn into their music, their compelling back story, and more importantly, their environmental and ethical principles.

I had originally heard of Cloud Cult roughly around the same time as Allister, coincidentally, though not through the recommendation of some hip St. Olaf students, but that other place where middle class

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white folk go to learn about contemporary popular music—89.3 The Current. I believe it was a track from the band’s effort “The Meaning of 8,” and not to sell their sound short, but at the time I kind of filed them away as a heavily orchestrated, post-Arcade Fire indie rock band.

However, after speaking to Allister, and using something called “The Internet,” I learned that the band has been operating in some capacity for nearly two decades, slowly growing their following on both a regional (they are originally from Duluth), as well as a national level.

As Allister got to know more about the band, their unassuming front man Craig Minowa, and his wife Connie (the band’s visual artist), he was impressed by their abil-

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ity to function without major label funding.

Cloud Cult self-releases all their records and has built its audience in many major cities by word of mouth, along with the assistance of both college and public radio.

One of Allister’s previous books, “Refiguring The Map of Sorrow,” tackled how one can use art to overcome grief and it is here where the world of a college professor and a college rock band converge. The Cloud Cult “story” really begins in the early 2000s, with the unexpected passing of the Minowa’s young son and the subsequent grief that was poured out into the band’s break-

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From left to right: 89.3 The Current personality Mark Wheat, Connie Minowa, Craig Minowa and Mark Allister. (submitted image)

through album “They Live on the Sun.” Then later, revisited on the “The Meaning of 8.”

Allister said he knew that there was a story to tell — that he could tap into both on an academic and a human level, which is how he shaped what became his new book, “Chasing The Light: The Cloud Cult Story,” published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Having never really written about music before, Allister challenged himself with creating a small essay about the band, then decided to contact the Minowas directly, sending them a package, including his books and a letter outlining his plan. And even after exchanging more than 100 emails, it is not until the last chapter of the book when Allister finally meets the Minowa family, as he documents a “day in the life of Cloud Cult,” at a 2013 concert in Madison.

Allister recently reconnected with Minowa and the rest of Cloud Cult at an event held at the Amsterdam Bar. The band was on hand to perform an acoustic set; Allister gave a reading from the book to a “rapt crowd” as he put it; and then he held a

The cover for Allister’s book, “Chasing The Light: The Cloud Cult Story,” available from the University of Minnesota Press. (Submitted image)

Q&A with Minowa, facilitated by 89.3 The Current on-air personality Mark Wheat.

On the event, Allister said that the vibe at the Amsterdam was “incredible.”

“I really had fun talking about the book and the process with Craig,” Allister reflected the day after the event. “The audience really dug it...Fans were so appreciative that I had written a book about the band, whereas I’m so appreciative that I had the opportunity, and that there are fans out there who care.”

“An absolutely amazing night, and one that I never thought would happen to me and one I’ll never forget.”

The story within “Chasing The Light” came together through just about a year’s worth of email exchanges between Allister and Craig Minowa, an intensely private individual who makes great strides to remain humble despite his band’s relative success.

“It’s an intellectual book for a book about an indie band,” Allister quipped, indicating that the story within the book is more of a narrative than gossip, or an “inside story that nobody knows about.”

“It’s more about life issues. Philosophical issues. Religious issues.”

Allister feels that the band’s music and their ideals are inseparable, and that a bulk of their fans do not make a distinction either, because the messages are so prevalent within Minowa’s songwriting.

“There was something about that song.

Something about Cloud Cult.”

– Mark Allister

Cloud Cult fan Jodi Ostendorf with her husband Mike. (submitted image) A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

I think it goes without saying that if you are a fan of a specific band, you’re pretty passionate about them and their music. In reaching out for fan testimonials for the book, Allister was flooded with messages.

I, too, reached out for fan testimonials for when I was preparing to write about Allister writing this book—aka, I reached out to anyone who would listen, using the power of social media.

In some cases, I found people just have very specific memories of a time in their life associated with the music of Cloud Cult. In other cases, I found that people were more interested in the band’s ethics and “green living” and could care less about the music.

And then in other cases, I found out that there are people who REALLY like Cloud

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Cult.

Using Twitter to source fan testimonials, an acquaintance of mine responded and she put me in contact with a close friend of hers.

Jodi Ostendorf also came to know of the band via “The Meaning of 8,” when she was introduced to it by her boyfriend (eventually they married.) She said there was just something about it that resonated with her: “It started with the lyrics, particularly their exploration of how to come to terms with the loss of their son. Just a few years before I’d lost both of my grandmothers, who were mother figures to me, and while it’s not the same (can there be anything worse than the loss of a child?), a deep loss will break you down and something about their music told me it didn’t have to break me forever.”

Jodi and her husband used the Cloud Cult song “Hope” during their wedding ceremony. She said that a few weeks later, she received a note from their officiant saying “she had never felt something so powerful in all her years of marrying people.”

“There was something about that song,” Ostendorf said. “Something about Cloud Cult.”

“Chasing The Light,” Allister stresses, is not just for fans of the band. His hope is to introduce the casual fan of the band to an album they may not have listened to yet, or to introduce Cloud Cult to an entirely new listener. Or, that readers will connect with the book because “it’s a captivating story.”

Kevin Krein writes the Southern MN Scene column “The Bearded Life.” He also is a general assignment reporter for the Northfield News.

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Winter Warrior:

Fearless Fashion in

Personal Shopper JOANN JONES Joann Jones is a personal shopper based in Owatonna.

For more information on her services, contact her at adesignercloset@gmail.com.

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Cardigan

“Better together” freepeople.com

Minnesota T

he colder weather is approaching this year with a delayed entrance. I don’t hear any complaints, do you?

Predictions are for less harsh conditions this year (or so we anticipate) yet in the meantime, lets plan ahead by arming ourselves with the warmest, most stylish fashions out there! While these trends are good-looking some are certainly cut out to be worn indoors around our fireplaces full of warmth and glow; while others are for outdoor function.

What do you need this winter to look great and keep your balmy calm? I’ve identified five main pieces that will gain you some mileage and hopefully remain in your closet for years to come.

1

The long coat: (see photo) The long coat has a charisma this year in print, plaid and plain style. Military inspired looks are again being favored, as we saw last year. In colder temps, what do people see you in 80% of the time? Your coat and boots.

Make them solid investments.

Take the time to ensure fit and quality in their materials for a lasting, season spanning investment.

I’ve included a picture of a classic look which will serve you well if you’re thinking of buying a coat this season. Picture courtesy of twistedclosetclothing.com

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While we’re on the topic of the external “outer shell” we sport for six months out of the year, let’s look down to our boots for some grounding advice.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my Uggs like the next gal, yet when you need to dress up or present yourself for a job interview, leave

3

Poncho

Navy pointella J.Jill

the furry friends at home and opt for a different alternative. Boots are multi functional right now in fashion, not only for “street wear” yet outdoor use as well. Be they short, peep toe or cowboy, everyone owns a pair of boots. There is not another shoe that can come close to being so universal in appeal and function. While weather elements demand a certain level of performance in our selection of footwear, we don’t have to surrender to ugly. See if any of these choices tickle your toes: The first pair is the Khombu Saturn Lace Winter Boots. Can be purchased at SierraTradingPost.com (see photo) If you’re looking for something more streamlined, try these on for size, from galleryhip.com. (see photo) And lastly, perhaps the best of both worlds: The Ugg Ravenna wedge boot at Ugg.com (see photo) Now that we’re covered on the outside, what to wear for the required layers? Read on for a combination of 2014 sticking trends combined with items both chic and chilly-repelling.

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Texture is everywhere, and lucky for us the easiest place to find it retail-wise is on a coat or poncho. Place this item with jeans and boots for a look both functional and appropriate for plenty of events!

This navy poncho is from J.Jill and is called the textured pointelle poncho: (see photo) If you’re seeking high style, check out this furry garment from Forever 21. Consider cute, trendy and reasonable when shopping at this retailer. Prepare yourself, however as the store is crowded with an overwhelming amount

1

Long Coat

Courtesy of twisted closet clothing

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Bohemian chic sweaters and tunic tops. When browsing at Nordstrom a couple weeks ago, I was impressed how this trend has essentially endured a decade of style. This year it has a luxe upgrade of sequence and fancy embellishments and a tailored, fitted look. Yet for the overall look, its effect is a pretty, airy, easy going impression that appeals to many. This is a no-brainer for layering as well. In this climate, where we’re frequently going from warm inside to cold outside, its handy to have a piece to throw which is also easily portable. Here are a couple of suggestions: The first is from Free People. Its called the “show the way fringe cardigan” and can be found at Urban Outfitters. Love the hood, a must have accessory! (see photo) Also from Free People, the “better together cardigan” shown in the photo below. This cardigan would be ideal to throw on over a dress at the office. Sweet when paired over a V neck tunic too! An additional appeal to this sweater is it’s vintage-like quality. Found at FreePeople.com (see photo)

5

Lastly, I simply couldn’t give any more fashion advice without mentioning that you need to place some kind of print or pattern in your closet. In fact, mixing them is on trend. The key to this is to coordinate the colors in the prints and to limit the combination with one large print and one small print. Pants this season are being shown in a slimmer cut or skinny jean if you want denim.

The menswear look is influencing women’s clothing as in the

boyfriend jean (a baggy fitting jean with a cuffed up hem) all the way to a sportswear inspired look found in stores that don’t carry sports equipment (think upscale looking sweatpants). Wearable and casual, pants this season are falling into the much loved “anything goes” category. Yet, if you are searching for some exact items to place in your wardrobe (that you may not already own), here are my suggestions: Black leggings. If you have not ventured into leggings territory, I can assure you that leggings have made remarkable advances in quality over the last couple of years. The leggings pictured below are called the Instantly slimming Black Legging from White House Black Market. They have proved to be a customer favorite for being thick yet stretchy.

They also contain a control panel in the tummy area. Available at WhiteHouseBlackMarket.com (see photo) For a print and slimmer style as we just discussed, try these skimmer pants on for size, from the J. Crew Factory site. (see photo) If you like J Crew and want to save some cash, this site has your name written all over it. These pants are also right in step with that black and white inclination many of us are drawn to for broad neutrality.

Prints are also incredibly popular in dresses this winter, if you’re brave enough to layer one on this season. Sweater dresses in tribal or chevron are bring displayed and this is a fun look when paired with tights or leggings and boots.

While only a handful of trends were covered here, many resources exist to give one inspiration throughout these cold months ahead. There are mornings approaching where one’s clothing cannot be warm enough. If you find yourself in a fashion jam and need some quick help, or a clothing “pick me up” for what to wear, use free online sites like Pinterest or Etsy to see how others have gotten creative in mixing and paring. It can be just the stimulation you’ll need to put your existing garments together to make your outfit pop, and motivate your day, even into the polar vortex. May your season ahead be warm and wearable in the highest sense of comfort and style!

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Leggings

Cardigan

WhiteHouseBlackMarket. com

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of merchandise and their return policy is a short three weeks. (see photo)

“Show the wayfringe” Urban Outfitters

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Skimmer Pants J Crew

3

Furry Coat Forever 21

2

Khombu

Saturn Lace winter boot Sierra Trading

2

Uggs

Ravenna wedge boot Ugg.com

2

Boots

Galleryhip.com

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a

DOG's

Tale

The adventures of Stormin’ Norman Molly Larsen covers the regional education and the city of Faribault beats for the Faribault Daily News. Reach her at mlarsen@faribault.com. Follow her on Twitter @ReporterMolly.

W

hen SCENE editor Rich Larson revoked my food column rights (just kidding, welcome back Jill), it was time to come up with a new topic.

We mulled it over, narrowing it down to three choices: running, SoMinn bars and my dog.

While I’m keen to both running and beers, Rich thought a pet column was the ticket.

So, in this debut column, allow me to introduce Stormin’ Norman, soonto-be Southern Minnesota’s most well known golden retriever.

You might be able to relate Stormy’s naughty, yet loving qualities to your own four-legged friend (yes, unfortunately he sometimes acts like a cat). Or you may wrinkle your nose in disgust at his actions and even more so at the actions of his owners towards him. Maybe you’ll smile at the silly things he does or look down upon him in disdain because he truly is a disgrace to his hunting breed roots.

Whatever it is you feel about Stormy is bound to be something

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though— even if you forget about him two minutes after reading or if you don’t even finish reading and leave a nasty comment, it’s okay, you still felt something. Plus, he can’t read. And I’ll get over it—after a run and a beer.

Just let Stormy take over your life for a couple of minutes (or however long it takes you to read,) as he has taken over mine.

Stormy is a pretty strawberryblonde, 100-pound retriever who wags his entire body rather than just his tail. He is a purebred, but somehow missed any hunting genes. Birds do not faze him. The word “hunt” does not get him going. Guns mean nothing to him. His cousin, a stout yellow Labrador named Ruger, scoffs at him. Ruger likes pheasants and ducks.

Ruger went to obedience school.

Ruger is a snob.

Stormy would much rather hunt shoes and socks, toilet paper rolls and stuffed animals. He hoards these treasures in his dog-loo. He is also fond of sneaking human food right out of your hand. He has no manners, so watch it.

Stormy would rather take rides in his dad’s (my dad’s) Jeep than a duck boat. He likes to feel the wind in his hair, likes to ride in the front seat and cruise through his tiny town. Sometimes, upon returning home, Stormy stays in the Jeep, curled up in the front seat, still living his dream.

Eventually he climbs out. If he’s

lucky (he usually is) he finds his way inside the house. Before Stormy, my parents only let their dogs inside on cold winter nights. Stormy defies these rules. They do not apply to him.

No, he prefers to sleep in bed, burrowed into the blankets and pillows.

He sits in his own chair. Yes, his own easy chair, place strategically (not really) next to a large window facing the front yard, so he can take watch over his dead-end street.

His mom (my mom) pretends to be aggravated by the hair Stormy leaves behind and the plain fact that he’s inside. But she doesn’t do much about it. She is soft in her old age, plus she and Stormy are friends.

For those of you reading closely (s/o to my family and Rich) you’ll notice Stormy is in the possessive. It’s his home, his chair, his Jeep, his town.

And we are his. We are at his beckon call. He is not self-sufficient, constantly begs for attention. Yet he isn’t needy or annoying. Because while he literally needs us, we literally need him as well.

Dogs keep secrets, they don’t talk back and they do give more than they receive (even the pampered like Stormy). It’s fact, isn’t it?

Plus, if I didn’t have him, I’d be writing about racing bibs and black toenails or putting jalapenos in my beer (don’t ask, just do it.)

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UPCOMING ART CLASSES Uncork & Create Series with Krystal Lennie December 18: Whimsical Christmas Tree January 6: Let it Snow • Cost: $40

Intermediate Photography with Nate Howard

If you arrive at Grandma’s house with a little damage, We’ll fix up your vehicle & get you back on the road!

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Introduction to Portait & Figure Drawing with Everett Hays A 6-week class held on Tuesdays, 7-9 PM starting January 13 • Cost: $90

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AMY MERRITT Amy Merritt is a local freelance writer and TV critic who developed sense of poetry and rhythm by watching Aaron Sorkin “walk and talk” scenes.

Look for her next column to be completely in iambic pentameter. In the meantime, she can be reached at amystvcrush@ gmail.com.

‘Twas the Prime Time before Christmas

I

hate the expression “It’s that time of year again…” For some reason, what follows is like a giant anxiety-producing kick in the pants. For example, “It’s that time of year again, and I’m going to show you how to create this timeless holiday wreath using naturally harvested twigs, exotic dehydrated fruit, and your grandmother’s heirloom jewelry.”

You’re killing me, Martha.

Or “Oh my gosh. It’s that time of year again. It’s already the middle of October and I haven’t got a thing for my 3rd cousin! I better hit the mall!”

Or the worst: “It’s that time of year again. Have you winterized you car?”

Ugh. So many questions: Is Aunt Miriam still gluten-free? My god, why do these lights look like the world’s largest ball of twine? How early is too early for cocktail hour according to my parents?

So here’s how it usually goes for me: I have grand ambitions about homemade gifts around the beginning of October, which is obviously too late. Then I think about my plans for a couple of weeks. Then I suddenly narrow down who I think is really important, which is an entirely crappy way to be at a time of the year which is about celebrating and appreciating friends and family. This is supposed to be about love, not about the fact that your distant relative might not even appreciate your homemade soap. You can see where this is going. In the end (my brother can fully attest to this), I give a half-assed store-bought trinket and a promise to complete that project that I almost never complete. My brother has literally received handmade gifts for his birthday (in June) over two years after that promised “Christmas” gift. It’s completely pathetic. And he never did get that knitted sweater. Sorry, man.

Of course, this year is no different. I’m overcommitted, underfunded, paralyzed. So as usual, I give up. I’ve decided to spend my Holiday break with my TV family.

It goes a little like this...

‘Tis the week before Christmas, and without remorse

Rick Grimes and the gang came with rumbling bellies, Daryll thought I was a bowl full of jelly.

Victoria Grayson, with heat in her heart, I’ll spend my whole break with my TV of course.

And then Peter Griffin let out a fart.

The cocktails are mixed and measured with care I appeased them with cocktails and turkey and pie And if you are nice, I might even share.

But you know Claire Danes, she always cries.

I’ll be in my jammies all snug in my bed, I don’t mean to grumble, I don’t mean to whine, With visions of Homeland and maybe Revenge.

This ain’t the backpage, I’m not Kevin Krein.

Oh gosh, out the window, a polar icecap!

First I’ll settle my brain with a long winter’s nap… But I wanted to dream of Holiday cheer, I love TV, and they were all here.

And in my dream, I am quickly aware, Disatrous, or lonely, or spitting with spite, I’m hosting the holidays, TV Crush is there!

Happy, or funny, or ready to bite.

On, Nolan!, on, Walter!, on, Buffy –you vixen!

Yet something was missing, I just didn’t feel On, Aria, Spencer, I guess even Gilligan!

The love of my family, friendships that are real.

But wait! Is that all? I hear such a clatter!

So I woke with a fervor and went straight to work, I spring to the door to see what’s the matter.

Make the damn soap, don’t be a jerk.

And there, to my wondering eyes did appear, Homer Simpson is here (way too drunk on Duff beer). And in the end, it will all be alright, Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.

And just when I think it couldn’t be worse, That darn Addams family brought along Lurch!

So I whistled and shouted and called them by name, To my misfortune, they swiftly all came.

Their eyes, how they twinkled--it was really scary, TV past and present, a little too merry.

Carmella and Tony and Carol and Mike, The Partridges, Dunfys, Drusilla and Spike.

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THE

St. Olaf Christmas Festival 7:30 pm, Dec. 4 - 6, 3 p.m. Dec. 7

Four Bitchin’ Babes / Ames Center / Burnsville / 11.21

A dd y o u r e v e n t f o r FREE to the TIMELINE c a l e nda r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ern minn . c o mm / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

ARTS Joy of Quilting: 21-Nov, 9:00 AM, Northfield Senior Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, Free. Bring your own quilting project to work on in the company of other crafters, from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Friday of the month at the Northfield Senior Center.. http://www.northfieldseniorcenter.org/. 507-664-3700”Good Neightbors: Annual Community Art Show Jared Sherlock: 21-Nov, 7:00 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $7-$15. $7 Youth Members 18 and under / $12 Adult Members. Jared Sherlock blends modern magic, juggling and friendly audience interaction to deliver high-energy, comedy for all ages. From a contemporary performance of the infamous bullet-catch, and a sawing of his beautiful assistant in half, these are just a few of the things you will encounter when you see Jared Sherlock live! $7 Youth Members 18 and under / $12 Adult Members $10 Youth Non Members 18 and under / $15 Adult Non Members Sponsored By: Southern Heights Dental Group, Richie Eye Clinic & Crossroads Skin Care. http://.

Hello, Dolly!: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known half-a-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the

enue, Shakopee, $15-$30. Just in case youre not familiar with Jer-Dog, he has delivered over 2,000 performances in the last decade at comedy clubs, colleges, casinos, hotel lounges, neighborhood saloons, biker bars, summer festivals, and private events all over the country as part ofThe GrassrootsComedy Tour-the longest running independent comedy bar show in America. As a radio personality, Jer-Dogs comedy has been heard onTHE BOB & TOM SHOW,SIRIUSXM SATELLITE RADIO, and hes currently a regular contributor onTHE STONE & DOUBLE T SHOW(104.9FM) Rockford, Illinois.. http:// dangerfieldscomedy.com/?page_id=89.

952-445-2245 Every Christmas Story Ever Told: 23-Nov, 1:30 PM, Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave N., Lanesboro, $15-$30. $15 Students, $30 Adults. Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch- and just about every other holiday character- make an appearance in this raucous comedy when three actors decide that rather than perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they’ll retell every Christmas story ever told in only 90 minutes! A madcap romp for the holiday season, this farce also features Christmas traditions from around the world plus every carol ever sung! With Frosty and Charlie Brown and George Bailey, you’ll laugh yourself all the way to the New Year!. http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/calendar. html. 507-467-2905”Ring of Fire Moon Over Buffalo: 23-Nov, 2:00 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Charlotte and George Hay, traveling actors, are performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in a repertory theater in Buffalo. Charlotte has grandiose dreams of becoming a Hollywood fi lm star. Following some back stage drama and a failed performance, they receive word that they might just have a shot at stardom: Hollywood Director Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee!. http://test. lakevillemn.gov/index.php?option=com_ jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=5733&It

Hello, Dolly!: 22-Nov, 1:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known halfa-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http:// www.chanhassentheatres.com/hellodolly. aspx. (952) 934-1525”Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer: The Musical Sculpture by David Hyduke: 22-Nov, 1:00 PM, The Arts Center of Saint Peter, 315 S. Minnesota Avenue, St Peter, Free.

The Arts Center of Saint Peter will feature ‘Figurations: Sculpture by David Hyduke’ and ‘Mostly People: Works in pastel and charcoal on paper by David Alan Olson.’ A reception with the artists will take place from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14 at the Arts Center.

Cash refreshments will be available from Arts Center co-sponsors Patrick’s on Third and Morgan Creek Vineyards. Hours and information are at www.artscentersp.org.. .

507-931-3630”A Charlie Brown Christmas & Frosty The Snowman Disney Junior Live! Pirate & Princess Adventure: 22-Nov, 4:00 PM, Verizon Wireless Center, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, $21-$61. Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for the Disney Live Tour! The show will be featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse as well as characters from your favorite Disney Junior TV series. Sofia the First and Jake and the Neverland Pirates will lead you on a royal celebration to learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance by Cinderella. Then its off to Neverland where you learn what it is like to be a true hero.. http://www.verizonwirelesscentermn.com/23795/Event.aspx.

The Mighty JerDog: 22-Nov, 8:30 PM, Dangerfields Comedy, 1583 East First Av-

town.. http://www.chanhassentheatres.com/ hellodolly.aspx. (952) 934-1525”Witness for the Prosecution Four Bitchin’ Babes: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $30-$40. Start with four richlygifted singer-songwriters; add 3/4 cup married life; four kids; three cats; onedog; one piano; a bunch of guitars, ukuleles mandolins, and a rocking pinkbass; a dollop of sharp social commentary; and a pinch of PMS. Set this on theroad to tour for 20 years, throw in a hot flash or two and youve got HormonalImbalanceA Mood Swinging Musical Revue!, an estrogen-fueled hilarious new show that celebrates the best of Babes, Boys, and Botox, starring the Four Bitchin Babes.. http://www. ames-center.com/angel-fund-series.html.

The Mighty JerDog: 21-Nov, 8:30 PM, Dangerfields Comedy, 1583 East First Avenue, Shakopee, $15-$30. Just in case youre not familiar with Jer-Dog, he has delivered over 2,000 performances in the last decade at comedy clubs, colleges, casinos, hotel lounges, neighborhood saloons, biker bars, summer festivals, and private events all over the country as part ofThe GrassrootsComedy Tour-the longest running independent comedy bar show in America. As a radio personality, Jer-Dogs comedy has been heard onTHE BOB & TOM SHOW,SIRIUSXM SATELLITE RADIO, and hes currently a regular contributor onTHE STONE & DOUBLE T SHOW(104.9FM) Rockford, Illinois.. http:// dangerfieldscomedy.com/?page_id=89.

952-445-2245 Adaptive Pottery: 22-Nov, 10:00 AM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $30 . This class is for youth with special needs. Students will make a plate andmug set out of food-safe materials, plus a decorative wall hanger.. http://test. lakevillemn.gov/index.php?option=com_ jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=5870&It emid=1364&year=2014&month=11&day=08 &title=adaptive-pottery&uid=f30299b6105d8 704d3ee9f96912cae78.

Skoglund Center Auditorium, St. Olaf College, Northfield

In the town of Northfield, there is a Christmas event so joyful and triumphant that it has attracted the attention of TV Guide, Entertainment Weekly, the Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times. In addition to its popularity, it is one of the oldest musical Christmas celebrations in the United States. We all forget the meaning of Christmas until it finally comes down to that time. Throughout the year, we are all caught up in racing around to our seemingly important jobs, keeping up with mindless trends, and shopping to the death on days like Black Friday. An ordinary Christmas program designed to remind us of what this time of year is all about has grown in to a festival that is heard across the country.

The St. Olaf Christmas Festival is truly elaborate. It is held in the Skoglund Center Auditorium, consisting of over 500 student musicians, the St. Olaf Choir, the Viking and Chapel Choirs, Manitou Singers, Cantorei, and five conductors—the event is absolutely magnificent and filled with unforgettable talent. And to top off the majestic voices moving your mind, body and soul, a traditional Scandinavian feast is served prior to the concert. Scandinavians have a specific taste that is . . . unique.

I mean, you’ll find some classics like cucumber salad and steamed peas and carrots. And you will possibly drool—no, scratch that—you are guaranteed to have salivating glands over the lefse and hazelnut torte. But, if you aren’t familiar with Scandinavian cuisine, the pickled everything and Rømmegrøt may throw you off a bit. You are lucky to have the opportunity to attend this event and the chance to tell your friends that you have actually eaten Lutefisk. wp.stolaf.edu/christmasfest/2013-st-olaf-christmas-festival-dates/ – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

emid=1364&year=2014&month=11&day=14 &title=moon-over-buffalo&uid=a1d77273b78 5263cbd0bdf46a881ac52.

Youth Performance: Bottom: 23-Nov, 2:00 PM, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N. Berens Rd., Prior Lake, Free.

An all-youth cast will help raise awareness about the growing problem of sex trafficking in Minnesota through their free performance of the original play ‘bottom’ on Sunday, November 23, at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake. The performance is 50 minutes and will feature

a post-performance panel discussion with nonprofit leaders and experts on sex trafficking. Due to the serious subject matter of the performance, audience members should be 13 years of age or older. Blank Slate Theatre’s original performance of ‘bottom’ is funded by a grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton

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Experience Minnesota History!

Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum

540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna | phone: 507-774-7369 | www.orphanagemuseum.com A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

it’s off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It’s danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your hometown. Special bonus! Starting ten minutes before every performance join loveable Doc McStuffins for a special pre-show!

You can help Doc take care of one of her beloved toys with her own special brand of love and magic. Free to all ticket holders.. http:// www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18587.

Jared Sherlock / Paradise Center for the Arts / Faribault / 11.21 Sioux Community and presented by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and Interfaith Children’s Advocacy Network.. http://www.shakopeedakota.org/newsroom/ press-releases/2014/local-performanceraise-awareness-about-g.

Free Pool & Darts: 25-Nov, All Day, The Club, 1525 Division St W, Faribault, Free.

The Club is Southern Minnesota’s Newest place to party. Formerly Spike’s Bar & Grill and the Shamrock, it has been completely renovated with an upscale club atmosphere.

Join us every weekend for the regions’ best in live entertainment. The Club is the place where friends come together for great food and drinks. Come Party with us and bring your friends!. http://www.theclubfbo.com.

507- 331-1511 Karaoke: 26-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, Free. Join us for Karaoke Every Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy a huge catalog of songs with genre’s for everyone. Come see some of the best karaoke singers in the area and belt out your favorite tune on our huge stage with ample dance floor. It’s the premiere karaoke spot in the southwest metro. From 9:30PM to 1:30AM. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/ events/upcoming/?action=tribe_list&tribe_ paged=5. “Hello, Dolly!

Scott County Crazy Quilters: 27-Nov, 6:00 PM, Scott County Historical Society, 235 Fuller Street South, Shakopee, Free. Our Scott County Crazy Quilters meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:00 pm. All types of handcrafters from beginners to masters are welcome.. http://scottcountyhistory. org/event/scott-county-crazy-quilters-12/.

952.445.0378”The Clips N’ Bits Show Borealis - A Holiday Cirque: 28-Nov, 2:00 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, See Website.

A Holiday Cirque will debut at Mystic Lake with matinee and evening performances in the Mystic Showroom November 28 through December 14. Conceived and directed by Fernando Quevedo of Q Productions Las Vegas, the all-new show follows the story of a girl who seeks shelter from a Christmas storm in an abandoned warehouse. Sad and lonely on Christmas, she rediscovers the wonder of the imagination and the joy of the holidays as magical events begin to unfold.. http://www.mysticlake.com/borealisholidayshow14. (952) 445-9000 Borealis - A Holiday Cirque: 28-Nov, 7:30 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, See Website.

A Holiday Cirque will debut at Mystic Lake

with matinee and evening performances in the Mystic Showroom November 28 through December 14. Conceived and directed by Fernando Quevedo of Q Productions Las Vegas, the all-new show follows the story of a girl who seeks shelter from a Christmas storm in an abandoned warehouse. Sad and lonely on Christmas, she rediscovers the wonder of the imagination and the joy of the holidays as magical events begin to unfold.. http://www.mysticlake.com/borealisholidayshow14. (952) 445-9000”A Christmas Carol: The Musical Disney Junior Live on Tour: 29-Nov, 12:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $17-$66. Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure. Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior’s hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella.

Then it’s off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook

to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It’s danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your hometown. Special bonus! Starting ten minutes before every performance join loveable Doc McStuffins for a special pre-show!

You can help Doc take care of one of her beloved toys with her own special brand of love and magic. Free to all ticket holders.. http:// www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18587.

Disney Junior Live on Tour: 29-Nov, 3:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $17-$66. Grab your tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure.

Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior’s hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella. Then

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A Christmas Carol: The Musical: 29-Nov, 7:30 PM, Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, $12-$17. $12 17 & under, $17 adults. Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated ‘Bah! Humbug!’ Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present, & Future.

Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and spends Christmas day reconnecting with those that mean the most to him.

Alan Menken’s (Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid) wonderfully flowing score combined with Lynn Ahrens’ (Ragtime, Seussical) beautiful lyrics breathe fantastic new life into this version of the holiday classic. Directed

by Bill Coldwell; musical direction by Joan Nelson; choreography by Jennifer SopociHardin.. http://www.cvft.org/currentseason/ holiday. “Zuhrah Shrine Circus Mankato Opry Christmas Show: 30-Nov, 2:00 PM, Kato Ballroom, 200 chestnut Street, Mankato, $20 . The show will be approximately 2 hours with an intermission featuring cloggers and square dancers. Buffet Dinner service will begin at 5:30 and doors open at 5 pm on Friday and Saturday night.

Brunch will begin at 12:30 and the doors will be open at noon. The event is in keeping with the tradition of ‘Grand Old Opry’. The songs performed will be traditional country music from the past and present. From Patsy Cline, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, George Straight, Salter Bros, Judds, Dixie Chicks to current artists. Performers scheduled to appear are: Sandra Lee - Sleepy Eye -Sandra Lee and the Velvets Brenda Kopischke -Elysian - Powerhouse Lynda Kiesler - Waseca - Powerhouse Miranda Berndt - Wells Lacy Roemhildt - Elysian Pam Soper- Mankato /Crista Bohlman -Elysian Tammy Barnes - Janesville Ashley Schaefer - New Ulm (9 years old) Jason Madson - Waseca Gary Pfeifer - Good

Ole Boys - Janesville Chad Pfeifer - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Bonnie Pfeifer - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Doug Berndt - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Duane Mock - Sandra Lee and the Velvets - Mankato Howard Mock - Powerhouse / S L V - Mankato Brian Jentges - Powerhouse - North Mankato Billy Stiener - City Mouse - North Mankato. http:// www.hfhmkto@hickorytech.net.

Beginning/Intermediate Pottery: 2-Dec, 9:30 AM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $150 . Introduction to throwing and handbuilding. Intermediate students continue to learn through demos and discussions. Fee includes 25 lbs. of clay and $10 worth of firing. Additional firing is $1 per lb.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5809&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=11&day=04&title=beginning-interm ediate-pottery&uid=8ce018458f9bd7f56d345 21183226f8d. “Crepe Paper Flowers/Holiday Mini-Wreath Hello, Dolly!: 2-Dec, 8:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known halfa-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http:// www.chanhassentheatres.com/hellodolly. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Girl Singers of the Hit Parade Christmas Show: 3-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19 . Christmas is a time we all want to hear those cherished songs that bring a wave of nostalgia. Most of the popular Christmas songs were made famous in the 1950s and this show brings them all back. The Lennon Sisters, Andrews Sisters, McGuire Sisters and the King Family were a part of every familys Holiday and still are in many cases. ‘The Girl Singers of the Hit Parade encompass this warm family feeling with their Christmas Show. -. http://www.ames-center. com/girl-singers.html.

Hello, Dolly!: 3-Dec, 8:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known halfa-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http:// www.chanhassentheatres.com/hellodolly.

aspx. (952) 934-1525”Toys of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s The Santa Diaries: 5-Dec, 7:30 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $9-$15. $15 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under. The state premiere of this funny and charming musical play is a holiday treat for the entire family. Will Hawes (played by Michael Lambert) has run away from his family history which includes five generations of Santas. He refuses to believe he has ‘the calling.’ So what happens when this successful and self-absorbed Hollywood actor is forced to return to his small hometown and direct the community holiday play? On his journey, Will rediscovers the joy of Christmas, a lost love, and learns to embrace his inner Santa, accepting the gifts handed down through his family line.. http:// www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/theatre/ the-merlin-players/.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 5-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center.com/ chameleon-theatre-circle.html.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 6-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center. com/chameleon-theatre-circle.html. “Miss Richfield 1981’s Play With My Poodle For Christmas!

Holiday Magic: 7-Dec, 1:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $13-$19. $19.00 Adult, $13.00 Youth & Senior. Holiday Magic is a unique show that combines the talents of the JLDS/ BDA dancers and the Goodman Production singers! This production is a family-friendly show, complete with a visit from Santa and a yummy treat baked by Mrs. Claus!!!!

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A Christmas Carol / Lakeville Area Arts Center / Lakeville / 12.12 - 12.28

Christmas in the Village 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Saturday, December 6

Village of Yesteryear, Owatonna Maybe it is merely my own irrational thoughts—they do tend to get the best of me—but do some people make holiday traditions in to a competition? Who has more lights, who loves Santa Claus the most, and who baked more cookies with their kids? I feel like I was transplanted into the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas and people are literally shooting lights from a Gatling-style machine gun. Christmas isn’t all about fancy neck-ties and ribbons. For those who like to keep it simple, a visit to the Village of Yesteryear in Owatonna just may be your cup of eggnog.

The Village of Yesteryear is a township built to preserve the history of Owatonna and Steele County. A person will get a look in to the ruralfolk that lived here long ago through antiques and stories—and the atmosphere does not change during the holidays. The Steele County Historical Society holds Christmas in the Village for families to come and experience classic Christmas activities. Horse-drawn sleigh rides will be sure to entertain your posse. And if you don’t have a child like mine who is terrified of obscene amounts of facial hair, you can have your picture taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Cooking decorating as well as a fancy cookie sale will be held and in the midst of all of it, a performance from the Owatonna Carolers. Come visit the once self-proclaimed butter capitol of the world and have a cup of wassail in the General Store. (For you city dwellers who aren’t familiar with the term, wassail is hot mulled cider.) www.steelehistorymuseum.org/index.php/visit-steele-county-historicalmuseum-village-of-yesteryear – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

From 29 performance is bound to become your new Holiday Tradition!. http://www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/eventdetails. aspx?eventid=18855.

The Santa Diaries: 7-Dec, 2:00 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $9-$15. $15 for adults, $9 for students. The state premiere of this funny and charming musical play is a holiday treat for the entire family. Will Hawes (played by Michael Lambert) has run away from his family history which includes five generations of Santas. He refuses to believe he has ‘the calling.’ So what happens when this successful

and self-absorbed Hollywood actor is forced to return to his small hometown and direct the community holiday play? On his journey, Will rediscovers the joy of Christmas, a lost love, and learns to embrace his inner Santa, accepting the gifts handed down through his family line.. http://www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/theatre/the-merlin-players/.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 7-Dec, 2:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf

named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center. com/chameleon-theatre-circle.html. “Holiday Magic Hello, Dolly!: 7-Dec, 6:30 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known halfa-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker,

Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http:// www.chanhassentheatres.com/hellodolly. aspx. (952) 934-1525”Miss Richfield 1981’s Play With My Poodle For Christmas!

Russian Nutcracker 2014: 12-Dec, 2:00 PM, Eden Prairie High School, 17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, $17 . The Academy of Russian Ballet presents its Thirteen Annual dance production of The Nutcracker classical ballet in the Minneapolis area. This authentically Russian classical version of the holiday Fairytale is performed by Academy of Russian Ballet dancers. Friday, December 12th 7:00pm Saturday, December 13th 2:00pm & 7:00pm Sunday, December 14th 2:00pm. http://www.academyofrussianballet.com.

Nuncrackers, The Musical: 12-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $10-$23. The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Nuncrackers, features a humorous twist on some of your favorite Christmas carols, and even has Secret Santa audience participation. It will make you laugh and may even tug at your heartstrings. What a perfect way to make your holiday merry and bright!. http://www.sheldontheatre. org/events/phnxthtrholiday2014. 651-3888700”The Nutracker A Broadway Boy Christmas: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Fairmont Opera House, 45 Downtown Plaza, Fairmont, $10-$20. Performing holiday classics (and a few Broadway tunes).

The Broadway Boys is a collection of the hottest male voices currently working on the New York stage. Through their dynamic vocal prowess and redefining arrangements, the Boys add elements of Pop, Funk, Gospel, Jazz, and Folk to show tunes and classic pop songs. Performing in groups of six, the Boys are able explore harmonies rarely presented by Broadway singers. Sponsored by: KEYC-TV & Bank Midwest Performance @ 7:30 p.m. Bar & Box Office Open @ 6:30 p.m. Tickets: $20/Adult - $10/Student - No Refunds or Exchanges Available at www. fairmontoperahouse.com or by phone 507-238-4900 w/CC FOH Office M, T, W & F 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Always Open to the Public!. http://www.fairmontoperahouse.com.

507-238-4900 A Christmas Carol: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=12&title=a-christmas-caro l&uid=f2f15f3d8262b4199905183c7e6aa8d4.

Inspecting Carol: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM,

Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 adults, $12 students. Its A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behind-the-scenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/theater/inspectingcarol/.

Nuncrackers, The Musical: 13-Dec, 2:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $10-$23. The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Nuncrackers, features a humorous twist on some of your favorite Christmas carols, and even has Secret Santa audience participation. It will make you laugh and may even tug at your heartstrings. What a perfect way to make your holiday merry and bright!. http://www.sheldontheatre. org/events/phnxthtrholiday2014. 651-3888700”A Stocking Full of Awesome IV The Nutcracker: 13-Dec, 3:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $17-$20. Inquire at the Box Office for available discounts. The production will

feature young dancers from Rochester and the surrounding area, plus professional guest artists. Children love the naughty mice, the toy soldiers and Clara’s courage in their thrilling battle scene; adults appreciate the classic dance and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky.

Rochester Dance Company’s production of The Nutcracker features lavish, professionally designed costumes, hand-painted sets and highly detailed props, including a Christmas tree that appears to grow by magic.. http:// www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=17953.

Russian Nutcracker 2014: 13-Dec, 7:00 PM, Eden Prairie High School, 17185 Valley View Rd, Eden Prairie, $17 . The Academy of Russian Ballet presents its Thirteen Annual dance production of The Nutcracker classical ballet in the Minneapolis area. This authentically Russian classical version of the holiday Fairytale is performed by Academy of Russian Ballet dancers. Friday, December 12th 7:00pm Saturday, December 13th 2:00pm & 7:00pm Sunday, December 14th 2:00pm. http://www.academyofrussianballet.com.

The Nutracker: 13-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $16-$32. Twin Cities Ballet performs its flagship traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt’s The Nutcracker Ballet to full houses each year at the south metro’s premier professional theater, the Ames Center. The cast of approximately 120 consists of TCB’s core company of professional dancers and apprentices,

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dancers from other local and national professional dance companies, students from area dance schools and community residents.. http://www.ames-center.com/ nutcracker.html.

A Christmas Carol: 13-Dec, 7:30 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=20 14&month=12&day=12&title=a-christmas -carol&uid=f2f15f3d8262b4199905183c7 e6aa8d4. “Cassandra’s Cabaret The Nutracker: 14-Dec, 1:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $16-$32. Twin Cities Ballet performs its flagship traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt’s The Nutcracker Ballet to full houses each year at the south metro’s premier professional theater, the Ames Center. The cast of approximately 120 consists of TCB’s core company of professional dancers and apprentices, dancers from other local and

national professional dance companies, students from area dance schools and community residents.. http://www.amescenter.com/nutcracker.html.

The Nutcracker: 14-Dec, 2:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $17-$20. Inquire at the Box Office for available discounts. The production will feature young dancers from Rochester and the surrounding area, plus professional guest artists. Children love the naughty mice, the toy soldiers and Clara’s courage in their thrilling battle scene; adults appreciate the classic dance and the timeless music of Tchaikovsky.

Rochester Dance Company’s production of The Nutcracker features lavish, professionally designed costumes, hand-painted sets and highly detailed props, including a Christmas tree that appears to grow by magic.. http://www.mayociviccenter. com/upcoming_events/eventdetails. aspx?eventid=17953.

A Christmas Carol: 14-Dec, 2:00 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get

you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test. lakevillemn.gov/index.php?option=com_ jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=2014&month=12 &day=12&title=a-christmas-carol&uid=f2 f15f3d8262b4199905183c7e6aa8d4. “The Santa Diaries Inspecting Carol: 14-Dec, 2:00 PM, Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 Adults, $12 students and seniors. It’s A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behind-thescenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/ theater/inspectingcarol/.

The Nutracker: 14-Dec, 4:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $16-$32. Twin Cities Ballet performs its flagship traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt’s The Nutcracker Ballet to full houses each year

at the south metro’s premier professional theater, the Ames Center. The cast of approximately 120 consists of TCB’s core company of professional dancers and apprentices, dancers from other local and national professional dance companies, students from area dance schools and community residents.. http://www.amescenter.com/nutcracker.html.

A Golden Fleecing: 15-Dec, 7:30 PM, Northfield Senior Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, $15 . The annual Northfield Senior Center Fall Melodrama is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.. http://www.northfieldseniorcenter.org/.

507-664-3700 Celtic Holiday Hooley: 17-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55.

Come for some warm-fuzzies & family-fun with the Celtic Holiday Hooley; a party for all ages with Irish music, stories, step dance, caroling and more!. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Gallery Walk: 18-Dec, 5:00 PM, Gallery Walk, 523 South 2nd St., Mankato, Free.

We are excited to have you join us for THIRD THURSDAYS at these participating gallery locations*. Take the opportunity

to see new works and visit with area artists first hand during this monthly Third Thursday Gallery Walk. *All are scheduled to be open, however, conflicts may have been unavoidable. If you are wanting to visit a specific location, please verify availability first. Blue Earth County Historical Society , Heritage Center , The 410 Project , Landkamer Building, Fillin’ Station Coffeehouse , Carnegie Art Center, Twin Rivers Council for the Arts Gallery, located at the Emy Frentz Arts Guild, The Coffee Hag , Raydiance Salon. Also open during the Third Thursday Gallery Walk is the Marian Anderson Gallery and Custom Home Interiors.. http://www. twinriversarts.org.

Ole & Lena’s: 18-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $20 . Christmas has always been one of Lena’s favorite times of the year even if, as Ole says, ‘It makes her more than a little bit crazy.’ This year Lena has invited the whole family, even her snooty cousin Mildred from Edina. Ole really wants nothing to do with the whole thing. Especially, the part where Lena has him dress up in the old Santa suit and hand out the presents.

Can Sven help Ole from having to play the part of Santa? Will Lena be able to keep it all together while she prepares for the family Christmas? Find out in this hilari-

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Louie Anderson / Ames Center / Burnsville / 12.31

The Gear Daddies 8 p.m., December 26

Wicked Moose Bar & Grill, Rochester Southern Minnesota is known for more than just their lakes, dirt, and the strapping young lad who sings about fireflies (ahem, Owl City). The wonders of the region are vast, but what often goes overlooked is the musical talent we have hiding in these small towns. We have produced— yes, “we,” Southern Minnesota can take a little credit for these superstars, too—Rock n’ roll pioneer Eddie Cochran, a lead guitarist for a prominent pop-punk/metalcore band, and the Gear Daddies that came straight out of Austin who long ago in their prime performed for David Letterman.

As noted by a music review, The Gear Daddies are “kind of rockabilly, kind of country, kind of jam band, and kind of garage rock folk. Their lyrics are all country—Minnesota country.” That is absolutely the best way to describe them. After going off the radar for some time, they are back to perform throughout the Midwest. Don’t be fooled by the term “bar & grill.”

We are not sending you to some hole in the wall to listen to a shabby bar band while watching the five ladies and one lonely man get down on the dance floor all night. The Wicked Moose Bar & Grill in Rochester is an award winning spot that offers some of the best fries, and if you really think about it that is a pretty difficult title to achieve. Their state-of-the-art event venue is the perfect place to experience the Gear Daddies in full swing. www.wickedmoosebarandgrill.com – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

From 31 ous show about family togetherness.. http:// www.ames-center.com/ole.html.

Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 18-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::load Article=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArti cle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF8-85AAFF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525

Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 19-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt. com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent ::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::lo adArticle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF885AA-FF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525”Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’ Mame: 20-Dec, 2:00 PM, Minnetonka

Theatre, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka, $12$20. A huge hit with audiences this summer, we’re bringing it back for the holidays.

Don’t miss hilarious and touching musical classic... perfect for the whole family! From the composer ofHello, Dolly!,this multi-Tony Award-winning musical includes such unforgettable songs as ‘Bosom Buddies,’ ‘If He Walked Into My Life’ and, of course, ‘Mame.’ . http://www.minnetonkatheatre.com/#!mame/ cobu. 952.401.5898”A Scandinavian Christmas Mame: 20-Dec, 7:30 PM, Minnetonka Theatre, 18285 Highway 7, Minnetonka, $12$20. A huge hit with audiences this summer, we’re bringing it back for the holidays.

Don’t miss hilarious and touching musical classic... perfect for the whole family! From the composer ofHello, Dolly!,this multi-Tony Award-winning musical includes such unforgettable songs as ‘Bosom Buddies,’ ‘If He Walked Into My Life’ and, of course, ‘Mame.’ . http://www.minnetonkatheatre.com/#!mame/ cobu. 952.401.5898 Inspecting Carol: 21-Dec, 2:00 PM, Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third

Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 Adults, $12 students and seniors. It’s A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behindthe-scenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/ theater/inspectingcarol/.

The Nutcracker Ballet: 21-Dec, 3:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $18-$21. The Holiday Season crown jewel! Especially designed for families, this seasoned production develops themes of generosity, non-violence, and responsibility through the timeless tale of Claras fantastic voyage to the Land of the Sugarplum Fairy with her magical godfather Drosselmeyer. The Continental Ballet Company Nutcracker has toured throughout Minnesota and annually sells out OShaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul in a special performance for the Girl Scouts of America. Choreography and Staging by Director Riet Velthuisen. http://www. sheldontheatre.org/events/NutcrackerBallet2014. 651-388-8700 Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 21-Dec, 7:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::load Article=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArti cle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF8-85AAFF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525 Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas’: 27-Dec, 1:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in

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hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic. Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/ default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loadArticl e=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle ::article_id=AD8C3959-EF63-48D7-B10E2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525 An Evening of Holiday Comedy: 27-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $13-$22. Called Americas Everyday Comedian because of his non-offensive humor, C. Willis hilarious down-to-earth performance will convince you that he truly is comedy at its best!

Former writer for Saturday Night Live, Scott Novotny headlines comedy clubs throughout the U.S. and is a well-known improvisational actor/writer.. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/ events/holidaycomedy2014. 651-388-8700 Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas’: 28-Dec, 7:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic. Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::loa dArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::load Article::article_id=AD8C3959-EF63-48D7B10E-2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525 Louie Anderson Live: 31-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $32.95-$102.95. Fresh off his success on the ABC celebrity diving series

Splash, and 40 pounds lighter, Anderson is glad to be back on dry land. Diving is a lot like stand-up, says Anderson. You can’t go back once you’re up there. There’s only a shame walk. I gotta dive into the audience or dive into the pool.After his run on Splash, Louie was inspired to take control of his weight and make some healthy changes.

He’s spreading his new gospel to ‘Get off the Couch!’ For the past 30 years comedian Louie Anderson has been using his voice to make people laugh until recently when he decided to use it to motivate others to get off the couch and get moving. He has battled with his weight his entire life and it took jumping off a diving board on the TV showSplashto inspire him to change his life and improve his health. I was sitting on the couch in January 2013 and along came ‘Splash’ and I’ve been off the couch ever since, find your jumping off point, and join the movement.This is something that has changed me, its my first step into a brand new life.. http://www.ames-center.com/ louie-anderson1.html.

Dangerfields Comedy Club / Shakopee / 11.21

Schedule of events 11/22

Live Band • 9 PM–CLOSE

GEL

11/26

Live Band • 9 PM–CLOSE

STRANGE DAZE

COMEDY The Mighty JerDog: 21-Nov, 8:30 PM, Dangerfields Comedy, 1583 East First Avenue, Shakopee, $15-$30. Just in case youre not familiar with Jer-Dog, he has delivered over 2,000 performances in the last decade at comedy clubs, colleges, casinos, hotel lounges, neighborhood saloons, biker bars, summer festivals, and private events all over the country as part ofThe GrassrootsComedy Tour-the longest running independent comedy bar show in America. As a radio personality, Jer-Dogs comedy has been heard onTHE BOB & TOM SHOW,SIRIUS-XM SATELLITE RADIO, and hes currently a regular contributor onTHE STONE & DOUBLE T SHOW(104.9FM) Rockford, Illinois.. http://dangerfieldscomedy.com/?page_id=89. 952-445-2245 The Mighty JerDog: 22-Nov, 8:30 PM, Dangerfields Comedy, 1583 East First Avenue, Shakopee, $15-$30. Just in case youre not familiar with Jer-Dog, he has delivered over 2,000 performances in the last decade at comedy clubs, colleges, casinos, hotel lounges, neighborhood saloons, biker bars, summer festivals, and private events all over the country as part ofThe GrassrootsComedy Tour-the longest running independent comedy bar show in America. As a radio personality, Jer-Dogs comedy has been heard onTHE BOB & TOM SHOW,SIRIUS-XM SATELLITE RADIO, and hes currently a regular contributor onTHE STONE & DOUBLE T SHOW(104.9FM) Rockford, Illinois.. http://dangerfieldscomedy.com/?page_id=89. 952-445-2245 An Evening of Holiday Comedy: 27-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443

11/29

Live Band • 9 PM–CLOSE West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $13-$22. Called Americas Everyday Comedian because of his non-offensive humor, C. Willis hilarious down-to-earth performance will convince you that he truly is comedy at its best!

Former writer for Saturday Night Live, Scott Novotny headlines comedy clubs throughout the U.S. and is a well-known improvisational actor/writer.. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/ events/holidaycomedy2014. 651-388-8700 Louie Anderson Live: 31-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $32.95-$102.95. Fresh off his success on the ABC celebrity diving series Splash, and 40 pounds lighter, Anderson is glad to be back on dry land. Diving is a lot like stand-up, says Anderson. You can’t go back once you’re up there. There’s only a shame walk. I gotta dive into the audience or dive into the pool.After his run on Splash, Louie was inspired to take control of his weight and make some healthy changes.

He’s spreading his new gospel to ‘Get off the Couch!’ For the past 30 years comedian Louie Anderson has been using his voice to make people laugh until recently when he decided to use it to motivate others to get off the couch and get moving. He has battled with his weight his entire life and it took jumping off a diving board on the TV showSplashto inspire him to change his life and improve his health. I was sitting on the couch in January 2013 and along came ‘Splash’ and I’ve been off the couch ever since, find your jumping off point, and join

the movement.This is something that has changed me, its my first step into a brand new life.. http://www.ames-center.com/ louie-anderson1.html.

CONCERTS Occasional Jazz: 21-Nov, 5:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc. com/the-contented-cow/calendar/.

507.663.1351”Mitch Goudy and Diana Upton-Hill All JAMPT Up: 21-Nov, 7:00 PM, Owatonna American Legion, 137 West Broadway, Owatonna, Free. All JAMPT Up is southern Minnesota’s hottest new acoustic band playing rock, pop and blues. They play classic covers and rippin’ originals that are upbeat and melodic. Featuring long time Owatonna resident Diamond Dave and originally from Faribault on guitars is Mike they are together All JAMPT Up!. http://www. facebook.com/msjulstad.

Lorie Line: 21-Nov, 7:30 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $51-$54. Pianist Lorie Line is celebrating a big year. This season marks her 25th anniversary of touring and she is making this year’s show special in every way. Line will showcase the best of the best of her holiday music over her 25-year career. She

Thanks

For a Great Pumpkin Patch Season!

See You all Next Year!

will feature her Fab 5 and this year she is bringing a special vocalist to the stage. Don’t miss this special evening of music as Lorie celebrates a milestone year.. http://www. sheldontheatre.org/events/LorieLine2014.

651-388-8700 Jimmy’s Pub Performance: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, Jimmy’s Pub, 406 Main St., Red Wing, Free. Live music every Friday. http://.

“MP Duo Diesel Drive: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, North Star Bar, 503 N Broadway, Rochester, See Website. Don’t miss Diesel Drive performing live tonight at North Star Bar!. http://www. northstarbar.net/.

Mark Allen & The Key West Rejects: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division St., Northfield, Free. The Key West Rejects are Mark Allen and a cast of talented musicians performing favorites from the likes of Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, Neil Young, Foo Fighter, and Buck Cherry--along with a repertoire of original tunes.. http://www.thekeywestrejects.com.

Mark Grim: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc. com/the-contented-cow/calendar/.

507.663.1351 Stardust Karaoke: 21-Nov, 8:30 PM, Knights of Columbus, 17 Third Street N.E., Faribault, Free. Karaoke available.. http://.

“Fitz And The Tantrums Sasha Mercedes: 21-Nov, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free.

Sasha Mercedes’ voice is too good to be confined to one genre. From blues to rock to country to soul and even a little hip-hop, her versatile talent is undeniable to anyone who loves music. One of the most passionate performers you’ll ever have the good fortune to see, Sasha’s music can fill any room with joy, excitement, tears and grace. See what happens when she returns to Pub 31 this Friday from 8:30-midnight.. http://www. sashamercedes.com/.

Promenade Stage Live Music: 21-Nov, 9:00 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, Free. For the best free music in the Twin Cities, check out Mystic Lake’s Promenade Stage! Enjoy live entertainment while you play on one of our 4,000 slot machines and 100 blackjack tables, or just saddle up to the stage for an up-close concert experience. Be sure to check out all of the bands coming to the Promenade Stage it’s all a part of the best entertainment value in Minnesota.. http:// www.mysticlake.com/entertainment/freeentertainment. (952) 445-9000”Strange Daze Thunderfoot: 21-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Made up of four crazy industry professionals, originating from bands including the infamous Southern Rock

GRIND

12/6

Live Band • 9 PM–CLOSE

BURRBILLIES

12/13

Live Band • 9 PM–CLOSE

SINISTER

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33

Arli-Dazzle

All day long, December 6 Downtown Arlington

Well, it is official—the Minneapolis Holidazzle parade is dunzo. And for those who are not familiar with the show Parks & Recreation, it means over, kaput—just ain’t gonna happen. I mean, there will be a winter market, but that just isn’t the same. I personally adore parades and the reason for that remains unknown to me. There is the disappointment from other kids getting the candy before I did, it makes people all out of sorts when they can’t drive down what is apparently their favorite road, and the list of annoyances stemming from these spectacles goes on. Nonetheless, there is just something we love about them. And Arlington claims to have the largest lighted Christmas parade in Minnesota during their Arli-Dazzle event.

The day begins bright and early for breakfast with Santa and then it turns in to a crazy compilation of holiday madness. From your classic children’s crafts and horse-drawn wagon ride to a “Dash through the Snow” 5k and a snowball baseball game. That’s right, a baseball game. I am not exactly sure what a snowball baseball game entails, but this one is described as a “competitive but friendly” game between the Arlington Greys and the Mankato Baltics. That mysteriously new hulahooping craze can be witnessed by the Hoopsters from Hutchinson. And finally, what will possibly be considered the new Holidazzle parade, will wrap up the day at 5:30 with over 100 parade units including Santa and his reindeer. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/events/GatlinBrothers – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

From 33 Allstars, Rhythm Pigs, and more - finally the north and south merge together and unite for the unique sound that is... THUNDERFOOT!. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 DJ Link: 21-Nov, 9:00 PM, J. Grundy’s Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 503 Division Street, Northfield, Free. Enjoy the perfect party atmosphere created by the incredible DJ Link!. http:// ruebnstein.com/index.html. “Thunderheads Duo Arch Allies: 21-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See

Website. Arch Allies is a timeless rock band centered around making classic rock sing alongs! With a dynamic vocal range, huge guitars, dashing keyboards and powerful drums, this former tribute band is making waves as an original national artist! If you are a fan of Journey, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Boston, Loverboy, or Bad Company, then you have a new favorite band pumping out NEW MUSIC .Arch Allies!. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/arch-allies/.

Junk FM: 21-Nov, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website. Junk FM was born completely by accident. The 3-piece-super-nutty-pop-fiasco

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came together through original rock groups they shared in the Minneapolis scene over several years (Readygoes, The Wannabe Hasbeens, etc).. http://www.babesmusicbar. com/Events.asp. (952) 469-5200 Hicktown Mafia: 21-Nov, 9:30 PM, Toby Keiths I Love This Bar and Grill, 1623 Park Place, St Louis Park, Free. HickTown Mafia is a 5-piece, Southern Minnesota-based, country and rock party band.. http://tobykstlouis.tunestub.com/event.cfm?id=179733.

(763) 450-9999 The EZ Jazz Trio: 22-Nov, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E.

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Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http:// www.chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 DJ Don’t Josh Me: 22-Nov, 7:00 PM, Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan, 4625 Nicols Road, Eagan, See Website. DJ Don’t Josh Me! Saturdays Only at Caspers party barn central!

Featuring EDM, Top 40 Remix and dance music and more.. http://casperscherokee. com/calendar-upcomming-agenda/. (651) 454-6744”Tech N9ne

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Arch Allies / Arizona’s / Shakopee / 11.21 cians and singers faithfully honoring such songs as BORDER SONG, THE KING MUST DIE, EMPTY SKY, HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL, SUSIE (Dramas), WE ALL FALL IN LOVE SOMETIMES and nearly two dozen Elton and Taupin gems that every Elton fan loves. ELTONSONGS is a night filled with the songs every Elton fan loves and longed to hear on the radio as much as the big hits.. http://www.chanhassentheatres.com/ concert_series.aspx. (952) 934-1525 Southern Minnesota Dance: 22-Nov, 8:00 PM, Waldorf Community Center, 109 Main Street N, Waldorf, $10 . Dances are held from 8 p.m. to midnight and feature live music. Admission is $10 per person. Info call 507-833-8210 or visit Southern Minnesota Dances on Facebook. http://southernmndancers.weebly.com/.. “Daughtry Nicholas David and The Feelin’ Band: 22-Nov, 8:00 PM, Ed’s No-Name Bar, 252 East Third Street, Winona, $20 . Nicholas David Mrozinski is a vibrant, dynamic and multi-talented singer/songwriter from Saint Paul, MN. For more than a decade, Nicholas has composed alternative soul music that connects with people worldwide on a deeply human level. Prior to his unforgettable 2012 run with Team CeeLo on NBC’s The Voice, Nicholas had already recorded five critically acclaimed albums, experienced national radio airplay and participated in multiple charity and collaborative projects. Fans of The Voice were introduced to his soulful and storied career during this time where he struck

Monroe Crossing: 22-Nov, 7:00 PM, Jackson County Central Performing Arts Center, Jackson, MN, 1128 North Highway, Jackson, $10 . Admission at door only. $10-Adults, $5-students, preschool-free. No reserved seating. JCC PAC SEATS 508 people.. http:// Monroecrossing.com. 507-847-6627 Hi-Fi: 22-Nov, 7:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Jivin’ Ivan and The Kings of Swing: 22-Nov, 7:30 PM, Signature Bar and Grill, 201 Central Ave N, Faribault, Free. Get your Swing on with Jivn’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing Eat, Laugh, Dance, Drink and be Merry Good Music, Good Food, Good Times. http:// dallasjoanm.wix.com/kingsofswing-1.

Eltonsongs: 1970-1976: 22-Nov, 8:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. The catalog of hits for Elton John and Bernie Taupin are well known and part of all of us.

But every Elton fan has a huge list of songs that weren’t ‘hits’ on the radio, but were played over and over on their record player because the songs were so great. For all of those people, ELTONSONGS is the show for you. Led by Minnesota Music Award and Mid-West Music Hall of Fame recipient, Mick Sterling and Brave New Workshop Musical Director Peter Guertin, ELTONSONGS features an amazing array of talented musi-

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a chord with America and finished a fan favorite in the top three. Manfort opens the show! Saturday 11/22. Doors at 8pm 21+. http://edsnonamebar.com/.

Doug Otto: 22-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division St., Northfield, Free.

Doug Otto plays a blend of old American music styles, heavily influenced by delta blues & classic country songs. His covers range from folk to Hendrix as well as his originals.

His CD ‘Doug Otto & The Getaways’ is a gem, loaded with great tunes.. http://www. dougottoandthegetaways.com.

Mary Cutrufello: 22-Nov, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. It’s been said that Mary Cutrufello’s songs encompass the entire human experience in four-and-ahalf minutes. Ok, all we know is she’s a fiery engaging performer in a class all by herself.

Her songs are anthems of journey, strength and self-reliance, and it’s a ton of fun to be in the same room her. See what we mean when she returns to Pub 31.. http://www. marycutrufello.com/.

Smokescreen Band: 22-Nov, 8:30 PM, Spare Time Entertainment, 333 E. 18th St. SE, Owatonna, Free. Smokescreen is a crowd favorite. Come on out after the Little Black Dress Event and enjoy Great Live Music and Great Drinks.. .

Devin Worely: 22-Nov, 9:00 PM, Buster’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1325 Madison Avenue, Mankato, $5 . Devon Worley is a teenage country singer, songwriter and guitarist from Minneapolis, MN. Devon is known for her

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Monroe’s Crossing / Jackson County Central Perforning Arts Center / Jackson / 11.22

powerful voice, wide vocal range, dynamic performances and commanding stage presence. Devons latest album ‘Silver Creek’ is gaining critical acclaim and her songwriting skills are being recognized by the best in the business. Truck stop diners, grueling schedules and sneaking into campground showers were not on Devons radar when she started her career,’ explains the band’s agent Greg Absey. Her hard work is paying off.

Natural talent combined with work ethic and a hard-driving attitude has been a recipe for success for Devon, continues Absey. In my thirty years in the business, I have never seen an artist grow so quickly. She wants this, and she will succeed.. http://www.bustersbar. com/blog/event-calendar.

Thunderfoot: 22-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Made up of four crazy industry professionals, originating from bands including the infamous Southern Rock Allstars, Rhythm Pigs, and more - finally the north and south merge together and unite for the unique sound that is... THUNDERFOOT!. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 The Forest Rangers: 22-Nov, 9:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/the-contentedcow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Rock It Science: 22-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. ROCK IT SCIENCE is the Midwest’s favorite 80 S PARTY band! This band of veteran musicians and performers takes you on a 3 hour tour of the best music and show from the 80s. Fronted by two phenomenal female lead vocalists, with a band of fabulously talented musicians, the group covers rock and pop hits from the era. Madonna, Journey, Cyndi Lauper, Heart, AC/DC, Michael Jackson, Poison, Bon Jovi, Cher, Pat Benetar, The Go Gos, The Bangles, Guns and Roses . are just a few of the artists covered to perfection. Complete with costuming, full staging and production, Rock It Science provides The Ultimate 80s Music Experience! PARTIAL SONG LIST 1999 Prince 99 Red Balloons Nena Anyway You Want It Journey Barracuda Heart Billy Jean Michael Jackson Funkytown Lipps Inc Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Cyndi Lauper If I Could

Turn Back Time Cher Jump Van Halen Kiss Me Deadly Lita Ford Like a Virgin Madonna Living on a Prayer Bon Jovi Mickey Toni Basil One Way or Another Blondie Our Lips Are Sealed The Go Gos Sweet Child of Mine Guns and Roses Sweet Dreams The Eurythmics Tainted Love Soft Cell Talk Dirty To Me Poison Wake Me Up Before You Go Wham Walk Like an Egyptian The Bangles Working for the Weekend Loverboy and many, many more.. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/ rock-it-science-2/.

V-Jay: 23-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. Join out video deejay belting out the best tunes for your viewing and listening pleasure. Every Sunday and Thursday from 9:30PM to 1:30AM.. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/events/upcoming/?action=tribe_ list&tribe_paged=5. “The Combo Northern Roots Session: 24-Nov, 7:30 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, Free. Join us for roots music tonight at The Contended Cow, a Northfield, MN pub with a British accent!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/#.Um28cO1Dvo5.

507.663.1351”Leo Kottke Gustavus Choir: 25-Nov, 6:30 AM, DoubleTree Hotel, 7800 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington, $20-$25. $25 per person or $20 for students. Director Gregory Aune and the Gustavus Choir have been invited to sing at the 30th Annual Nordic-American Thanksgiving Breakfast. Tickets are available online at www.sonsofnorway.com or by calling 612-821-4640. Please place your order

by Nov. 19.. http://www.sofn.com/Events/ public/show/1624.

Talkin’ Turkey Songs: 25-Nov, 6:00 PM, New Ulm Public Library, 17 N. Broadway, New Ulm, Free. In Minnesota, Dick Kimmel is reputed as knowing more turkey songs and more about wild turkey biology than the turkeys themselves! Dick is both a 30-year professional wild turkey biologist as well as a triple hall-of-fame bluegrass musician. For his ‘Talkin’ Turkey Songs’program, Kimmel combines his talents into an adventure into wild turkey lore, turkey calling, and turkey music. Free and Open to the Public. http:// www.tdslib.org/.

Acoustic Jam: 25-Nov, 7:30 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, Free. Don’t miss our weekly

acoustic jam, tonight at The Contented Cow.. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/#.Um28cO1Dvo5.

507.663.1351”Mean Jeans Traditional Irish Music Session: 26-Nov, 7:00 PM, J. Grundy’s Rueb ‘N’ Stein, 503 Division Street, Northfield, Free. Traditional Irish Music Session. Players and listeners welcome.. http://www.ruebnstein.com.

“The Moth Luke ‘n Bob Texas: 26-Nov, 8:00 PM, North Star Bar, 503 N Broadway, Rochester, See Website for Pricing. Join us tonight for live music from Luke ‘n Bob Texas!. http:// www.northstarbar.net/.

Mark Allen: 26-Nov, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Hometown hero Mark Allen (of the Key West Rejects) plays songs you love. Some you know by heart and some you haven’t heard yet. But you’ll love his music more than you can even imagine. And, by the way, you also want to stick around and hear him play a little harmonica, too. This is the perfect way to kick off the long holiday weekend!. http://www. thekeywestrejects.com/.

Country Music Night: 26-Nov, 9:00 PM, Starks Saloon, 3125 Dodd Rd, Eagan, $5 . Every Wednesday night come to Starks Saloon for some Country music and a little more - Two-step and line dancing. Lessons start at 7:30 pm.. http://starks-saloon.com/.

(651) 454-8251”Fuzzy Machete Karaoke: 26-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, Free. Join us for Karaoke Every Tuesday and Wednesday. Enjoy a huge catalog of songs with genre’s for everyone. Come see some of the best karaoke singers in the area and belt out your favorite tune on our huge stage with ample dance floor. It’s the premiere karaoke spot in the southwest metro. From 9:30PM to 1:30AM. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/ events/upcoming/?action=tribe_list&tribe_ paged=5. “Flash Mob 32 Below: 26-Nov, 9:30 PM, Toby Keiths I Love This Bar and Grill, 1623 Park Place, St Louis Park, Free. 32 Below takes no breaks.

As a result of their hard-working roots and their respect for the crowd, when this band takes the stage the music does not stop.

Combining their inspired original music with songs by artists they love, 32 Below has rolled their spectacle to venues across the country, leaving behind only wide eyes and

dropped jaws.. http://tobykstlouis.tunestub. com/event.cfm?id=179735. (763) 450-9999 Mad Pipes: 27-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division St., Northfield, Free.

Mad Pipes is Barb Piper and Doug Madow, who met while helping design and produce fundraising event for a local theater. Their performances proved so popular, they decided to collaborate as a duo. Expect an evening of jazz, pop, folk, county, swing and rock. Everything in the ‘great American songbook,’ ranging from sweet and smooth to raunchy fun. Barb says ‘Think ‘lounge music’ with a flair!’ http://tavernofnorthfield. com/index.

DJ and Karaoke: 27-Nov, 9:00 PM, Froggy Bottoms, 307 Water Street South, Northfield, Free. Thursday night DJ and Karaoke, by Speedo Entertainmnet. Every Thursday! All welcome!. http://www.froggybottoms.com/.

507-301-3611”Karaoke String Theory: 28-Nov, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http:// www.chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 Mankato Opry Christmas Jamboree: 28-Nov, 7:00 PM, Kato Ballroom, 200 chestnut Street, Mankato, $20 . Traditional country music performed by local artists.. http://www. hfhsouthcentral.net.

JT and the Gunslingers: 28-Nov, 8:00 PM, North Star Bar, 503 N Broadway, Rochester, See Website for Pricing. JT & The Gunslingers are a full band Outlaw Country/ Southern Rock show that is sure to get asses dancing and the drinks flowing.. http://www. northstarbar.net/.

Lonesome Dan Kase: 28-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division St., Northfield, Free. For the last 15 years, Lonesome Dan Kase has been playing his unique brand of country-blues on stages throughout the U.S. His live performances showcase both his unique finger-picking style and warm vocals as well as his depth of knowledge in the history of the blues.. http:// www.lonesomedan.com.

Keri Noble: A Very Special Christmas: 28-Nov, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner

Main Street Holiday

Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 2:00 p.m., December 5-21 DalekoArts Theatre, New Prague

In the small Czech community of New Prague, DalekoArts has successfully established themselves as a performing arts and education center. This center strives for perfection with their experienced casts and unique productions. The theatre is heading in to 2015 with a bang and we are excited for it. But, fortunately for you theatre junkies, the season begins before the New Year. Kicking off their anticipated season, DalekoArts will be hosting this holiday performance in their new, yet archaic, venue.

Owner Ben Thietje gave us a sneak peak in to what we can expect from the season’s first show, “South metro’s favorite holiday music group, Main Street Holiday, is booked to play a gig at the newly reopened Prague Theater. Unfortunately for them, so are The Chris Smiths, their rival holiday music group. The mix up results in a holiday music competition the likes of which Minnesota has never seen—the winner gets the gig; the loser goes home a Grinch.” www.dalekoarts.com – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

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35

Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker 7 p.m., December 5

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester

I am really not even sure where to start with this event.

How about, I am envious of these beautiful Russian ballerinas gallivanting around on stage in their elegant tutus.

I did not know men were physically capable of spreading their legs that far apart. White men really can jump. And, it is actually possible for 10-foot tall puppets to dance around on stage and be entertaining without Miley Cyrus gyrating her pelvis all over the place. To more eloquently describe this performance, “Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker is

lively and resourceful with an unusual array of bright, painted backdrops adding to the Christmas cheer…disarmingly poetic…faultless mastery of the steps…bravura expertise.” Los Angeles Times 2013 Lewis Segal.

The Christmas ballet first came to the United States in 1944 and now is comprised of some of the most talented dancers from the world’s most prestigious ballet colleges— yes, people attend college for ballet. I would too if I could dance on stage with a life size Matrushka Doll, throw my

Lorie Line / Ames Center / Burnsville / 12.5

From 35 Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Grammy-nominated singersongwriter and Cities 97 radio personality Keri Noble returns to perform her very special holiday concert, A Very Special Christmas.

The concert features an assortment of songs from Keris gorgeous holiday album, More Than Santa and much more. Keri knows how to write and deliver her music and this concert elegantly captures the mood and spirit of the holidays. Come celebrate the season with Keri and friends.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Wayland: 28-Nov, 9:00 PM, Buster’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1325 Madison Avenue, Mankato, $5 . Wayland, named after the band’s hometown area in Michigan, has been a band for 7 years, but has only had their name since 2010. The band is managed by Jesse James Dupree (Jackyl, TruTV’s Full Throttle Saloon). Wayland released a 4 song EP in December 2011, wich includes their first single ‘Welcome to My Head,’ the second single ‘Nobody’s Perfect’ and their tribute to a MI great, Bob Seger’s ‘Fire Down Below.’

‘Welcome to My Head’ peaked at #36 on the National radio charts in 2012. The band’s latest single, Reno, is rising up the active rock charts. For 2012 and 2013, Wayland was on the road over 300 days a year. We will be touring nonstop this year as well. The band is quickly becoming known on a national level

for their quality, high energy show and work ethic, adopting the slogan ‘Always On Tour.’

Wayland has shared the stage with acts such as Slash, Stone Temple Pilots, Shinedown, Hinder, Seether, Pop Evil, Sick Puppies, Foreigner, Heart, Lifehouse, Jackyl, Vince Neil, Smashmouth, Eddie Money, Buckcherry, Volbeat, Saving Abel, All That Remains, Blackstone Cherry, Sevendust, and many many more.. http://www.bustersbar.com/ blog/event-calendar.

Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 28-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties..

http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Rhino: 28-Nov, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website. Rhino is a five member, high energy Twin Cities based band playing a wide variety of modern, alternative, 80’s and classic rock with twists of country and other surprises splashed in. The show is non-stop entertainment and fun, sure to make you stomp your feet, get up and dance, or sit back and enjoy.. http://www.babesmusicbar.com/Events.asp.

(952) 469-5200 Maiden Dixie: 28-Nov, 9:30 PM, Toby Keiths I Love This Bar and Grill, 1623 Park Place, St Louis Park, Free. Combine their signature, passion filled country rock sound with an energy that burns brighter and hotter than The Star of the North that is the motto for their home state of Minnesota and the result is a Maiden Dixie show. Just ask any of their fans at any concert venue on their 2014 tour schedule, or better yet come see it for yourself!. http://tobykstlouis.tunestub.com/ event.cfm?id=179736. (763) 450-9999 Mark Allen & The Key West Rejects: 29-Nov, 5:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/. 507.663.1351”Michael Huber

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Mankato Opry Christmas Jamboree: 29-Nov, 7:00 PM, Kato Ballroom, 200 chestnut Street, Mankato, $20 . Traditional country music by area artists. The show will be approximately 2 hours with an intermission featuring cloggers and square dancers. Buffet Dinner service will begin at 5:30 and doors open at 5 pm on Friday and Saturday night.

Brunch will begin at 12:30 and the doors will be open at noon. The event is in keeping with the tradition of ‘Grand Old Opry’. The songs performed will be traditional country music from the past and present. From Patsy Cline, Alan Jackson, Johnny Cash, George Straight, Salter Bros, Judds, Dixie Chicks to current artists. Performers scheduled to appear are: Sandra Lee - Sleepy Eye -Sandra Lee and the Velvets Brenda Kopischke -Elysian - Powerhouse Lynda Kiesler - Waseca - Powerhouse Miranda Berndt - Wells Lacy Roemhildt - Elysian Pam Soper- Mankato /Crista Bohlman -Elysian Tammy Barnes - Janesville Ashley Schaefer - New Ulm (9 years old) Jason Madson - Waseca Gary Pfeifer - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Chad Pfeifer - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Bonnie Pfeifer - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Doug Berndt - Good Ole Boys - Janesville Duane Mock - Sandra Lee and the Velvets - Mankato Howard Mock - Powerhouse / S L V - Mankato Brian Jentges - Powerhouse - North Mankato Billy Stiener - City Mouse - North Mankato. http:// www.hfhxouthcentral.net.

Thea Ennen & Dave Ja Vue: 29-Nov, 7:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website.

Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/the-contentedcow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience: 29-Nov, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $26-$31. $26 Advance, $31 Day of Show. The Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience is the only group taking big band music, fusing it with modern day mixes of all genres, and making the act of giving ‘cool.’ We create more than music.

We create feelings. Experiences. The kind you remember as, ‘That unbelievable night out.’

Wanna levitate off your chair with the pulse of pop? Done. Just don’t ask that we hold back the edge because THAT is what makes us who we are. Big band was born out of rebellion, and we owe it to Sinatra to keep the evolution alive. Suits. Edge. Colorful socks.

Contemporary songs with big band punch.. http://www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18933.

Michael Johnson: 29-Nov, 7:30 PM, Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, $22-$25. Best known for his 1978 hit, Bluer than Blue, Michael Johnsons music career has moved forward with a 2012 album, Moonlit Dj vu. The album coincided with a return to Minneapolis and budding relationship with a daughter he met for the first time a few years ago.. http://www. crossingsatcarnegie.com/page0003_Concerts_and_Events_Schedule.html. (507) 732-7616 My Famous Friends: 29-Nov, 8:00 PM, North Star Bar, 503 N Broadway, Rochester, See Website. Don’t miss My Famous Friends performing live tonight at North Star Bar!. http://www.northstarbar.net/.

Kirk & Low: 29-Nov, 8:00 PM, The Tavern Lounge, 212 Division St., Northfield, Free.

Kirk & Low are musical barnstormers, Jim Kirkendall and Stevie Low. One is folk, the other is quite a bit of rock and roll.

Each presents his own solo set and each draws from a deep reservoir of experience.

Kirkendall spent time as a full time musician, playing coffee houses and folk clubs across the US and Canada. Low worked his way across America and Canada performing in clubs and on concert stages. In 2011 he was inducted into the Iowa Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Buzzards. http:// tavernofnorthfield.com/index.

Keri Noble: A Very Special Christmas: 29-Nov, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner

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shoes at the Mouse King, and travel to Snow Forrest with my Nutcracker Prince. There is no way in hell you will leave this production unimpressed. But if you manage to make the impossible possible, you should be delighted to know you supported an organization that makes very generous contributions to children’s programs and works with schools across the country every year. www.nutcracker.com – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Grammy-nominated singersongwriter and Cities 97 radio personality Keri Noble returns to perform her very special holiday concert, A Very Special Christmas.

The concert features an assortment of songs from Keris gorgeous holiday album, More Than Santa and much more. Keri knows how to write and deliver her music and this concert elegantly captures the mood and spirit of the holidays. Come celebrate the season with Keri and friends.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Andy Tackett: 29-Nov, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Playing songs from many genres, Andy has a keen ability to replicate pop songs. His voice hits the proper notes; and his fingers hit the proper frets.

Combined, the effect will hit your nostalgia button every time. His song list includes songs from many artists including; Little River Band, Johnny Cash, England Dan and John Ford Coley, Glen Campbell and Jimmy Buffett and many others.. http://youllfindpoetry.blogspot.com/.

Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 29-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Big City: 29-Nov, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. Big City Band is a Top40 dance band based in the Twin Cities.. http:// arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/big-city/.

Jacob Martin Band: 29-Nov, 9:30 PM, Toby Keiths I Love This Bar and Grill, 1623 Park Place, St Louis Park, Free. Jacob Martin Band formed in early 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee through the underestimated power of Craigslist. Converging from all parts of the country, Jacob Martin (vocals/rhythm guitar), Josh Carlson (drums/background vocals), Jeff Coggins (lead guitar), and Mike Guy (bass/background vocals) came together to form a powerful, melodic band that captivates both country and rock listeners.. http://tobykstlouis.tunestub.com/event.cfm?id=179737.

(763) 450-9999 Sheldon Theatre Brass Band: 30-Nov, 2:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $12-$21. Nothing makes the music of the holiday season more joyous than the rich sound of a brass band.

Jump start your yuletide mood with us at the beautiful Sheldon Theatre. Plenty of seasonal favorites, plus a musical surprise or two! Featuring vocalist, Debbie O’Keefe The Sheldon Theatre Brass Band was founded in 1989 as the resident performing ensemble at the newly-restored, turn-of-the-century, T. B. Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minnesota.

We are currently enjoying our 25th season of music-making. We use the instrumentation of the traditional British-style brass band and play a broad variety of musical styles. In addition to our regular performances at the Sheldon Theatre, we perform at a variety of venues throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin, and have performed at many brass band festivals throughout the United States including NABBA championships, the

Chicago Open, and the Great American Brass Band Festival. We released our fifth compact disc, Black, White & Blue in 2009.. http:// www.sheldontheatre.org/events/stbbhoilday14. 651-388-8700 Noteables Thanksgiving Weekend Concert: 30-Nov, 4:00 PM, Le Sueur-Henderson Middle/High School Auditorium, 901 Ferry St., Le Sueur, Free. This year’s concert--titled ‘The Joy of Song’--features such diverse composers as Handel (the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’) and The Carpenters (‘We’ve Only Just Begun’). Nostalgia buffs will enjoy the Beach Boys medley and barbershop fans will smile at the ‘Please Mr. Bass Man’ plea. The second half of the concert puts the audience in a Christmas mood with songs like ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ and ‘Ding, Dong Merrily on High’. Refreshments will be served after the concert.. .

Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 30-Nov, 6:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 The New Standards Holiday Show: 30Nov, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $23.50-$26. The New Standards want to reacquaint you with the music you love. Described as: ‘A little lounge, a little punk, a little rock, and a whole lot of cool,’ this trio featuring piano, stand-up bass and vibraphone, reinvents their favorite songs with panache. John Munson, bass/ vocals, was an original member of Trip Shakespeare, and then moved on to become part of the double-platinum group Semisonic.

Chan Poling, piano/vocals, founded the punk-rock group The Suburbs and continues to write for theater, TV and film. Steve Roehm on vibes, started his career with the Texas group Billygoat, and was also a member of the jazz/funk fusion group Electropolis.

These three world-class musicians come together as The New Standards, a jazz inspired, unlikely and soul-filled group, who command the stage with virtuosity, style and a wicked sense of humor. The New Standards are three friends, musicians and raconteurs who have been performing together since 2005 in clubs and theaters everywhere, from Shanghai to New York City. They’ve released half a dozen CDs and populated YouTube with a number of popular videos. In their original state, they take the form of an unusual trio (stand up bass, piano and vibraphone), but of-late have been the soul and creative core of a hydra-headed, funny, freewheeling, nutty yet very moving ‘Variety Show’. Look for them when they come to your town to surprise and delight, whether the stage holds three or twenty-three. The New Standards Holiday Show has become a Minnesota institution.

Audiences have come to expect a show that combines swinging renditions of classic holiday tunes with a smattering of irreverence, inebriation, and spectacle. But it’s the surprises that delight - the special rock star guests; a touching poem or story; dances and comic bits; or a show-stopping version of that sweet ode to Minnesota winter - Snow Days - like you’ve never heard it before.

The New Standards Holiday Show started in 2006 at the 1000 seat Fitzgerald Theater

(home of ‘A Prairie Home Companion’) in St. Paul. After six years of selling out multiple performances at the Fitzgerald, the Twin Cities performances moved to the larger State Theater in Minneapolis to accommodate the demand for tickets. We are very excited to have this very same show on our stage for the first time! Their freewheeling, charming and always entertaining Holiday Show features a larger ensemble with percussion, horns, strings, and more wherein Chan, John and Steve act as ringleaders of a rotating cast of guest singers, storytellers, poets and dancers. Don’t miss this perennially popular evening of classic (and not so classic) Holiday songs, rock and pop gems, and wonderful moments filled with great musicianship, stories and laughter.. http:// www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18737.

Holiday Party: 3-Dec, 10:45 AM, Club Prior, 15210 Eagle Creek Ave., Prior Lake, Free. Steve Millar will be presenting a Musical Holiday Show from 11:00Noon.

Refreshments will be served.. http://www. cityofpriorlake.com/documents/club_prior. pdf.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Xmas Spectacular: 4-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Get ready to crank your holiday spirit all the way up! Returning to our 2014 holiday series is this popular holiday show event featuring the talents of The Eagles & Fleetwood Mac tribute bands! Join an 8-piece all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through Christmas classics and create a few of their own in show that delivers as much fun as Santa himself. The Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a multimedia, musical extravaganza that mixes rock n roll, hilarious stories and parodies with your favorite yuletide songs as you’ve never heard them before.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Lorie Line: 5-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $49 .

PianistLorie Line is celebrating a big year.

This season marks her 25th anniversary of touring and she is making this year’s show special in every way. Line will showcase the best of the best of her holiday music over her25-year career. She will feature her Fab 5 and this year she is bringinga special vocalist to the stage. Don’t miss this special evening of musicas Lorie celebrates a milestone year.. http://www.ames-center.com/lorie-line.html.

Mark Kreitzer: 5-Dec, 8:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc. com/the-contented-cow/calendar/.

507.663.1351 Rock It Science: 5-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. This band of veteran musicians and performers takes you on atour of the best music and show from the 80s. With singers and multi-instumentalists backed byworld classdancers, the group covers a variety of rock and pop hits fromtheMTV era.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Rock ‘N’ Roll Xmas Spectacular: 5-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Get ready to crank your holiday spirit all the way up! Returning to our 2014 holiday series is this popular holiday show event featuring the talents of The Eagles & Fleetwood Mac tribute bands! Join an 8-piece all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through Christmas classics and create a few of their own in show that delivers as much fun as Santa himself. The Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a multimedia, musical extravaganza that mixes rock n roll, hilarious stories and parodies with your favorite yuletide songs as you’ve never heard them before.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525”Alli and Michael of River Mill

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

CherryGun: 5-Dec, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website. Satisfy your craving for great live music with CherryGun! Each set is packed with non-stop rock, country, and dance pop hits that draw every partier to the dance floor.

Professional and fun, Amy M and her boys start the party and get the job done. Don’t miss your next chance to see CherryGun.. http://www.babesmusicbar.com/Events.asp.

(952) 469-5200 Maiden Dixie: 5-Dec, 10:00 PM, The Club Faribault, 1525 Division St. W, Faribault, See Website. The Club is Southern Minnesota’s premier music venue. With a premium sound system and the hottest rotation of live bands and fun DJ promos, Spike’s delivers the fun! Combine the incredible entertainment and killer drink specials with our popular volleyball, pool, and dart leagues and you’ll see why The Club is the place to party.. http:// www.theclubfbo.com/event-calendar/.

Hennepin County Millionaire’s Club: 5-Dec, 10:30 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Rock ‘N’ Roll Xmas Spectacular: 6-Dec, 1:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Get ready to crank your holiday spirit all the way up! Returning to our 2014 holiday series is this popular holiday show event featuring the talents of The Eagles & Fleetwood Mac tribute bands! Join an 8-piece all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through Christmas classics and create a few of their own in show that delivers as much fun as Santa himself. The Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a multimedia, musical extravaganza that mixes rock n roll, hilarious stories and parodies with your favorite yuletide songs as you’ve never heard them before.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525 Rochester on Tap: 6-Dec, 2:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $10-$65. VIP - $55 (Advance) / $65 (Day of Show) GA - $30 (Advance) / $40 (Day of) Designated Driver - $10. Join us for the First Annual Rochester on Tap presented by Andy’s Liquor. Set to a backdrop of delicious food and great music, this beer tasting celebration not only serves as a mecca for craft and import beer lovers, but also provides a platform for regular beer fans to take their love of hops and barley to the next level! Attendees will be able to sample over 50 different craft and import beers from all over the United States and receive a commemorative Rochester on Tap tasting glass. VIP tickets include an extra hour of tasting, access to rare beers not available to the general admission ticket holders, commemorative Rochester on Tap tasting glass, and a $5 food voucher.. http://

www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=19241.

Lorie Line: 6-Dec, 3:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $49 .

PianistLorie Line is celebrating a big year.

This season marks her 25th anniversary of touring and she is making this year’s show special in every way. Line will showcase the best of the best of her holiday music over her25-year career. She will feature her Fab 5 and this year she is bringinga special vocalist to the stage. Don’t miss this special evening of musicas Lorie celebrates a milestone year.. http://www.ames-center.com/lorie-line.html.

Haldy and the Wino: 6-Dec, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http:// www.chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 Mark Grim: 6-Dec, 7:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/thecontented-cow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Yulefest: 6-Dec, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $19-$21. Member $19.00 Non-Member $21.00. Chuck Blattner leads this community ensemble in Rochester’s annual holiday celebration. This year’s program will feature special guest vocalist Tom Arachtingi. Selections to include Ed Huckeby ‘s ‘My Favorite Time of Year’, J. S. Bach’s ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’, Harry Conick Jr.’s ‘When My Heart Finds Christmas’, Frank Loesser’s ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’, and Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleighride’.. http://www.mayociviccenter. com/upcoming_events/eventdetails. aspx?eventid=17481.

Monroe Crossing: 6-Dec, 7:30 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $23-$25. Fill your holiday season with musical merriment at Monroe Crossings traveling Bluegrass and Gospel Holiday Show. Their performance of airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5739&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=06&title=monroe-crossing &uid=cf6700dfef7ca33d5b5e93a49221f2a1.

Rock It Science: 6-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. This band of veteran musicians and performers takes you on atour of the best music and show from the 80s. With singers and multi-instumentalists backed byworld classdancers, the group covers a variety of rock and pop hits fromtheMTV era.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000

Mad Pipes: 6-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Playing Pub 31 on the first Saturday of every month, Mad Pipes brings lounge music with Flair.

Longtime Faribault favorites Doug Madow and Barbara Piper bring a little something for everyone to their performances - jazz, pop, folk, country, swing and rock, it’s all in there.

This duo can range from sweet and smooth to raunchy fun. Music starts at 8:30.. http:// www.alexanderssupperclub.com/pub-31/.

Live Music: People’s Brothers Band: 6-Dec, 9:00 PM, Ed’s No-Name Bar, 252 East Third Street, Winona, Free. Live Music.. http://edsnonamebar.com/events/2014-12/.

Cherry Gun: 6-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. CherryGun is one of the most fun, energetic, make you dance/party cover bands touring! They bring the party to fairs, festivals, night clubs, casinos, weddings and any other place that wants to have fun all over the Midwest and beyond! Every show is packed with non-stop, high energy pop, rock & country music that keeps the dance floor rockin the whole show through!. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/cherry-gun-2/.

The Forest Rangers: 6-Dec, 9:30 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website.

Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/the-contentedcow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Dirt Road Prophets: 6-Dec, 10:00 PM, The Club Faribault, 1525 Division St. W, Faribault, See Website. The Club is Southern Minnesota’s premier music venue. With a premium sound system and the hottest rotation of live bands and fun DJ promos, Spike’s delivers the fun! Combine the incredible entertainment and killer drink specials with our popular volleyball, pool, and dart leagues and you’ll see why The Club is the place to party.. http://www.theclubfbo.com/ event-calendar/.

Dakota Valley Symphony: 7-Dec, 2:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $5-$20. Come and celebrate the season with this truly inspirational work performed by the Dakota Valley Symphony Chorus and Soloists along with the full Orchestra. You’ll enjoy a traditional performance at 2:00 pm, or join the orchestra and chorus at 7:00 pm in a sing-along performance.

Scores will be available for purchase at the door. At the time of ticket purchase, please specify whether you would prefer to attend the traditional or sing-along performance, or both!. http://www.ames-center.com/dakotavalley-symphony.html.

Simple Gifts with Billy McLaughlin: 7-Dec, 3:00 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $29-$34.

Every holiday season bustles with the sounds and stress of the season. This holiday celebration of favorite carols, hymns, and

Maiden Dixie / The Club / Faribault / 12.5

original songs will take you back to a quieter, simpler time. The six-member ensemble is led by awardwinning musician Billy McLaughlin and features acoustic and vocal music.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5740&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=07&title=simple-gifts-with -billy-mclaughlin&uid=7708daa7625388fbe0 eddbfb2d29d2f7.

Rock ‘N’ Roll Xmas Spectacular: 7-Dec, 7:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Get ready to crank your holiday spirit all the way up! Returning to our 2014 holiday series is this popular holiday show event featuring the talents of The Eagles & Fleetwood Mac tribute bands! Join an 8-piece all-star cast of musicians as they rock their way through Christmas classics and create a few of their own in show that delivers as much fun as Santa himself. The Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular is a multimedia, musical extravaganza that mixes rock n roll, hilarious stories and parodies with your favorite yuletide songs as you’ve never heard them before.. http://www. chanhassentheatres.com/concert_series. aspx. (952) 934-1525”Rich Robinson Dakota Valley Symphony: 7-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $5-$20. Come and celebrate the season with this truly inspirational work performed by the Dakota Valley Symphony Chorus and Soloists along with the full Orchestra. You’ll enjoy a traditional performance at 2:00 pm, or join the orchestra and chorus

Santa Please!

Give me a Sunkissed Glow!

at 7:00 pm in a sing-along performance.

Scores will be available for purchase at the door. At the time of ticket purchase, please specify whether you would prefer to attend the traditional or sing-along performance, or both!. http://www.ames-center.com/dakotavalley-symphony.html.

The Jubilee Christmas Tour: 9-Dec, 7:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $23-$31. $31.00 Artist Circle $26.00 Advance Reserved $23.00 Groups of 20+ Door tickets will be $31.. What began as a light-hearted lunch conversation between three friends has become one of the most popular Concert Tours in Gospel Music!

‘Jubilee’ has grown from the original ‘Jubilee’ CD, to a series of CD / DVD recordings, featuring three of Gospel Music’s most popular Artists...The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five. The Jubilee Tour brings the Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five together for a unique and unforgettable concert experience, and has proven to be very popular in cities across the United States.

Each group is featured on the first half of the program, and then the second half brings them together for ‘Jubilee!’ The unscripted and spontaneous format of ‘Jubilee’ is both entertaining and inspirational. Providing the audience with one of the most enjoyable concerts they will ever experience. Audiences across the country agree, ‘Jubilee!’ is a ‘mustsee!’ 2013 was a new chapter in the ‘Jubilee’ series, as the Jubilee Gang releases several new Christmas recordings and videos as well as a behind the scenes video called ‘On The Road with the Jubilee Tour.’ These unique

Jubilee concerts will feature material from their new Christmas recording, as well as music from each Artist, combining to present one of the greatest Gospel / Christmas concerts you will ever attend!. http://www. mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=19087.

The Reason: 10-Dec, 7:00 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $13-$51. $51.00 VIP $16.00 GA $13.00 Groups of 4 or more. The Reason is a family Christmas experience to celebrate the true reason for the season. We bring the message of ‘Joy to the world, Jesus has come!’ to cities across the Upper Midwest through high-energy events that feature leading Christian artists and a clear Gospel message tied to Christmas.. http://www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/eventdetails. aspx?eventid=19124.

Rock of Ages: 12-Dec, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http:// www.chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 Little Big Town: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $34-$44. The country vocal quartet Little Big Town began with Kimberly Roads and Karen Fairchild, two Georgia natives who began singing together in college.

Arkansas-born and Alabama-raised Jimi Westbrook, a friend of Fairchild’s husband,

joined them to make a trio, and the group was completed by the addition of Arkansan Phil Sweet in 1998. From the outset, Little Big Town devoted their sound to harmony and multiple lead vocals, a combination that made the band a hard sell at first. They finally landed a deal at Mercury Records, but it fell through due to disagreements about musical direction. In the wake of the success of the Dixie Chicks, however, Little Big Town suddenly seemed a more likely commercial proposition, and they were taken up by the Dixie Chicks’ label, Monument Records, in 2000. Little Big Town Recording sessions lasted longer than usual for a country release, but Monument finally issued the band’s debut single, ‘Don’t Waste My Time,’ in the winter of 2002. The song was on its way up the charts when its accompanying album, Little Big Town, arrived in May. Although the debut produced several minor hits, Little Big Town didn’t become a superstar act until 2005, when The Road to Here yielded four Top 20 singles (including the ballad ‘Bring It On Home’) and earned the group its first platinum record. A Place to Land followed in 2007 and netted three singles, none of which made it into the Top 30, but the band’s profile continued to grow due to incessant touring and supporting acts from Sugarland to Carrie Underwood. Fairchild also guested with John Mellencamp on his album Life Death Love and Freedom. In May of 2010 ‘Little White Church’ appeared as a single that peaked at number 14 on the Billboard country chart; in August of that year, Little Big Town’s

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37

Little Big Town

7:30 p.m., December 12

Mayo Civic Center, Rochester I will be honest in that I do not know much about country music except that it is a lifestyle and not an act. It does not have to be led by a swarm of twenty year olds singing about things they really have no idea about. And you can’t just sing about a tractor while waving an American flag and call it good. There are distinct qualities about country musicians that cannot be redone by those who aren’t living proof.

What else is there to say except for Little Big Town? I mean, the band did just win Vocal Group of the Year at the CMA’s. And in 2013—oh, and in 2012. Frankly, I see talent the minute I look at Kimberly Schlapman’s hair. This band is famous for their trademark four-part harmonies, similar to that of Fleetwood Mac. They have made their way past the pop-country junk that fills today’s country radio stations. They are a downright country band that won’t need to make a pop album in order to save their career. If you are a devoted country fan, don’t let tickets to this show sell out on you. www.mayociviccenter.com – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

A Winter’s Tale / Crossings at Carnegie / Zumbrota / 12.13

From 37 fourth studio album, The Reason Why, was released by Capitol. The band returned in 2012 with the single ‘Pontoon,’ which wound up topping Billboard’s country charts. Little Big Town’s fifth full-length album, Tornado, followed in September 2012.. http://painkiller. littlebigtown.com/.

Messiah and African-American Spirituals: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, $11-$15. Adults $15, Seniors and under 18, $11. Add $1 to ticket price at the door.. The Bloomington Chorale, accompanied by an orchestral ensemble will perform Handel’s Messiah followed by African-American Spirituals, covering the many moods of Christmas, from the joyful and exuberant ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ to the contemplative ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy.’ Concert dates are Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m. www.bloomingtonchorale.com. http://www. bloomingtonchorale.com.

Westside: 12-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Established in 1981, on the West side of St. Paul where Robert and

Cesar Chavez Streets meet, Westside Band performs regionally and nationally. he band performs inspired covers and originals with a sound like Prince & Santana meet Jerry Lee KId Rock and the Rolling Stones. They live for live, interactive performance. There ain’t no party like the Westside Party! Cuz the Westside party don’t stop!. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classic-lounge/.

507-697-8000 Why Not: 12-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Keeping it local and familiar, Pub 31 is proud to bring you the local ‘supergroup’ duo of Carey Langer and Ray Coudret. Educators by day, rock stars by night. These guys know every song ever written. Make sure you request a Christmas song! Come check out Why Not at 8:30 p.m.. http://www.alexanderssupperclub. com/pub-31/.

Junk FM: 12-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. We’d rather you were totally surprised, but we’re certain that even if you ‘know’ what’s coming, you’re never gonna guess how it’s gonna hit you. You see, even though Junk FM touches on some of your favorite songs, Junk FM might take you for a little ride with those tunes. As one fan put it, ‘you’ve ruined

some of my favorite songs for me, I can’t listen to the originals without wanting to hear the way Junk FM played ‘em.’. http:// arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/junk-fm/.

Uncle Chunk: 12-Dec, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website for Pricing. Uncle Chunk is a Twin Cities based band, playing the best modern alternative rock around.. http:// www.babesmusicbar.com/Events.asp. (952) 469-5200 Messiah and African-American Spirituals: 13-Dec, 4:00 PM, Bloomington Center for the Arts, 1800 W Old Shakopee Rd, Bloomington, $11-$15. Adults $15, Seniors and under 18, $11. Add $1 to ticket price at the door.. The Bloomington Chorale, accompanied by an orchestral ensemble will perform Handel’s Messiah followed by African-American Spirituals, covering the many moods of Christmas, from the joyful and exuberant ‘Children, Go Where I Send Thee’ to the contemplative ‘Sweet Little Jesus Boy.’ Concert dates are Friday, December 12, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 13, 4 p.m. www.bloomingtonchorale.com. http://www. bloomingtonchorale.com.

Bonnie & The Clydes: 13-Dec, 6:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division

Street South, Northfield, See Website.

Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/the-contentedcow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Michael Shynes feat. Keith Pulvermacher: 13-Dec, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http://www. chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 A Winter’s Tale: 13-Dec, 7:30 PM, Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, $22-$25. A gathering of friends ringing in the season with songs both old and new. Come join award winning songwriters Don Henry, Jon Vezner and Sally Barris for a night of music, stories and cheer This trio will be returning on Saturday to host a Songwriting workshop, ‘Making Your Songs Better.’. http://www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/ page0003.winterstale.html. (507) 732-7616 Tonic Sol-fa Holiday Concert: 13-Dec, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $15-$35. Adults $35.00 / $32.50 | Youth $29.00 / $15.00. A new

chapter in the evolution of Tonic Sol-fa is here. New songs, new style, new moves. This Christmas, the Emmy-award winning quartet will bring you back to what music is all about with a sound stripped down to four men using harmony, charisma and a tambourine to tell a cappella stories spanning octave after octave. With limitless energy. Without gimmicks. Four irreplaceable voices. Together.. http://www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18929.

Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing: 13-Dec, 7:30 PM, Signature Bar & Grill, 201 Central Ave. N, Faribault, Free. Get Your Swing On With Jivin’ Ivan and the Kings of Swing. Music From The Golden Era. Ivan Whillock, Michael Hildebrandt, Paul Ousely, Mark Whillock , Doug Madow and Dallas Musselman make it happen. Eat, Drink, Dance and be Merry.. http://dallasjoanm.wix. com/kingsofswing-1.

Westside: 13-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Established in 1981, on the West side of St. Paul where Robert and Cesar Chavez Streets meet, Westside Band performs regionally and nationally. he band performs inspired covers and originals with a sound like Prince & Santana meet Jerry Lee KId Rock and the Rolling Stones. They live for live, interactive performance. There ain’t no party like the Westside Party! Cuz the Westside party don’t stop!. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classic-lounge/.

507-697-8000 Jon Manners: 13-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. The dean of the Southern Minnesota music scene, nobody plays and sings quite like Jon Manners.

He brings his magnificent music to Pub 31 at 8:30 p.m.. http://www.alexanderssupperclub. com/pub-31/.

Concentual: 13-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. 2014 finds Concentual celebrating over a decade of rocking tens of thousands of people across the Midwest! Their gimmickfree, sweaty rock show is not a concert it’s an event, filled with the best rock and roll classics, hot current hits, and a stage show you won’t soon forget. Dying to hear the best tunes, from Elvis to AC/DC? Then check out their calendar and figure out the best time and place to catch one of their shows!. http:// arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/concentual-2/.

South Metro Chorale ‘Fire and Ice’: 14-Dec, 3:00 PM, Prior Lake High School, 7575 150th St W, Savage, $8-$10. Featuring Conrad Susa’s ‘Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest’ and Prior Lake’s Twin Oaks and Hidden Oaks Middle School choruses performing with SMC on David Metzger’s ‘Willamette Winter Suite’,as well

as traditional carols and other selections. $8 students/seniors $10 adults.. http://www. southmetrochorale.org. (612) 386-4636 Lori Line The 25th Anniversary Christmas Special: 14-Dec, 3:00 PM, Verizon Wireless Center Mankato MN, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, $44-$49. Pianist Lorie Line is celebrating a big year. This season marks her 25th anniversary of touring and she is making this year’s show special in every way.

Line will showcase the best of the best of her holiday music over her 25-year career. She will feature her Fab 5 and this year she is bringing a special vocalist to the stage. Don’t miss this special evening of music as Lorie celebrates a milestone year.. http://www. verizonwirelesscentermn.com/24117/Event. aspx. (507) 387-8443 Shaun Johnson: 15-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $26 . The Shaun Johnson Big Band Experience is the only group taking big band music, fusing it with modern day mixes of all genres, and making the act of giving cool. We create more than music. We create feelings.

Experiences. The kind you remember as, That unbelievable night out. Wanna levitate off your chair with the pulse of pop? Done. Just dont ask that we hold back the edge because THAT is what makes us who we are. Big band was born out of rebellion, and we owe it to Sinatra to keep the evolution alive.. http:// www.ames-center.com/shaun-johnson.html.

Tonic Sol-Fa: 16-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $30-$25. Although they are simply four voices and a tambourine, Tonic Sol-fa has spentconsiderable time on the road carving their niche as the nations top vocal group. In the midst of touring, this quartet has been named one of the top five must see groups in America, has been awarded numerous original song and albumawards in pop, gospel and holiday genres, appeared on NBCs Today Show and inthe pages of Newsweek magazine. Outings with Jay Leno, Shawn Colvin, andGarrison Keillor have propelled album sales to more than 2,000,000 copies (mostly sold from the back of their trailer!) and have earned the group thousands of intensely loyal fans. The quartet has been voted into the Midwest Music Hall of Fame and have averaged over 150 shows annually in 48 states with music in radio stations and at retail stores nationwide.

Recently Tonic Sol-fas third public television special was broadcast to over 1,800 stations across the United States. And too, the quartet won their first Emmy Award in the Musical Composition/Arrangementcategory for a song performed in a Toys for Tots PSA (Public ServiceAnnouncement).. http://www.amescenter.com/tonic-sol-fa.html.

Celtic Holiday Hooley: 17-Dec, 8:15

PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Come for some warm-fuzzies & family-fun with the Celtic Holiday Hooley; a party for all ages with Irish music, stories, step dance, caroling and more!. http://www.chanhassentheatres. com/concert_series.aspx. (952) 934-1525 Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 18-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::load Article=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArti cle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF8-85AAFF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525 Sweet Jazz: 19-Dec, 5:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc. com/the-contented-cow/calendar/.

507.663.1351 Rock the Tree Top: 19-Dec, 7:30 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $10-$19. $15 Members, $19 Non Members, $10 Students. Look out there is a different kind of Santa coming to town!

Get ready to Rock the Tree Top this holiday season with Mark Allen and The Over & Back Band as they take you on a wild Sleigh Ride and take your beloved Holiday Classics and turn up the volume. It’s all about PEACE. JOY. AND ROCK AND ROLL! Tickets: $15 Members, $19 Non Members, $10 Students. http://www.paradisecenterforthearts.org.

Ann Reed with Joan Griffith: 19-Dec, 7:30 PM, Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, $16-$18. Join Ann Reed and bassist/instrumentalist Joan Griffith as they perform songs sure to brighten even the darkest night. New work and old favorites will welcome the return of light.. http:// www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/page0003.

MichaelJohnson.html. (507) 732-7616 Ben Cook-Feltz: 19-Dec, 8:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out

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and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc. com/the-contented-cow/calendar/.

507.663.1351 Guilty Pleasure Orchestra: 19-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Live music lives...members of Aaron Baron, Wakefield, and The Glory Holes have joined forces to bring the thunder and fun back to Rock ‘n’ Roll...welcome please...the Guilty Pleasures Orchestra! This powerful 5 piece line-up with decades of experience specializes in 70’s and 80’s rock and pop recreated just like your albums, brought to you live! There isn’t a song you won’t know and not a moment you won’t be headed to the dance floor!. http:// jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classiclounge/. 507-697-8000 Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 19-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt. com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent ::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WScontent::lo adArticle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF885AA-FF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525”Chad Johnson Fabulous Love Handles: 19-Dec, 8:30 PM, Spare Time Entertainment, 333 E. 18th St. SE, Owatonna, Free. Come for the food and stay for the entertainment.. http://www. spare-time-fun.com.

Smokescreen: 19-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. Shift this fiddle into overdrive!

Smokescreen is an exciting rock variety band entertaining audiences throughout the upper Midwest, and the tradition is still going strong. On lead vocals, guitar, synthesizer, harmonica and fiddle is Dwight Holmbo.

Also singing lead and playing guitar is Clark Bledsoe, a sensational guitarist and vocalist from Farmington. Joe Holmbo, known for his incredible stage presence, sings and plays an amazing bass guitar. Laying down Smokescreen’s solid and recognizable drum beat is Jesse Bohnsack, of Burnsville, an outstanding musician.. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/smokescreen-3/.

FlashMob: 19-Dec, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website. FlashMob! will get you moving.

It’s that simple. FM! delivers a fast-paced, high-energry pop/rock blitz featuring a diverse and unexpected set list.. http:// www.babesmusicbar.com/Events.asp. (952) 469-5200 Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 20-Dec, 1:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::load Article=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArti cle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF8-85AAFF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525 Great Northern Union Men’s Chorus: 20-Dec, 2:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $15-$30. New this year is a Christmas Concert that will feature some old favorites and some new standards all performed in the exciting GNU style. Christmas Stories is designed to reflect, remember and celebrate the stories and music that make the season so special.

Whether 8 or 80, this concert can be enjoyed by the whole family! Start a new holiday tradition this year.. http://www.ames-center. com/events.html.

Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers: 20-Dec, 3:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $48-$51. Join Grammy Award winners Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin LIVE as they bring four decades of country chart toppers and favorite Christmas tunes to the Sheldon Theatre this December. With hits like All the Gold in California, Houston and Used to Be Somebodys Baby, its sure to be an event to remember!. http://www. sheldontheatre.org/events/GatlinBrothers.

651-388-8700 The EZ Jazz Trio: 20-Dec, 6:30 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Live entertainment begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday. Entertainment schedule may change without notice.. http:// www.chankaskawines.com/events/live_entertainment. 507-931-0089 Larry Gatlin and The Gatlin Brothers: 20-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $48-$51. Join Grammy Award winners Larry, Steve and Rudy Gatlin LIVE as they bring four decades of country

chart toppers and favorite Christmas tunes to the Sheldon Theatre this December. With hits like All the Gold in California, Houston and Used to Be Somebodys Baby, its sure to be an event to remember!. http://www. sheldontheatre.org/events/GatlinBrothers.

651-388-8700 Great Northern Union Men’s Chorus: 20-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $15-$30. New this year is a Christmas Concert that will feature some old favorites and some new standards all performed in the exciting GNU style. Christmas Stories is designed to reflect, remember and celebrate the stories and music that make the season so special.

Whether 8 or 80, this concert can be enjoyed by the whole family! Start a new holiday tradition this year.. http://www.ames-center. com/events.html.

Truman Fun Time Dance: 20-Dec, 8:00 PM, Truman Community Center, 101 East Ciro,, Truman, Free. Music from various artists including Jerry Buse, Mylan Ray, Mark &Len, Steve Lang & Bobby, Norgard Duo, the Jesse James Band, and Starfire.. .

Christmas with the Celts: 20-Dec, 8:00 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, $34.62 . The Celts perform original Celt music from the past as well as today!. http://www.mysticlake.com/ christmaswiththecelts14. (952) 445-9000 Optimum Trajectory: 20-Dec, 8:00 PM, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street South, Northfield, See Website. Join us for live music tonight at The Contented Cow. Come out and enjoy the show!. http://1001solutionsllc.com/the-contentedcow/calendar/. 507.663.1351 Guilty Pleasure Orchestra: 20-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Live music lives...members of Aaron Baron, Wakefield, and The Glory Holes have joined forces to bring the thunder and fun back to Rock ‘n’ Roll...welcome please...the Guilty Pleasures Orchestra! This powerful 5 piece line-up with decades of experience specializes in 70’s and 80’s rock and pop recreated just like your albums, brought to you live! There isn’t a song you won’t know and not a moment you won’t be headed to the dance floor!. http:// jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classiclounge/. 507-697-8000 Matthew Griswold: 20-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Matthew Griswold can hold a room in the palm of his hand with his deep mesmerizing songs, soulful voice and commanding stage presence. Whether playing his original material or something from a seemingly endless list of covers that everubody knows, you won’t take your eyes off the man. Matthew is something special, and Pub 31 is proud to present him. Music starts at 8:30.. http://www.matthewgriswold.net/index.html.

Playback: 20-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. Playback delivers the best party rock, pop & dance music to stages all over the Twin Cities metro area and beyond! You’ll hear current hits from Pink, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, Kid Rock and Katy Perry, as well as favorites from the 80 s and 90 s!!. http:// arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/playback-4/.

Great Northern Union Men’s Chorus: 21-Dec, 2:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $15-$30. New this year is a Christmas Concert that will feature some old favorites and some new standards all performed in the exciting GNU style. Christmas Stories is designed to reflect, remember and celebrate the stories and music that make the season so special.

Whether 8 or 80, this concert can be enjoyed by the whole family! Start a new holiday tradition this year.. http://www.ames-center. com/events.html.

Mick Sterling’s ‘At Christmas’: 21-Dec, 7:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $30-$55.

AT CHRISTMAS is a truly unique blend of holiday family-fueled comedy and drama brilliantly written and performed by three alums of Dudley Riggs Brave New Workshop, Shannon Custer, Michelle Cassioppi and Jim Robinson. What drives AT CHRISTMAS are stories and music that ring true with all families.This intimate 90-minute show is a funny, poignant and heart-warmingly tender reflection of what the holidays mean for families. The live, six-piece band performs surprisingly fresh interpretations of recognizable Christmas favorites and features Twin Cities’ favorite frontman, Mick Sterling, and A Brave New Workshop’s musical director, Peter Guertin.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/ Online/default.asp?doWork::WScontent::load Article=Load&BOparam::WScontent::loadArti cle::article_id=32E4CA58-33BB-4CF8-85AAFF3EF7A46AE0. (952) 934-1525 Home Free: 21-Dec, 7:00 PM, Verizon Wireless Center Mankato MN, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Mankato, $19.50-$117. When country a cappella band Home Free was crowned Season 4 Champions of NBC’s The Sing-Off this past December, their victory was by no means the beginnings of a career for the five country stars from Minnesota rather it was a satisfying culmination of nearly a decade of hard work and commitment to a vocal craft growing in popularity.. http://www. verizonwirelesscentermn.com/24475/Event. aspx. (507) 387-8443 George Winston: 23-Dec, 7:00 PM, Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Avenue, Zumbrota, $42-$45. Solo pianist George Winston, best know for his seasonally themed recordings including December, Autumn, Winter into Spring, and Summer, will perform two Winter Show concerts at Crossings, on Mon. and Tues., Dec. 22 and 23, each at 7 p.m.. http:// www.crossingsatcarnegie.com/page0003.

georgewinston.html. (507) 732-7616 Lorie Line: 23-Dec, 7:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $49 . Pianist Lorie Line is celebrating a big year.

This season marks her 25th anniversary of touring and she is making this year’s show special in every way. Line will showcase the best of the best of her holiday music over her 25-year career. She will feature her Fab 5 and this year she is bringing a special vocalist to the stage. Don’t miss this special evening of music as Lorie celebrates a milestone year.. http://www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/eventdetails.aspx?eventid=19026.

Jim Brickman: 26-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $36-$71. Embarking on his 18th annual holiday tour, Jim Brickman, the best-selling solo pianist of our time, will once again wow audiences from coast to coast with On A Winters Night. Celebrating the sounds of the season in a big way, Brickman will showcase new music, along with holiday favorites and the hits that made him the most charted (30) Billboard Adult Contemporary artist, earning him two Grammy nods and four gold albums.

With featured musical guests, Anne Cochran and Tracy Silverman, feelings of hope and joy are fused together with Brickman’s most beloved hits like Valentine, If You Believe, The Gift, Angel Eyes, and Sending You A Little Christmas.. http://www.ames-center. com/jim-brickman.html.

Them Pesky Kids: 26-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Them Pesky Kids brings you feel good arena rock in any setting from clubs to festivals. The ‘KIDS’ bring years of rocking from the leading regional bands ‘Touched’ and ‘Warp Drive’ to the international touring act ‘Blackfoot’. Everything here is huge from vocals, guitars, bass and monster drums to high end stage production.. http:// jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classiclounge/. 507-697-8000 Arlo Cristafaro: 26-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. A homecoming show of sorts. Northfield’s Arlo Cistafaro graduated from High School and headed off for the East Coast, taking with him a catlouge of songs filled with wit, wisdom and spark that belies his youth. He is joined by co-hort, musician and local producer Jonathan Young for the kind of intimate show for which the Pub 31 Stage was designed. As a bonus late-Christmas-gift, golden voiced Savannah Stuckmeyer, herself a Rice County expatriate, will join the boys for a few songs as well.. http://www.alexanderssupperclub. com/pub-31/.

Candy Shop Band: 26-Dec, 9:30 PM, Babe’s Music Bar, 20685 Holyoke Ave. S., Lakeville, See Website. Enjoy Live Music this Friday with the sounds of Candy Shop Band.. http://www.babesmusicbar.com/Events.asp.

(952) 469-5200 Them Pesky Kids: 27-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. Them Pesky Kids brings you feel good arena rock in any setting from clubs to festivals.

The ‘KIDS’ bring years of rocking from the leading regional bands ‘Touched’ and ‘Warp Drive’ to the international touring act ‘Blackfoot’. Everything here is huge from vocals, guitars, bass and monster drums to high end stage production.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/classic-lounge/.

507-697-8000 Mark Allen: 27-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Hometown hero Mark Allen (of the Key West Rejects) plays songs you love. Some you know by heart and some you haven’t heard yet. But you’ll love his country-rock way more than you can imagine. And, by the way, you also want to stick around and hear him play a little harmonica, too.. http://www.alexanderssupperclub.com/pub-31/.

Rhino: 27-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. Rhino is a five member, high energy Twin Cities band playing an array of modern, alternative, 80 s, and classic rock, with twists of country and other surprises splashed in.

The ‘show’ is nonstop entertainment and fun, sure to make you get up and dance, or just sit back and enjoy. All five members bring a different element of charisma and showmanship to the stage, each with their own unique personality and flare. If you want to be a part of the party, then a Rhino show is where you want to be.. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/ event/rhino-3/.

Rusty Evans & Ring of Fire: 28-Dec, 4:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, $15-$25. Rusty Evans brings you The Worlds Finest Johnny Cash Tribute. Don’t miss it.. http://jackpotjunction. com/entertainment/. 507-697-8000 Monroe Crossing: 31-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $15-$26. Celebrate the New Year with Monroe Crossing! Named in honor of Bill Monroe, The Father of Bluegrass Music, Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals.

Their airtight harmonies, razor sharp arrangements, and on-stage rapport make them audience favorites across the United States and Canada. Based in Minnesota, the group plays an average of 125 shows a year at major venues and festivals, frequently for non-bluegrass audiences and people often comment that theyd never really liked bluegrass music until they attended a Monroe Crossing concert! Monroe Crossing is made up of five very distinct personalities with differing musical backgrounds and tastes, combining for a very unique ensemble sound. They are Derek Johnson: guitar, lead & harmony vocals; Lisa Fuglie: fiddle,

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., December 20 Sheldon Theatre, Red Wing

When you hear the words “brothers” or “sisters,” especially in a bands name, it does not necessarily mean they are of any relation at all. It usually just means they are more likely to be in the headlines for having some petty argument or a potential break-up scandal. Or it just sounded cool, like the Doobie Brothers. But the Gatlin brothers are literally brothers—a trio of country icons who started singing fifty years ago and have had over thirty Top 40 singles.

Now, imagine this charming band performing the National Anthem before the 1989 World Series in San Francisco. Yeah, that happened, and you probably missed it. But, you don’t have to miss them in the “glittering jewel box” that is the Sheldon Theatre. It is a building full of history and charm that shows music, theatre, dance, comedy, films, lectures and more. Watch out ladies—pair this classic group of southern men with the antique red velvet chairs of the Sheldon and it will be hard not to enjoy yourself. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/events/GatlinBrothers – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

Jim Brickman / Ames Center / Burnsville / 12.26

mandolin, lead & harmony vocals; Matt Thompson: mandolin, fiddle, baritone vocals; Mark Anderson: bass & bass vocals; and David Robinson: banjo. Their paths crossed through the music of Bill Monroe so they like to say they had a Monroe Crossing.

Among their many honors, Monroe Crossing was selected to showcase at the 2007 International Bluegrass Music Association Convention and they were inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2007. The only bluegrass band ever nominated as Artist of the Year by the Minnesota Music Academy (MMA), Monroe Crossing won the 2003 MMA Bluegrass Album of the Year award.

The group also took home four awards for Female Vocalist, Guitar, Mandolin and Banjo at the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Associations 25th Anniversary Awards Banquet. Monroe Crossing has recorded 13 CDs and one DVD to date. Their lucky 13th CD is ‘The Road Has No End,’showcasing both the bands unique originality and its high regard for the classic bluegrass tradition.

This band understands and respects the musical principles laid down by Bill Monroe....

Heartache & Stone represents their best effort to date. Arrangements are fresh and creative...

An enjoyable project loaded with satisfaction.

Louisville Music News Great tune, great album, fine group! The expressiveness of the vocals and the arrangement are terrific, not to mention the flawless instrumental work!

Joe Steiner, Bluegrass DJ, WLFC, Findlay, Ohio. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/events/ monroecrossing2014. 651-388-8700

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Sawyer Brown: 31-Dec, 7:00 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, $45-$60. Sawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King’s road band: Bobby Randall (guitar) and Jim Scholten (bass guitar), both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth (drums), Gregg ‘Hobie’ Hubbard (keyboards), and Mark Miller (lead vocals).

After King retired in 1981, the five members decided to form a band, first choosing the name Savanna before switching to Sawyer Brown, also the name of a road near where they practiced.. http://www.mysticlake.com/ sawyerbrown14. (952) 445-9000 Nite Shift: 31-Dec, 8:00 PM, North Star Bar, 503 N Broadway, Rochester, Free. Nite Shift performs live tonight at the North Star Bar!. http://www.northstarbar.net/.

Crystal and The Commotion: 31-Dec, 8:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website.

Crystal and The Commotion is one of the hardest working, high energy groups in the state of Wisconsin. They maintain a busy schedule through out the year entertaining at casinos, street dances and corporate events all over the mid west. The band features the energetic and entertaining vocalist Crystal Dolivo. 2010 Grammy Nominated artist Peter Phippen on the bass guitar. Guitarist Scott Milz and Drummer Michael Hucek. You can expect great music from the 60’s 70’s 80’s 90’s and today.. http://jackpotjunction.com/

entertainment/classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Drive South: 31-Dec, 8:30 PM, Pub 31, 31 3rd Street NE, Faribault, Free. Spend New Year’s Eve at Pub 31. Drink and app specials, champagne at midnight, and music from the outstanding Drive South. This acoustic trio plays all your favorites frm Bruce Springsteen to Elton John to Hank Williams to Alison Krauss. Celebrate 2015 with dinner at Alexander’s and then come downstairs to party into the new year!. http://www. alexanderssupperclub.com/pub-31/.

Hairball: 31-Dec, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, $35 . Hairball is a Rock & Roll experience you won’t soon forget. A band puts on a concert - Hairball puts on an event! The lights, sound, smoke, fire, bombs, and screaming hoards of avid fans...to merely call it a concert would be like calling Mount Rushmore a roadside attraction!. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/.

507-697-8000 Shaw Brothers: 31-Dec, 9:30 PM, Arizona’s, 1244 Canterbury Road South, Shakopee, See Website. The Shaw Brothers are a Premier Midwest Band that has been performing classic rock to current pop dance music. Featuring Mark Shaw, Jeff Shaw, Trent Shaw.. http://arizonasbarandgrill.com/event/ shaw-brothers-3/.

Pointer Sisters: 31-Dec, 10:00 PM, Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, 2400 Mystic Lake Blvd, Prior Lake, $45-$65. The Pointer Sisters are an American R&B recording girl group from

Oakland, California that achieved mainstream success during the 1970s and 1980s.. http:// www.mysticlake.com/thepointerssisters14.

(952) 445-9000

FILM A Special Holiday Movie: 18-Dec, 7:30 PM, Paramount Theater, 125 N.E. Fourth Ave., Austin, $5 . Get into the holiday spirit with a special holiday movie. http://www. paramounttheatre.org.

NIGHTLIFE DJ Don’t Josh Me: 22-Nov, 7:00 PM, Casper’s Cherokee of Eagan, 4625 Nicols Road, Eagan, See Website. DJ Don’t Josh Me! Saturdays Only at Caspers party barn central!

Featuring EDM, Top 40 Remix and dance music and more.. http://casperscherokee. com/calendar-upcomming-agenda/. (651) 454-6744”Saturday Night Variety Dance Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 28-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These

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Red Wing Holiday Stroll All day long, November 28 Downtown Red Wing

So, A Christmas Story was filmed in Minnesota. For those who do not know the validity of that statement, I bet you just felt a rush of pride run down your cold, Minnesota spine. I will save you from the embarrassment of claiming to be from the sexy lamp neighborhood and admit that it was in fact, filmed in Ohio. I can’t help but feel reminded of towns in Minnesota when I watch that movie, one in particular is Red Wing. A quant city located on the Mississippi River holds a truly old-fashioned Christmas celebration the day after Thanksgiving—because that is when you are supposed to get ready for Christmas, not before Halloween.

Local businesses will have their front windows decorated for the event; maybe you will spot a Red Rider BB gun. Or maybe you won’t because the movie was never filmed here, sorry for the painful reminder. The entire day will be filled with activities, music, and live performances. Start your day with pancakes from the local Elks Club and from there you can venture off to the reindeer and sleigh rides, nativity performances, or cookie decorating. Whatever sizzles your bacon, you do it. It will be there. http://www.sheldontheatre.org/events/GatlinBrothers – – Autumn Van Ravenhorst, editor@southernminnscene.com

From 39 are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 29-Nov, 9:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand

all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Sherwin and Pam Linton and the Cotton Kings: 30-Nov, 6:00 PM, Jackpot Junction Casino, 39375 County Highway 24, Morton, See Website. An Entertainer’s Entertainer, Mr. Versatility, Mid America’s Number One Entertainer, A Nationally Unknown Superstar, Mid-America’s Country Music Legend, The Greatest Show On Earth... These are a few of the clich s and phrases that have been used to attempt to describe what the name Sherwin Linton has meant to his fans, his friends, and his peers. Sherwin learned to accompany his singing while chording on the piano and guitar as a child, and at sixteen he had his own radio show on KWAT Radio in Watertown, South Dakota. Sherwin and his band ‘The Rocketeers’ were soon in demand all over eastern South Dakota. Moving to Minneapolis in 1957, he soon formed ‘The Fender Benders’ which became a very popular ballroom and nightclub act that rocked and rolled great audiences from Minnesota to the west coast in the early to mid-sixties.. http://jackpotjunction.com/entertainment/ classic-lounge/. 507-697-8000 Dirt Road Prophets: 6-Dec, 10:00 PM, The Club Faribault, 1525 Division St. W,

Faribault, See Website. The Club is Southern Minnesota’s premier music venue. With a premium sound system and the hottest rotation of live bands and fun DJ promos, Spike’s delivers the fun! Combine the incredible entertainment and killer drink specials with our popular volleyball, pool, and dart leagues and you’ll see why The Club is the place to party.. http://www.theclubfbo.com/ event-calendar/.

OUTDOORS Game Day: 21-Nov, 12:00 PM, Chankaska Creek Ranch And Winery, 1179 E. Pearl Street, Kasota, Free. Every Friday will be game day at Chankaska Creek! We will have a few games available for you but feel free to bring your own. We will take 10% off your glass of wine.. http://www.chankaskawines. com/events/winery_events. 507-9310089”Bird Watching Trek Faribault Flyers Bike Club: 22-Nov, 8:00 AM, Bernie’s Restaurant, 129 Central Ave. N., Faribault, Free. Breakfast, then a 9 a.m. biking.. . “Bird Watching Trek Herbs for Fun and Flavor: 22-Nov, 12:00 PM, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, Free. Awaken your senses as you and your family sniff out where herbs get their flavor and fragrance! Examine herbs up close with a microscope and search the greenhouse to find medicinal herbs. Learn how to take a cutting of your favorite herb to

40 w w w. s o u t h e r N m i nn SCENE. c o m u D ECEM B ER 2 0 1 4

bring home and grow on your windowsill.. http://www.arboretum.umn.edu/weekendfamilyfun.aspx. 952-443-1400”Turkeys Faribault Flyers Bike Club: 24-Nov, 4:30 PM, River Bend Nature Center, 1000 Rustad Road, Faribault, Free. Will hike at 4:30 p.m. and mountain bike at the nature center at 6 p.m.. . “Paws to Read IRIS Turkey Trot: 27-Nov, 7:00 AM, Faribault Middle School, 704 17th Street SW, Faribault, $15-$35. $15-20 for Children’s Events, $30-35 for Adult Events. Join us for the 6th Annual Turkey Trot 5K walk, 5K & 10K Run Gobble Wobble and Tot Trot Thanksgiving morning Held regardless of the weather conditions Early Check-in: Nov. 26th--4:00 to 6:30 pm Day of Check-in: Nov. 27th--7:00 am Event Times: 7:00 am - Line Up Kids Events 8:00 am - Gobble Wobble 8:10 am - Tot Trot 8:20 am - 5K & 10K Line Up 8:30 am - 10K Timed Run 8:35 am - 5K Timed Run 8:40 am - 5K Walk Register at www.irisRemembers.org Register by November 9th to guarantee your T-shirt $15-20 for Children’s Events, $30-35 for Adult Events. http://www. irisRemembers.org. 5073344748 Tonka Turkey Trot: 27-Nov, 8:00 AM, Minnetonka High School, 18301 Highway 7, Minnetonka, $25 . Registration is now open for the 5th Annual Tonka Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, November 27, 2014!

This family friendly event will take place at Minnetonka High School beginning at 8:00 am. Bring the entire family and join us for a 5K run/walk, a 100-yard kid’s Turkey Scoot and a fun morning! The 5K course starts and finishes at Minnetonka High School and loops around nearby neighborhoods.

The Turkey Scoot will take place inside the Tonka Dome. For more information, or to register now for ‘early bird’ pricing, go to: www.tonkaturkeytrot.com. There’s no extra processing fee for online registration!

The Tonka Turkey Trot is presented by the Minnetonka Track & Field and Cross Country Association.. http://www.tonkaturkeytrot.com.

952-401-5000 Northfield Rotary Turkey Trot: 27-Nov, 9:00 AM, Weitz Center for Creativity Cinema, 320 Third Street East, Northfield, $15-$20. $15 early registration (through November 15), $20 after early registration ends. The Northfield Rotary Club will hold its 14th annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run/Walk on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, beginning and ending at the Weitz Center for Creativity on the campus of Carleton College. Registration will open at 8 a.m., and the event will begin at 9 a.m. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online by November 15. The cost to participate is $15 before November 15 and $20 after. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Student Youth Exchange Program and the Rotary EndPolio effort to eradicate polio worldwide. Participants are also encouraged to bring a non-perishable food shelf donation to help local families in need.

For more information and to register online, visit the Northfield Rotary Club website at: www.northfieldrotary.org.. http://www. northfieldrotary.org.

Second Annual Turkey Trot: 27-Nov, 9:30 AM, St. Peter Chamber, Pearly Gates, , St Peter, Free. The Chamber is partnering with The Pulse to host the Second Annual St. Peter Thanksgiving Turkey Trot. It’s absolutely free to run or walk the two-mile course!

Watch for free cookies and refreshments too.

There are no t-shirts given with the event, and it’s not officially timed. Although, times will be called out as runners cross the finish line.

The run/walk will start at the Pearly Gates.

Door prizes will be drawn at 10:15 a.m. The Turkey Trot is open to the public -- all ages.

Contact the Chamber at 934-3400 to sign up or just show up that day.

No School Open Swim: 28-Nov, 1:00 PM, Le Sueur Community Center, 821 East Ferry St., Le Sueur, Free. No School Open Swim, free for members.. http://. 507-6653325”Ugly Sweater 5k Autumn Hiking Adventure with a Naturalist: 29-Nov, 1:30 PM, Richardson Nature Center, 8737 E. Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, $5 . Enjoy an autumn hike with leaves crinkling under your feet. Look for wildlife and learn about the park. Hike approximately two miles on woodchip and turf trails. Binoculars and Nordic walking poles available upon request.. http://www. threeriversparks.org/events/A/autumnhiking-adventure-with-a-naturalist--.aspx.

Le Sueur Garden Club Meeting: 2-Dec, 1:00 PM, Le Sueur Public Library Community Room, 118 E Ferry St., Le Sueur, Free. Le Sueur Garden Club meeting, 1 p.m., first Tuesday of the month, Le Sueur Public Library, Community Room, 118 E Ferry St.,

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Le Sueur. Meetings are open to the public.

For more information call Vi 507-665-3659.. http://. 507-665-2662 Wintergreen Mysteries: 6-Dec, 12:00 PM, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, Free. Can you and your family tell the difference between fir, spruce, cedar, and pine? Create a clue card to help learn their unique traits. When other trees’ branches are bare, the hardy evergreen trees keep our spirits green all winter long.

Use cones to create a cheerful elf to decorate your home for the holidays.. http://www. arboretum.umn.edu/weekendfamilyfun.aspx.

952-443-1400 Christmas in the Village: 6-Dec, 1:00 PM, Dakota County Heritage Village, 4008 W. 220th St., Farmington, $5 . Visit our buildings that will be lit with lights inside and out throughout our village. Trolley rides are free with paid admission. Santa will be in the Depot and Mrs. Santa will be in the village to help children write letters to Santa.

There will be cooking in the Harris House, Christmas trees in all the buildings, Choirs and individuals providing holiday music and in the Church. Drive through the Village any evening during the month of December and see the buildings decorated with lights a delightful photo opportunity.. http://www. dakotacity.org/events/christmas-in-thevillage/. 651-460-8050 Wintergreen Mysteries: 7-Dec, 12:00 PM, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, Free. Can you and your family tell the difference between fir, spruce, cedar, and pine? Create a clue card to help learn their unique traits. When other trees’ branches are bare, the hardy evergreen trees keep our spirits green all winter long.

Use cones to create a cheerful elf to decorate your home for the holidays.. http://www. arboretum.umn.edu/weekendfamilyfun.aspx.

952-443-1400”Christmas in the Village Tails for Reading: 13-Dec, 11:00 AM, Chaska Library, 3 City Hall Plaza, Chaska, Free. Elementary school age children are welcome to read books aloud to specially trained therapy dogs to encourage confidence in reading. Children read for a 15 minute session on a first come, first served basis.. http://host6.evanced.info/melsa/carver/ eventcalendar.asp. (952) 448-9395 Adaptive Cross-Country Skiing Open Houses: 14-Dec, 1:00 PM, Hyland Lake Park Reserve, 10145 Bush Lake Road, Bloomington, Free. This is a great opportunity for individuals with any disability to try sit-skiing or guided skiing. Equipment provided. Co-sponsored by Courage Kenny and the Loppet Foundation. Reservations required. Free. Ages: All.. http://www. threeriversparks.org/events/A/adaptivecross-country-skiing-open-houses.aspx.

Cannon River Woodcarvers Meeting: 15-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ivan Whillock Studio, 122 First Ave. N.E., Faribault, Free. Call 339-0336 with questions.. .

Walks with Matt: 20-Dec, 10:00 AM, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, $12-$25. Spend a few hours with a leading Arboretum expert to discover what plants are unfurling and blooming and which creatures are coming and going throughout the Arboretum. Enroll in one or several of these ‘classes on the move’ to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the seasonal changes in this unique setting. Instructors include acclaimed landscape gardener Richard Gjertson and wildlife expert Matt Schuth. Bring your binoculars and a willingness to savor the wonders of the flora and fauna.. http://www. arboretum.umn.edu/classesonthemove.aspx.

952-443-1400

THEATER Hello, Dolly!: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known half-a-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http://www.chanhassentheatres.com/ hellodolly.aspx. (952) 934-1525”Witness for the Prosecution Four Bitchin’ Babes: 21-Nov, 8:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $30-$40. Start with four richlygifted singer-songwriters; add 3/4 cup married life;

four kids; three cats; onedog; one piano; a bunch of guitars, ukuleles mandolins, and a rocking pinkbass; a dollop of sharp social commentary; and a pinch of PMS. Set this on theroad to tour for 20 years, throw in a hot flash or two and youve got HormonalImbalanceA Mood Swinging Musical Revue!, an estrogen-fueled hilarious new show that celebrates the best of Babes, Boys, and Botox, starring the Four Bitchin Babes.. http://www. ames-center.com/angel-fund-series.html.

Every Christmas Story Ever Told: 23-Nov, 1:30 PM, Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave N., Lanesboro, $15-$30. $15 Students, $30 Adults. Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch- and just about every other holiday character- make an appearance in this raucous comedy when three actors decide that rather than perform A Christmas Carol yet again, they’ll retell every Christmas story ever told in only 90 minutes! A madcap romp for the holiday season, this farce also features Christmas traditions from around the world plus every carol ever sung! With Frosty and Charlie Brown and George Bailey, you’ll laugh yourself all the way to the New Year!. http://www.commonwealtheatre.org/calendar. html. 507-467-2905”Ring of Fire Moon Over Buffalo: 23-Nov, 2:00 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Charlotte and George Hay, traveling actors, are performing Cyrano de Bergerac and Private Lives in a repertory theater in Buffalo. Charlotte has grandiose dreams of becoming a Hollywood fi lm star. Following some back stage drama and a failed performance, they receive word that they might just have a shot at stardom: Hollywood Director Frank Capra is coming to town to see their matinee!. http://test. lakevillemn.gov/index.php?option=com_ jevents&task=icalrepeat.detail&evid=5733&It emid=1364&year=2014&month=11&day=14 &title=moon-over-buffalo&uid=a1d77273b78 5263cbd0bdf46a881ac52.

Youth Performance: Bottom: 23-Nov, 2:00 PM, Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church, 3611 N. Berens Rd., Prior Lake, Free. An all-youth cast will help raise awareness about the growing problem of sex trafficking in Minnesota through their free performance of the original play ‘bottom’ on Sunday, November 23, at 2 p.m. at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church in Prior Lake.

The performance is 50 minutes and will feature a post-performance panel discussion with nonprofit leaders and experts on sex trafficking. Due to the serious subject matter of the performance, audience members should be 13 years of age or older. Blank Slate Theatre’s original performance of ‘bottom’ is funded by a grant from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and presented by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and Interfaith Children’s Advocacy Network.. http://www.shakopeedakota.org/newsroom/ press-releases/2014/local-performanceraise-awareness-about-g.

Hello, Dolly!: 27-Nov, 2:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $61-$66. Dolly Levi is a delightfully scheming busybody who makes her living as a matchmaker in glamorous New York City. She’s out to make a match for Horace Vandergelder, the ‘well-known halfa-millionaire,’ with the charming hat maker, Irene Molloy - but in the process, Dolly snares a groom for herself. Dolly masterfully orchestrates romance and adventure in a glittering mixed up night on the town.. http:// www.chanhassentheatres.com/hellodolly. aspx. (952) 934-1525 A Christmas Carol: The Musical: 28-Nov, 7:30 PM, Chaska High School, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, $12-$17. $12 17 & under, $17 adults. Ebenezer Scrooge is a prosperous curmudgeon who believes personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated ‘Bah! Humbug!’ Scrooge summates his feelings of Christmas tidings and charitable giving, but he’s forced to face his selfish ways when three ghosts on Christmas Eve lead him through his Past, Present, & Future.

Thanks to their guidance, Scrooge recognizes his faults and spends Christmas day reconnecting with those that mean the most to him. Alan Menken’s (Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid) wonderfully flowing score combined with Lynn Ahrens’ (Ragtime, Seussical) beautiful lyrics breathe fantastic new life into this version of the holiday classic. Directed by Bill Coldwell; musical direction by Joan Nelson; choreography by Jennifer Sopoci-Hardin.. http://www.cvft.org/ currentseason/holiday.

Disney Junior Live on Tour: 29-Nov, 12:30 PM, Mayo Civic Center, 30 Civic Center Drive, Rochester, $17-$66. Grab your

tiaras and doubloons and join us for Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure. Mickey and Minnie are taking their seats too at this never-before-seen live show featuring your favorite characters from Disney Junior’s hit series, Sofia the First and Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Get swept up in the excitement as Sofia and her family prepare for a royal celebration that helps us all learn the true meaning of being a princess with a special appearance from Cinderella.

Then it’s off to Never Land where Jake and his swashbuckling friends Izzy and Cubby, with a little help from Peter Pan, battle Captain Hook to unlock treasure hidden inside a mysterious volcano. It’s danger and dueling on the high seas as Jake discovers what it takes to be a true hero. Filled with new music, amazing effects, thrilling action and endless surprises, your whole family will sing, shout, and soar into the action when Disney Junior Live On Tour! Pirate & Princess Adventure sails into your hometown. Special bonus! Starting ten minutes before every performance join loveable Doc McStuffins for a special pre-show!

You can help Doc take care of one of her beloved toys with her own special brand of love and magic. Free to all ticket holders.. http:// www.mayociviccenter.com/upcoming_events/ eventdetails.aspx?eventid=18587.

The Santa Diaries: 5-Dec, 7:30 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $9-$15. $15 for adults, $9 for children 12 and under. The state premiere of this funny and charming musical play is a holiday treat for the entire family. Will Hawes (played by Michael Lambert) has run away from his family history which includes five generations of Santas. He refuses to believe he has ‘the calling.’ So what happens when this successful and self-absorbed Hollywood actor is forced to return to his small hometown and direct the community holiday play? On his journey, Will rediscovers the joy of Christmas, a lost love, and learns to embrace his inner Santa, accepting the gifts handed down through his family line.. http:// www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/theatre/ the-merlin-players/.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 5-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center.com/ chameleon-theatre-circle.html.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 6-Dec, 7:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center. com/chameleon-theatre-circle.html. “Miss Richfield 1981’s Play With My Poodle For Christmas!

The Santa Diaries: 7-Dec, 2:00 PM, Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Faribault, $9-$15. $15 for adults, $9 for students. The state premiere of this funny and charming musical play is a holiday treat for the entire family. Will Hawes (played by Michael Lambert) has run away from his family history which includes five generations of Santas. He refuses to believe he has ‘the calling.’ So what happens when this successful and self-absorbed Hollywood actor is forced to return to his small hometown and direct the community holiday play? On his journey, Will rediscovers the joy of Christmas, a lost love, and learns to embrace his inner Santa, accepting the gifts handed down through his family line.. http://www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/theatre/the-merlin-players/.

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas: 7-Dec, 2:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $19-$22. Santa’s famous list has the final word on who’s good and who’s bad, and determines the fate of children all over the world. So, what would you do if your name suddenly went missing from the list? A mouse named Amos, an elf named Calliope, and a determined little girl named Emily set off on Christmas Eve to retake

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

control of their destinies and solve a crisis at the North Pole in this wry and adventurous holiday romp from the author of Lend Me a Tenor!. http://www.ames-center.com/ chameleon-theatre-circle.html. “Hello, Dolly!

Nuncrackers, The Musical: 12-Dec, 7:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $10-$23. The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Nuncrackers, features a humorous twist on some of your favorite Christmas carols, and even has Secret Santa audience participation. It will make you laugh and may even tug at your heartstrings. What a perfect way to make your holiday merry and bright!. http://www.sheldontheatre. org/events/phnxthtrholiday2014. 651-3888700”The Nutracker A Christmas Carol: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=12&title=a-christmas-caro l&uid=f2f15f3d8262b4199905183c7e6aa8d4.

Inspecting Carol: 12-Dec, 7:30 PM, Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 adults, $12 students. Its A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be cry-

ing! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behind-the-scenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/theater/inspectingcarol/.

Nuncrackers, The Musical: 13-Dec, 2:00 PM, Sheldon Theatre, 443 West 3rd Street, Red Wing, $10-$23. The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Nuncrackers, features a humorous twist on some of your favorite Christmas carols, and even has Secret Santa audience participation. It will make you laugh and may even tug at your heartstrings. What a perfect way to make your holiday merry and bright!. http://www.sheldontheatre. org/events/phnxthtrholiday2014. 651-3888700”A Stocking Full of Awesome IV The Nutracker: 13-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $16-$32. Twin Cities Ballet performs its flagship traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt’s The Nutcracker Ballet to full houses each year at the south metro’s premier professional theater, the Ames Center. The cast of approximately 120 consists of TCB’s core company of professional dancers and apprentices, dancers from other local and national professional dance companies, students from area dance schools and community residents.. http://www.amescenter.com/nutcracker.html.

A Christmas Carol: 13-Dec, 7:30 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=12&title=a-christmas-carol &uid=f2f15f3d8262b4199905183c7e6aa8d4.

“The Nutracker

A Christmas Carol: 14-Dec, 2:00 PM, Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville, $13 . Bringing the atmosphere of Victorian Christmas traditions to the stage, this vibrant and joyous musical takes you on a journey of discovery a journey where the true meaning of Christmas is found. With a cavalcade of colorful Dickensian characters and a ghostly quartet of guardians, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit.. http://test.lakevillemn.gov/index. php?option=com_jevents&task=icalrepeat. detail&evid=5741&Itemid=1364&year=2014 &month=12&day=12&title=a-christmas-carol &uid=f2f15f3d8262b4199905183c7e6aa8d4.

“The Santa Diaries Inspecting Carol: 14-Dec, 2:00 PM, Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 Adults, $12 students and seniors. It’s A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behindthe-scenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/ theater/inspectingcarol/.

The Nutracker: 14-Dec, 4:30 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $16-$32. Twin Cities Ballet performs its flagship traditional, full-length professional production of Denise Vogt’s The Nutcracker Ballet to full houses each year at the south metro’s premier professional theater, the Ames Center. The cast of approximately 120 consists of TCB’s core company of professional dancers and apprentices, dancers from other local and national professional dance

companies, students from area dance schools and community residents.. http://www.amescenter.com/nutcracker.html.

A Golden Fleecing: 15-Dec, 7:30 PM, Northfield Senior Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway, Northfield, $15 . The annual Northfield Senior Center Fall Melodrama is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.. http://www.northfieldseniorcenter.org/.

507-664-3700 Ole & Lena’s: 17-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $20 . Christmas has always been one of Lena’s favorite times of the year even if, as Ole says, ‘It makes her more than a little bit crazy.’

This year Lena has invited the whole family, even her snooty cousin Mildred from Edina.

Ole really wants nothing to do with the whole thing. Especially, the part where Lena has him dress up in the old Santa suit and hand out the presents. Can Sven help Ole from having to play the part of Santa? Will Lena be able to keep it all together while she prepares for the family Christmas? Find out in this hilarious show about family togetherness.. http://www. ames-center.com/ole.html.

Ole & Lena’s: 18-Dec, 7:00 PM, Ames Center, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, $20 . Christmas has always been one of Lena’s favorite times of the year even if, as Ole says, ‘It makes her more than a little bit crazy.’

This year Lena has invited the whole family, even her snooty cousin Mildred from Edina.

Ole really wants nothing to do with the whole thing. Especially, the part where Lena has him dress up in the old Santa suit and hand out the presents. Can Sven help Ole from having to play the part of Santa? Will Lena be able to keep it all together while she prepares for the family Christmas? Find out in this hilarious show about family togetherness.. http://www. ames-center.com/ole.html.

Inspecting Carol: 21-Dec, 2:00 PM, Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. Third Street, Northfield, $12-$17. $17 Adults, $12

students and seniors. It’s A Christmas Carol meets The Inspector General! Most non-profit theaters know the necessity of producing the annual holiday show to pay the bills for the rest of the season, and the theater company in this raucous play is no different! While preparing simultaneously for their annual production of A Christmas Carol and a visit from the National Endowment for the Arts granting representative, hilarity ensues with set malfunctions, casting snafus and mistaken identities. If we weren’t laughing, we’d be crying! Ring in the holidays with us as we look at the outrageously funny behindthe-scenes experiences of a non-profit theater company!. http://northfieldartsguild.org/ theater/inspectingcarol/.

Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas’: 26-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic.

Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WS content::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WSc ontent::loadArticle::article_id=AD8C3959EF63-48D7-B10E-2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525 Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christ-

mas’: 27-Dec, 1:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic.

Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WS content::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WSc ontent::loadArticle::article_id=AD8C3959EF63-48D7-B10E-2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525 Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas’: 27-Dec, 8:15 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version

of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic.

Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WS content::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WSc ontent::loadArticle::article_id=AD8C3959EF63-48D7-B10E-2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525 Martini & Olive ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas’: 28-Dec, 7:00 PM, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, 501 West 78th Street, Chanhassen, $40-$55. Ring in the holiday season with Martini & Olive’s hilarious, energetic holiday show that has earned rave reviews to sold-out audiences as far away as Los Angeles, ‘Takin’ Care of Christmas!’ Featuring music of the 70s, this show has kept audiences in hysterics for years. Martini & Olive (Jack Stahlmann and Judy Heneghan), are the hip and swinging Midwestern comedy lounge duo straight out of the 1970s, clad in loud polyester duds and backed up by the creme de la creme adult dance class, ‘The Swizzle Stick Dancers.’ Martini & Olive put a new twist on the holidays. It includes whistle-stop medleys, rousing renditions of Christmas classics, a not-to-be-missed, painfully choreographed and completely loony version of ‘Convoy,’ and an interpretive dance to ‘MacArthur Park’ that’s simply to die for. The show is sure to appeal to every demographic.

Don’t miss the biggest belly laugh you’ll have this holiday season.. https://www.chanhassendt.com/Online/default.asp?doWork::WS content::loadArticle=Load&BOparam::WSc ontent::loadArticle::article_id=AD8C3959EF63-48D7-B10E-2B97E3CB5FDA. (952) 934-1525

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41

OPEN AIR

ALEX VOIGT OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

A

mighty climb to the end of the

road

A

“

lex, you’re as ready for this trip as you’re ever going to be.”

Those were the words my dad said to me on the morning I was planning to leave his house to start my cross-country biking and hiking odyssey. Simple words, but necessary at that point.

I was a nervous wreck that day. The previous several weeks had been a scramble of getting everything ready for the trip. I had to buy appropriate gear, move out of my apartment and work through a seemingly endless list of other tasks. I felt overwhelmed by it all and seriously considered taking an extra day to get everything in order.

However, thanks to my dad’s reassurance -- and absolutely gorgeous weather that day -- I stayed on schedule and pedaled out of his driveway as he wished me farewell. Within 10 minutes, I knew I’d made the right choice and the nervousness was replaced with excitement for the journey ahead.

More than five months later, dad played an integral role in my adventure once again when he flew out to meet me at the base of Mount Katahdin, the highest point in Maine and the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

We talked previously about trying to

Reach copy editor Alex Voigt at 333-3132, or follow him on Twitter.com @AGVoigt.

 

  

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hike the last few miles together, but I wasn’t sure if he’d be up for it. Katahdin is one of the hardest climbs on the trail and my dad has had numerous foot problems in recent years.

Eventually, we agreed to start the hike together and if it got too difficult for him, he’d simply turn around and go back to the car. I was hoping he’d be able to make it the whole way, but I was also hoping I wouldn’t have to carry him down the mountain.

The hike started off easy enough. The trail was well maintained, the climb was gentle and the forecasted rain steered clear. Best of all, dad’s foot wasn’t acting up and he became more confident he could make it to the top of Katahdin.

However, the relative ease wouldn’t last. As we got higher up in elevation, winds began howling with gusts of 3040 mph and dense cloud cover resulted in occasional mist. The gentle inclines also got gradually steeper, eventually leading to stretches where it felt more like rock climbing than hiking. There were several occasions where dad would look up at the trail ahead, shake his head in disbelief and say “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Still, we kept moving forward. And eventually, our efforts were rewarded with the sight of the Katahdin summit sign peeking through the fog.

It’s hard to describe the mix of emotions that went through my head at that point. There was exuberance about finally reaching my goal, melancholy



 42 w w w. s o u t h e r N m i nn SCENE. c o m u D ECEM B ER 2 0 1 4

114 N. Cedar Ave. Owatonna Follow us

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www.tonemusic.net

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about my adventure coming to an end and anxiousness for what lies ahead, among others.

Mostly though, I kept thinking about how perfect it was for my dad to join me for the final leg of the journey. After months of biking and hiking mostly alone, the last day was a

shared experience that brought the adventure full circle in a poetic and beautiful way.

It started with a proud father and his son feeling on top of the world. It ended with a proud father and his son being on top of the world in a more literal sense.

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43

devour

Jill Mackey Faribault Foodie

Jill Mackey is a Faribault foodie.

Got a question about food or drinks for Jill? Email editor@southernminnscene.com

Homemade Caramel Sauce. here’s no denying it. The Holidays are upon us. I love the smells; fresh pine, cinnamon and nutmeg, warm cider, a crackling fire.

The sights; twinkling lights, lightly falling snow, bustling crowds, kids making snow forts and snowmen. The sounds; ringing bells, carolers on the corner, “Merry Christmas” and “Ho-Ho-Ho”! And most of all I love the ‘attitude’ of the throngs: kindness and giving. Can we figure out a way we can continue this feeling all year round – I know we can. Let’s each make our own personal pledge to continue this warm and generous attitude all through 2015. And 2016.

And 2017. Maybe it will become the

and festive tops. Fill them with one of the three (or a combination of all three) home-made and delicious items below.

Be sure to make up pretty recipe cards to accompany the gift jar.

This recipe can be prepared on the stove over low heat (watch carefully!) or in a crock pot. The aroma of the Cinnamon and Allspice will fill the house.

Intoxicating!

Place the apples in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over low heat or a crock pot.

Cook, uncovered, for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Add the brown sugar and spices; continue cooking over low heat, stirring occasionally, until very thick, about 30 minutes more. To test for doneness, place a spoonful of the mixture on a white plate and let sit for 20 seconds. If a ring of liquid forms around the apples, there is still too much liquid in the mixture. Continue cooking and testing until no ring forms. Fill your gift jars and refrigerate until a Holiday guest arrives.

Homemade Apple Butter. norm; a beautiful habit created from one single pledge for the year 2015.

Start it with this Season as you prepare for the inevitable ‘drop in’ guests this year. Have gifts ready for all. Gifts from the heart. Gifts prepared by you.

Might I make a couple of pretty easy suggestions?

Buy small canning jars. At this time of year you may find some with colorful

3 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks 1 pound light brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon allspice, preferably freshly ground

Who doesn’t love Caramel? Well, you haven’t really tasted caramel until you taste ‘homemade’!

1 1/2 cups sugar 1 fresh lemon, juiced 1 tablespoon corn syrup 1/4 cup water 1/4 cup heavy cream 2 sticks butter, cut into pats

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Homemade Beer Cheese.

In a medium/large (preferably large) saucepan stir to combine the sugar, lemon juice, corn syrup and water with a silicone spoon. Bring the pot to a medium high heat. Do not stir the mixture again; it could cause the sugar to recrystallize. As the sugar/water mixture boils the sugar will begin to “caramelize”. Pay close attention! Things can take a terrible turn for the worse here and there will be no recovery. As the sugar begins to turn a nice shade of darker brown, remove it from the heat and slowly add the heavy cream. It will bubble up like crazy. Be sure to have a pot large enough to accommodate.

Getting this on you could cause a very severe burn. Whisk the sugar/cream mixture until things settle down and add the butter 2 pats at a time. Be sure the pats have completely incorporated before adding more butter.

Let cool and put into jars. Keeps for about 10 days. Make sure to keep a jar for yourself!

And last but certainly far from least!

In honor of my recently late husband of 50 years, I offer his cheese recipe that is as addictive as he was to me!

in the refrigerated section) 1 onion, grated 2-3 cloves garlic, grated 9-10 oz. blue cheese, crumbled (recommended Amablu Gorgonzola or St. Pete’s Select Blue Cheese) 2 tbsp. butter, softened 1 tbsp. horseradish 1 ‘dollop’ sour cream beer, to thin

Mix all ingredients well. Fill your jars (with at least one for you) and let your guests know to serve at room temperature with their favorite crackers.

This will be my first Holiday without him. It will warm my heart to know that many others will be enjoying and sharing ‘his’ cheese.

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.”

--Dale Evans Rogers

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45

CD REVIEWS

By RICH LARSON editor@southernminnscene.com

T Ehrhardt shows that she belongs on ‘Live My Life’

he opening track on Sena Ehrhardt’s new album Live My Life is called “The Stakes Have Gone Up.” She couldn’t have found a more appropriately titled song.

Ehrhardt has been on the radar in blues circles for a few years now.

First singing with her father, Ed, in his band Plan B, and later with her own group, The Sena Ehrhardt Band, she’s made a name for herself as a fierce performer with a powerful voice and a commanding stage presence. She won the Blues Blast Music Award for “Best New Artist Debut Release” in 2011, and since then has opened shows for B.B. King, ZZ Top and Greg Allman. In the very male dominated world of blues music, Ehrhardt’s blue-eyed, blonde-haired good looks may have given her a little extra attention, but she clearly has the skills – the pipes, even - to keep people’s interest.

With the release of Live My Life, Ehrhardt finds herself in position to take the next step, and she has pulled out a lot of stops to make that happen. The most notable change is the arrival of guitar hero extraordinaire Cole Allen, with whom Ehrhardt co-wrote many of the songs on Life. She has also chosen to surround herself with some

By RICH LARSON editor@southernminnscene.com

W

Matthew Griswold’s upbeat, optimistic Travelin’ to the Grave

e all know people who are “old souls.” They’re that person who seems to have far more wisdom and common sense than their age would normally allow. They’re people who tend to understand things a little easier; people who tend to remain calm in the face of adversity; people who can take a longer view of things. I’m going to guess you know a few of those people.

But there are old souls, and then there’s Matthew Griswold.

A troubadour of the old school, Griswold writes songs with a timeless quality. The five years he spent in the Army, and especially his time during a combat deployment in Iraq, of course informs his music.

But to leave it at that give him short shrift. Griswold wields more than a soldier’s experience. His songs feel like they could have been written 80 years ago during the great depression, or even 160 years ago in a Mississippi cotton field, were it not for the fact that the guy who wrote them is only 32.

When last we heard from Griswold, on the intense, brooding Solitary Sessions, he was a man suffering through the cold of winter and the pain of heartbreak. On his latest album, Travelin’ to the Grave,

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of the legendary names in Twin Cities including drummer Michael Bland (Prince and the New Power Generation, Soul Asylum), bassist St. Paul Peterson (, producer Bobby Z (late of Prince and The Revolution), and the legendary Bruce McCabe (Lamont Cranston, The Hoopsnakes, Jonny Lang). This kind of talent in one studio can do one of two things: it can inspire or it can intimidate. Ehrhardt has gone all in on this album, looking to make a statement and garner national notice. The stakes have indeed gone up.

It is our pleasure to report that the gamble has paid off. Live My life is filled with inspired singing, songwriting, jams and grooving. With Bland and producer Z she has added elements of funk and R&B to her sound. With McCabe and Peterson she has added veteran ears for arrangement and the kind of subtlety that can only be developed through decades of playing, along with a stamp of legitimacy. And in Allen she has a true partner; someone who’s guitar can stand side-by-side with her amazing voice.

Nowhere on the album is that more apparent than on the old Albert Collins song “If Trouble Was Money.” A fanfare of soul and despair provided by McCabe’s piano and Allen’s guitar leads to Ehrhardt’s sultry vocals. Buoyed by Bland’s rock solid beat and a perfectly flowing

Griswold is in a far more upbeat – though no less intense – mood.

He opens with a traveling song, aptly titled “Homeward (Cadence Call).” The simple chords work with the simple message of a man who has found perspective and is acting that with urgency. “There ain’t nothin’ for me there/There ain’t nothin’ for me,” he sings over and over. “Now get me home to my love, now/Get me home to my love.” The Reveille infused riff and driving foot stomp beat underneath give the clear message that this former soldier is headed home with purpose and determination.

Despite the foreboding title, the songs on Travelin’ To the Grave are filled with optimism and wisdom infused sentimentality. “Fading Away,” an old Griswold favorite, is a song of finding inner strength (Just remove your disguise and look in its eyes/ And you won’t recognize your own pain). The title song, “Travelin’ to the Grave (Take Your Time)” is all about learning to live in the moment and enjoying each moment as they pass. “Mona Lisa Smile” is a gentle ballad that captures the innocence of love at first sight and lifelong commitment. “Til’ It’s Gone,” is the song of a wise man in love.

“Today my heart is open wide/Today my heart is open so that I could feel the kind of love I’ve never had before/With it I’ll give everything I can/With it I will be a better man/’Til

bassline from Peterson, McCabe, Allen and Ehrhadt each take turns pouring their souls into the music, producing the kind of glorious agony that only the blues can provide.

“Did You Ever Love Me At All” plays like a classic R&B song on steroids, with a spine wiggling, crunchy guitar line over some funky drums, Ehrhardt and Allen engage in some call and response vocals.

This is a true distillation of classic rock, funk and soul. It’s the sound of modern blues.

All the star power on this album shines the light that much brighter on Ehrhardt and she responds, song after song, with the perfect touch. Of course she has the power required for songs like “The Stakes have Gone Up,” and “Things You Shouldn’t Need to Know,” but she also adds country nuance to “Come Closer,” and even a little bit of Ronstadt divaness to “Chilled to the Bone.”

Overall, this is the kind of album an emerging talent like Ehrhardt has to put out to keep moving forward.

The confidence she in both her singing and songwriting, combined with the sort of talent that is gravitating to her proves that she is far more than just a pretty face.

Rich Larson is the editor of SouthernMinn Scene. You can reach him at rlarson@southernminnscene.com.

it’s gone.” Where many people overthink love until they have taken all the magic and emotion out of it, the person in this song recognizes just how valuable those feelings can be. “’Til it’s Gone” is the thinking man’s love song, and it’s something of a minor triumph.

Interspersed throughout the album, Griswold throws in some brief yet revelatory instrumental interludes. He takes some time to kick back, relax, and remind us that you don’t need words to convey a message. It’s also an opportunity for him to show off his impressive playing. We tend not to think of singer/ songwriters as great instrumentalists, but those pieces remind us that being a one person operation, and carrying a song all by yourself, is no easy feat.

Griswold’s music has always been about the human experience. While we’re used to hearing him sing about hard won wisdom, this time he’s to be talking about handling prosperity, and what it means to be happy. Travelin’ to the Grave is Griswold’s most optimistic album.

It’s full of heart, compassion and celebration. It’s an unexpected statement from an old soul like him. It is also his best work to date.

Rich Larson is the editor of SouthernMinn Scene. You can reach him at rlarson@southernminnscene.com.

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By MATT HUDSON editor@southernminnscene.com

I Flaming Lips squash the Beatles with tribute

t’s clear from the first track of the Flaming Lips tribute to’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band that the band is looking to renovate, not replicate a classic album.

It was an anticipated strategy from Wayne Coyne and the Lips.

The band’s reputation precedes it as a purveyor of wildly manipulated post-psychadelia sounds. But in covering arguably the Beatles’ most celebrated works, the band and feature artists fail to preserve enough of the original album’s musical prowess in making this too-far-out spinoff.

This is “With a Little Help from my Fwends.”

That first track is, of course, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” as the album follows the order of the original. Like most of the songs, this one has multiple guest artists— My Morning Jacket, Fever the Ghost and J. Mascis. The song begins light and steady: “It was 20 years ago today/Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play…” It’s unconventional and full of weird sounds but generally carries an observable melody.

Then everything flips on a dime.

The tune breaks down and the first chorus is a swampy switch-up that, compared to the first minute of the song, feels like someone lowered the pitch of a regular voice for no good reason. The rest of the track plays

out like a fragmented medley that’s supposed to be a single song.

That’s the takeaway from “With a Little Help from my Fwends.” Too often it takes sharp turns and breaks up the sound’s continuity. For a band like the Flaming Lips, who employs a workable arsenal of effects, this effort takes the noise factor too far.

There’s “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which released to the most fanfare thanks to a Miley Cyrus feature (one of two on the album). The chorus—the song’s most memorable sequence—is overblown with distortion, its 4/4 rhythm replaced with disjointed cymbal smashes.

Then there’s “Getting Better,” which could have been a well-made song with tight backing vocals from Morgan Delt and Dr. Dog. But the main vocalist on the song is Chuck Inglish, formerly of the hip-hop duo The Cool Kids. Let’s just say that it’s a lackluster performance by the talented rapper.

“With a Little Help from my Fwends” does have some good moments. Flaming Lips side project Electric Wurms takes “Fixing a Hole” in a good direction. It’s a delightful and haunting tribute to the upbeat original tune, and most of all, it plays like a whole song. The producers and engineers were able to keep their hands off of the sound manipulators for this one.

Another bright spot is in the

closing track, “A Day in the Life.”

It’s anchored by the piano riff of the original and doesn’t go too far off the rails with useless noise. It’s fair to say that the original version was already a dual-personality track with the distinctive McCartney and Lennon parts. Here, the Lips were able to keep that DNA intact while transitioning in and out of actual instrument sounds. It’s also the second Cyrus feature on the album.

The Beatles’ version of “Sgt. Pepper’s” was a whimsical piece of work in its own time and space. The band made use of techniques that couldn’t really translate into live performances. It expanded the scope of what a rock n’ roll album could be. In that sense, the Flaming Lips took the right path on their tribute.

They added an elaborate framework on top of the original idea in the spirit of a search—the search for creative ways to sonically induce listeners into an emotional trance. In the case of “With a Little Help from my Fwends,” the music at times becomes jarring instead of quixotic.

Following the Lips’ awesome tribute to “Dark Side of the Moon,” the band wanted to create an experience from track to track on “With a Little Help.” Unfortunately, this trip might lead you down the wrong rabbit hole, man.

Reach reporter Matt Hudson at mhudson@ owatonna.com. Follow him on Twitter @ OPPMattH​

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CD REVIEWS

By SARAH OSTERBAUER editor@southernminnscene.com

M The Ericksons bring a little more light, and electronics, on Bring Me Home

y favorite way to describe the music of The Ericksons is to say that it’s the music your grandma would listen to, if your grandma lived in a Victorian mansion, sipping bourbon, smoking cigars and reading only the highest quality leather bound books. That’s an extended way to say their music has a great vintage quality that exists in the tone of their voices but at the same time is the utmost in badassery. On their fourth album, Bring Me Home (which we’re hashtag blessed with only a year after their last release), the sisters from La Crosse, Wisconsin up the ante on their sound by introducing electronic elements while maintaining the great vintage couture flavor we know and love.

To help guide their electronic exploration, The Ericksons enlisted the assistance of fellow Wisconsinite, Sean Carey (Bon Iver). No stranger to a drum machine, Carey’s presence is felt throughout, characterized by his signature “light through the trees” feel that he seems to bring everywhere he goes.

The album opens with “My Love” a synth-laden mid tempo groove that explains “when the rain came pouring down, I could only hear the

sound, of you calling me home.”

It’s light and airy and lets us know where the rest of the album plans to go.

Bring Me Home carries in every way the theme of homecoming. The title tune states “I will ride all night” and it does indeed sound like the soundtrack to a cinematic journey home via horseback. Their vocals are woven together in echoey harmony accompanied by a dramatic build of drums and piano. Much of the album has the feeling of a Gus Van Sant film - like the soundtrack to those shadowy, slow motion scenes, dripping heavy with emotion.

The most beautiful and delicate track is definitely “Borderline”. Jenny’s voice is accompanied only by Sean’s and some light guitar. Sean’s vocals are so subtle and so minimal you almost don’t notice them. They act more as an accessory to Jenny’s.

The lyrics feel like you’re being privy to a private late night phone conversation, where two people are plotting their escape. The tune also boasts what might be the most Minnesotan line ever - “You didn’t mind and you didn’t know, when it was raining, I was hoping for snow.”

On “BabyTell Me” the sisters employ the same finger picking guitar technique they used on “Gone Blind” from their last album, The Wild, but added synthy

elements create a thick swelling of intensity that revels around the line “I go round and round. I breathe in and out”. It’s a heartbreaker that reminds everyone that the first step in relationship problem solving is of course, voicing that there is in fact, a problem.

Bring Me Home is as much about going home as it is about love. In more than one tune on the last half of the album, the reigning theme is “let’s go to” or “we should go”. It shines a light on the complicatedness that is relationships that are trying so hard to survive and thrive and find themselves. It’s about going back to your roots as an individual but also about bringing someone else there with you. And remembering why you are who are, what feelings you started with and why that is. The electronic elements fill in the folky cracks and crevices that previously existed in their sound. These songs flourish and dance the way the light comes through a prism. It’s the perfect album for contemplative alone time in a sunset drenched field in the country or sipping whiskey in your sunroom.

Sarah Osterbauer is a die-hard music lover.

When she does her budget each month, food comes after concert tickets. Find her on twitter @SarahOwrites.

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A

Toki Wright makes his best work while reminding us that we all come from the same place on Pangea

n o i t a ts in

e D

n active player in the game for 10+ years, Toki Wright has put out 2 albums, a mixtape and guested on an impressive array of the who’s who of Mpls hip hop albums. He is practically a hip hop institution in this town. For his third effort, Pangaea, working jointly with producer Big Cats!, he has put together some of his best work.

The album starts out on a futuristic borderline desolate note. Toki’s flow comes into the fray slowly but steadily at first, and once comfortable switches gears to a Busta Rhymes pace. ‘Mushroom Cloud’ sounds like it could equally be born from the distant past or the distant future, both of which hold a feeling of isolation. This track is a fitting beginning for the album, as the whole thing reads much like a story.

You could say that Pangaea (now referring to land mass) began from a mushroom cloud, which why the title track appears next in the order of things.

Pangaea tries to remind us of our humanism, that we came from the same place and share the same struggles. It attempts to bring us back to root of those struggles so that we can see that those too stem from the same stress, the same

hardship of trying to make a living, fall in love and conquer a passion, while searching for a balance in it all. When the title track asks us the question, ‘If I told the truth and you found it uncomfortable, do you stay do you run, what do you do?” the listener is left to contemplate it over the next 9 tracks.

“Permanent” is my favorite track on the album. The Talib Kweli/Janet J (ala “That’s the Way Love Goes”) keyboard groove moves easy under Toki’s maple syrupy lyrics where he professes his love interest simply by saying ‘I wanna see you right here, see you right here and it’s quite clear, that I like what you’re workin’ with, so far on par to be permanent.”

On “Gatekeepers” you can safely assume that Toki is making a statement regarding the hip hop coverage in the Twin Cities. When he says, ‘In a city where the entertainment writers are ignoring Northsiders only focused on indie rock…they holdin up the gate,” he’s calling out local media for championing our banjos, our singer songwriters and eletronica leaving 90% of the hip hop community untapped. You may remember the hip hop forum that was supposed to take place and subsequently was postponed indefinitely due to friction over the event between promoters and various players within the hip hop

community. If you were wondering where Toki stands on the issue, this is where you’ll find your answer.

Throughout, Toki’s voice is steady, his velocity varies, comfortable at both high and low RPMs. His rhymes don’t cut so much as they meld together in various shapes like the pieces of a puzzle made from play-doh, expertly put together and yet malleable with the ability to change forms. His lyrics are no nonsense, packing a punch contentwise, making statement after statement on the human condition, on society at large, his philosophy on time and that’s just two sentences worth. Toki’s rhymes are brimming with knowledge gems that are not so much hidden as they are packed tight within.

Pangaea is one of those albums that if you choose to let it, can enlighten you, open your eyes to new perspectives, but it’s beats and melody give it the cloak of the pop album. It is dangerously listenable and should be equally respected among party hip hop fans and content hip hop fans alike. The album dropped September 23 and is widely available now.

Sarah Osterbauer is a die-hard music lover.

When she does her budget each month, food comes after concert tickets. Find her on twitter @SarahOwrites.

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KEVIN KREIN THE BEARDED LIFE

Kevin Krein Kevin Krein is an old acquaintance be forgot and never thought upon. He is also a humorist, a cool rabbit dad, an award nominated music blogger, and now he is a general assignment reporter for the Northfield News.

Follow his unprofessional tweets @KevEFly and his professional tweets at @ NfldNewsKevin.

Maybe this year will be better than the last

M

y wife is quick to tell me that I am the kind of person that can hold a grudge—not just against somebody that I believe to have wronged me somehow, but that I am able to hold a grudge against time itself.

Whenever the year begins winding down, I begin to take stock on what has happened to me in the last 11 months, and rather than thinking about all of the positive things, or even on the day-to-day banality we all have to deal with, I dwell on all of the bad things that have occurred, stating loudly (as if time is going to hear me shouting at it), “Man, you know what? Fuck this year. I’m so over it right now.”

Throwing a middle finger into the air and waving it around like you just don’t care on December 31st isn’t going to change anything. You may think that it would be a cathartic act of defiance, but it probably isn’t all that healthy to walk around with that much unchecked anger directed at time itself. You should keep feelings like that right where they belong—buried deep inside.

As I get older, and as my attitude towards each passing year continues to worsen by the time December rolls around, I have to stop and wonder why I put so much stock in the “promise” of a new year being better than the last, and then why I’m constantly disappointed and angry that it wasn’t. Maybe it’s how romanticized the concept of New Year’s Eve is, thanks in part to the spectacle made in Times Square every year, where people are happy to stand and freeze to death in a New York City winter, with the sliver of a hope that they will end up on ABC’s New Year’s Eve coverage, watching a pop star lip synch their hit song outside, in the bleak midwinter.

Or, maybe it’s because of the dreadlocked wisdom of Adam Durtiz from Counting Crows, and how in 1996, when he wasn’t balling his way through the female cast of “Friends,” he said that there was reason to believe that this year would be better than the last. But the thing is, he never actually says what that reason is. He just talks about about looking across a crowded room to see the way the light has attached itself to either Courtney Cox or Jennifer Aniston.

In the October issue, my column was kind of about “fear,”

but also on the cusp of being about existential nihilism (but not totally about that, because of word count, and because my editor at The Scene wants these to be funny or something.) In it, I quoted Matthew McConaughey’s character from “True Detective.” And this month’s theme, or whatever, has presented itself with another opportunity to do that—“This is a world where nothing is solved. You know, someone once told me time is a flat circle. Everything we’ve ever done or will do, we’re gonna do over and over and over again…

When you can’t remember your lives, you can’t change your lives, and that is the terrible and secret fate of all life. You’re trapped, by that nightmare you keep waking up into.”

Time really is a flat circle, and we really do keep waking up into the same nightmare of our own lives. The person you are on January 1st is the same person you were the day before. You haven’t cheated death in anyway, and you aren’t Scrooge on Christmas morning, waking with a newfound respect for life. One year ends. Another one begins. You’re still the same dumb you that you’ve always been. You don’t change overnight.

People make all kinds of resolutions for the New Year. Like that they are going to go on a diet, or get a gym membership, or be a better person.

Urban Dictionary has a term for people who start

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working out on the first of the year—“January Joiners,” who usually lose interest by February. But why not resolve to do this stuff tomorrow? Why not pick any old day of the month as the day you aren’t going to be a jerk to everybody? Why isn’t today the day you’re going to buy a new pair of gym shorts to go running in, and you swear that they aren’t going to end up being used for pajamas a few weeks later.

It’s because any calendar date out of the year is not nearly as idealized sounding for a big “life change” as January 1st is.

Was 2014 really that bad for you or for me? Maybe it was.

Maybe you got laid off. But maybe the job you lost wasn’t even that great to begin with, and you weren’t very happy working there anyway. And maybe after spending the summer unemployed, the job you eventually found turned out to be a really good opportunity.

Or maybe there is no happy ending. Maybe you were diagnosed with breast cancer. Maybe your marriage fell apart.

Maybe a way to turn this all around is to look at the year in the sense of what didn’t happen—a kind of backhanded optimism, if you will. This wasn’t the year that I was in a car accident.

This wasn’t the year my best friend died.

What does resenting an entire span of 365 days get you anyway? Time doesn’t apologize to you. Time has never tapped me on the shoulder to say, “Oh hey man. Uh...sorry about that rough patch there.” Time never gives you an assurance that, come January 1st, it’ll do a better job.

Because everything I’ve ever done, I will continue to do over and over again, by the time December rolls around, I am confident I will have, at least once, said “Fuck 2014” to somebody, and I will have convinced myself that 2015 is going to be exponentially better, despite having nothing to base that on.

But come and find me this time next year, and ask me my thoughts on 2015.

Maybe Adam Duritz of Counting Crows didn’t need to tell us what the reason is that this year will be better than the last. Maybe we don’t need to know the reason why the winter does really make us laugh a little slower, and makes us talk a little lower, about the things we could not show her.

It just does.

Maybe we just need the empty promise found in a pop song to keep us going from one year to the next. Maybe we need the idealized concept of January 1st being a second chance at something—at anything at all.

Countin g beyond Crows front-bro his age.

Adam D uritz, wit h his dre adloc

ks woun d tightly with wis dom

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A SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA FAMILY DESTINATION FOR EDUCATION, VISUAL & PERFORMANCE ART. Gallery Opening & Artist Reception Friday, November 21 from 5-7pm

Five Sisters Quilts, Diane Juvland, Randine Meehl, Barbara Wegner, Donna Ondler, Pat Sandman, in the Carlander Family Gallery Pat Sandman in the Lois Vranesh Board Room Gallery Part of the 2014 KDHL/Power 96 Gallery Season Exhibit on display November 18 - January 6, 2015

Jared Sherlock, Comedic Illusionist Friday, November 21 at 7:00pm

Jared Sherlock blends modern magic, juggling and friendly audience interaction to deliver high-energy, comedy for all ages. From a contemporary performance of the infamous bullet-catch, and a sawing of his beautiful assistant in half, these are just a few of the things you will encounter when you see Jared Sherlock live! $7 Member Youth, $12 Member Adults / $10NM Youth, $15NM Adults Part of the 2014 Crossroads Family Season

Sweet Dream & Honky Tonks Saturday, November 22 at 7:30pm

The music and lives of Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Jonny Cash. A new revue that presents the best loved songs of these classic artists along with stories of their colorful lives $17 Members / $22 Non Members

Rock the Tree Top,

Friday, December 19th at 7:30pm Featuring Mark Allen, The Over & Back Band and Friends.

Look out there is a different kind of Santa coming to town! Get ready to Rock the Tree Top this holiday season and be taken on on a wild Sleigh Ride . It’s all about PEACE. JOY. AND ROCK AND ROLL! $15 members/$19 NM/$10 Students. Part of the 2014 KGP Logistics Music Season

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Welcome to the 2015 Season filled with Grammy Nominated, Tony-Award Winning, Emmy Award Winning work and outstanding visual and performing artists.

Log onto www.paradisecenterforthearts.org to download your copy of the 2015 season guide today.

The Merlin Players Present, The Santa Diaries Dec 5 - 7 and 11 - 14.

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