Wednesday, September 4, 2013

And It's September

September is here, school is starting, the days are shorter, and, hopefully, the weather will be cooler. Fall activities will be starting up at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.
Music lessons will be resuming throughout the month. Some of the instructors have only a limited number of openings for new students, so I suggest you contact them directly. Here is the contact information:
Eric Olson (guitar, bass and drums) -
pastorericolson@gmail.com or 218-694-2687;
Jeff Menten, member of American String Teachers Association, (violin, viola, cello, mandolin, upright bass)  218-255-5218 or
jeffmentenmusic@hotmail.com; Orland Aspen (voice) - musicman56@gvtel.com or 435-6791;
Kay Carlsen (piano) - aagekay@gvtel.com or 435-6710;  Lora Lee Saeter (piano)saeter@gvtel.com or 435-1422.
If you are an aspiring writer, there are a couple opportunities for you this month. On Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. there will be a free poetry worship led by Minnesota poet and teacher, Becca Barniski. She teaches poetry, works as a freelance writer, and is a consultant in arts education for a number of schools, arts organizations and public agencies across the upper Midwest. This event is supported by Legacy Amendment funds.
After taking a break during the months of July and August, the library writers’ group will meet on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. New members are always welcome.
Book club will also resume, meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. The book for this month is Me Before You. I haven’t read it yet, but according to the information I got it tells the story of two very different characters: Lou, a small-town girl caught between dead-end jobs, and Will, a successful businessman who becomes wheelchair bound following an accident.
Looking ahead to October, the used book sale is coming up. Donations of books, CD’s, and DVDs can be brought to the library. Donate some now so you can shop in October.
Also coming up in October, The Galactic Cowboy Orchestra will be performing on Friday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. With violin, bass, guitar and drums, this should be an entertaining performance, so mark your calendar now.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Looking Good

The Fosston Library & Arts Center is looking good this summer, thanks to the landscaping project completed earlier by the local 4-H club. 




Thursday, August 8, 2013

...And It's August

Oh, no! It’s already August, and summer is two-thirds over. It’s way too short a season for me, but I guess that makes me appreciate it all the more.
The best thing about August is it means it’s time for the musical Fiddler on the Roof at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center. Performances are scheduled for Thursday through Saturday, August 8-10, at 7 p.m. with a 3 p.m. Sunday matinee on August 11. Because all the originally scheduled performances have been sold out, an addition Saturday matinee has been scheduled for 1 p.m. If you don’t have your tickets yet, stop by Generations Clothing or call them at 435-1676. Hopefully they have some left; if not, you may need to look for a scalper.
Directed by Michelle Marx, this production involves more than 45 people, counting cast, company and crew. Actors range in age from five to 87. There will be a live band and wonderful music. Refreshment will be served at every performance, with extra special treats at the Sunday matinee.
I’m sure you are all familiar with the story or at least some of the music in Fiddler on the Roof.  As many of you probably remember, Fiddler was the first production of the FCLAA, probably about 1981. You will definitely want to see this new production of it.
In other news, the summer reading program continues into August, so there is still time for children to win prizes as they “Dig into Reading.” Remember, the more they read, the more chances they have to win one of the special grand prizes.
There are still a couple more SRP special programs coming up. On Wednesday, August 14, Professor Marvel will be performing his amazing archaeological adventure magic show at 2 p.m. He will perform amazing magical tricks and also discuss the magic and wonder contained in books that can be revealed by digging into reading.
The final summer reading program will involve water rather than dirt so I guess everyone will be diving rather than digging. On Wednesday, August 21, at 2 p.m. there will be a pool party at the Fosston Civic Center Pool. Door prizes will be awarded. Contact Tammi at the library for more information.
I would also like to mention that the FCLAA has a Web site at www.fclaa.org
You should take a look.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

July at the Art Center

July brings Independence Day, Fosston’s all-school reunion, and then, maybe, after all the hoopla, those lazy, hazy days of summer. At the Fosston Community Library Arts Center, the fun continues with the ongoing summer reading program, “Dig into Reading” and special programs every Wednesday .

On July 10, a naturalist from Itasca State Park will present the “Hole” Truth. Kids are invited to learn about animals that spend at least part of their lives underground - bears, badgers, woodchucks, and who knows what else. On July 17, the children can “Dig into Fossils,” watching a Bill Nye, the Science Guy, video and then making a fossil craft to take home. On July 24, Cheryl Winkelmann will be there for “Dig into Crafts” with a construction-themed craft project. On July 31, it’s another Science Guy video, this one on archeology, for “Dig into the Past,” followed by a chance for the kids to do some digging of their own. I wonder what they’ll find? All these programs are at 2 p.m.

Rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof will be getting underway this month. One more cast member is needed - male, older teen or adult. This is a speaking part but there aren’t too many lines to learn. Also a number of props are needed - sewing machine (early 1900s), old metal buckets, Jewish menorah, old wooden cart/ wooden wheels, fiddle without strings, old suitcases & trunks. Contact Michelle Marx at
pianogirlmarx@gmail.com or 435-1014 if you can help out with this.

The Fosston 4-H has completed the new landscaping around the library and it looks great. Pay special attention when you’re in the vicinity and if you know any of the 4-H members, thank them.

Thinking ahead - this is the year for the Daisy Hagen Auction for the Arts. Sandy Johnson and Sarah Steinbrenner will be in charge this year. It’s not too early to start planning what you might want to donate or what you can do to help. Lynda Lohmeier will again be the auctioneer.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Watercolor exhibit in the gallery


 
Watercolors by Phyllis Kalliokoski are currently on display at the Sorenson Gallery. Kalliokoski, a retired art teacher lives is from East Grand Forks. She has also exhibited at the Campbell Library in East Grand Fork, the Urban Stampede and Mayville State University and has been included in several exhibits sponsored by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council.

Friday, May 31, 2013

June at the Arts Center

It’s June! Is it "busting out all over?" Well, I’m certainly enjoying seeing green instead of white outside my window, and there are a number things "busting out" at the Fosston Community Library Arts Center.

"Dig into Reading, " the 2013 summer reading program got underway on May 29 with a groundbreaking party complete with some heavy equipment. It’s not too late to sign up for the program - stop by the library to pick up a reading log and register for door prizes. All ages from toddlers through teens are welcome.

In conjunction with the summer reading program, there will be a number of special programs. Scheduled in June are the Concordia Science Academy with Graeme Wyllie on Thursday, June 6, "Dirty Harry" caterpillar craft on Wednesday, June 12, The Hidden World with Rydell and Glacial Ridge National Wildlife staff on Wednesday, June 19, and Eat Dirt with Cheryl Winkelman on Wednesday, June 26, all at 2 p.m.

On Friday, June 7, at 7 p.m. there will be a special theater production, "The Mad Adventures of Mr. Toad." Directed by Kristi Noel, the performance will feature 47 children, second through sixth graders. Kristi told me that last year there were 48 kids involved so it should be easier this year. There is no admission charge for this performance, although there will be a tip jar. The tips go to the FCLAA, although they should probably go to Kristi, for being willing to work with 47 children.

By the time you read this, there should be a new exhibit in the gallery - watercolor paintings by Phyllis Kallioski. Stop in and see it.

While you are there to view the paintings, take a look around outside the building. The local 4-H club is planning a landscaping project. They were scheduled to work on it last Friday so unless they were rained out, things should be looking pretty spiffy.

The writers’ group will be meeting Thursday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone with an interest in writing is welcome to come. We will probably be taking July and August off, so this is the last opportunity for a couple of months.

I checked with Michelle Marx, director of the upcoming theater production of Fiddler on the Roof, and she told me they are off to a great start with a cast, but are still needing help in the areas of costuming and stage help. Rehearsals will begin in July and production dates are August 8-11. If you are interested in helping out, call Michelle at 435-1014.

Saturday, May 11, 2013

At the Sorenson Gallery

Just a few of the works now on display in the gallery  - done by Fosston High School students.