PIONEER 90.1
“Arts Calendar”
January 29th through February 1st

A cheesy little musical about ice fishing in Wisconsin, called “Guys on Ice”, opens Thursday, February 12th at the Fire Hall Theater in downtown Grand Forks. Guys on Ice stars include Jeff McMahon, Zak Skaron, David Whitcomb and former Channel 8 newsman, Terry Dullum. Directed by David Kary and Marcus Woodard, Guys on Ice runs from February 12th to the 28th at the Fire Hall Theater. The phone number is 777-4090.

Also from the Fire Hall Theater – auditions for the production “The Boys Next Door” are February 1st and 2nd at 7:00 pm each evening. The Boys Next Door will be performed opens April 19th and runs for three weeks.

The Candlelight Ski Event, scheduled for Saturday, January 31st at the Old Mill State Park – near Argyle, Minnesota – has been cancelled, due to a lack of snow.

Auditions for the comedy “The Greek Mythology Olympiaganza” will be held at Lake of the Woods School in Baudette for grades 7 through 12, on February 2nd and 3rd, after school until 4:00 pm.

“Arctic Blast 2015” Team Minnesota Viking vs Team TRF Flag Football will be held in Thief River on Friday, February 6th and Saturday, February 7th. There will be snowmobiling, tours of the Arctic Cat factory, and a concert by “Hairball.”

The African Arts Arena hosts its first African Arts Festival in Downtown Grand Forks on Friday, January 30th at the Empire Arts Center, beginning at 6:30 pm. The event features painting, music, theater, poetry, dance and food. The public is welcome to attend.

A benefit dinner and silent auction fundraiser will be held at the North Dakota Museum of Art, based on the UND campus in Grand Forks, on Saturday, January 31st. A dinner and social kick off the evening event.

A “Sleeping Beauty Ballet Tea Party” will be held on Saturday, January 31st from 4 until 5:30 at the North Dakota Ballet Company studios in Grand Forks.

The University of North Dakota will have an art exhibition opening at the Empire Arts Center in downtown Grand Forks, on Thursday, February 5th from 4:30 until 7:00 pm. On display are examples of Native American, African, and Oceanic art, as well as works by American folk and outsider artists. The exhibit will be up and open to the public February 5 through April 2nd at the Empire Arts Center.

The Empire Arts Center of downtown Grand Forks presents the “Backstage Project”, featuring “The Lovely Dozen” a semi-professional troupe of belly dancers from Grand Forks. The Lovely Dozen will perform on stage on Saturday, January 24th at 8pm, at the Empire Arts Center of Grand Forks.

The Sunday Concerts in the Galleries continues at the North Dakota Museum of Art, based on the UND campus in Grand Forks, on Sunday, January 25th. Performing on-stage will be the Ragmala Dance Company from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The dancers perform ancestral and contemporary dances. Performance time is 2pm on Sunday, January 25th at the North Dakota Museum of Art, in Grand Forks.

The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, will be held at the Minnesota State Fair Grounds.

On Saturday, January 31st, a Candlelight Ski event will be held at the Old Mill State Park near Argyle, Minnesota from 6 until 8pm.

Ice caves, frozen waterfalls, and glaciers formed into towering organic archways, tunnels, slot canyons, stalactites and frozen thrones will be on display this weekend in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

Next Wednesday, January 21st at 7:00 pm, Author Ben Hylden will share his story at the Maria Lutheran Church in Kennedy, Minnesota. A Meet & Greet Free BBQ Supper will also be served at 6pm. The public is welcome to attend.

The Empire Arts Center of downtown Grand Forks presents the “Backstage Project”, featuring “The Lovely Dozen” a semi-professional troupe of belly dancers from Grand Forks. The Lovely Dozen will perform on stage on Saturday, January 24th at 8pm, at the Empire Arts Center of Grand Forks.

The Sunday Concerts in the Galleries continues at the North Dakota Museum of Art, based on the UND campus in Grand Forks, on Sunday, January 25th. Performing on-stage will be the Ragmala Dance Company from Minneapolis, Minnesota. The dancers perform ancestral and contemporary dances. Performance time is 2pm on Sunday, January 25th at the North Dakota Museum of Art, in Grand Forks.
The 2015 Red River Valley Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day will be held on Monday, January 19th at the University of Minnesota – Crookston campus, with students, faculty, and staff from UMC, Northland Community and Technical College, and the University of North Dakota. The event is free and open to the public. The observance begins at 10:30 a.m. with a Unity Walk, with a program beginning at 11:00 am 11 a.m. in Kiehle Auditorium. Following the program, followed a free lunch social will be served in UMC’s Dining Room.

“Play Day” at the Fire Hall Theater in Grand Forks will be held on Monday, January 19th from 1 until 5pm. The event will feature Hillary Kempenich who will share her Ojibwe story. The event is for children in grades 1 through 8.

The “Arctic Fever Winter Fest” is this weekend in the Twin Cities suburb of Shoreview. Most events are free and accompanied by a great bonfire!

Also this weekend, “Winter Frolic” in Pine City and a large display of “Ice Castles” in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.

There’s a “Family New Year’s Eve Party” on Wednesday, December 31st, from 6 until 9. There is a cost, at 715 South Washington Street in Grand Forks.

There’s a “Candlelight Ski” event on Wednesday, January 10th at Lake Bronson State Park near Hallock, Minnesota from 5:30-8:30pm. Bring your skis and follow the lights! A potluck, with BBQ’s and refreshments is being served by the “Friends of the Park.”

Next up at the Fire Hall Theater in downtown Grand Forks, “Guys on Ice” — a cheesy little musical about ice fishing in Wisconsin. Wear a cheese head and we’ll give you back a dollar so you can buy some crackers. Call 701-777-4090 to reserve tickets. The performance opens February 12th and runs through the 28th.

Tickets are now on sale for the Empire Arts Center for an art deco inspired Dinner & Dance on May 2, 2015 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, ND. This premier event will feature the world-class James Gerard Orchestra, an 11-member big dance band from Philadelphia, PA, known for their performance at the Home States Inaugural Ball in 2009 and the 2014 Empire Dinner & Dance. More information at 701-746-5500 or empireartscenter.com.

• The Empire Arts Center of downtown Grand Forks presents; The Backstage Project. The next featured performer is Greg Lynas, a Grand Forks-based singer and songwriter. Greg will perform on stage this Friday, December 12th from 8 until – 9:30pm. There’s a 5-dollar cover charge. Use the back door.

• A “Holiday Bazaar” is scheduled at the Badger School in Badger, Minnesota on Saturday, December 13th. A community breakfast, vendors and pictures with Santa Claus are on the agenda from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

• On Sunday, December 14th, a Country Music Jam will be held from 2- until 5pm at the Greenbush, Minnesota Community Center, with Gospel, Old Time & Country music being played. You’re asked to bring goodies to share. Everyone is welcome.

• The University of Minnesota – Crookston campus will provide a free Music and Theater Holiday Choir Concert at the Hafslo Church in Crookston, on Friday, December 12th. The restored church is located at the Polk County Historical Museum site on highway 2 east. The concert is open to the public and free will donations will be accepted to support the music program on the UMC campus. The UMC band will also perform at UMC’s Kiehle Auditorium on Saturday, December 13th at 7:00 pm. The concert is free with a free will donation will being accepted.

• The Vase Project: Made in China – Landscape in Blue is now on display at the North Dakota Museum of Art, located on the UND campus in Grand Forks. The vase display is a conceptual work consisting of 101 porcelain vases painted by Chinese citizens. This weekend, the NDMOA display will be open from 1 to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

• A performance of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will be performed at Red River High School in Grand Forks – this Thursday, Friday and Saturday the 11th, 12th and 13th at 7:00 pm and Sunday the 14th at 2:00 pm.

• Music and dancing will be featured at the “Naughty and Nice” cabaret at the Fire Hall Theater in downtown Grand Forks on Saturday, December 13th at 7:30 pm. Tickets are 20-dollars.

• The North Dakota Ballet Company will host the “Nutcracker Extravaganza” at their studio in the Grand Cities Mall in Grand Forks, on Saturday, December 13th from 5:30 until 7:30 pm.