The Marion Ross Performing Arts Center will present “Rusalka,” a fairy tale opera of a water sprite who sacrifices her voice for love.

The play will be shown on a widescreen at the performing arts center at 11:55 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $20 for adults, $12 for students. Tickets are available through the Albert Lea Community Theatre box office.

“Rusalka” is one of the most successful Czech operas. The plot contains elements which also appear in “The Little Mermaid” by Hans Christian Andersen. Renée Fleming, who sang the national anthem at the Super Bowl on Sunday, returns to one of her signature roles, singing the enchanting “Song to the Moon” in the opera.

The opera runs about four hours with two intermissions, according to a news release. It is sung in Czech with English subtitles.

“Meet the Met” will gather Friday at Prairie Wind Coffee on Broadway in Albert Lea from 12:15 to 12:45 pm. Opera fans or people just wanting to find out more about the opera can meet for a short presentation about Tosca, Puccini, the synopsis and the opera stars who will be singing. There will be a shortened version of “Meet the Met” at 11:30 a.m. in the Green Room just prior to the opera on Saturday, for those unable to attend on Fridays.

 

Friday

• Albert Lea boys’ basketball team will hold a barbecue fundraiser from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the commons of Albert Lea High School. Pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans and chips will be served. Basketball games will be at 6 p.m. for junior varsity. and 7:30 p.m. for varsity.

• An A/B Squirt Hockey Tournament will be from Friday to Sunday at the Albert Lea City Arena.

• The Minnesota State Spring Barrow Show will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds. The market hog judging contest will close the 70th annual event.

• A fish fry will be at St. Theodore’s Marian Hall at 5 p.m. The cost is $9 for adults and $5 dollars for children 5 to 12 years old. There will be fish, shrimp, potatoes, cole slaw, rolls and a build-your-own-sundae bar.

 

Saturday

• The Big Island Rendezvous Annual Historical Faire will be at the Northbridge Mall beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday.

• A singles pool tournament takes place at the Aragon Bar. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and play starts at noon.

• The Full Draw Archery Club will present a 3-D tournament from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the upstairs of the Knutson Building.

• A benefit for Dan Urschitz will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Moose Lodge. There will be a silent auction, face paint and bake sales. Donations are being taken at Produce State Bank in Albert Lea and Hollandale.

• An AARP defensive driving four-hour refresher class will be at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Freeborn County Museum.

 

Sunday

• A breakfast will be at the American Legion from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pancakes, sausages, potatoes, scrambled eggs, fruit, juice, milk and coffee. The cost is $7.

• The Full Draw Archery Club will present a 3-D tournament from 8 a.m to 3 p.m. in the upstairs of the Knutson Building.