Column: Glen Parsons, Eye on the Arts

This is the first of a new monthly feature highlighting what’s happening in the arts community each month. I’m excited to kick it off with what’s happening in July!

On the Fourth of July the Community Band will perform patriotic marches such as “Stars and Stripes Forever” at 8 p.m. at the Fountain Lake Gazebo. So you’ll be able to enjoy the lake, the music and the fireworks all from one great location!

July 14-23 Albert Lea Community Theatre will perform “Gypsy” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Gypsy, often called “The greatest American musical,” follows pushy stage mother, Mama Rose, and her hopes to make stars of her two young daughters. It is based on the lives of real-life actresses, sisters June and Louise Havoc. Louise became known as Gypsy Rose Lee.

Ethel Merman made the show famous with some of the hit songs by Jule Styne and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim including: “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” “Let Me Entertain You” and “Small World.”

It’s a lively show with many young performers as well as teens and adults. It is highly entertaining with lots of humor throughout!

This production is directed by Steve Kinney. Included in the cast are: Angela Wagner-Donlon as Mama Rose, Annmarie Caporale as Gypsy, Macy Paul as June, Neal Pederson as Herbie. Also in the cast are: Paul Cooper, David Behling, Derek Drescher, Sean Laurie, Keith George, Marshall Pederson, Kelly Hanson, Kelly Nelson, Emily George, Shelley Pederson, John Szymanowski, Alexa Drescher, Mary Michelson, Tom Stensrud, Brian Mattson, Caity Kubicek, Cheyenne Severtson, Kailie Drescher, Katelyn Hendrickson, Kristi White, Rachel Thompson, Neil Chalmers, Dane Brownlow, Grace Chalmers, Abby Chalmers, Katherine Sime, Merik Mickelson, Rebecca Mickelson, Carine Rofshus and Carma Pederson.

Supporting the cast backstage are: Stage Manager Karen Szymanowski, keyboardists Norrine Jensen and Deb Cooper, choreographer Joyce Matthies, costumer Rosalie Truax, prop mistresses Crystal Shatz and Cathy Brekke, set dressers Bill Schmitt, Joan Muschler, Carol Larson and Glen Parsons.

I hope this box office information will be helpful: Season ticket holders can get their tickets starting July 7 and 8 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Tickets for the general public go on sale July 11. Box office hours are 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. On play nights the box office stays open until curtain time at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, the box office will open at 5:30 p.m. and for the Sunday, July 17, matinee the box office will open at 1 p.m. with curtain time at 2 p.m. Feel free to call the box office at 377-4371. You can also visit the ACT website at www.actonbroadway.com for more information.

The Albert Lea Art Center Vintage Fashion and Florals will continue from now through July 30.

The 2011 Art and Garden Tour will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 15, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 16. You are invited to a respite from tragedy and irritations, to the quiet beauty found in the gardens of Freeborn County. Six residential gardens and one public garden will be included in the tour along with art from talented local artists and photographers. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Albert Lea Art Center’s Art on Broadway Shop, Addie’s Floral, Ben’s Floral and Frame Designs, and Doyle’s Hallmark and also at the gardens on the days of the show.

Just so you know where to find the gardens, they will be at the following residences:

• Tim and Gayle Diehl, 104 S. Hague, Hollandale

• Hank Helfer and Kevin Anderson, 87050 State Highway 251 Hollandale

• Scott and Ann Goodmanson, 1333 Crestview, Albert Lea

• Steve and Deanne Adams, 2141 Bridge Ave. Albert Lea

• Ken and Kathy Muilenburg, 201 Amsterdam E., Hollandale

• Ken and Carol Bertelson 2215 Rowe Lane, Albert Lea

• Higbie Gardens to be hosted by the Shades of Jade Garden Club.

Artists displaying their work will be:

Laura Lunde, Pat Garbisch (Saturday only), Sue Rechtzigel, Peg Shelton (Friday only), Ann Oliphant, Paula Gray & Friends and members of the Lens & Shutter Club.

A Meet the Artist reception will be held at Art on Broadway from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 12, featuring Bonnie Broitzman, watercolor and acrylic paintings.

Monthly Lecture Series, every third Thursday of the month, featuring Jim Finseth, “The Art of Cabinet Making & Woodworking,” Thursday July 21, 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Open studio, every second Tuesday of the month at the Art Center, July 12, 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy an evening at the Art Center to work on your project or start a new one. This is a relaxed setting to concentrate on your work and share your interest with others. Admission is free.

I hope this space will be helpful to all art lovers!

Glen Parsons is a retired educator in the Albert Lea School District and an actor and director for the Albert Lea Community Theatre.