Column: Glen Parsons, Eye on the Arts

Everybody knows how crazy it gets in May and this month is no exception with all the number of arts events! Wow! Starting tonight with Albert Lea Community Theatre’s production of “How to Talk Minnesotan: The Winter Version” by Howard Mohr and directed by Rory Mattson.

Set at the Lost Walleye Lodge, it follows the Humde family and its friends as they learn to find the positive in the negative.

Like all good Minnesotans they learn how to refuse food three times before accepting it and how to reduce anxiety with the all-purpose reaction “It could be worse” and when to employ “you bet,” “whatever” and “that’s different.”

There are many laughs in this musical comedy celebrating life in Minnesota, where blizzards, ice fishing and hotdishes reign supreme! The show played to record crowds at the Plymouth Playhouse and is finally available for other theaters.

It opens at 7:30 p.m. tonight and ACT is happy to bring it to Albert Lea! The box office is open from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee so the box office will be open at 1 p.m. You can call 377-4371 or go online to www.actonbroadway.com for tickets.

OK, on to May

It’s exciting to think that there are two dance groups with performances this month! Just For Kix will have its spring shows on May 5 in the Albert Lea High School gymnasium. Show times are 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the door and are $6 for adults and $4 for students. Children 5 and under are free. Just For Kix was started in 1981 by a couple in Brainerd. The Albert Lea program was started in 1996. They offer kick, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop dance instruction through teamwork and self-esteem building. The Just For Kix motto is: “Doing your best is more important than being the best.” If anyone would like more information, call 383-5139.

Then on May 19, Joyce Matthies Dance Studio will perform its spring show at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office 45 minutes before each performance and are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Joyce Matthies has been a fixture here in Albert Lea for many years. Joyce’s dance troupes have been award winners for many years. Joyce choreographs for many ACT musicals in Albert Lea, Riverland Community College musicals in Austin and also for many area high school performances as well.

That same weekend is Howard Goodall’s “Requiem,” which will be performed at 7 p.m. May 13 at First Lutheran Church. This beautiful piece will feature the voices of the Albert Lea Community Chorus, First Lutheran Church Chamber Chorus and soloists Diane Heaney, Mark Dundas and Scott Blankenbaker, and the Southeastern Minnesota Chamber Orchestra. Tickets are available at First Lutheran Church office, Marshall Street Music and from any chorus or orchestra member.

There is no shortage of events including the high school bands and choirs as well. The ALHS band will have a concert at 7 p.m. May 7 with an ALHS orchestra concert on at 7 p.m. May 11. The ALHS Spring Choir Concert will be at 7 p.m. May 14. All will be in the ALHS auditorium. The annual Senior Vocal Recital featuring the graduating seniors will be at 2 p.m. May 20 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Also continuing during the month of May at the Albert Lea Art Center is a show entitled:

“One Mission, Two Lives: The Art Collection of Dr. Thoburn and Marjorie Thompson.” Having spent years collecting art from all over the world, with an emphasis on South American art, Toby and Marge are sharing their private collection with us. As medical missionaries to Bolivia for many years, we are privileged to get to see the many interesting and unique sculptures, paintings, fabric art pieces, keepsakes and mementos they have surrounded themselves with over the years. It is a beautiful and diverse collection that they never thought of as having much value — just a lot of meaning in the memories each piece brought to them. The show opened on April 15 and runs through May 26. The Art Center hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

So there you have it. Another month of interesting and entertaining events from which to choose! I hope to see you at many of them!

 

Albert Lea resident Glen Parsons is a member of the Albert Lea Community Theatre and an avid arts supporter.