The final opera of the season will be transmitted live on Saturday from the Metropolitan Opera to the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center in Albert Lea.

“La Cenerentola” is Rossini’s magical adaptation of the Cinderella story.

In the tale, the main character’s name is Angelina, and she has a wicked stepfather instead of a stepmother.

Instead of a fairy godmother to help her get ready for the ball, she is helped by a man with magical powers. She leaves behind a bracelet instead of leaving behind a glass slipper.

The performance, part of the “Live in HD” series, is described as “brisk, catchy and very entertaining,” according to a news release.

The opera will begin at 11:55 a.m. and runs about 3 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission. There will be a special reception during the intermission with a Cinderella theme with a special drawing for the Met Opera’s recording of “The Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart.

Meet the Met will gather at 12:15 p.m. Friday at Prairie Wind Coffee for a short presentation about “La Cenerentola, Rossini and the opera singers.

There will be a shortened version of Meet the Met in the Green Room at the theater at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

Tickets for each opera are $20 for adults and $12 for students. There are a limited number of free tickets for high school students. Students can obtain these tickets by going to the ACT box office and showing a student ID.

General tickets can be purchased at the ACT box office from 4 to 7 p.m. today or online at www.ACTonBroadway.com and www.AlbertLeaCivicMusic.com. Tickets are also available through the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

Friday

• Zion Lutheran Church, 924 Bridge Ave., will have a salad luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A donation of $6 is suggested.

• The Freeborn Area Cancer Auction flower sale will be from 5 to 8 p.m. in downtown Freeborn.

• The Albert Lea Moose Lodge will have a prime rib, steak, chicken, shrimp and all-you-can-eat fish fry. Cost is $10. Entertainment will be provided by Megaforce Karaoke.

• The Albert Lea Eagles Club will host a dinner of steak, shrimp, fish and chicken strips with entertainment by Rich Honstad and Sounds of RAHK.

• The Sunset Saddle Club Game Show will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• United South Central High School will present its 23rd annual Pops and Pie concert  titled “Disney Spectacular!” at 7 p.m. Cost is $5 for table or bleacher, including cost of pie.

• Prairie Fire Theatre will present “Pinocchio” at 7 p.m. at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Elementary School. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and children under 5 are free.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning play “Lend me a Tenor.”

The play, written by Ken Ludwig, is billed as a “madcap screwball comedy.” It is directed by Steve Kinney of Austin.

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased over the phone at 877-730-3144, online at www.actonbroadway.com or at the Performing Arts Center box office.

 

Saturday

• Area letter carriers will participate in the National Association of Letter Carriers food drive. Residents are invited to set food in or near their mailboxes to be picked up. Collected food is weighed at the Albert Lea post office and goes directly to the Salvation Army Food Shelf and to the Ecumenical Food Shelf at First Presbyterian Church of Albert Lea.

• A two-person best-shot hidden-pin tournament will be from 9 a.m. to noon at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club. Points will be awarded based on the team score for each hole. Cost to participate is $25 for season pass holders and $50 for people without a pass.

• The Sunset Saddle Club Pleasure Show will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds.

• The Freeborn Area Cancer Auction flower sale will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Freeborn.

• Kids Creativity Day will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. The event includes painting under the direction of Creative Spirits, along with other craft projects, cookie decorating, coloring tables, face painting and a photo booth.

Cost is $40 per child. Adults are free with the child. Children will take home a painting on canvas.

To register, call the United Way of Freeborn County at 373-8670. The event is a fundraiser for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.

• Prairie Fire Theatre will present “Pinocchio” at 2 p.m. at New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva Elementary School. Cost is $5 for adults, $3 for students and children under 5 are free.

• The second annual Mardi Gras in May will start at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church on U.S. Highway 69. The event features a meal, live auction, silent auction and raffle. Entrance fee is $5.

• The Alden American Legion Post 404 will host a steak fry from 5 to 8 p.m. Menu includes a 10-ounce ribeye, baked potato, coleslaw and garlic toast. Cost is $13.

• The Knights of Columbus, 1002 S. Broadway, will have a Mothers Day steak fry from 6 to 8 p.m.

• The Albert Lea Eagles Club will have a baked chicken dinner with entertainment by D.C. Music.

• Creative Spirits will host a painting event for adults at 6 p.m. at Northbridge Mall. To sign up, visit http://www.creativespirits.okoboji.com/fa/ or call 712-336-8186. Cost is $35.

• Entertainment will be provided by Tom Minehart at 7 p.m. at the Albert Lea Moose Lodge.

• The second annual Bolan Schoolhouse Variety Show will be at 7 p.m. in the Barton No. 2 schoolhouse building, 4206 Tulip Lane in Kensett, Iowa.

An area-wide adult chorus, under the direction of Mark Borchardt, will share some favorite songs from the musical, “The Sound of Music.”

Children and teens from the neighboring four school districts of St. Ansgar, Northwood-Kensett, Central Springs and Forest City will be sharing vocal, instrumental and speech performances. Refreshments will be available following the show. Tickets are $5. Seating is limited.

• Albert Lea Community Theatre will present the final performance of “Lend me a Tenor.”

The show will start at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased over the phone at 877-730-3144, online at www.actonbroadway.com or at the Performing Arts Center box office.

 

Sunday

• The Albert Lea American Legion Post 56 will host a breakfast from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Menu includes pancakes, sausage, fruit cup, potatoes, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. All women can register for a flower bouquet drawing every half hour because of Mother’s Day. Cost is $7.

• The Southeastern Chamber Orchestra will perform at 3 p.m. at Albert Lea High School.