NORTHERN MINNESOTA — Even though it was a mild winter, arriving at April still feels like we made it through something.
There are so many ways to get out and support local events this weekend.
Here are some ideas!
Bagley
The Bagley Area Arts Collaborative presents paintings by Rick Paulin at the Bagley Public Library Gallery during the month of April. There's an artist talk and reception 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6.
Bemidji
Mask and Rose Theater will stage a reading of Cate Belleveau's original play Mary 3, Martha 4, No Footnotes at 7 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the Carnegie Library. The play shares the voices of the four wives of Ernest Hemingway. One of them, Mary Welsh, grew up in Bemidji.
Headwaters Music and Arts has their monthly coffeehouse and open mic beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday. April's featured performer is P2.
Watermark Art Center opens their annual high school invitational show Friday, with a reception from 5-7 p.m. The show includes work from students at Bemidji High School, Voyageur's Expeditionary School, Cass Lake-Bena High School, Trek North and Laporte High School. It will be on display until April 26.
Bemidji Community Theater presents Alice in Wonderland with performances 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. There is a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday.
The Bemidji Public Library and Beltrami County Historical Society present "They Brought Their Songs: International Folk Music in Minnesota" at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Bemidji Public Library. Learn about the history of polka music and enjoy a performance by the Cathy Erickson Band.
Brainerd
Stage North Theater Co. presents Oliver! at Franklin Arts Center with shows 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Heartland Symphony Orchestra presents their spring concert "Shall We Write?" with performances 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Charles D. Martin auditorium at Little Falls High School and 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts at Brainerd High School.
It will be the world premiere of "Wings of Freedom" by Robin M. Butler, winner of the 2023-2024 Composition Competition, and "The Letter and the Envelope" by Lindsey Wiehl, featuring Miriam Webber as principal bassoon.
Check out Andrew Dziengel's recent Area Voices interview with Musical Director Ryan Webber.
Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids Arts presents their monthly First Friday Art Walk 4-7 p.m. Friday.
Stops include Benders, Giinawind Creative Space, Old Central School, and Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. MacRostie Art Center welcomes Roya Nazari Najafabadi and her exhibit "Social Canvas," which is mixed media and photography. Clearwater Hot Club will perform at Rapids Brewing Co. from 6 to 9 p.m.
It's Maple, Music, and Phenology Day at the Forest History Center from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Learn about maple syruping, partake in music around the fire, and look for seasonal changes on a guided phenology hike.
Virginia
Mesabi Symphony Orchestra presents "Music is Comforting," along with Range of Voices Chorus, 7 p.m. Saturday at Rock Ridge High School Performing Arts Center.
Tell us about upcoming events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
