Artaria String Quartet and Locals to Perform Free Concerts

Music lovers will have many opportunities to hear the acclaimed Artaria String Quartet when they perform two free concerts on Thursday, March 23rd: An afternoon concert hosted by the Minnesota Conservatory of Arts (Valencia Arts Center at 4:15) and an evening performance hosted by Café Congo (First Congregational Church at 7:00).

Based in West St. Paul, Artaria has earned numerous prestigious awards including from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Chamber Music America and has been described by the St. Paul Pioneer Press as an “exceptional ensemble and Minnesota’s foremost teaching and performing string quartet”.

The first program at Valencia Arts Center is a special free 50-minute musical concert for families and community members of all ages. Titled “Song & Dance”, this concert will show the transformation of the quartet into a group of singers for everything from hymnals to lullabies. And when one sings, one must dance! Beethoven and Haydn will offer spirited interpretations of dance that will leave you wanting to join in!

Next, Winonans can enjoy Artaria at Café Congo for a free hour-long performance of chamber music featuring their students at Winona Senior High School orchestra. Since last fall, Artaria has made three visits to Winona to coach public school orchestra students in a variety of ways, including the three quartet groups performing on Thursday. The recital is the capstone project of Artaria’s collaboration with the WAPS booster group, “Strings in Motion” and was funded by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Artaria String Quartet and a local adult quartet coached by Artaria will also perform. Refreshments will be served and a free will offering will be available.

Valencia Arts Center is located at 1164 West Howard (10th) St. For information call (507) 453-5500. Café Congo is located at the First Congregational Church, 161 West Broadway St. (use Johnson St. canopied entrance). For more information call (507) 452-4829.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and Café Congo are members of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/JOIN.