River Arts Alliance

Mallory's Ghost
2025-11-02 14:30 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | 251 Main Street Winona, MN 55987 The Historic Masonic Temple, 251 Main Street, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Oct. 24 and 25, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Oct. 26, 2025 |2:30 pm
Oct. 30,31, and Nov. 1 2025 – |7:30 pm
Nov. 2, 2025 | 2:30 pm
The ARC, Home of the Historic Masonic Theater,
255 Main St., Winona, MN
“MALLORY’S GHOST”…JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!
Mallory and her sisters are living on Easy Street. They’re heiresses, who own a thriving manufacturing firm and even an old, family-run theater in downtown Winona! All should be well. But things are not always as they seem! The ghost of the theater is restless and evil forces are afoot! Are they too strong for even a trio of strong, gutsy, Winona women to overcome?
Get your tickets now at The ARC, Home of the Historic Masonic Theater, or at grsf.org. This is an independent production by a group of talented Winona theater folks. 100% of the ticket proceeds will be donated to The Great River Shakespeare Festival! The play was written and produced by Margaret Shaw Johnson and will be directed by Judy Myers. The incredible artwork is by renowned artist Robert Long. Composition and music is by Ray Dretske, with sound design by Bob Stuber, both of whose talents and generosity are well-known to Winonans. Choreography is by Gretchen Cohenour, sets & props by Gary Diomandes, lighting by Jason Underferth, costuming by Emily Kurash Casey and stage management by Brittany Chipsham. And top this all off with performances by actors Cindi Knouft, Mariah Ciangiola Short and Noah Short, Evelyn Smith and Jonathan Roberts!
This activity is made possible through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council in cooperation with a private foundation, by the Winona Foundation and the Elizabeth Callender King Foundation. It is sponsored by The Winona Post.

Gate City Jazz Band Performs First Sunday Each Month
2025-11-02 17:00 - 19:00 | WI
First Sunday of Each Month | 5-7 pm
Westfield Golf Course | 1460 W 5th St
No Cover Charge
westfieldgolfclub.com
The Gate City Jazz Band is rising from the ashes of the Blackhorse restaurant where they regularly played, to once again perform in their new location at the Westfield Golf Course restaurant. Performances are the first Sunday of each month, 5-7 pm for your listening and toe-tapping pleasure. Come enjoy the cuisine and music at the same time. No cover charge. Learn more.

A Journey of Hope and Resilience Art Show by MaryLee Eischen and Kim Hammer
2025-11-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Meet the Artists! November 4 |3pm – 5pm
4 pm Talk—“Art-making as Spiritual Practice”
Franciscan Spirituality Center
920 Market Street, La Crosse WI
Show up for viewing: November 3-28, 2025
Hours M- F 8:30am – 5:30pm

Water Color Basics with Miranda Lomeli-O'Reilly
2025-11-04 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-11-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Nov 4 & 11 | 5:30-7:30
Cost $45/members $50/non members
Contact: Jen jsbenson50@gmail.com
Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)

Miranda Lomeli-O’Reilly will teach Watercolor Basics: Foundations and Fall Leaves on November 4 & November 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This two-part workshop is for absolute beginners. Over two classes students will learn the foundation skills required to practice watercolors. Students will gain confidence by practicing applications in a step-by step manner. Students may sign up for only the first class on Nov 4 , but must take the first class in order to take the 2nd class, November 11. Fee per class: $45/ members or $50/non-members. A one time fee for materials is $20

Sign up with jsbenson50@gmail.com

WINONA’S NEW LITERARY ARRIVAL, GEOFF PECK
2025-11-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
November 4 | 7- 9 pm
Blue Heron Coffee House
162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN 55987
The Laureate Writers Series will welcome distinguished author Geoff Peck to Winona as featured writer for its November 4th program at the Blue Heron Coffee House. Peck has been an active writer for many years, and his publication record includes fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and book reviews published in more than thirty literary journals. Most notably, he was nominated for Best New American Poets honors after winning the Thomas McGrath Prize offered by the Academy of American Poets. Also impressive is that the University of Iowa Press has published his debut novel City of Clans. Peck received his MFA from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D from the University of North Dakota. He comes to Winona as writer and Assistant Professor of English at Winona State.
In addition to giving the Blue Heron audience samples of his literary works, Peck will discuss his journey to his new position at Winona State and respond to audience questions. The comments
will be followed by an open mic session, during which audience members can read short selections of their own original work. The program begins at 7 p.m.
The Laureate Writers Series is sponsored by the Blue Heron Coffee House, by Shipwreckt Books and Second Chapter Books of Winona, by Friends of the Winona Public Library, by Laurie Lucas, and by Sarah and Richard Ricker.

SEMAC Business Workshops
2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00 | WI
Sept 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 | 6:00 – 9:00
Virtual
THE SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA ARTS COUNCIL (SEMAC) ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS TO OFFER BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
SEMAC is excited to partner with Springboard for the Arts this fall to offer three of their Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workshops virtually for individual artists and culture bearers living in SEMAC’s 11-county region. These workshops are FREE to attend, and you can sign up for one, two, or all three.
Springboard’s Work of Art program is a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists and culture bearers in all disciplines – visual, performing, and literary arts. It starts with career planning and moves through topics such as pricing, marketing, funding, and business plans. Work of Art can be helpful if you are just starting your creative career, or if you need a refresher as you advance your work.
The curriculum is available as a free workbook (in English and Spanish) and downloadable from the Springboard for the Arts website as a helpful reference during or after the workshops. To download the workbook and for more information about Springboard’s Work of Art program, go to springboardforthearts.org/professional-growth/work-of-art-program/.
The three workshops being offered this fall by Springboard in partnership with SEMAC are:

Career Planning
Where do you want to be both artistically and professionally? Learn how to define your values, identify key choices and develop a plan to achieve your career goals.
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-career-planning-semac/
Time Management
Discover analytical and tool-based approaches to managing your time. These tools will help you tackle hurdles related to efficiency, flexibility, and structure to help you reach your artistic goals.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-time-management-semac/
Portfolio Kit
Your portfolio is the core of your promotional materials and serves as your professional calling card. Focus on the essential elements: sharpening your artist statement, tailoring your artistic resume, and curating and formatting your work samples.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-portfolio-kit-semac/

Please note that these sessions will not be recorded. Automated Zoom captions will be available. Contact sharon@semac.org, (507) 281-4848, 711 TTY with questions, and use Springboard’s registration form for accessibility requests.
This activity is supported in part by the State of Minnesota through a grant from The Office of Small Business Development, Department of Employment and Economic Development.
SEMAC serves Region 10, which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties, including the Prairie Island Indian Community.
SEMAC’s activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
For more information, visit semac.org or contact the office at 507-281-4848.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc – Rochester, MN
CONTACT: Jacqueline VanRavenhorst, Communications Manager
608-792-6831 | communications@semac.org

Linoleum Stamp Carving
2025-11-06 16:30 - 20:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
November 6 | 4:30-8:00pm
Cost: $10
Contact: Jen jsbenson50@gmail.com

Please join us at the Open Studio 4th Quarter Spotlight November 6 from 4:30 to 8:00pm at the Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)
Join us for a demonstration in Linoleum Stamp Carving. You will carve your own design into small linoleum blocks to be used for stamping cards for friends and family, stickers, etc.. All materials are provided. Cost is $10. Class size is 10. Register today! Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com

Winona Community Chorale Presents Fall Concert “Songs from the Silver Screen”
2025-11-07 19:00 - 21:30, 2025-11-08 14:00 - 2025-11-09 17:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Friday, Nov. 7 | 7:00 pm
Saturday, Nov. 8 | 2:00 pm
Central Lutheran Church
259 W Wabasha St., Winona.
The Winona Community Chorale will present its fall concert, “Songs from the Silver Screen: From Mozart to ABBA and Beyond,” on November 7 and 8 at Central Lutheran Church. There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be collected.
The Winona Community Chorale is a mixed choral ensemble performing music from a wide variety of styles, genres and time periods. Directed by Kurt Speltz, the group was founded in January 2023 and is now in its sixth concert season. The choir has grown over this time from approximately 30 to 60 members. The vision of the Winona Community Chorale is to inspire a love and appreciation for exceptional choral singing in our area, and to ignite the joy and human connection it generates.
This fall’s concert program features pieces either originally from, or heard in, the movies. It includes an eclectic mix of music ranging from Mozart’s “Lacrymosa,” to Elton John’s “Circle of Life” from The Lion King and Enya’s “May It Be” from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, to songs by ABBA, Lady Gaga, and much more. Members of the Chorale will also perform instrumental movie music for about fifteen minutes prior to the start of each concert.
Those unable to attend in person can also view a livestream of the concert via the choir’s page at “Winona Community Chorale” on Facebook.
For more information about the Chorale, contact Kurt Speltz, Director, at WinonaCommunityChorale@gmail.com, or follow the choir on Facebook. New members will be welcome to join when the next rehearsal season begins in January 2026.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.
Johanna Ruprecht is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.
Photo; Members of the Winona Community Chorale at their May 2025 performance.

A Necessary Death: Launch Party
2025-11-08 15:30 - 17:00 | Nate and Ally’s, 109 E. 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Saturday November 8 | 3:30 – 5 pm
Nate and Ally’s
109 E. 3rd St.
Winona, MN 55987
Come celebrate with Terri Karsten! Enjoy old time tavern board games, treats, and an interview with the author, along with a short reading. Books will be available for sale and signing.
A Necessary Death is a cozy, historical mystery set in a Pennsylvania tavern in 1763. The story follows an impoverished widow and a surly constable who must work together to figure out what happened to the dead man in the tavern privy. With Penelope Corbitt in the kitchen, the tavern will never be the same! Visit http://www.terrikarsten.com to learn more about the author.

The DitchLilies: Concert at Winona Arts Center
2025-11-08 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
November 8 | 7:00 pm
Gallery and Coffeehouse opens at 6:00 pm
Cost: $15/adv at Music Mart & Eventbrite, or $20/door
The Winona Arts Center
228 E 5th Street, Winona, MN
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to host our first concert with this Wisconsin duo. There will be a cash bar for wine & beer. Tickets are $15/advance without fees at Music Mart (115 E 3rd St) & Eventbrite and $20/door. This Wisconsin’s American Roots duo, The DitchLilies, have been in musical cahoots since 1998. Kari Larson and Lisa Schultz are stringed multi-instrumentalists/vocalists with a soft spot and keen enthusiasm for early swing, old-time mountain music and juke joint songs of the Golden Era. Together, they turn back in time to dust off the rare and forgotten tunes or to hone the familiar, tried and true melodies with the aim of carrying them forward to share with audiences of today. Variously tender and bold, imaginative and well-honed, The DitchLilies bring a refreshing sound to the roots music revival. Their harmonies are wonderful and their songs are great! Kara & Lisa are excited to be joined by Winona’s own fiddling maven, Betsy Neil. This concert is partially funded with the generous donations from Merchants Bank, Affinity Plus Credit Union & Dahl Toyota.
Contact: debiniebuhr@gmail.com
Winona Arts Center is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

John Paulson Big Band Concert & Fundraiser Against Drugs
2025-11-08 19:00 - 21:30 | Wellington’s Pub & Grill, 1429 W Service Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Nov. 8 | 7-9:30
Wellington’s Pub and Grill
1429 W Service Dr.
Winona, MN 55987
The John Paulson Big Band and Wellington’s Pub and Grill in Winona are teaming up for a special fundraiser November 8th from 7:00 to 9:30 pm. The goal is to present some great original jazz music and raise funds to provide education and awareness to schools and communities regarding illicit drug use. All proceeds will be directed to RIPple- a non-profit organization formed locally by persons who have lost loved ones to the drug epidemic- specifically illicit fentanyl. Visit https://rippledrugeducationawareness.org for more information on RIPple and contribute online until December 25 or at the event here: https://gofund.me/507a0fd97 Past recipients of Paulson’s fundraisers include the hurricane victims of Puerto Rico, MAC-V for homeless vets in SE Minnesota, and the Winona Food Shelf.
The 18-piece John Paulson Big Band with vocalist Janette Hanson includes some of the best jazz players and teachers in the region. They are unique in that they perform only original big band jazz composed and arranged by musical director and saxophonist John Paulson. The music is an exciting mix of contemporary blues, Latin, ballads, funk, and swing with plenty of solo space for the players. Since starting in 2011, the band has performed several times each year at venues all around the S.E. Minnesota region and beyond. Wellington’s is located at 1429 West Service Drive Winona, MN. The concert begins at 7:00 pm and the place gets packed so get there early and enjoy the awesome food and drinks. Don’t miss this amazing band and their fantastic new music!
For more, visit: www.paulsonjazz.com or https://wellingtons-pubandgrill.com
photo by Anita Doering

Commonweal Theatre Presents A Sherlock Carol
2025-11-08 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-09 13:30 - 16:00, 2025-11-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-14 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-15 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-16 13:30 - 16:00 | Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave. N, Lanesboro, MN, United States
Preview Dates
Saturday, Nov 8 | 7:30-10:00 pm
Sunday, Nov 9 | 1:30-4:00 pm
Thurs-Fri, Nov 13-14| 7:30-10:00 pm
Full Run Dates Listed on RAA Event Page
Commonweal Theatre Company
208 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN
commonwealtheatre.org

Join the Commonweal Theatre Company for Mark Shanahan’s merry and mysterious mashup, A Sherlock Carol. The worlds of Charles Dickens and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle collide in the ultimate Christmas crossover! Learn more.

Steve Schild Poetry Reading
2025-11-09 14:00 - 16:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Sunday, November 9 | 2:00 – 4:00
Winona Arts Center
228 E. 5th St., Winona MN
Steve Schild will read from his new poetry chapbook at 2 p.m. Nov. 9 at the Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St. The reading is free and open to the public.
Schild, a longtime Winona resident who now lives in Falcon Heights, self-published “Invocation,” which is about nature and stages of life, with an emphasis on getting older. A Saint Mary’s University emeritus professor, Schild has three previous poetry collections: “Eros in Autumn” and “These Humans”, both published by Shipwreckt Books Publishing Company, and “Gone Away from Crystal Valley”, which was self-published. “Eros in Autumn” won a silver medal from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. Schild’s poetry has also won awards from the League of Minnesota Poets, Viterbo University, and Winona State University. His work has also appeared in anthologies and a number of literary magazines.
Copies of “Invocation” will be available for a $10 donation to Winona Arts Center.
For more information contact Schild at sschild@smumn.edu.
Steve Schild is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit:

Winona Brass Band Season Begins Nov. 9
2025-11-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Winona Middle School Auditorium, 1570 Homer Rd, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
November 9 | 3:00 pm
Winona Middel School
December 13 | 11:00 am
Central Lutheran Church
April 12 | 3:00 pm
TBD

The Winona Brass Band open their 32 nd season with a Fall Concert on Sunday November 9 at 3:00 pm in the Winona Middle School Auditorium. The performance features selections suggested by members of the group resulting in an eclectic mix from British composer Malcolm Arnold’s Four Scottish Dances to the music of Queen. All WBB concerts are free and open to all. Free-will donations gratefully are accepted at the door.
Founded 1993, this British Style traditional Brass Band is unique in our area. Consisting only of brass instruments and percussion, the sound has been described as rich, vibrant, and organ-like. Instruments include cornets, flugelhorn, alto horns, trombones, baritones, euphoniums, tubas and percussion – 28 players in all!
WBB has made the Winona Middle School their rehearsal and performance home since fall 2024, with both fall and spring concerts happening in the Middle School Auditorium. The December 13 performance will be held at Central Lutheran Church at 11 am rounding out a full day of holiday festivities including a craft sale, Scandinavian-based bake sale and soup/sandwich lunch. The spring concert, scheduled for Sunday April 12 at 3 pm, will feature guest composer and conductor Dr. Jack Stamp as well as a few more players favorites that couldn’t fit into the fall concert!
The Winona Brass Band is a non-profit community ensemble with members from throughout the region. If you’re a brass or percussion player and are interested in membership opportunities please contact Janet Heukeshoven at jheukesh@smumn.edu or WBB board president, John Helm at helmje2@gmail.com. Follow the Winona Brass Band on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winonabrassband.
Eric Heukeshoven is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Café Congo: From America to Sister Cities Concert
2025-11-09 15:30 - 17:00 | First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Sunday, November 9 | 3:30
First Congregational Church
161 W. Broadway, Winona
Once again the musical talents of Melissa Mihm & Heidi Bryant and Larry Price can be enjoyed at a free benefit concert at Café Congo on Sunday, November 9th at 3:30pm. Melissa (pianist) and Heidi (flutist) will present an eclectic program featuring their amazing musical gifts. Jazz pianist Larry Price will then present a short program of favorite jazz tunes. Your freewill donations at the one-hour concert will benefit WIFA (Winona International Friendship Association) and their continuing mission of sending Winona students to study in our town’s sister city, Misato, Japan. Café Congo is located at the First Congregational Church (161 W. Broadway) and, with the generosity of its audiences, has helped to contribute over $70,000 toward good causes over the past 10 years, A reception will follow the event. Doors open at 3:00. The venue is ADA accessible at the canopied Johnson Street entrance.
Steve Bachler is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Two Fathoms Brewery: Meat and Baked Goods Raffle
2025-11-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Two Fathoms Brewing, 65 E Front St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Two Fathoms Brewery
When: Wednesday Nov 12: 5:30-8:00
Cost: Free, open to public
Contact: debiniebuhr@gmail.com

Winona Arts Center is excited to have been chosen as the November recipient of the Meat Raffle at Two Fathoms Brewery, 65 East Front St. We think it is a very cool, local arrangement in that Two Fathoms gives their leftover hops & grain from brewing to a local farmer who in turn gives them cuts of meat and they raffle it off to a different non profit each month. What could be better for our local economy!! Thanks Two Fathoms! The WAC board & friends will also be offering baked goods for the raffle. Tickets are $1 and there are 10 rounds and the rounds go fast & great fun for all. Please bring cash! So come out on Wednesday, November 12 from 5:30-8:00 and enjoy some brew or non alcohol options, buy some raffle tickets for the meat and baked goods and support your local brewery, farmer and the Winona Arts Center. What a great evening!!

10 x 10: Dance on Film
2025-11-12 19:00 - 20:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Wednesday, Nov. 12 | 7:00
Winona Arts Center
10 x 10: Dance on Film” is a curated selection of dance films from and about Lebanon by Studio Amalgam, presented by Sharon Mansur/The Cedar Tree Project.
Featuring short films by Amy Dang, Wafaa Celine Halawi, Dalia Naous & Kinda Hassan, Yara Boustany & Nader Bahsoun, Petra Serhal, Racha Baroud, Lilliane Rahhal, Sharon Mansur, Jana Younes, and Einleil. Homemade Lebanese treats will also be available.
Studio Amalgam is an organization that supports research and creation in the performing arts. Since 2014, located in the heart of Beirut, Studio Amalgam has become a dynamic and central hub for the performing arts, focusing primarily on movement, contemporary dance, and physical theater. https://amalgambeirut.com
Studio Amalgam’s founder, Yara Boustany is also a co-creator of The Cedar Tree Project’s “1001 Arab Futures,” and the film from that project will be shared in this evening’s screening.
Admission donations starting at $10 will go towards supporting Studio Amalgam’s vital work during their 10th Anniversary season. Donations that night can be made via cash, check or Venmo.
Reservations requested.
Please email smansurdancer@gmail.com to reserve your spot, or if you are unable to attend but would like to make a contribution.
Sharon Mansur is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

10 x 10: Dance on Film
2025-11-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Wednesday, November 12 | 7:00pm
Winona Arts Center,
228 East 5th Street,
Winona, MN, Dakota land
10 x 10: Dance on Film

a curated selection of dance films from and about Lebanon
with Studio Amalgam, Beirut
Presented by The Cedar Tree Project

Featuring work by: Amy Dang, Wafaa Celine Halawi, Dalia Naous & Kinda Hassan, Yara Boustany & Nader Bahsoun, Petra Serhal, Racha Baroud, Lilliane Rahhal, Sharon Mansur, Jana Younes, and Einleil
For more about Winona Arts Center, visit: https://winonaarts.org/
Studio Amalgam’s founder, Yara Boustany is a co-creator of The Cedar Tree Project’s 1001 Arab Futures, and the film from that project will be shared in this evening’s screening.Admission donations will go towards supporting Studio Amalgam during their 10th Anniversary season! Stay tuned for more…
Sharon Mansur is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Water Music: Chamber Music at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum
2025-11-13 16:30 - 18:30 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
November 13, December 11, March 5, April 16
4:30 and 7:00 each day
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) is pleased to announce the return of Water Music: Chamber Music at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, presented in partnership with the Winona Symphony Orchestra. Now entering its fifth season, Water Music brings together art and music through a series of four chamber music concerts performed in an intimate setting within the museum’s galleries. Each performance is designed to highlight both the visual treasures of the MMAM and musical masterworks connected by a shared theme.
New for the 2025–26 season, each concert evening will feature two performances, at 4:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Between the two performances, guests are invited to enjoy a reception in the MMAM atrium, featuring a treat prepared by the museum’s new Waterbar Café + Provisions inspired by the evening’s program, included with the ticket price. A cash bar will also be available. Guests are encouraged to come early or stay late to enjoy food, drinks, and conversation surrounded by art and music.
The Water Music season begins on Thursday, November 13, 2025, with Water Music: Epic Journeys, paired with the exhibition A Spectacle in Motion: The Grand Panorama of a Whaling Voyage ‘Round the World. The program will include Shostakovich’s Two Pieces for String Octet and Mendelssohn’s Octet for Strings, featuring guest violin soloist Nash Ryder and musicians from the Winona Symphony Orchestra and Apollo Chamber Music.
The second concert, Water Music: Christmas Concertos, will be presented on Thursday, December 11, 2025, paired with Alexis Rockman: Oceanus. The program will include Torelli’s Christmas Concerto, Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on “Greensleeves”, and Corelli’s Christmas Concerto, performed by musicians from the Winona Symphony Orchestra.
On Thursday, March 5, 2026, MMAM will host Water Music: Quince Ensemble, paired with the exhibition Fluid: What is Marine Art and What Can it Be? This program will feature Zohn-Muldoon’s Destierros and Night and McKinley’s Ten Medieval Songs, performed by guest artists Quince Ensemble and violinist Erik Rohde.
The season concludes on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with Water Music: The Coast and the Sea, paired with the exhibition The Coast and the Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America. This program will include new chamber works written for baritone Alan Dunbar, featuring Dunbar and guest musicians.
Single concert tickets are $30 for general admission, $25 for MMAM members, seniors, and active military, and $10 for students. Tickets may be reserved online at https://mmam.org/water-music. The Water Music series is presented by the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and the Winona Symphony Orchestra, and is supported by Your Classical MPR.
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is a nonprofit art museum that creates meaningful art experiences that explore our relationship with water. Located in Winona, Minnesota, the purpose-built museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi River and boasts six galleries, an educational and events space, and a destination retail shop on its seven-acre riverside campus. It is through this surprising diversity that MMAM is not only describing what marine art is, but pushing the boundaries of what marine art can be.
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.
Image credit: Previous Water Music concert at MMAM, surrounded by the immersive art of Anne Labovitz, featuring Liz Pearse, soprano, and musicians of the Winona Symphony Orchestra.

An Eye For An I: Launch Party
2025-11-13 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Thursday, Nov. 13 | 5-7 pm
Blue Heron Coffeehouse
162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN 55987
Hola, Friends
My memoir, An Eye for An I: Growing Up With Blindness, Bigotry and Family Mental Illness is set to be released on November 4th by the University of Minnesota Press. Please join me for the Winona Launch Party at Blue Heron from 5:00-7:00 PM on Thursday, November 13th. There will be delicious appetizers from the good folksat the Blue Heron, a slideshow, a reading or two, music, and salsa dancing to close out the celebration.
If you are unable to make the Launch Party, I will be on a panel of memoir writers on Saturday, November 8th at 10AM at the Winona Public Library. I hope you can join us for one or both of the above events.
The memoir is to be featured on several podcasts including the Midwest Writers Room, the Kindness Matters podcast, and Minnesota Reads, a
weekly Minnesota radio segment on The North 103.3 FM. If you know of podcasts, book groups or classrooms that might benefit from discussing
the topics above, please feel free to share that information with me.
Mil Gracias, Jim Bonilla
PS. It is not too late to pre-order An Eye for An I. I’m told that pre-orders make a huge difference to a book’s success because publishers devote more time and money to a book that is already selling well. Order here. Thanks.
A sample of reviewers’ comments:
“Whether you come to this book for insights about living with disability, the impacts of racism and trauma, or the emotional journey to healthy manhood, you will be captivated by the vivid tenderness of a masterful storyteller and inspired by the lessons about the resilience of the human spirit.” – Steven Botkin, founder and former executive director , Men’s Resources International
“Weaving together a poignant narrative made of personal vignettes, James Francisco Bonilla tells of obstacles overcome, insights gained, and lives transformed by his commitment to social justice and self-understanding. With its intersectional analysis of racism, mental illness, and disability, this memoir brings a fresh and inspiring voice to the world of social justice literature.”—Beverly Daniel Tatum, PhD, author of Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? And Other Conversations About Race.

About Elly: Film at Winona Arts Center
2025-11-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Friday, November 14 | 7:00
Cost: $5

The Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th Street, invites you into an intriguing story in our latest international film, About Elly, on Friday, November 14 at 7:00. The Art Center opens at 6:00 for gallery viewing of our latest exhibit, Farfetched Fish, by LindaSue Eastman.

This film by Asghar Farhadi,is a masterclass in engrossing drama
It is a gripping tale of secrets and lies among a tight-knit group of friends holidaying on the Caspian Sea. With an expertly paced narrative and an impressive ensemble cast , it works as a character study and a thriller.
114 minutes Persian language with English subtitles

Rock Mandala Class
2025-11-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Saturday, November 15 | 9:00 to 11:00 am
Winona Arts Center
228 E 5th St, Winona
Cost: $25/members $30/non members

Join us at the Winona Arts Center on November 15 for a Meditative, Creative Experience painting River Rock Mandalas with Cheri Bunker! Learn simple dotting techniques to create beautiful, symmetrical mandala designs on natural river rocks. Perfect for all skill levels! All materials provided. No Experience needed.
For more information and to register contact Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com.
*Mandala painting kits (includes tools and three bottles of paint) will be available after class for purchase for $10 so you can continue your creative journey with future projects.
Winona Arts Center is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Live Music: Chad Cagle
2025-11-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Old Main Cultural Center, 20869 S College Ave., Galesville, WI, 54630, United States
