Frozen River Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years with New Film Series
2025-11-02 - 2025-11-09, 2025-11-03 - 2025-11-10, 2025-11-04 - 2025-11-11, 2025-11-05 - 2025-11-12, 2025-11-06 - 2025-11-13, 2025-11-07 - 2025-11-14, 2025-11-08 - 2025-11-15, 2025-11-09 - 2025-11-16 | MN
frff.eventive.org
This year the Frozen River Film Festival (FRFF) will be celebrating 20 years of bringing documentary films and filmmakers to Winona. The festival begins Sunday, February 9, (You can still get home in time to watch the Super Bowl!) and runs through Sunday, February 16. This year’s event will feature the World Premiere of FRFF’s self-produced documentary, Beneath the Ice: The Frozen River Film Festival Story. Learn more.

Commonweal Theatre Presents King Lear
2025-11-02 13:30 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Ave. N, Lanesboro, MN, United States
Preview Dates
Saturday, Sept 13 | 7:30-9:30 pm
Sunday, Sept 14 | 1:30-3:30 pm
Thurs-Fri, Sept 18, 19 | 7:30-9:30 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 William Shakespeare’s legendary classic, King Lear. From one of the greatest writers of all time comes the ultimate family drama. As age overtakes Lear, he divides his kingdom amongst his daughters. Misjudging their loyalty, he finds himself stripped of all that defined him. Learn more.

Mallory's Ghost
2025-11-02 14:30 - 17:30 | 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 | MN
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.

Call to Artists: Between the Bluffs Plein Air
2025-11-02 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-03 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-07 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-08 18:00 - 21:00 | MN
Demonstrations: Sat. Oct 11 9 – Noon
Show: Oct 17, 18, 19
Betweenthebluffs.com
Colleen Shore is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

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 | 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 | MN
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 | 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.
