River Arts Alliance

McKnight Fellowship Info Session
2024-06-11 18:30 (America/Chicago) | Engage Winona, 119 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987
Engage Winona | 119 E 3rd St.
The McKnight Artist and Culture Bearer Fellowship Program will hold an information session for all interested Minnesota-based applicants on Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 pm at Engage Winona. This session, led by Program Directors Tracy Krumm (Fiber Artists), Mike Hoyt (Community-Engaged Practice) and Dana Kassel (Dancers and Choreographers) will speak to the full Artist and Culture Bearers Fellowship program which supports 15 artistic disciplines, and more specifically to the three Fellowship Programs. We’ll allow plenty of time for specific questions. See a flyer with more information here. Please let us know if you plan to join us so we can plan accordingly. RSVP with your name and artistic medium, along with any specific questions to mckfell@thecowlescenter.org.

Patina at Elmaro
2024-06-09 13:00 - 16:00 | Elmaro Vineyard, N14756 Delaney Rd., Trempealeau, WI, 54661, United States
Elmaro Vineyard | N14756 Delaney Rd. | Trempealeau, WI
patinatheband.com
Patina is a Celtic inspired fiddle, whistle, flute, bodhrán, banjo, accordion and guitar band that plays mixed Celtic, folk and original music. Patina will be at Elmaro Vineyard on Sunday, June 9th from 1:00 to 4:00. We LOVE to bring our lively music to anyone who enjoys the fun sounds of traditional Celtic, folk and Patina originals. Our loyal fans tell us that Patina is a fun band to listen to and watch perform. Learn more.

River City Dancers’ Swinging in the Street
2024-06-07 18:00 - 22:00 | MN
Corner of Third & Center Streets
rivercitydancers.org
Get your dancing shoes ready: Winona’s Downtown will be swinging and swaying to the sounds of live music and dancing at the 5TH ANNUAL “Swinging In The Street” outdoor street dance! On Friday, June 7 from 6-9 pm, the community is invited to a free Dance Party thrown by the River City Ballroom Dancers. Dance lessons led by Stan and Molly Breitlow will be from 6-7 pm and non-stop live music from Greg Balfany and members of the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra will run from 7-9 pm. Dancing in the street will continue on until 10 pm! The event will be on Third Street at the corner of Center Street (in front of Blooming Grounds) and is part of the Winona Main Street and Chamber of Commerce’s “Winona in the Street” summer series. Learn more.

Laureate Series Wide Open Mic Night
2024-06-04 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
The First Tuesday Laureate Writers Series event at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:00 pm will be a Wide Open Mic Night. Come one, come all! This month, we won’t have a featured writer — all of you will be featured!
Bring a story, a tall tale, a poem or set of poems to share — keep it to ten minutes max.
We’d prefer that it be your own work but if you have something by a favorite writer, that would be okay. Learn more.

Free Audition Workshop
2024-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Cornerstone Community Church, 1001 44th Ave., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Cornerstone Community Church | 1001 44th Ave. | Goodview
linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre
Sugarloaf Theatre is thrilled to announce that Seamus Schwaba, Executive Director for Sugarloaf Theatre and our Director for our summer musical Through the Looking Glass, will be hosting a free, one hour long audition workshop on June 3 from 6-7 pm at Cornerstone Community Church [please note change of location]. All adults and children ages 12+ are invited to attend this workshop. Auditions can be such a nerve wracking and stressful experience. During this hour long session participants will learn techniques on how to overcome nerves and present themselves well at a theatrical audition of any kind. All that you have to do take advantage of this exciting opportunity is follow this link, fill out the short RSVP form, and show up! Learn more.

Artists Along the Trail
2024-06-01 07:00 - 13:00 | Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, W28488 Refuge Road, Trempealeau, WI, 54661
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge | W28488 Refuge Road | Trempealeau, WI
All are invited to meet and watch area artists create at a multi-day plein air painting event in the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge and at Elmaro Vineyard and Winery this coming June. On Saturday, June 1 from 7:30-11 am, artists will be painting along the trails in the Refuge. A luncheon and opportunity to meet the artists will take place from 11:30 am-1 pm at the Outdoor Wonders Learning Center. Related events will take place at Elmaro throughout the month of June.
Among the 16 participating artists, seven are members of River Arts Alliance: Linda Klabo, Linda Arnesen, Colleen Shore, Betsy Midthun, Faye Schoen, Jean Mueller and Jamie Schwaba. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Trempealeau Refuge and made possible through donations from the Michael Owecke Memorial Fund. Learn more.

Ben Cosgrove Concert at WAC
2024-05-31 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Ben Cosgrove will perform a free concert at 7 pm on Friday, May 31 at the Winona Arts Center. Doors open at 6:30. The Winona Arts Center is a small venue, so please pick up your free ticket at Music Mart (formerly Hardt’s Music) or reserve a ticket on Eventbrite. If we are full to capacity and you do not have a ticket, you will not be able to attend this amazing concert.
Ben is currently Artist-in-Residence helping to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Ben’s music and storytelling will transport you throughout landscapes near and far in a way few performers can. Ben has travelled throughout the 261 miles of the Refuge along the Mississippi and will share his inspiration and reflections in this performance. Learn more.

RAA Art Schmooze at Acoustic Café
2024-05-31 17:00 - 19:00 | Acoustic Cafe, 77 Lafayette St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Acoustic Café | 77 Lafayette St.
You’re invited to a River Arts Alliance Art Schmooze on Friday evening, May 31, at the Acoustic Café in downtown Winona. Held periodically throughout the year, our Schmoozes are casual gatherings for artists of all disciplines and arts supporters, open to current RAA members and non-members alike. Join us for a fun opportunity to meet and socialize with others in our area’s arts community and to learn more about what RAA does and how you can be involved. The event is free and open to the public.
A brief program beginning at 6 pm will include announcements from RAA leaders and an opportunity for attendees to introduce themselves. Before and after the program will be informal social time. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Learn more.

artsXchange with Emilio & Monica DeGrazia: Authenticity in the Age of AI
2024-05-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
Register Here
The dawn of Artificial Intelligence poses a historically profound, alarming, and unprecedented problem for writers, musicians, and artists. AI’s generative powers, often controlled anonymously, are matching human creative ventures and promise to surpass them. What then is “authenticity” as an outcome of human creative processes? How can we establish criteria that will help us decide whether the art forms we are exposed to are “authentic” and worthy of our respect? The main focus of this presentation will be on literary works, with a few visual artworks on display at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum providing opportunities to consider analogies between literary and visual arts. In preparing a definitive book about many different versions of the “Princess Winona” legends, Monica DeGrazia has confronted questions about the legend’s credibility in direct and varying ways. The city of Winona’s identity and heritage are based in large part on suppositions that have no basis in authentic history. Emilio DeGrazia has a long history as author of fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction, and he also has worked as a literary editor and judge for several literary contests. He will discuss how he, as writer, has struggled to generate literary work worth calling “authentic,” and what standards he, as editor and literary judge, believes it is important to maintain.
This event is free to attend for members of RAA or MMAM, and included with museum admission for others. Registration is required, and space is limited to 25 attendees per program. Learn more.

Minnesota Bach Festival Mobile Mini-Concerts
2024-05-23 16:00 - 19:00 | MN
Various Locations in Winona
bachsocietymn.org
The annual Minnesota Bach Festival, a month of musical events throughout the state, is bringing a series of Mobile Mini-Concerts to Winona on Thursday, May 23 from 4-7 pm. The concerts are in a pop-up format, featuring Bach Society of Minnesota musician Charles Asch performing a brief solo concert before moving on to the next location. Charles, a noted cellist, will perform at five locations in Winona. The Mobile Mini-Concerts are free and open to the public.
Performance Locations and Schedule:
4:00 pm Sugar Loaf Senior Living, 765 Menard Road
4:40 pm Benedictine Callista Court, 1455 W Broadway Street
5:10 pm St. Anne’s Extended Healthcare, 1347 W Broadway Street
6:00 pm St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 253 Liberty Street
6:40 pm Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha Street
Learn more.

May Jazz Jam Welcomes Winona Community Chorale
2024-05-19 14:30 - 17:30 | Two Fathoms Brewing, 65 E Front St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Two Fathoms Brewing | 65 E Front St.
H3OJazz.com
On the heels of their spring performances, the Winona Community Chorale will join H3O Jazz Trio as this month’s Jazz Jam fundraiser recipient. The monthly Jazz Jam takes place outside on the spacious patio at Two Fathoms Brewing Company or in the taproom if weather is bad on Sunday, May 19 from 2:30 – 5:30 pm.
H3O Jazz Trio and Two Fathoms Brewing (formerly Island City) have helped support local nonprofits with over $48,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! The April Jazz Jam contributed $1,400 in support of the Spanish Language Immersion Program Association. All Jazz Jam donations are matched by H3O and Two Fathoms. Learn more.

Theatre du Mississippi Presents Baby I’ll Turn the Sky Green for You
2024-05-19 14:00, 2024-05-18 19:00, 2024-05-17 19:00, 2024-05-12 14:00, 2024-05-11 19:00, 2024-05-10 19:00 | Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, 1164 W 10th St., Winona, MN, United States
Valencia Arts Center | 1164 W Howard St.
theatredumiss.org
Theatre du Mississippi presents a production of the play Baby I’ll Turn the Sky Green for You by Taylor Sklenar, directed by Rae Peter.
Part One: In a ravaged 2051, a nurse tries desperately to keep her father on life support, despite her nihilistic sister’s desire to pull the plug. As the sisters quarrel, questions of their father’s past emerge, pushing their relationship to its breaking point.
Part Two: In 2019, the cast has transformed to play the older generation, and the decisions and secrets of the past come to life. An intriguing look at the responsibility that we have to other generations and the personal costs of action and inaction.
Tickets are $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door. Learn more.

Winona Community Chorale Concert “The Paths We Travel”
2024-05-18 14:00, 2024-05-17 19:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
facebook.com/WinonaCommunityChorale
The Winona Community Chorale presents a spring concert entitled “The Paths We Travel” on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, May 18 at 2:00 pm. Performances are at Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona. Admission is by free-will offering.
The Winona Community Chorale is a mixed choral ensemble performing music from a wide variety of styles, genres and time periods. Now in its third concert season, the group is directed by Kurt Speltz. The original watercolor painting by Faye Schoen pictured above will be sold by silent auction during the concerts with proceeds going to support the choir and its vision. Learn more.

Somsen Hall Centenary Celebration Open House
2024-05-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Winona State University, 175 W Mark St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Somsen Hall | Winona State University | 8th & Johnson Streets
The Winona Heritage Preservation Commission is partnering with Winona State University to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Somsen Hall with a free public open house on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Self-guided tours of the interior will be offered throughout the event. Guided tours of the exterior and grounds will take place at 10:30, 11:30, and 1:00. A noon program in the Harriet Johnson Auditorium will feature a talk by Distinguished Alumnus Dr. Scott Hannon on the history of the Winona Normal School, the first public teachers college west of the Mississippi River. Learn more.

Dan Mondloch – Expressions in Watercolor Workshop
2024-05-16 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-15 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-05-14 09:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Mornings Art Studio, 40341 Lamoille Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Mississippi Mornings Art Studio | 40341 Lamoille Dr.
A watercolor workshop with Dan Mondloch, brought to you by the La Crosse Society of Arts & Crafts, will take place May 14-16 at Mississippi Mornings Art Studio. Dan Mondloch is an award winning third-generation painter who received a BFA in painting and drawing from St. Cloud State University. Gain a foundation of the visual language of watercolor with an emphasis on simplifying subjects through large value shapes. Students will enjoy one full demo each day as well as paint one strategic follow-along activity designed to speed up your understanding and abilities. Contact Penny Stroening of the LCSAC to register; email: penelopestroening@gmail.com. Learn more.

Rochester Area Handbells at Central Lutheran
2024-05-12 15:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
The Rochester Area Handbells are returning to Winona for a free and fun afternoon of music for the whole family at 3 pm on Sunday, May 12, at Central Lutheran Church. The recently formed Glorioso – Bells of Winona will also make a special guest appearance. Vintage Pops will feature music by Scott Joplin, Katy Perry, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, ABBA, Irving Berlin, Green Day, and much more. Learn more.

Art is for Everyone at MMAM’s Spring Seasonal Saturday
2024-05-11 10:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Minnesota Marine Art Museum | 800 Riverview Dr.
mmam.org
On Saturday, May 11, the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) will hold its Spring Seasonal Saturday event focused on the theme Scenic Splendor, inspired by the exhibition Re/Framing The View: Nineteenth-century American Landscapes, on view now at MMAM through August 4, 2024. On loan from the New Bedford Whaling Museum (New Bedford, Massachusetts), Re/Framing The View takes a layered approach to looking at landscape painting and artists from the 1800s. Seasonal Saturdays strive to reduce intimidation and increase comfortable access to the arts for everyone by offering fun-filled, inviting days, with $1 admission, free transportation, and 30-minute guided tours. The event will include a live oil painting demonstration, live music, and more. Learn more.

Opening Reception - Art Show by Angie Malin at Blue Heron Coffeehouse
2024-05-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
blueheroncoffeehouse.com
A new art show at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse will feature original oil paintings by Angie Malin. This show will run from May 10 through Sunday, June 16, 2024, with an opening reception for the artist on Friday, May 10, from 5-7 pm. The reception is free and open to the public, with light refreshments provided.
The artist says, “I have lived in the Midwest my entire life which has given me an appreciation for the changing landscape from season to season. Plein Air painting, painting outdoors from life, is my preferred way to paint.” Learn more.

“Art and Technology” Workshop for Artists
2024-05-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Owatonna Arts Center, 435 Garden View Lane, Owatonna, MN, 55060
A free workshop focused on art and technology will be offered Thursday, May 9, from 6-8 pm at the Owatonna Arts Center, 435 Garden View Lane in Owatonna, MN, and online via Zoom. Learn more and register here. This event is part of a series of artist development workshops organized by the Northfield Arts Guild and sponsored by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council.

Laureate Writers Series Celebrates New Book Chiaroscuro
2024-05-07 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
The Laureate Writers Series reading at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 pm will celebrate the release of the new book Chiaroscuro. The event is free and open to the public. The book features selected poems by Peter W. Denzer with lino prints by Maria Denzer, Delia Bell, the Denzer family, and friends. It has been published by Shipwreckt Books Publishing Company of Winona as part of the Up On Big Rock Poetry Series. Learn more.

Classical Norway Concert at Old Main
2024-05-05 15:00 - 16:30 | Old Main Cultural Center, 20869 S College Ave., Galesville, WI, 54630, United States
Old Main Cultural Center | 20869 College Ave. | Galesville, WI
oldmaingalesville.com
The Fagernes Sons of Norway will help the Old Main Cultural Center in Galesville present a “Classical Norway” concert Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 pm to remember the music program offered by Gale College, operated by the Norwegian Lutheran Church from 1901 to 1938. The Fagernes Sons of Norway Singers will sing a framework of folk songs for the classical program that Dr. Pamela Kelly, pianist, and Alyssa Gaines, flutist, will bring to the event. A reception will follow that includes Rommegrot, Norwegian baked treats, and open-faced sandwiches. The event will help raise funds to support the musical program the “Gale Star” committee at Old Main continues to offer and to remember the Norwegian heritage of Gale College. Learn more.

Winona Brass Band Season Finale
2024-05-05 15:00 | Central Lutheran Church, 259 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Central Lutheran Church | 259 W Wabasha St.
facebook.com/winonabrassband
The Winona Brass Band will conclude their 30th Anniversary Season with a celebratory concert at Central Lutheran Church on Sunday, May 5 at 3:00 pm. The Brass Band and Central Lutheran’s Hendrickson Pipe Organ are each celebrating 30 years of great music. To honor these two anniversaries, the performance will highlight music for brass band and organ. The concert is free and open to all. Donations will be accepted in support of the Winona Brass Band’s next decade. A reception will follow immediately after the concert in the adjacent Grace Hall. Learn more.
