Commonweal Theatre Presents King Lear
2025-10-11 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-12 13:30 - 16:00, 2025-10-16 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-18 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-19 13:30 - 16:00, 2025-10-25 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-26 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.

Exhibition of Recent Drawings " Beneath the Fields" by Lois Peterson
2025-10-13 14:00 - 17:00
Sept 3rd- Nov 5th 2025
Artist Reception: Saturday, Oct. 11, 4–5:30 p.m.
Artist Draw-In: Monday, Oct. 13, 2-5 p.m. in the Gallery
Viterbo Fine Arts Gallery
Third Floor
LaCrosse, WI
By creating large-scale detailed drawings of dormant prairie plants and fallen tree segments, their essential role in our ecosystem is both recognized and documented. While working on this series, I found myself mourning their decline. Drawing and restoring land helped me better understand my past and present. Living in a rural area paired with a personal family history of engagement with farming practices gave me a perspective on environmental issues and the need for collective efforts in restoration.
Read more: http://www.viterbo.edu/university-gallery

Commonweal Theatre Presents Lone Star Spirits
2025-10-13 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-17 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-18 13:30 - 16:00, 2025-10-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-23 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-25 13:30 - 16:00
Commonweal Theatre Company
208 Parkway Ave N, Lanesboro, MN
commonwealtheatre.org

Join the Commonweal Theatre Company for Josh Tobiessen’s small-town comedy, Lone Star Spirits. A trip home gets wildly out of hand when Marley introduces her fiancé to her estranged father. Learn more.

Frozen River Film Festival Announces Their First 48/5 Reel River Rush Contest
2025-10-17 17:00 - 2025-10-19 17:00
Frozen River Film Festival is hosting our first ever 48/5 filmmaking contest!
Friday-Sunday, October 17th-19th
Registration is open now | Registration Fee is $35 per team
20 teams max for contest | Visit frff.org/485-reel-river-rush to register
Grab your friends, family, and your imagination! NO experience needed. NO professional equipment required! Use your phone for recording and your computer for editing! Join us for an epic weekend of storytelling, laughter, and creativity as you take on the challenge of making your own 5-minute short film in just 48 hours!
Whether you’ve never touched a camera or you’re a TikTok pro, this is your chance to try filmmaking in a totally fun, low-pressure environment. Think of it like a movie-making adventure! Perfect for all ages, skill levels, and creative brains!
Here’s the deal:
You’ll form a team (or go solo if you’re feeling bold!
You’ll have 48 hours to dream up, shoot, and edit a short film
We’ll provide the a line of dialogue to include, and genre to film as!
At the end, your film will be screened Sunday, October 19th at 6pm!
All ages are welcome | There is no age restriction to this event.
Event Details:

Name: 48/5 Reel River Rush Contest

Kick Off Date: October 17th 5pm – Zoom and asynchronous option available

Location: The ARC

Address: 255 Main Street Winona, MN 55987

Submission Deadline: October 19th 5pm

Location: The ARC

Address: 255 Main Street Winona, MN 55987

Grand Screening of Films: October 19th 6pm

Location: The ARC

Address: 255 Main Street Winona, MN 55987

There are three trophies and one cash prize:

Best use of Dialogue

Best use of Genre

Judges’ Favorite

$200 cash prize for audience favorite!

Learn more at frff.org/485-reel-river-rush!

Call to Artists: Between the Bluffs Plein Air
2025-10-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-18 11:00 - 2025-10-19 16:00, 2025-10-19 11:00 - 2025-10-20 16:00
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/.

River Rock Mandala Painting
2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Saturday, October 18 | 1:00-3:00pm
Winona Arts Center at 228 E 5th Street
Cost: $25/members $30/non-members
Contact: Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com for registration
Join us on Saturday October 18 from 1pm to 3pm 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. Class Fee $25 for Members and $30 for non-Members. Scholarships for classes are available as needed. *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. For more information and to register contact Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com. For more information about the Winona Arts Center offerings, please visit winonaarts.org
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/.

Concert: The Everett Smithson Band
2025-10-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Saturday, October 18
Concert 7:00-9:00
Doors open at 6:00 for coffeehouse & gallery
Cost: $20/adv $25/door
Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)

Come join us for some Cajun fun on Saturday October 18 . Tickets are $20/advance & $25/door and are available at Eventbrite and Music Mart (115 East 3rd Street). Music Mart accepts cash, check or credit cards/no fees.

The Everett Smithson band plays an incredible mix of Creole, Zydeco, & Blues with talented players, Everett Smithson on harp & vocals, Kathy Smithson on accordions & washboard, Phil Schmid on guitar & Jeremy Johnson on guitar, Victor Span on drums, and Bill Black on the stand up base. They have played with many famous bands over the years and continue to delight audiences with their original tunes as well as tunes by musicians of many genres. Along with our regular coffeehouse offerings, some special Cajun treats will be available as well as a cash bar for wine, beer & Sangria.
Contact: Debi debiniebuhr@gmail.com

This concert is made possible with support from Affinity Plus Credit Union, Dahl Toyota, & Merchants Bank.

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/.

October Jazz Jam Welcomes Winona Brass Band
2025-10-19 14:30 - 17:30 | Two Fathoms Brewing, 65 E Front St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Sunday, October 19
2:30- 5:30
Two Fathoms Brewing
H3O Jazz Trio will be joined by members of the Winona Brass Band on Sunday, October 19 from
2:30 – 5:30 pm, for their family-friendly monthly Jazz Jam. Find your spot on Two Fathoms’ spacious
outdoor patio or in the taproom if the weather isn’t cooperative.
As they begin their 32 nd season, support for the Winona Brass Band is more important than ever.
Every month, H3O matches all donations along with Two Fathoms Brewing contributing 20% of their
Jazz Jam Sunday profits! Winona Brass Band concerts have delighted audiences since 1993 with
their unique British Brass Band sound.
H3O Jazz Trio and Two Fathoms Brewing (formerly Island City) have helped support local nonprofits
with over $73,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! Last month’s Jazz
Jam contributed $1,175 to support Project FINE.
Everyone wishing to sing, play, or cheer on their friends is welcome to join the H3O Jazz Trio at Two
Fathoms Brewing’s monthly Jazz Jam! Interested players can choose from a wide selection of songs.
Music is available from the Hal Leonard Real Book series, bring your own music, or just name that
tune!
Come early to enjoy a Two Fathom’s beverage and enjoy an afternoon of great music with H3O Jazz
Trio and friends … all while showing your support for our community!
An up-to-date schedule is always available at H3OJazz.com. The family-friendly Jazz Jam is free and
open to all – young and not so young.
More information about the Winona Brass Band, including 2025-26 concert dates can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/winonabrassband/?locale=bg_BG
Know of a group who needs some support? Use this simple form to nominate your favorite nonprofit
for a future Jazz Jam: https://h3ojazz.com/jazz-jams/nominate.html
You can also email info@H3OJazz.com for more information.

Winona Arts Center film viewing: Io Capitano
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
October 24 | 7:00 Gallery opens at 6:00 for viewing
Winona Arts Center : 228 E 5th St.
Cost: $5.00
Please join us to view Io Capitano on October 24 at 7:00pm. Our gallery is open for viewing the Bruce Hecksel exhibit at 6:00pm. lo Capitano (2023)was nominated for 2024 Academy Awards for Best International Feature film. Cost is $5.00 and the viewing of our foreign films is supported by a grant from SEMAC.
A Homeric fairy tale that tells the adventurous journey of two young boys, Seydou and Moussa, who leave Dakar to reach Europe . Inspired by actual stories of migrants from Africa to Europe, director Matteo Garrone provides a moving tale of migration. In his film, which won top directing and acting prizes at the Venice Film Festival, writer-director Garrone presents a “reverse shot” of the immigration experience while unfurling an epic, cinematographically magnificent odyssey from West Africa to Italy.
121 minutes. French with subtitles in English
Contact: marykayeperrin@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/.

H3O Jazz Trio play closing weekend at Peter’s Biergarten Oct. 24
2025-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Peter’s Biergarten, 54 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Friday, October 24, 2025 | 7 – 9 pm
Peter’s Biergarten
Winona, MN
H3O Jazz Trio’s popular Unwind Friday series will close the season at Peter’s Biergarten
Enjoy a relaxing way to end the week, meet with friends, and chill to some mellow jazz. The exceptional menu at Blooming Grounds Coffeehouse is always available.
Recharge your batteries with a restful late fall evening … all with no cover charge!
If the weather isn’t nice, Unwind Friday will move inside Blooming Grounds Coffeehouse.
H3O’s next Unwind Friday will be on Friday November 28, 2025 from 6 – 8 pm at Blooming Grounds.
An up-to-date schedule is always available at H3OJazz.com.
More information about Peter’s Biergarten can be found on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/petersbiergarten
More information about Blooming Grounds can be found at bgcoffeehouse.com.
Eric Heukeshoven is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Mallory's Ghost
2025-10-24 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-10-25 19:30 - 22:00 | 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.

Pastel Class with Betsy Midthune
2025-10-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Saturday, October 25
Two sessions: 10am-noon & 1:00-4:00pm
Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)
Cost: $45/members $50/non members
Contact: Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com to register
Join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for The Pleasure of Pastel Painting with Betsy Midthun. There will be 2 sessions: An Introduction to Pastel from 10 am to 12 noon and a Let’s Paint! from 1pm to 4pm.
In Session 1, Betsy will review the basics of pastels, paper options and techniques. In Session 2, participants will paint the same scene (Winona Scenery) or from a personal photo. You can attend one or both sessions. No pastels? No problem! The Winona Art Center has pastel sets for you to use and paper and easels will be supplied. Cost is $45/members & $50/non members for both sessions. Scholarships are available for art classes as needed.
For more information and to register contact Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com.
For more information about all programming at the Art Center, please visit winonaarts.org
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/.

An Evening in Paris with Amanda Blue
2025-10-25 17:00 - 20:00 | Signatures Summer House, 22852 County Rd 17, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
On to Paris we go!

Saturday, October 25th, at 5 pm
Signatures in the Summer House

Please join me on a journey through France with a recital and gathering themed around the genre of French melodié. This event will take place at Signatures in the Summer House on Saturday, October 25th, at 5 pm. There will be a special cocktail/mocktail and food menu inspired by the songs themselves.

Spread the word. All ages are welcome! À bientôt!

Please use the link below to purchase your tickets and meet me in Paris!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-evening-in-paris-tickets-1695866896539?aff=oddtdtcreator

Amanda Blue is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Winona Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert
2025-10-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Wesley United Methodist Church, 114 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
October 25 | 7:30 pm
Wesley United Methodist Church
Winona, MN
Winona Symphony Orchestra Presents Fall Symphonic Concert Featuring Flutist Dr. Rachel Haug
The program features a dynamic mix of lyrical beauty and symphonic grandeur, culminating in a performance that highlights the orchestra’s versatility and artistry.
The concert opens with Edward Elgar’s “Chanson de matin” and “Chanson de nuit,” companion pieces that pair English warmth with graceful melodic lines.
Guest artist Dr. Rachel Haug, an accomplished flutist with international performance experience, will be featured in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Orchestra in G Major, K. 313—a radiant and virtuosic work that showcases the flute’s expressive range and brilliance.
The evening concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, “Eroica,” a groundbreaking composition that forever changed the landscape of symphonic music with its heroic themes and emotional depth.
About the Guest Artist
Dr. Rachel Haug is a freelance flutist, orchestral musician, and private instructor based in Minneapolis. She serves as Flute Instructor at Winona State University, where she teaches applied lessons, flute choir, and woodwind techniques. Dr. Haug also performs internationally and maintains an active private studio in the Twin Cities; her students regularly earn honors including All-State Band and Orchestra selection and invitations to prestigious music festivals.
Tickets & Information
Tickets are available now at [winonasymphony.org/tickets].
Adults: $25
Seniors & Military: $20
Students (with valid Student ID): $10

From Tuscany to Trempealeay Art Exhibit by Colleen Shore
2025-10-26 13:00 - 16:00 | Elmaro Vineyard, N14756 Delaney Rd., Trempealeau, WI, 54661, United States
Throughout October, 2025
Elmaro Vineyard (Crush Pad)
Artist reception: October 26 | 1-4 PM
Agritourism is the focus of my upcoming exhibit of original oil paintings. Inspired by Elmaro Vineyard, motivated by Poggio Etrusco and encouraged by Ecker’s Apple Farm, I hope you’ll enjoy my perspective on the efforts of farms to diversify and add the element of tourism.
Elmaro, has been a great supporter of my art, having been invited to display in the crush pad for the past four years. This relationship has opened my eyes to the multitude of activities they provide in a rural setting, attracting and entertaining their visitors with tasting, consumption and purchases. During all the seasons, I’ve painted or sketched on site getting to know the owners, vineyard workers, event staff and servers. Inspiring me to put together this show.
Poggio Etrusco, an experience of a lifetime at a 1600’s farmhouse B&B in the Tuscan Countryside. What can I say but thank you Karen S. for inviting me to come along on this journey. I had to figure out how to take my art supplies overseas to be able to capture the olive harvest on my easel and it was well worth it. Pamela Sheldon, owner and cookbook author, also added to the experience by providing cooking classes and organizing wonderful events like truffle hunting and cheese tasting in the area. Motivating me to express my delight through my art.
Ecker’s Apple Farm, I focused on Ecker’s family farm after exploring other Agritourism in the Trempealeau area. I reached out to Sara who was more than welcoming to allow me to do some plein air painting on the property, I was able to catch the apple blossoms just in time with her assistance. I knew right away the passion they had for continuing the family business. It’s certainly more than U-Pick Your Own Apples from the old days. Encouraging me to add one more element of final inspiration for this show.
I hope you’ll enjoy my tribute to the hard work of these three rural businesses and celebrate with me at my closing reception on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 1-4pm.
More information at cshoreartwork.blogspot.com
Questions cshoreartwork@gmail.com
Colleen Shore is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.
