A Radiant Girl Film at WAC
2023-12-08 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Film Society is pleased to present the film A Radiant Girl on December 8 at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5 and doors open at 6:30 pm. This film by Sandrine Kiberlain is set in Paris in the summer of 1942. Irene is a 19-year-old aspiring actress without a care in the world. She does not realize time is running out as the Nazis grow closer to Paris. Legendary French actress Kiberlain makes her directorial debut with this allegorical coming-of-age drama set in Nazi-occupied France. Learn more.

Holiday Free Ink at WAC
2023-12-09 10:00 - 14:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Holiday Free Ink will be held on December 9, 2023 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Winona Arts Center, 228 East 5th Street. Come and learn how to make holiday-themed monoprints on our press! You can create your own artwork using stencils and other materials while learning the monoprint process. The printing press will be set up with all of the materials you need to make a beautiful holiday card for family and friends. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please feel free to drop in anytime between 10 am and 2 pm, and plan to stay to catch the free Hans Mayer concert at 2:30 pm. Learn more.

Hans Mayer Children’s Concert at WAC
2023-12-09 14:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Come and enjoy a free concert featuring Hans Mayer’s family and children’s show on December 9 at the Winona Arts Center. Hans plays infectious, catchy, acoustic-based original music and people of all ages are immediately attracted to his playful personality and his true-to-family-life songs. His show will keep your family giggling, singing and jumping for joy long after the concert is over. Learn more.

WCHS Holiday Family Festival & Snow Piles Photography Show Opening
2023-12-10 13:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Sunday | December 10 | 1-4 pm
Winona County History Center | 160 Johnson St.
winonahistory.org
The Winona County Historical Society’s Holiday Family Festival will be Sunday, December 10 from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the History Center this year. The 2023 Holiday Family Festival offers many traditional Christmas crafts and a visit from Santa himself!
The History Center Art Gallery and Art of the Rural will also open Snow Piles of the Upper Mississippi on Sunday, December 10. Through documenting hundreds of snow piles in Winona during the last five years, Matthew Fluharty has created a playful and strangely illuminating look into how everyday life (and the landscape of Winona) is shaped through the work and creativity of its citizens. Learn more.

Sounds of the Season with Winona Brass Band
2023-12-10 14:00 | St. Cecilia Theatre, 1124 W Wabasha St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Sunday | December 10 | 2 pm
St. Cecilia Hall | 1124 W Wabasha St.
facebook.com/winonabrassband
The Winona Brass Band is preparing for a holiday-themed concert to be held on Sunday, December 10th at 2:00 pm. The concert will take place in the lovely St. Cecilia Hall on the Cotter High School campus at 1124 West Wabasha Street, Winona. The concert is free, and all are welcome to attend. A free-will offering will be accepted at the door to offset expenses. Directed by Dr. Janet Heukeshoven, the Winona Brass Band is celebrating their 30th year of entertaining area audiences. Learn more.

Johnson Street Underground Holiday Concert at WAC
2023-12-16 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Johnson Street Underground (JSU) will perform a holiday concert on December 16 at 7 pm at the Winona Arts Center. The gallery and coffeehouse open at 6 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and are available at Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on December 15 and on Eventbrite.
Johnson Street Underground has been entertaining audiences in the Winona area for over five years. As the area’s premiere TTBB a cappella group, JSU covers a wide variety of songs and styles, including tunes by Maroon 5, Dolly Parton, the Beatles, and Adele. Members of the group are Matt Schultz, dramatic tenor; Seth Flatten, lyric tenor; Charlie Opatz, baritone; and John Chernega, bass. This year’s holiday show includes new tunes, percussion, and audience sing-alongs. Come and get into the holiday spirt with us. Learn more.

Holiday Jazz Jam Supports Sugarloaf Theatre
2023-12-17 14:00 - 17:00 | Island City Brewing Company, 65 E Front St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Island City Brewing Company | 65 E Front St.
H3OJazz.com
Celebrate the season with H3O Jazz Trio on Sunday, December 17 from 2 to 5 pm for an afternoon of holiday-inspired jazz at Island City Brewing Company in support of Sugarloaf Theatre. Sugarloaf Theatre is a new community theatre organization in Winona started by 15-year-old Seamus Schwaba in 2022. The organization’s mission is to create positive theatre environments for all ages in the Winona community while educating the public about theatre through accessible shows, classes, and workshops, where everyone involved is treated with kindness and support. Donations made at this month’s Jazz Jam will help the group prepare for their Theatre for Young Audiences show: Sleeping Beauty vs. the not so Evil Fairy.
H3O Jazz Trio and Island City Brewing have helped support local nonprofits with over $41,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! The November Jazz Jam contributed over $1,000 to Home and Community Options. All Jazz Jam donations are matched by H3O and Island City. Learn more.

Unwind Friday “Holiday Edition” with H3O Jazz Trio
2023-12-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Blooming Grounds Coffee House, 50 E 3rd St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blooming Grounds Coffee House | 50 E 3rd St.
H3OJazz.com
All year long, Unwind Fridays with H3O Jazz Trio have been a popular way to kick back with friends at the end of the work week and enjoy some smooth jazz at Blooming Grounds. Join H3O as they wrap up 2023 with some holiday cheer on Friday, December 22 from 6 – 8 pm at Blooming Grounds’ main location, 50 E 3rd Street, Winona, MN. Come and enjoy a full menu of delicious offerings, beer and wine, coffee drinks, and amazing desserts … with no cover charge! Learn more.

Merle Hanson to Present at the Blue Heron
2024-01-02 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
On Tuesday, January 2, Merle Hanson, Winona’s Favorite Storyteller, will present some of his stories at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse as part of the Laureate Writers Series. The presentation is open to the public and will be followed by a Q&A session, a book signing, and then an open mic. Bring some of your work to share, in any genre. This series is sponsored by the Blue Heron Coffeehouse, Shipwreckt Books, Chapter 2 Bookstore, and Friends of the Winona Public Library.
Merle Hanson grew up in Winona and graduated from Winona Senior High School. After living in St. Paul and Caledonia, he wound up back in Winona where he has been for the last 15 years. Hanson’s first book, Portraits, was published in 2015 (Book Shelf Editions), followed by Ageless Winona in 2021 and Tales From the River Bottoms in 2022, both with Wagonbridge Publishing. Hanson’s voice is unique—he has taken his long-standing affliction with schizophrenia, involving the hearing of voices, to present a rich history of Winona through the voices of our dead citizens—it is a rollicking dialogue between these entities and the persona of the writer himself, warts and all. This is a voice full of compassion, wisdom, and wit. Learn more.

Auditions for Theatre du Mississippi One Act Festival
2024-01-03 18:30 - 20:00 | 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 is holding a second round of auditions from 6:30-8 pm on January 3 & 4 for the TDM One Act Festival in February. We will be casting about 20 actors but if acting isn’t your thing, we’re always looking for crew to help out backstage with the shows. Auditions are open to individuals of any age, race and ethnicity. Trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming actors are especially encouraged to audition. No preparation is needed for auditions. Performance dates will be Feb 16-18 and 23-25. Learn more.

Miss Myra and The Moonshiners Concert at WAC
2024-01-06 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to present Miss Myra and The Moonshiners in concert on January 6, 2024 at 7 pm. Miss Myra and The Moonshiners are a formidable swing band from Minneapolis, MN with a fresh sound grounded in early jazz and blues, playing original music amid a broad repertoire of classics from the ‘20s and ‘30s. Discontent to be re-enactors, they have developed a singular style which continues to delight audiences and dance halls with the spirit of a musical tradition at its centennial. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door and are available at Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on January 5 or through Eventbrite until 4 pm on January 6. Learn more.

Watercolor Workshop with Jeff Nelson
2024-01-11 09:00 - 16:00, 2024-01-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Mississippi Mornings Art Studio, 40341 Lamoille Dr., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Mississippi Mornings Art Studio | 40341 Lamoille Dr.
Mississippi Mornings Art Studio presents a Jeff Nelson “Funshop” on Perspective Painting. Join the fun as we delve into the world of structural perspective. This class will complete two paintings using one and two point perspective. Jeff plans to structure the class for the beginner as well as those who have experience with perspective drawing. Whichever applies to you, this class will impart understanding and depth to your skills. This workshop will take place from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day on Thursday and Friday, January 11 and 12. The workshop fee is $225. To register, contact Linda Klabo at linda@mississippimornings.com or 507-459-8021. Learn more.

POSTPONED - God’s Slave Film at WAC
2024-01-12 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
UPDATE 1/12/24: Due to weather, this film showing has been canceled for January 12 and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Film Society is pleased to offer the film God’s Slave on January 12 at 7 pm with doors opening at 6:30 pm at the Winona Arts Center. Admission is $5 and still the best deal in town.
This film is a suspenseful cat and mouse game that leads to a deadly showdown. Ahmed, trained since childhood as an Islamic terrorist, is assigned to execute a bombing at a synagogue. David, an Israeli special agent, will stop at nothing to prevent the attack. Yet neither man is defined solely by their extremist views. With time running out before the attack, David zeroes in on Ahmed as a suspect and there are unexpected consequences. Directed by Joel Novoa Schneider and based on the actual events of a 1994 bombing in Buenos Aires. Spanish with English subtitles. Learn more.

John Paulson Pre-Concert Talk at Mayo High School
2024-01-18 19:00 | Mayo High School, 1420 11th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN, 55987, United States
Mayo High School | 1420 11th Ave. SE | Rochester
paulsonjazz.com
Saxophonist, composer and educator John Paulson will be doing a residency in January leading up to a grand performance January 20th at 7:00 pm at Mayo High School in Rochester. The concert will include two Mayo High jazz groups directed by Aaron Cole and the 19-piece John Paulson Big Band featuring Janette Hanson. The Paulson big band will be performing several works from their latest CD, “The Refuge Project,” including the title track highlighted by the addition of vocalist Janette Hanson of La Crosse. The Mayo groups will kick off the program. The residency will also include a pre-concert talk, “Not Your Daddy’s Big Band,” January 18th at 7:00 pm in the Mayo band room. Learn more.

Rescheduled: Opening Reception - You Are Here! Colleen Shore Artwork at the Blue Heron
2024-01-19 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
UPDATE: Due to weather, the opening reception for You Are Here! Colleen Shore Artwork at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse has been rescheduled to Friday, January 19, from 5-7 pm.
Blue Heron Coffeehouse Gallery | 162 W 2nd St.
cshoreartwork.blogspot.com
An exhibition of paintings by River Arts Alliance member Colleen Shore will be on view at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse gallery from January 10 through March 2, 2024. Colleen says, “Take a journey through my paintings of places along the Upper Mississippi River — from Bluffs Views, River Edges, Wetland Refuge, Prairie, River Life and Towns. Painting is my passion as a visual artist, working with oils since 2019 in my Onalaska home studio and outside, plein air on occasion, as weather permits.
On Friday, January 19th from 5-7 pm, join me for an evening of light refreshments as a guest of Blue Heron Coffeehouse. During the reception, enjoy my display of oil paintings ‘You Are Here,’ plus during the evening I’ll have dozens of unframed original oil paintings for sale with prices starting at $30-$50.” Learn more.

Rescheduled: Community Conversation with the Coulee Region Coalition for Palestinian Rights
2024-01-20 13:30 - 15:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
www.cedartreeproject.com
UPDATE 1/12/24: Due to weather, this event has been rescheduled from January 13 to January 20.
Please join us for a Community Conversation with the Coulee Region Coalition for Palestinian Rights on Saturday, January 20 at 1:30-3:30 pm at the Winona Arts Center. Hosted by The Cedar Tree Project and CRCPR.
Members from the Coulee Region Coalition for Palestinian Rights will discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, its historical context, and the role of the U.S. in a panel format, including Jewish and Palestinian perspectives. A moderated conversation will follow. For more information, please contact Sharon Mansur at cedartreeproject1@gmail.com or visit the website at www.cedartreeproject.com. Learn more.

John Paulson Big Band Concert at Mayo High School
2024-01-20 19:00 | Mayo High School, 1420 11th Ave. SE, Rochester, MN, 55987, United States

Twin Cities Flamenco Collective at WAC
2024-01-20 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Twin Cities Flamenco Collective inspires audiences through its passionate and soulful expressions of Flamenco music and dance along with internationally renowned guest guitarist/singer Marija Temo. Other featured artists include Sachiko “La Chayí,” Ross “El Vecino,” and “Eva” Makiko Laabs. You won’t find this type of performance in the Winona area. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available through Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on January 19 or Eventbrite until 4 pm on January 20. Coffeehouse opens at 6 pm. Learn more.

First 2024 Jazz Jam Supports Winona Community HUB
2024-01-21 14:30 - 17:30 | Island City Brewing Company, 65 E Front St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Island City Brewing Company | 65 E Front St.
H3OJazz.com
Island City Brewing Company’s new owners, Graham Kaczmarek and Brook Merkwan invite everyone to join H3O Jazz Trio on Sunday, January 21 from 2:30 to 5:30 pm as they kick off the new year in the taproom. This month’s Jazz Jam fundraiser recipient will be the Winona Community HUB. With health disparities and chronic conditions adversely affecting historically underserved populations, Winona Community HUB helps to provide essential services that fall outside the scope of standard medical care.
H3O Jazz Trio and Island City Brewing have helped support local nonprofits with over $42,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! The December Jazz Jam contributed over to $1,100 to Sugarloaf Theatre. All Jazz Jam donations are matched by H3O and Island City. Learn more.

LVDY at Winona House Concerts
2024-01-21 15:00
Historic Frederick Bell House | Winona
winonahouseconcerts.com
The next concert at Winona House Concerts will feature the duo LVDY, on Sunday, January 21 at 3 pm. Tickets are $25.00 and all ticket proceeds go to the artists. LVDY (pronounced LADY) is a Colorado-based duo comprised of Kathleen Hooper and Aubrey Mable. Their uplifting sound and intimate storytelling is a delightful recipe of singer-songwriter, indie-folk, with powerful melodies and harmonies that speak to the senses. Love anthems weave in and out of their messages, with simple yet important reminders that we’re not alone. Learn more.

Winona Public Library Film by Mary Farrell
2024-01-22 19:00 | Winona Public Library, 151 W 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Public Library | 151 W 5th St.
winona.lib.mn.us
The Winona Public Library, gifted to the city of Winona by William Harris Laird in 1899, is celebrating its 125th anniversary and will premiere the documentary film showing of “Laird’s Legacy: A History of the Winona Public Library.” Filmed by local documentarian and River Arts Alliance member, Mary Farrell, and based on the book Laird’s Legacy: A History of the Winona Public Library by Greg Gaut, the film will debut to the public with three different showings on Monday, January 22nd and Thursday, January 25th at 7 pm and Saturday, January 27th at 11 am. All showings will take place at the Winona Public Library and are free to the public, but tickets are required for January 22nd and 25th. Tickets are available at https://wpllairdslegacy.brownpapertickets.com. Learn more.

New Look Weekend Celebrates Four New Exhibitions at MMAM
2024-01-26 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-27 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-01-28 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
The Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) in Winona, MN presents the Freshwater New Look Weekend on January 26 – 28, 2024. In 2024, MMAM is presenting a year-long suite of exhibitions and programs that explores bold and often under-told narratives, examines fresh new perspectives of water, and features game-changing artists who help us better our relationship to this precious resource. This New Look Weekend celebrates the opening of four new exhibitions: Mustafah Abdulaziz: Water; Aabijijiwan / Ukeyat yanalleh, It Flows Continuously: Karen Goulet and Monique Verdin; Across a Wide Ocean: Remarkable Stories about the Origins of Identity; and Reflective Impressions: The American Society of Marine Artists 19th National Exhibition. Events during the weekend include a New Look Preview Party on Friday evening, artist-led tours, a film screening, demonstrations, and more. Learn more.

Bon Appetit! Films and Food at WAC
2024-01-27 17:00 - 21:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Looking for a way to beat the winter blues? Come for Bon Appetit at the Winona Arts Center on January 27. Come and enjoy a double feature film with appetizers, wine, beer and tea. We will highlight Asian cuisine and films which show food preparation and culinary delights while balancing family tensions in conversations around the table. Appetizers will be provided by Miya Japanese Bistro and ZB Taste. The featured films are Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, an English film directed by Wayne Wang, and Eat Drink Man Woman directed by Ang Lee. Cost is $25 in advance or $30 at the door and covers all food, beverages and movies! We are limiting ticket sales to 50 and will not have any tickets available after the last one is sold. Tickets are available at Hardt’s Music until 4 pm on January 26 and until 3 pm on January 27 at Eventbrite. Learn more.

River City Dancers Winter Formal
2024-01-27 19:00 - 22:30 | Winona Athletic Club, 773 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Athletic Club 2nd Floor Ballroom | 773 E 5th St.
rivercitydancers.org
Come celebrate the beginning of 2024! Dress to the nines for an elegant evening of ballroom dancing. Don’t miss one of our most popular events of the season! The Waltz & Rumba dance lesson will be from 7:00 to 8:00 pm. The dance starts at 8:00 and goes until 10:30 pm. Cost of admission (general: $15; students: $10) includes the optional dance lesson. Learn more.

Opening Reception - “Conversations: The Collaboration of an Artist and an Artificial Intelligence” by Morro Schreiber – Exhibit at WAC
2024-01-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The Winona Arts Center is pleased to announce the exhibit “Conversations: The Collaboration of an Artist and an Artificial Intelligence” by Morro Schreiber opens on January 28 and runs through March 3, 2024. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, January 28 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, with an Artist Talk at 1:30 pm. Schreiber is a lifelong artist and wordsmith who overcame a visceral knee-jerk hatred of the very idea of art created with artificial intelligence within minutes of actually using AI to create some art of her own. She’s been in daily conversation with midJourney AI since the release of v3 over a year ago, and has generated over 45,000 images (of disparate interest and quality), now working with v5.2 and the recently released v6. Schreiber has lived in Winona with her family for the past 18 years; this is her first solo exhibition. Learn more.

RAA 2024 Annual Meeting
2024-01-31 18:30 - 20:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
The River Arts Alliance 2024 Annual Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 31 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Winona Arts Center. Join us at 6:30 for social time and treats. The business meeting at 7:00 will include Board of Directors elections, a review of 2023 RAA activities and highlights of plans for 2024. At 7:30, Eileen Moeller with organizational member Frozen River Film Festival will join us to preview the upcoming festival with a screening of trailers for featured films. The evening will conclude with more social time. We hope you can join us for this great opportunity to learn more about RAA and how you can be involved!
If you are a River Arts Alliance member interested in running for a Board position, please contact the Arts Administrator at admin@riverartsalliance.org or a current Board member for more information. Board nominations can be made prior to or during the meeting. The Annual Meeting is free and open to the public to attend, though only current RAA members may participate in voting.

John McAndrew & Billy McLaughlin Concert at WAC
2024-02-02 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
John McAndrew and Billy McLaughlin will be in concert on February 2 at the Winona Arts Center. The coffeehouse and gallery open at 6 pm. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available at Hardt’s Music until Feb. 1 at 4 pm and on Eventbrite until 3 pm, Feb 2. “John McAndrew is a storyteller whose songs are built on his own life experiences,” says Walt Quinn; his music can now be heard in several feature films, television, and national events. Billy McLaughlin is recognized internationally as a world-class guitarist, composer and inspirational performer who has appeared on Billboard’s Top Ten Chart. Learn more.
