River Arts Alliance

A Holiday Celebration of the Arts
2025-11-21 18:30 - 19:45 (America/Chicago) | Page Theatre, 700 Terrace Heights, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Friday November 21 | 6:30- 7:45
Saturday November 22 | 1:00- 2:15
Page Theatre
700 Terrace Heights
Winona, MN
Enjoy an evening of local talent at A Holiday Celebration of the Arts!
Students from the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts come together to share music, dance, and theatre in a spirited showcase that highlights the creativity and skill of our community’s young artists. Pay what you can afford ticketing options.

https://httpswwwcotterschoolsorgmca.ticketspice.com/holiday-celebration-of-the-arts-2025
Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an organizational member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Call to Artists: Between the Bluffs Plein Air
2025-11-21 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-20 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-19 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-16 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-15 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-14 18:00 - 21:00 and 1 more date
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/.

Frozen River Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years with New Film Series
2025-11-21 - 2025-11-28, 2025-11-20 - 2025-11-27, 2025-11-19 - 2025-11-26, 2025-11-18 - 2025-11-25, 2025-11-17 - 2025-11-24, 2025-11-16 - 2025-11-23, 2025-11-15 - 2025-11-22, 2025-11-14 - 2025-11-21
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 A Sherlock Carol
2025-11-20 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-16 13:30 - 16:00, 2025-11-15 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-14 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-13 19:30 - 22:00 | 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.

Introduction to Linoleum Printing
2025-11-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Nov 19, Dec 3 & Dec 10 | 5:30-7:30pm
Cost: Workshop Fee (all 3 days) $150
Contact: jsbenson50@gmail.com
Join us for an Introduction to Linoleum Printing with Preston Lawing at the Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th Street. This class meets for 3 Wednesdays; November 19, December 3 & 10 from 5:30-7:30 pm. The workshop fee for all 3 days is $150.00
This three-week workshop with Preston Lawing will open the door to a simple, amazing process of using linoleum to carve and print beautiful images. These prints require minimal tools and can be produced at home or while traveling, helping you to get out of the studio and exploring your world. This workshop will introduce artists, from beginners to advanced, to the technique of carving into a soft linoleum block and developing a variety of lines and tones, shadows and contrast, as well as highlighting the students’ own unique artistic style. Participants do not need to have strong drawing skills, but a willingness to explore different marking choices. Due to the technical information and processes covered, this course is suited for artists 18 and up. This is a class for adults.
All materials are included. Please register for this class by contacting Jen at jsbenson50@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 Album Release Party at November Jazz Jam
2025-11-16 14:30 - 17:30 | Two Fathoms Brewing, 65 E Front St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Sunday, November 16 | 2:30 – 5:30
Two Fathoms
What happens when your favorite holiday tunes cozy up with jazz standards? Combo Carols, H3O’s new holiday album, features 13 original mashups with the trio joined by family and friends. Come and celebrate the album release as part of the group’s monthly Jazz Jam on Sunday, November 16 from 2:30 – 5:30 pm in Two Fathoms’ spacious the taproom. Joining H3O will be local jazz great John Paulson on sax and flute, Rochester’s favorite son John Sievers on trombone, and H3O’s “mom” Janet Heukeshoven on flute. Selections from the new album will be performed throughout the afternoon and CD copies will be available for purchase.
In addition to the release party festivities, the November Jazz Jam fundraiser recipient will be WSU’s
student chapter of the American Chorale Directors Association. The Winona State University Student
Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) takes pride in the choral community on
campus. Students can participate in a variety of ensembles including but not limited to Concert Choir,
Treble Chorus, and Vocal Chamber Ensemble. Our Vocal Music Education majors/ACDA members
are active throughout the year with bi-monthly meetings in which we balance engagement with
special topics, deep-dive into Choral Journal articles, and work to elevate our understanding of the
choral art with social and fundraising planning for our greater choral community. Each year, members
also travel to the ACDA regional or national conferences. These are always rewarding and enriching
opportunities for our student members to hear session topics and marvel at the extraordinary music-
making presented!
H3O Jazz Trio and Two Fathoms Brewing (formerly Island City) have helped support local nonprofits
with over $74,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! Last month’s Jazz
Jam contributed $925 to support the Winona Brass Band.
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: http://H3OJazz.com/jazz-jams/non-profit-nominations.html
You can also email info@H3OJazz.com for more information.

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

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/.

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

Water Music: Chamber Music at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum
2025-11-13 19:00 - 21:00 | 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.
