River Arts Alliance

Laureate Writers Series Presents J.P. White
2024-04-02 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
J.P. White, who has distinguished himself as one of Minnesota’s most dedicated writers for the past 40 years, will be the featured guest for the April 2 Laureates Writers Series. White will read from and discuss his writing life at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse, beginning at 7 pm.
White established a strong Minnesota presence as a writer in the 1970’s, but has had work published in national journals as well. His essays, fiction, reviews, interviews and poetry have appeared in The Nation, The New Republic, The Gettysburg Review, The North American Review, Prairie Schooner, Sewanee Review, The Georgia Review, Southern Review, The Massachusetts Review, The New York Times, Alaska Quarterly Review and many other journals. Following White’s presentation members of the community are welcome to read a short selection of their own work for the open mic part of the program. Learn more.

Deanne Mohr, Piano: The Story of Babar (and Other Musical Tales)
2024-03-26 19:30 - 21:00 | WSU DuFresne Performing Arts Center Recital Hall, 450 Johnson St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
DuFresne Performing Arts Center Recital Hall | Winona State University | 450 Johnson St.
Canadian pianist and Winona State faculty member Deanne Mohr will perform a recital of works featuring Francis Poulenc’s “The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant” with Eric Brisson, narrator. The program also includes works by Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, and Debussy. Admission is free. Learn more.

Heidi Bryant and Meredith Mihm at Café Congo
2024-03-24 16:00 | First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
First Congregational Church | 161 W Broadway St. (Johnson St. canopied entrance)
Heidi Bryant and Meredith Mihm will perform at Café Congo at First Congregational Church on Sunday, March 24 at 4 pm. A freewill donation will be accepted with proceeds benefiting the Winona Immigration Network. Heidi and Meredith began their musical collaboration in the summer of 2022. They have performed at Faith Lutheran Church, the Blue Heron Coffeehouse, and MMAM.
The program for Café Congo features three movements from the “Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano” by Claude Bolling, made popular in the 1970s by Jean Pierre Rampal. Meredith will perform the Siloti/Busoni piano transcription of Bach’s D minor “Chaconne” for solo violin. Additional flute/piano pieces include contemporary composer/flutist Valerie Coleman’s “Requiem Milonga,” Lukas Foss’ “Three American Pieces,” and Franz Doppler’s “Andante” and “Rondo” for two flutes with special guest Dr. Rachel Haug. Learn more.

Public Dance – Shells and Shoes
2024-03-23 19:00 - 22:30 | Winona Athletic Club, 773 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Athletic Club | 773 E 5th St.
rivercitydancers.org
Get ready for a spring break vibe like no other! Join River City Dancers for “Shells and Shoes,” where the beach meets the ballroom and the dance floor. The Samba & Merengue dance lesson will be from 7 to 8 pm. The dance starts at 8 and goes until 10:30 pm. Cost of admission (general: $15; students: $10) includes the optional dance lesson. Learn more.

Silent Movie The Sheik at Old Main
2024-03-23 19:00 | 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 Old Main Cultural Center in Galesville will show another silent movie, The Sheik (1921) starring Rudolph Valentino and Agnes Ayres, with Eddie Kim from La Crosse as the pianist on Saturday, March 23 at 7 pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for high school students and younger. Movie snacks will be available. Learn more.

Namoli Brennet Concert at WAC
2024-03-23 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Namoli Brennet will perform at the Winona Arts Center on Saturday, March 23 at 7 pm. The coffee house and gallery open at 6 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance at Music Mart (formerly Hardt’s Music) until 4 pm on March 22, or on Eventbrite at this link. Tickets will be $20 at the door.
Namoli Brennet has been writing, recording, touring and releasing albums since the age of Napster. Country Queer called her 2020 release, Light it Up, “an uplifting shot of hope…that queers the sonic landscape.” A multi-instrumentalist with a degree in composition, Brennet’s decades-long career has seen her morph from more traditional singer/songwriter fare into what one reviewer called a “sonic painter,” creating rich, ambient textures as a backdrop for often profound and poetic lyrics. Learn more.

Tennessee Stiffs at Winona House Concerts
2024-03-23 19:00 | MN
Historic Frederick Bell House | Winona
winonahouseconcerts.com
The next concert at Winona House Concerts will feature Tennessee Stiffs on Saturday, March 23 at 7 pm. Tickets are $25.00 and all ticket proceeds go to the artists. Visit winonahouseconcerts.com for tickets and more information. Tennessee Stiffs are an eclectic Folk Americana group based in Austin, TX for the past 11 years, but who have relocated to their hometown in Red Wing, MN. Learn more.

Pinch Pot & Coil Pottery Class
2024-03-23 12:00 - 15:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Richard Spiller is back at the Winona Arts Center! Register now for his Pinch Pot and Coil Pottery class on March 23 from 12 pm to 3 pm. Participants will make small vessels with balls of clay to form pinch pots using a hand-building method of forming pottery by building up walls with rope-like coils of clay. The pots will be fired at Spiller’s studio. Cost is $25 for children ages 12 to 16, $30 for WAC members and $35 for non-members. Register with Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com. Learn more.

WAC Film Before, Now & Then
2024-03-22 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The film Before, Now & Then will be shown on Friday, March 22 at 7 pm at the Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona. The film is a daring narrative mix of personal and the political as it tells the story of the beautiful wife of a wealthy plantation owner who values her safety and material comforts. She carries out a haunted existence, dreaming of her lost love who was murdered during the Indonesian Revolution. She makes an unusual connection with her husband’s younger mistress and the two women find a newfound freedom. Directed by Kamila Andini. Indonesian with English subtitles, 103 minutes. Learn more.

Unwind Friday with H3O Jazz Trio
2024-03-22 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
In 2023, Unwind Friday with H3O Jazz Trio offered a relaxing way to end the week, meet with friends, and enjoy the exceptional menu at Blooming Grounds Coffeehouse. On Friday, March 22 from 6 – 8 pm, Unwind Friday returns to Blooming Grounds main location, 50 E 3rd Street, Winona. Come and enjoy a full menu of delicious offerings, beer and wine, coffee drinks, and amazing desserts … all with no cover charge! Learn more.

March Jazz Jam Supports Misato Student Ambassadors
2024-03-17 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
This month’s Jazz Jam celebrates with the Winona International Friendship Center as they prepare to send a group of students to Winona’s Japanese sister city, Misato. The monthly Jazz Jam takes place in the taproom at Island City Brewing Company on Sunday, March 17 from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.
H3O Jazz Trio and Island City Brewing have helped support local nonprofits with over $45,000 in total donations thanks to the generosity of Jazz Jam patrons! The February Jazz Jam contributed over $2,000 in support of the Winona Symphony Orchestra’s annual Children’s Concert. All Jazz Jam donations are matched by H3O and Island City. Everyone wishing to sing, play, or cheer on their friends is welcome to join the H3O Jazz Trio at Island City Brewing Company’s monthly Jazz Jam! Learn more.

Sugarloaf Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty vs. the Not so Evil Fairy
2024-03-17 14:00, 2024-03-16 18:00, 2024-03-16 14:00 | Bluffview Montessori School, 1321 Gilmore Ave, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Bluffview Montessori School | 1321 Gilmore Ave.
linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre
If you’re looking for a wholesome, uplifting, energetic slice of live family entertainment for all ages, here’s your opportunity: Sleeping Beauty vs the Not so Evil Fairy presented by Sugarloaf Theatre. Buy tickets and learn more about Sugarloaf Theatre at linktr.ee/sugarloaftheatre. The show is an original play written by local teen, Seamus Schwaba that parodies classic fairy tales. It’s lots of fun for children and children at heart. The show will be performed for the community on March 16 and 17 at Bluffview Montessori School. Tickets are $10 per person. Learn more.

Andrea Shaker Reading & Audience Feedback Session at WAC
2024-03-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Update 3/11/24: Please note corrected registration deadline.
Andrea Shaker is leading a reading & audience feedback session on her current book project on Sunday, March 17 from 1:00-3:00 at the Winona Arts Center on the lower level. This is a free event in conjunction with The Cedar Tree Project but space is limited, so advance registration is required by March 16. You may sign up at this link. Light refreshments will be served. Learn more.

Winona Symphony Orchestra Spring Concert: Legends of Yesterday
2024-03-16 19:30 - 21:30 | Wesley United Methodist Church, 114 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Wesley United Methodist Church | 114 W Broadway St.
winonasymphony.org
Join the Winona Symphony Orchestra for our Spring Concert featuring some of the greatest classical composers in music history! This exuberant celebration of legendary composers will be full of excitement, drama, and passion, highlighting the incredible works of Beethoven, Mozart, and Shostakovich. Famed cellist Austin Huntington will perform the Cello Concert No. 1 by Shostakovich, alongside the Overture to “Don Giovanni” by Mozart and Symphony No. 8 by Beethoven. The concert will take place at Wesley United Methodist Church at 7:30 pm on Saturday, March 16 with a pre-concert talk at 7 pm. Learn more.

First Ladies Trilogy - Mrs. Ike & Distant Camelot
2024-03-16 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Wild About Harry | Friday | March 15 | 7 pm
Double Feature: Mrs. Ike & Distant Camelot | Saturday | March 16 | 7 pm
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The First Ladies Trilogy of plays by Kay Sebring-Roberts Kuhlmann will be presented at the Winona Arts Center on March 15 and 16. “Wild About Harry” stars Kay Sebring-Roberts Kuhlmann as First Lady Bess Truman. She returns in “Mrs. Ike,” portraying first lady Mamie Doud Eisenhower. Lacey Korb stars as Jackie Kennedy in Kay’s script of “Distant Camelot.” Tickets are available on Eventbrite and are $15 for March 15, $20 for March 16, or $30 for a trilogy pass to both nights. Learn more.

First Ladies Trilogy - Wild About Harry
2024-03-15 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States

Opening - Art in Our City, Rochester
2024-03-14 18:30 | Historic Chateau Theatre, 15 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN, 55902
Chateau Theatre | 15 1st St. SW | Rochester
yourchateau.org/events
River Arts Alliance member Steve Schild has a poem, Good-night Kiss, accepted for inclusion in Rochester’s Art in Our City exhibition, which opens March 14 at the historic Chateau Theatre. The March 14 event begins at 6:30 pm with a reading of the poems. Read Schild’s poem online here. Learn more.

Theatre du Mississippi Auditions
2024-03-14 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-03-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Curiosi-Tea House, 901 W 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Curiosi-Tea House | 901 W 5th St.
theatredumiss.org
Theatre du Mississippi is holding auditions for our May show! The show is an original work by a regional playwright exploring modern themes and the experience of life in the Midwest. We are looking to cast 3-8 performers. Non-performing roles are also needed; please inquire at theatredumiss@gmail.com. Auditions are open to people of any gender, race, and ethnicity. Video auditions are welcome and will be accepted at theatredumiss@gmail.com before Wednesday, March 13th. Learn more.

Patina at Café Congo – Fundraiser for River Arts Alliance
2024-03-12 19:00 | First Congregational Church, 161 W Broadway St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
First Congregational Church | 161 W Broadway St. (Johnson St. canopied entrance)
The band Patina will perform at Café Congo at First Congregational Church of Winona on March 12 at 7:00 pm. A freewill donation will be accepted with proceeds going to River Arts Alliance. Patina is a Celtic band performing traditional music on fiddle, guitar, bodhrán, U-base, whistles, flute, accordion and banjo. They’ll also play some bright and original new songs that are sure to please and have you dancing the jig in the aisle! They’re a 4-member collaboration of acoustic musicians: Connie Dretske, Greg Peterson, Kara Mae Prosen and Sue Lee Ringwelski. Doors will open at 6:45. The church is accessible to the mobility challenged at the canopied entrance. All are Welcome, always! Learn more.

Hootenanny & Potluck at Winona Arts Center
2024-03-10 16:00 - 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Come celebrate an almost year of The Winona Estro-Jam! March 10, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Bring a dish to share, voice to sing, an instrument to play or ears to listen. Winona Estro-Jam is a free gathering where women can come and learn how to sing and play music with other people. Designed to encourage more women to explore jam circles in the region but men are welcomed too. Beginners are especially encouraged. Learn more.

Opening Reception - Jean Lukens Art Exhibition at WAC
2024-03-10 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
An exhibition of watercolor paintings by Wisconsin artist Jean Lukens opens with a reception on Sunday, March 10 from 1:00-4:00 pm at the Winona Arts Center. The artist will give a talk about her work at 3:00 pm. The exhibit is free and open to the public and runs from March 10 to April 21, 2024. Gallery hours at the Winona Arts Center are on Wednesdays from 3:00-6:00 pm and Sundays from 1:00-4:00 pm during the exhibit run. Learn more.

Ukrainian Egg Decorating Class at WAC
2024-03-09 12:30 - 16:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
Winona Arts Center welcomes Jane Bangsberg for an Adult Ukrainian Egg Decorating Class on March 9. Join us in learning to create beautiful heirloom eggs using a wax resist method very similar to batik. You will take away finished eggs and all the supplies needed to decorate more eggs at home. Cost is $55 for WAC members and $60 for non-members. No experience necessary. Register with Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com. Learn more.

WAC Film Sweet Land
2024-03-08 19:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E 5th St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona Arts Center | 228 E 5th St.
winonaarts.org
The film Sweet Land will be shown on Friday, March 8 at the Winona Arts Center. Our doors open at 6:30 pm and the cost is $5. This film is a winner of the Independent Spirit Award First Feature. Sweet Land is a lovely old-fashioned farm romance quietly doubling as a commentary on immigration and American identity. Inge is a feisty German mail-order bride who has come to Minnesota to marry Olaf, a young Norwegian immigrant farmer of few words. In a post-WWI anti-German climate, the local minister forbids the marriage. They fall in love despite the town’s disapproval. Olaf’s friend faces foreclosure on his farm and finally the community unites around all the farmers. English and German with subtitles. 111 minutes. Learn more.

Closing Event - Snow Piles of the Upper Mississippi
2024-03-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Winona County History Center | 160 Johnson Street
www.winonahistory.org
The Winona County History Center and Art of the Rural are pleased to present a closing event, meal, and performance for the Snow Piles of the Upper Mississippi exhibition, on Friday, March 8. From 6-7 pm, visitors can enjoy hotdish and snow cones while having their pictures taken at the Snow Pile Photo Booth by Mary Farrell. From 7-7:30 pm, Mike Munson and Matthew Fluharty will share F20E59F75D0240D24096FA67B0476CA4 (Snow Seance), a sound installation and improvised musical performance. This event is free and everyone is welcome.

Opening Reception - "Wonderment: The Industry of Youth" by Naomi Tiry Salgado at the Blue Heron
2024-03-08 17:00 - 19:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd St.
An exhibition of paintings by Naomi Tiry Salgado will be on display at the Blue Heron Coffeehouse from March 6 through May 10, 2024. An opening reception will be held Friday, March 8, from 5-7 pm with an artist talk at 6 pm. Light refreshments will be served; this event is free and open to the public. In the artist’s words, “‘Wonderment: The Industry of Youth’ is a series of oil paintings depicting very busy children and young adults going about the ‘industry’ of discovering their world.” Learn more at the artist’s website here.

"Grant Writing for Artists" Workshop
2024-03-07 18:00 - 20:00 | Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, 2778 D Commerce Dr. NW, Rochester, MN, 55901
A free workshop focused on grant writing for artists will be offered Thursday, March 7, from 6-8 pm at the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) office in Rochester, 2778 D Commerce Dr. NW, 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 SEMAC.
