River Arts Alliance

Frozen River Film Festival Celebrates 20 Years with New Film Series
2025-10-31 - 2025-11-07, 2025-11-01 - 2025-11-08, 2025-11-02 - 2025-11-09, 2025-11-03 - 2025-11-10, 2025-11-04 - 2025-11-11, 2025-11-05 - 2025-11-12, 2025-11-06 - 2025-11-13
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.

Call to Artists: Between the Bluffs Plein Air
2025-10-31 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-01 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-02 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-03 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-11-06 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago)
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/.

Phantom of the Opera at Old Main
2025-10-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Old Main Cultural Center, 20869 S College Ave., Galesville, WI, 54630, United States
October 31 | 7 pm
Old Main Cultural Center
20869 College Ave, Galesville, WI 54630
Silent Film with Eddie Kim pianist accompaniment

Commonweal Theatre Presents King Lear
2025-10-31 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-02 13:30 - 16:00 | 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.

Mallory's Ghost
2025-10-31 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-01 19:30 - 22:00, 2025-11-02 14:30 - 17:30 | 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.

“Fragments of Time” Art works by Ray Kiihne
2025-11-01 13:00 - 16:00 | THIS project space 953 W. 5th St, Winona, 953 W. 5th St, Winona, MNM, 55987
Nov. 1 – Nov. 29 Fri 5-7, Sat 1-4
Opening Reception: Nov. 1 | 1-4
THIS project space
953 W. 5th St, Winona
Showing at THIS project space has given me the privilege of compiling “Fragments of Time.” In it are two paintings from 2022 and 2024 which relate to earlier works I’ve never shown before, as well as three new installations. The first is Suite of Six, works on blackened paper with acrylic golds, blues and blacks that I scraped across the surface, much like inking a copper etching plate. I relate them to Goya’s etching, The Sleep of Reason Breeds Monsters. In the second installation, I’ve used five small panels to suggest high windows with two of them falling away. And in the third, Gripped Hands of Time, are giant clock hands, their surfaces wrapped with gripping tape.
A Comments Book will be available, and I’m eager to read visitors’ reactions.
I grew up walking and riding in Nebraska cornfields and occasionally, alongside unbroken prairie. Then I lived for two years along the ocean’s edge in California; and in the early 70’s, I found a wonderful light-filled space in which to paint in Albuquerque. I return often to that space in my work.
Kiihne is a senior painter who has lived in Winona since 1976. He has shown most recently at the Winona Arts Center and Red Horse Gallery in Fountain City. He holds degrees from Wayne State College, Nebraska, Ball State University, and his MFA from the University of New Mexico. He taught at Central Michigan University, University of New Mexico, Viterbo College, Winona State University, and Escola Americana de Brasilia, Brazil. He has shown in solo, group, and invitational shows in Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Texas and New Mexico.
Ray Kiihne is a member of the River Arts Alliance. To learn more about the benefits of membership, please visit: riverartsalliance.org/membership/.

Monsters, Masks, & Makers: Fundraiser for Winona's Makerspace
2025-11-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Two Fathoms Brewing, 65 E Front St., Winona, MN, 55987, United States
November 1 | 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Two Fathoms Brewing,
65 E Front St,
Winona MN 55987
Dress up as your favorite monster or put on a Halloween mask and join Winona-Area makers for “Monsters, Masks, & Makers”! Enjoy live music, food trucks, artist demonstrations, a silent auction, and make & take crafts while raising funds to support the Winona Creators Collective & partaking in beverages from our event-host, Two Fathoms Brewing. We’re even hosting a costume contest, where the winner receives a free $1000 membership to the makerspace. Tickets are $60 and go towards construction costs and our opportunity fund. Come celebrate Halloween with us and help make this awesome community resource.
https://winonacreators.org/monsters-masks-makers/

LVDY concert: Winona Arts Center
2025-11-01 19:00 - 21:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Saturday November 1
Concert at 7:00 and gallery & coffeehouse open at 6:00
$20/adv and $25/door
Contact: debiniebuhr@gmail.com
The Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St) is very excited to host the two lovely women from Colorado who are LVDY on November 1
Tickets available at Eventbrite and Music Mart , who now accept cash, checks and credit cards without fees. There is a cash bar for wine and beer.
“With roots in singer-songwriter, indie-folk and a sound shaped by soaring harmonies and organic instrumentation, LVDY crafts songs that feel like home. Their uplifting sound and intimate storytelling weave love anthems in and out of their messages, with simple yet important reminders that we’re not alone.” For the members of LVDY, the music is more than a job; it’s what intertwines their heart and souls, and it’s how they share their most intense joys and deepest feelings with others. Mable describes writing music as “an invitation to show up as you are,” and performing like “cracking people open.” Accordingly, the two friends don’t hold back their feelings, bite their tongues or mask any part of their identity. Music allows them to be unapologetically themselves.

Gate City Jazz Band Performs First Sunday Each Month
2025-11-02 17:00 - 19:00
First Sunday of Each Month | 5-7 pm
Westfield Golf Course | 1460 W 5th St
No Cover Charge
westfieldgolfclub.com
The Gate City Jazz Band is rising from the ashes of the Blackhorse restaurant where they regularly played, to once again perform in their new location at the Westfield Golf Course restaurant. Performances are the first Sunday of each month, 5-7 pm for your listening and toe-tapping pleasure. Come enjoy the cuisine and music at the same time. No cover charge. Learn more.

A Journey of Hope and Resilience Art Show by MaryLee Eischen and Kim Hammer
2025-11-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, Wisconsin
Meet the Artists! November 4 |3pm – 5pm
4 pm Talk—“Art-making as Spiritual Practice”
Franciscan Spirituality Center
920 Market Street, La Crosse WI
Show up for viewing: November 3-28, 2025
Hours M- F 8:30am – 5:30pm

Water Color Basics with Miranda Lomeli-O'Reilly
2025-11-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
Nov 4 & 11 | 5:30-7:30
Cost $45/members $50/non members
Contact: Jen jsbenson50@gmail.com
Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)

Miranda Lomeli-O’Reilly will teach Watercolor Basics: Foundations and Fall Leaves on November 4 & November 11 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. This two-part workshop is for absolute beginners. Over two classes students will learn the foundation skills required to practice watercolors. Students will gain confidence by practicing applications in a step-by step manner. Students may sign up for only the first class on Nov 4 , but must take the first class in order to take the 2nd class, November 11. Fee per class: $45/ members or $50/non-members. A one time fee for materials is $20

Sign up with jsbenson50@gmail.com

WINONA’S NEW LITERARY ARRIVAL, GEOFF PECK
2025-11-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Blue Heron Coffeehouse, 162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN, 55987, United States
November 4 | 7- 9 pm
Blue Heron Coffee House
162 W 2nd St, Winona, MN 55987
The Laureate Writers Series will welcome distinguished author Geoff Peck to Winona as featured writer for its November 4th program at the Blue Heron Coffee House. Peck has been an active writer for many years, and his publication record includes fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and book reviews published in more than thirty literary journals. Most notably, he was nominated for Best New American Poets honors after winning the Thomas McGrath Prize offered by the Academy of American Poets. Also impressive is that the University of Iowa Press has published his debut novel City of Clans. Peck received his MFA from the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D from the University of North Dakota. He comes to Winona as writer and Assistant Professor of English at Winona State.
In addition to giving the Blue Heron audience samples of his literary works, Peck will discuss his journey to his new position at Winona State and respond to audience questions. The comments
will be followed by an open mic session, during which audience members can read short selections of their own original work. The program begins at 7 p.m.
The Laureate Writers Series is sponsored by the Blue Heron Coffee House, by Shipwreckt Books and Second Chapter Books of Winona, by Friends of the Winona Public Library, by Laurie Lucas, and by Sarah and Richard Ricker.

SEMAC Business Workshops
2025-11-05 18:00 - 21:00
Sept 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 | 6:00 – 9:00
Virtual
THE SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA ARTS COUNCIL (SEMAC) ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH SPRINGBOARD FOR THE ARTS TO OFFER BUSINESS SKILLS WORKSHOPS
SEMAC is excited to partner with Springboard for the Arts this fall to offer three of their Work of Art: Business Skills for Artists workshops virtually for individual artists and culture bearers living in SEMAC’s 11-county region. These workshops are FREE to attend, and you can sign up for one, two, or all three.
Springboard’s Work of Art program is a professional development curriculum designed to teach business skills to artists and culture bearers in all disciplines – visual, performing, and literary arts. It starts with career planning and moves through topics such as pricing, marketing, funding, and business plans. Work of Art can be helpful if you are just starting your creative career, or if you need a refresher as you advance your work.
The curriculum is available as a free workbook (in English and Spanish) and downloadable from the Springboard for the Arts website as a helpful reference during or after the workshops. To download the workbook and for more information about Springboard’s Work of Art program, go to springboardforthearts.org/professional-growth/work-of-art-program/.
The three workshops being offered this fall by Springboard in partnership with SEMAC are:

Career Planning
Where do you want to be both artistically and professionally? Learn how to define your values, identify key choices and develop a plan to achieve your career goals.
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-career-planning-semac/
Time Management
Discover analytical and tool-based approaches to managing your time. These tools will help you tackle hurdles related to efficiency, flexibility, and structure to help you reach your artistic goals.
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-time-management-semac/
Portfolio Kit
Your portfolio is the core of your promotional materials and serves as your professional calling card. Focus on the essential elements: sharpening your artist statement, tailoring your artistic resume, and curating and formatting your work samples.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025 | 6:00-9:00p CT
To register: springboardforthearts.org/events/work-of-art-portfolio-kit-semac/

Please note that these sessions will not be recorded. Automated Zoom captions will be available. Contact sharon@semac.org, (507) 281-4848, 711 TTY with questions, and use Springboard’s registration form for accessibility requests.
This activity is supported in part by the State of Minnesota through a grant from The Office of Small Business Development, Department of Employment and Economic Development.
SEMAC serves Region 10, which includes Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona Counties, including the Prairie Island Indian Community.
SEMAC’s activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
For more information, visit semac.org or contact the office at 507-281-4848.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc – Rochester, MN
CONTACT: Jacqueline VanRavenhorst, Communications Manager
608-792-6831 | communications@semac.org

Linoleum Stamp Carving
2025-11-06 16:30 - 20:00 | Winona Arts Center, 228 E. 5th St., Winona
November 6 | 4:30-8:00pm
Cost: $10
Contact: Jen jsbenson50@gmail.com

Please join us at the Open Studio 4th Quarter Spotlight November 6 from 4:30 to 8:00pm at the Winona Arts Center (228 E 5th St)
Join us for a demonstration in Linoleum Stamp Carving. You will carve your own design into small linoleum blocks to be used for stamping cards for friends and family, stickers, etc.. All materials are provided. Cost is $10. Class size is 10. Register today! Jen at jsbenson50@gmail.com
