Feb. 7  Gallery North -  "Warm Your Heart With A Little Art "

Stop by Gallery North's First Friday reception from 2-5:00 p.m. to enjoy the art and register for your choice of classes from the "Warm your Heart with a Little Art" series. Featured Artist, woodcarver and quilt maker Colleen Hilts will also have work on display and there will be a drawing for Colleen's quilted mini-wall hanging "Laura Birch Cat."   Gallery North is a non-profit cooperative art gallery that has been displaying and selling original art and fine crafts by area artists since 1989. Please check out the website at www.gallerynorthbemidji.com

Feb 7  Artist Duane "Dewey" Goodwin at Watermark Art Center

Feb 7  Karen-lisa Forbes & Dawn Standera at Cabin Coffeehouse

This exhibit, "We're Knot Friends - Cavandoli Knotting," features fiber artists Standera and Forbes' geometric patterns and free-form patterns. With elements from nature, found objects, wire, beads and limitless imaginations these two friends take Cavandoli to a whole new level. If you're thinking owls and plant hangers you could KNOT be more wrong.  Join Standera and Karen-lisa on Friday February 7^th from 4 to 7p.m. Dawn will be at the cabin from 4-6 and Karen will be at the cabin from 4-7 giving Cavandoli demonstrations throughout the evening. Visit The Cabin for a fabulous cookie, this terrific show and more at 214 3^rd Street, Bemidji. Call 218-444-2899 for more information.

Feb 7  Dunn Bros Coffee Presents Christina Holland, Jewelry Artist

 "From Within" is a collection bringing together natural textures in metal, and a selection of semi-precious gemstones with attention to the healing and metaphysical properties within the stones themselves. Join Christina of Bad Cat Creations during the opening on Friday, Feb 7^th from 5-7. Designs will be available for purchase and display all month long. Dunn Bros is at 501 Paul Bunyan Drive S., Bemidji- Call (218) 444-5252 dunnbros106@dunnbros.com 

Feb. 7  Wild Hare Bistro and Coffeehouse presents Patricia Brittain

Enjoy "Inspirations in Needlepoint," a collection of pieces that combine needle-point and collage created by local mixed media and fiber artist Patricia Brittain. She creates her own needlepoint patterns, which feature her love of nature, particularly leaves.  Meet the artist from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday Feb. 7.  Following the Art Walk, experience Wild Hare's own culinary artists at the First Friday Wine Bar from 5:00-9:00 p.m.  This month's new menu will be have romantic lovers theme for Valentine's Day, with a wine and beer list to match. See the menu at wildharebistro.com 523 Minnesota Avenue, downtown Bemidji. 444-JAVA

Feb. 7   More Art Around Bemidji

Ravenrock Gallery of Jewelry and Fine Art and Studio 10 present "The Colors of Love" opening reception First Friday, Feb. 7 from 4:30-6:00 p.m. located at 1000 Paul Bunyan Dr., Suite 102. 218-444-6040. Headwaters Science Center presents photography from Todd Geiger. Opening reception on Feb. 7 from 5:00 -6:00 p.m. at 413 Beltrami Ave in Downtown Bemidji.  For more information call 444-4472 or email director@hscbemidji.org.   

Beltrami County History Center features artwork on display from Gallery North, along with their new history center exhibit "Trails Through Time." Winter Hours: Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or by appointment for group visits and research.  218-444-3376.  

Neilson Place presents "Walking Through Nature"an exhibit of paintings by Maureen O'Brien beginning through March 2014. Neilson Place is located on the Sanford WoodsEdge campus, 1000 Anne Street NW.Call 751-0220 extension #1.  

Northwoods Folk Collective/ First Friday Open Stage offers an opportunity to share stories, music, poetry and other performance art with an attentive, enthusiastic, inter-generational audience. Host: Drew Warne-Jacobsen 218-760-9278. Sign-up 6:30-7:30. Located at 303 Railroad Street SW. Bemidji (over the Irvine Ave bridge & left).

Feb. 8     Second Saturday Night Bazaar at Rail River Folk School 

The Second Saturday Night Bazaar is the perfect destination to find unique one-of-a-kind gifts for that someone special on Valentine's Day. Held selected second Saturdays of the month at the Rail River Folk School in Bemidji, the Second Saturday Night Bazaar offers artists, farmers, home-based businesses and more an opportunity to display and sell their goods and services!  This event showcases a variety of vendors. With a new group every month, everyone's sure to find something unique!  Stop on over at 303 Railroad Street in Bemidji (just across the Irvine Ave. Bridge) for art, food, music, networking, and supporting our local community and the Rail River Folk School! 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 - 11 Town Hall Meetings with Rep. Roger Erickson

Share your views on arts funding and more!  These town hall meetings across our district offer the opportunity to talk with Rep. Erickson about any ideas or questions you might have before he heads back down to St Paul for the next legislative session. In Bemidji and on several of the other stops, Erickson will be joined by Rep. John Persell and Sen. Rod Skoe. Click here for a full schedule of his visit to Park Rapids, Bemidji, Bagley, Clearbrook, Blackduck, Kelliher and Baudette.  

 Feb. 13  Poetry Slam with Music by Sonny Johnson
The next Poetry Slam is on Thursday February 13 at 7:00 p.m. hosted at the American Legion, 217 Bemidji Avenue.  A poetry slam is an event at which poets read or recite original work.  Participants should have three pieces ready, no longer than three minutes for each piece. There will be three scored rounds, each round determining who will make it to the next round. No props, just the voice and the performance of the poet.  Cash prizes for the winners! The evening will also include performances by local singer, songwriter and guitarist Sonny Johnson. Sign up to register by calling the Bemidji Public Library. Limited to 12 poets. 751-3963.  All events are free and open to the public.  The poetry slam is recommended for adult audiences.  

Feb. 16    Bemidji Symphony Orchestra - "Celebration of John Steinbeck"

Under the direction of Dr. Beverly Everett, BSO continues its 75th anniversary year featuring humanities scholar Clay S. Jenkinson as John Steinbeck on Sunday, February 16, 2014 at 3:00 pm at the Bemidji High School Auditorium.  

In keeping with the American theme, the music for the concert will be mostly pieces by Aaron Copland.  It will open with Fanfare for the Common Man and Hoe-Down from Rodeo and will conclude with music from the sound tracks "Of Mice and Men" and "The Red Pony", both based on Steinbeck's writings. 

Tickets for the concert are available at the door or in advance at Lueken's Village Foods North and South or online at brownpapertickets.com. Prices are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens 62+, and $10 for college students with ID.  Students grades K-12 are admitted free. All seats are general admission.  For those who hold BSO Season Tickets, the February Concert is included as part of the season.  Doors open for seating at 2:30 pm. This concert is supported by a grant from the George W. Neilson Foundation.

Feb 20   Arts Downtown PR (3rd Thursdays)
Typically held at four locations in downtown Park Rapids: Beagle Books, Bella Caffè, The Good Life Cafe and Necce's Ristorante, the Arts Downtown PR series continues from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20.  There is no admission charge to Arts Downtown PR events.  Plan to spend the evening Downtown and be sure to check for the evening's event at Armory Square, located at the corner of US Hwy. 71 and 2nd Street in Downtown Park Rapids.  

Feb 22    First Annual Creative Spirit Fiber Festival

Featuring the best in fiber arts!  Spend Saturday February 22 from 9:00 am - 3:00 p.m. with area artists, fiber related businesses and organizations sharing their knowledge, information and supplies with the community.  Explore Basketry, Cavandoli, Knitting, Needle Felting, Quilting, Rug Hooking, Spinning, Tatting, Weaving, Wool Appliqué and more.   $5.00 Admission gives you access to: Vendor Market with Fiber, Supplies & Tools of the Trade ~ Mini Breakout Sessions ~ Hands On Demos ~ Trunk Shows ~ Free Make & Takes ~ Door Prizes ~ Free Coffee & Homemade Treats! In the Community Room at the Bemidji - Boys and Girls Club located at 15th Street N. and Bemidji Ave.  Watermark will have soup and bread available for purchase as a fund raiser for the Boys and Girls Club.  Please plan to stay for the whole day!  For more information contact the Watermark Art Center at 218-444-7570, bcac@paulbunyan.netor Willow Wood Market at  bonnie@willowwoodmarketdesigns.com  

Feb 22  Heartland Concert Association presents The Twisted Strings

Sizzling duo of fiddle and guitar. Individually, Aliex DePue, on fiddle and Miguel DeHoyos, on guitar, have wowed the world from Carnegie Hall to a tour with Stevies Vai to Mexico and Romania. &:30 p.m. at the Park Rapids Area High School Auditorium.  

March 2    Bemidji Symphony Orchestra - "Classical Celebrations" 

BSO welcomes Honduran-born violinist Everaldo Martinez to the stage for Bruch's lush and lyrical Concerto No. 1 in G minor. Also on the program is Mozart's "Magic Flute" Overture and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. Dr. Beverly Everett conducts.  $20 Adults; $15 Seniors 62+; $10 College Students with ID; Students K-12 FREE. Tickets at the door or in advance at Lueken's Village Foods North and South, or online at brownpapertickets.com. 3 p.m. Bemidji High School Auditorium.

March 6    Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Exhibition at R2AC

Mark your calendars for the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Exhibition opening from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6.  We are transforming our office space into an exhibit space featuring the work of Anishinaabe Arts Initiative artists and council members.  The artwork is already rolling in! Quillwork by Mel Losh, Raku pottery by Celia Littlecreek, Antler carvings by Giiwedin Biindige, beaded moccasins by Bernice Mitchell, paintings by Wesley May. Some artwork will be for sale.  Do not miss this Thursday opening! The Region 2 Arts Council office is located in the lower level of the Historic Carnegie Library Building, 426 Bemidji Avenue N. Call 751-5447 for more information.

March 21, 22, 28, 29  Northern Light Opera Company  - The Apothecary

Come enjoy this comic opera by Joseph Haydn, at Armory Square in Park Rapids at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, March 21, 22, 28 & 29.  The Apothecary is a 4 person opera dealing with the intrigue of a love triangle, a plot line favored in operas composed years later by favorites such as Donizetti and Mozart.  Sempronio, an old apothecary will be sung by Jason Wright; Grilletta, Sempronio's ward will be sung by Brinn Krabbenhoft; Mengone, Sempronio's apprentice will be sung by Brian Hobson; and Volpino, a young rich dandy (pant role) sung by Mary Maxwell.  The $15.00 tickets may be purchased at Beagle Books or at the door. Reserve tickets by calling 218-237-0400. Be sure to attend this new venture of the Northern Light Opera Company for a welcome break in a long winter season.

March 27    Save the Date! Arts Advocacy Day

On March 27, artists and arts supporters from across the state will meet at the Capitol for ARTS ADVOCACY DAY.  Come discuss the importance of arts funding with legislative decision makers. Join your fellow arts advocates from around the State and from Region 2 to talk about the arts, make new contacts, and educate our legislators at the State Capitol about the importance of the arts.  This is a well-organized event; whether you are outspoken or interested in listening in and being counted- this is for you! Let's have a strong showing from Region 2! Call us with questions.