Mark your calendars for the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Exhibition opening from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014.  This exhibit features the work of Anishinaabe Arts Initiative artists and council members.  Come see quillwork by Mel Losh, Raku pottery by Celia Littlecreek, Antler carvings by Giiwedin Biindige, beaded moccasins by Bernice Mitchell, paintings by Wesley May, original smudge bowls by Bambi Goodwin, and more. Some artwork will be for sale.  Sculptor Duane Goodwin's exhibit Asiniig will be available for viewing upstairs in the Watermark Gallery Thursday evening as well. Come meet the artists while enjoying hors'deouvres and high quality regional art.  Region 2 Arts Council is located in the lower level of the Historic Carnegie Library Building, 426 Bemidji Avenue N. in Bemidji. Call 751-5447 or email [email protected] for more information. The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Exhibit opening is free and open to the public and will be available for viewing 9-5 p.m. M-F until April 14.

March 7    2014 Spoken Word Series presents Author Lauren Cobb
The 2014 Spoken Word Series begins a new season with the book release of Boulevard Women by author Lauren Cobb at the Watermark Art Center (Carnegie Building) on Friday evening, March 7th.  The public is cordially invited to her reception at 5:30 p.m. and her reading at 6:00pm.  An audience Q&A and book signing will follow.  Follow this link for information on signing up for her workshop "The Word Made Flesh: Breathing Life into Fictional Characters" from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Saturday March 8, 2014 at the Bemidji Public Library. Call the Art Center for more information (218) 444-7570.

March 7 - 9   Bemidji-Area Puppeteer Margaret Burger at Heart of the Beast
Heart of the Beast Puppet Theater presents 2 shows produced through PuppetLab, a program supporting select emerging puppeteers in the state. Margaret Burger's show "The Lie" and Seth Eberle's show, "Odyssey: The Soles' Journey Home" will be featured this weekend. Burger writes of her show, "When the boy next door is thirsty, Polly busily concocts the perfect drink. Gulp, gulp, gulp. But little does she know that what happens next could yank the shadows right out of this true-life puppet opera!" ASL/AD interpretation available upon request.  Tickets are $12.00

March 7    Gallery North - Dianne Roholt, Jesica Conrad, and Les Sanders
Stop by Gallery North's First Friday reception, March 7th from 2:00-5:00 pm. and take a look at the work of Showcase Artists Dianne Roholt (pencil/ink drawings) and Jesica Conrad (landscaped quilted pictures). Featured Artist for First Friday will be woodcarver Les Sanders and his carved whimsical characters and houses and split cedar flutes. 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. Located at 502 3rd Street NW, Bemidji.

March 7    Wild Hare Bistro presents Dancing Sky Tapestry Weavers  

This group of local fiber artists will exhibit varied styles and materials in a collection of in their woven art work.   The show will include pieces by Ann Kastl, Patti Sellon, Nancy Salminen, Kristin Majkrzak, and Caroline Fylpaa.  There will also be pieces woven by tapestry instructor, Traudi Bestler of Minnetonka, and cavandoli knotted artwork by our "Knot More" friends and guest artists, Dawn Standera and Karen Forbes.  Meet the weavers at the opening reception on First Friday, March 7th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. After the Art Walk, experience Wild Hare's own culinary artists at the First Friday Wine Bar, 5:00-9:00 p.m. featuring Middle-Eastern inspired cuisine, with a wine and beer list to match. See the menu at wildharebistro.com. 523 Minnesota Avenue, downtown Bemidji. 444-JAVA

March 8    Artist Talk with Duane Goodwin at Watermark Art Center
Watermark and Paul Bunyan Communications present "Asiniig" with artist Duane Goodwin now through March 28th. Duane will be presenting at the art center on Saturday March 8th from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on his artistic process, design and inspiration with an opportunity for Q&A. The Watermark is located in the upper level of the Historic Carnegie Library Building at 426 Bemidji Ave N. for more information call 218-444-7570, email [email protected] on the web at www.watermarkartcenter.org
 
March 8    Heartland Concert Association presents The Abrams Brothers
The Abrams brothers, John, James and cousin Elijah skillfully combine the music of their roots with their own distinct sound.  It's a combination of bluegrass, country and folk-rock that's had the Canadian festival circuit up in arms over their potential, and the rest are catching on! With Season tickets or contact Bobbi Zigmant at 732-9293 or Kathy Hollenbeck at 237-6004 for cost of admission. 7:30 p.m. at Park Rapids HS auditorium.

March 9    Music with a Mission
Come enjoy Eastern European folk-inspired music by Brahms, Dvorak, and Janacek on four-hands piano with Drs. Paul and Helen Baumgartner of Gustavus University.  Freewill offerings will support the Global Mission Institute. 2:00 p.m. First Lutheran Church, 900 Bemidji Ave. N. For more information call 444-5302.

March 20    Bemidji State University presents Julie Johnson, flutist
Julie Johnson is a free-lance flutist and composer active in the Twin Cities.  She will be working with university students and presenting a concert of her own works and arrangements, performed on bass flute and electrified flute.  She has recently been heard in many programs at the McPhail Center for the Arts, where she teaches flute, and at the Minnesota Fringe Festival. 7:30 p.m. at Thompson Recital Hall in Bangsberg Auditorium on the BSU campus.  This event is free and open to the public.

March 21    Bemidji State University presents Faculty Trio 

Stephen Carlson, piano; Patrick Riley, cello; Melanie Hanson, violin will perform Beethoven's D Major "Ghost" Trio, and Brahms' Piano Trio in B Major, Op. 8. 7:30 pm Thompson Recital Hall at BSU. Free admission
 
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 22    Bemidji State University presents Tracy Stein, Flute
Tracy is a music education major at Bemidji State University.  Her junior recital will feature 20th-century works for flute. 3:00 p.m. Thompson Recital Hall. Free Admission.
 
March 22    Bemidji State University presents Eric Olson, Violin
Come to Thompson Recital Hall at Bemidji State University for a concert featuring Eric Olson, BSU violin instructor.  7:30 p.m. Free admission.

March 22   The Great Thaw Fine Craft Fest
Come see what area artists have been working on while dreaming of warmer temps! All items are handmade! 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.  For more information, contact Michelle at
[email protected].  Held at Bemidji High School. This event is free and open to the public.

March 23, 3:00 pm  Charles Lazarus Jazz Ensemble
Charles Lazarus, 4th trumpet with the Minnesota Orchestra, will be performing with his jazz ensemble. At Thompson Recital Hall at BSU. Adults, $10; BSU or NTC students free; all other students $5.
 
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.  Register at mncitizensforthearts.org.

March 28-30 and April 4-6    Disney's My Son Pinocchio
Show times are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings and 2:00 p.m. on Sundays. Bring the whole family to the the historic Chief Theater in Bemidji to enjoy Bemidji Community Theater's performance of this family classic.  Children $6, adults $12. Tickets available at: Iversen Corner Drug, Ken K Thompson Jewelry, Shannon's Art & Soul.