Spring into summer

As the last of the April snow disapears, it's finally beginning to feel more like spring--and a busy spring, at that! Here's a look at some of the upcoming events:

Saturday, April 20: Circus Juventas Presents World Circus Day 2013. Circus Juventas is celebrating World Circus Day with back-to-back benefit performances for Mission Manduhai. Founded by Circus Juventas’ Coach Chimgee Haltarhuu, who grew up in dire conditions in Mongolia, Mission Manduhai works to aid those in her homeland by bringing artistic performances to nomadic people and helping to prevent domestic abuse through education. Tickets go on sale the day of the event at the Circus Juventas Box Office from 9am through show time.

Saturday, April 27: JazzMN presents saxophonist Eric Marienthal. For JazzMN's season finale, they are joined by one of the most highly praised saxophonists around today, Gramming Award-winning Eric Marienthal, for a show that promises to be a real ear-pleaser. More information and tickets »

Sunday, April 28: Jazz88 KBEM presents Jazz Noir, a Live Broadcast Performance. For those who long for “the grand old days” of radio, Jazz Noir is a new, original radio series, complete with live voiceover actors in front of a studio audience. Jazz88 KBEM’s first episode is an original drama, Charles & Avon, that will be performed, recorded and broadcast in front of a live audience from the Artists’ Quarter in downtown Saint Paul.  The radio show will be re-broadcast on KBEM Jazz88 in June 2013. More information and tickets »

May 2 - 5: Festival of Nations 2013. Minnesota’s largest multi-cultural celebration, returns to Saint Paul RiverCentre, bringing together people from a vast array of backgrounds to celebrate their ethnic heritage, learn about other cultures and enjoy great food. New this year, Festival of Nations presents Think Global, Party Local on Friday night with extended hours, international wine tasting, beers from around the world and a lineup of fresh music from international artists like Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Rahim Alhaj, and Salsa del Soul. More information and tickets »

Happy New Year

After a whirlwind of holiday events and festivities, now it is January. Parties are replaced by meetings and new projects -- my first project with the state, a new project at the beloved Southern and back to work on new Science Museum exibits are on the agenda as Park Square gets ready to open Johnny Baseball and the spring summer festivals are gearing up.  Life is Good

Wishing you the best in 2013!

Now it's November

Where did the summer go? My summer was filled with great music, fabulous theatrical productions, festivals and special events. Now it is mid-November and Park Square's 2012-13 theater season is underway with great reviews for their first two productions, Circus Juventas just had a wonderful gala and is working on OZ -- the big summer show 2013, the U. S. Army Jazz Ambassadors brought down the house at Farmington High School, JazzMN Orchestra has one more concert this month. And now planning for 2013 projects is underway. Save these dates: Carnaval Brasileiro February 15 - 17; JazzMN Orchestra concerts March 9 and April 27; Festival of Nations May 2 - 5; the 15th Annual Twin Cities Jazz Festival June 27 - 29 and the Roots Music Festival July 27 plus look for dates soon for Concrete and Grass Lowertown Music Festival and Festa Italiana.

Thursday, November 15 is Give to the Max Day in Minnesota. Please support your favorite arts organizations and charities http://givemn.razoo.com/. GiveMN makes it so easy!