Scene july 2018 by Kate Noet

JULY 2018 - southernminnSCENE.com

Southern minn

Scene

YOUR FREE GET-OUT SOURCE TO SOUTHERN MINNESOTA

Best Pets Photos

37 The Retz 227 20

EXTREME SUMMER Fun! New Ulm brothers open their own speakeasy.

Nominating begins June 18th go to The Best of SoMinn 2018 at

southernminnscene.com

SHELDON THEATRE

SUMMER AROUND TOWN

MUSIC FESTIVAL

SOD HOUSE THEATER presents

HENRIK IBSEN’S

10th ANNUAL

The Lone bellow

A bluegrass infused adaptation Eric Hutchinson & The Believers

JULY 21, 2018

Natalie StovalL

LOCAL OPENER AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC CENTER STUDENTS START THE SHOW AT 5PM

Enjoy a mix of contemporary music acts in a hometown setting!

SodSerious House theater. will join forces withfun. local talent and BEMIDJI Aug 11 Serious audiences to celebrate summer andRail River Folk Sch community through the experience of live, GRANITE FALLS Legion Hall, 60 6t site-specific theater at Colvill Park.

• On-site food vendors • Bring a chair or blanket

FREE AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY! CENTRAL PARK BANDSHELL RED WING, MN

TICKETS AVAIL ABLE NOW

and at the door while they last! $15 ADULTS

$10 CHILDREN/STUDENTS/SENIORS

Lions Park, Battle

AUGUST 10 & 11, 7 PM AUGUST 11 & 12, 2 PM

sodhousetheater.org 612-414-2032 photo of bandshell by Peter J. Sieger

Co-presented by

BATTLE LAKE Au

FERGUS FALLS A

City Hall & Park 112

Located in Colvill Park Tickets $15, Kid Play Free 651-388-8700

SPONSORED BY

For the second year running, we hosted a Best Pets of SoMinn Photo Contest to accompany our Pets issue. Pet owners across Southern Minnesota sent in their best pics of their furry friends, whether it be dogs, cats or birds. We’ve published over 70 submissions here. Before announcing the winner, let’s thank Heartland Animal Hospital, of Owatonna and Faribault, for sponsoring this year’s contest, providing the winner a $250 prize basket! This year, the winner was Molly, an English Springer Spaniel, who lives with Ashley Glende and family in Owatonna. Why is this pet the best? Ashley says “Molly is always energetics, loves to play outside, enjoys hiking and hunting and loves doing anything her human parents are doing.” But we think all the submitted pets are adorable and special in their own unique ways. So give these gorgeous guys and gals a gander. 8

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A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Balto - Owatonna

Andy - Eagle Lake

Barkley - Faribault

Ash - Blooming Prairie Boof - Faribault Apollo - Hope Bella - Owatonna Chapito and Speedy - Owatonna

Charlie - Faribault

Theo - Claremont

Bryzzo - Owatonna

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Static - Owatonna Follow us on

Dixie - Owatonna w w w. s o u t h e r N m I N n SCENE. c o m

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Emma and Sadie Owatonna

Dove Owatonna

Ginger - New Ulm

Gus - Northfield Hogan - Owatonna

Frank Owatonna

Ellie - Owatonna Juno - Owatonna

Hutch Claremont

Hope Owatonna

Leo Faribault

Maizie Owatonna JR - Ellendale

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Laika Owatonna

Kiki - Owatonna Kevin and Soul - Faribault

Lexi Owatonna

Luke - Owatonna

Mandi Hearts Le Sueur

Lily, Wilson and Lucy - Faribault

Milo - Owatonna

Minja Ellendale Noah - Owatonna

Marvin Waseca

Mattie Faribault A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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Otis and Ruby - Owatonna

Moose Northfield

Pixie - Northfield

Oscar - Faribault Ozzy - Owatonna

Morty Lakeville

Pablo - Northfield

Nu Nu - Faribault

Pepe - Faribault

Nyx - Rochester 12

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Remy - Lonsdale

Reno - Owatonna Follow us on

Reno - Owatonna

Pablo - New Ulm

Reno - Owatonna

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Rudy, Cali and Charlie - Owatonna

Rosie West St. Paul

Ruby - Owatonna

Rue - West Concord

Rusty Faribault Ruger Owatonna

Storm Owatonna Schnarff Owatonna Ruger - Lonsdale

Vic Waseca

Sam - Owatonna Lady Jean - Faribault

Tabby Owatonna A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Danny - Northfield Follow us on

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MINNESOTA MUSIC SCENE

RIAN-Dicke MICHELS Rian-Dicke Michels, can be reached at editor@southernminnscene.com.

Nothing Wrong with a Bit of

www.harmarsuperstar.com

e often make the mistake of judging a book by its cover and I am certainly no exception to that. While I try to stay open minded, every once in a blue moon, I’ll relapse on an old lens. A long while back, I saw a big, sweaty guy dancing around stage in tighty whiteys, looking vaguely like a 70s porn star, and I decided Har Mar Superstar wouldn’t be my cup of tea. With a few of my friends encouraging me to check him out over the last two or three years, it wasn’t until recently that I gave this homegrown singer/songwriter, musician, actor another try. Oofta! I was pretty wrong. Known as Har Mar Superstar, the subject of this month’s spotlight was born in Marshall as Sean Tillman on February 6th, 1978. When Sean was 10 years old, the Tillman family moved to Owatonna; however, Sean didn’t stay in there for long. He attended the Perpich Center for Performing Arts in lieu of your average high school in Golden Valley. Then throughout his teens, Sean played in multiple unnamed bands, but moved to St. Paul after high school where he became a part of Calvin Krime, as the lead vocalist and bassist. The band only consisted of three members and put out two albums in three years before coming to an end in 1998. This gave Sean the opportunity to try it solo as Sean Na Na, but he eventually became Har Mar Superstar. Since 2000, Har Mar has put out six full albums, six singles, and most recently, his EP Personal Boy in 2017. In bringing this EP together, he collaborated with DJ Burton and Lazerbeak, of the Doomtree family. It’s a bit slower than his previous work but I won’t hold it against him. Har Mar is quite different from what I would typically listen to. I never felt the urge to skip any of the tracks that auto-played

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on my computer. My personal favorite of his songs would be “Youth Without Love” from his last album, titled Best Album Ever. The song is upbeat and makes me think about those high school heart throbs you often had to beg for attention, with promises of never growing tired of them in your life. Thank goodness for growing out of that miserable teenage phase, but I definitely know all the words after jamming to it in my car several times. One thing I did notice about this character right away is that I had seen him before, but I couldn’t really put my finger on where it was I knew him from. (Other than from the video of him dancing in his underwear.) In doing this research, I discovered that Har Mar Superstar has acted in movies too. Ever so briefly, he shows up in the roller derby film Whip It!, as well as Starsky and Hutch, and also, Pitch Perfect as a member of Clef #2. Even more, Har Mar has guest starred on The Sharon Osbourne Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and the Jimmy Kimmel Show. In 2004, he was awarded the NME Rock and Roll Man of the Year Award. But his popularity isn’t solely based in the United States. He’s shown up in the UK: in a handful of shows, a vodka commercial, and then an ad for Lynx deodorant. In short, Har Mar Superstar is another lesson that judging a book by its cover can be inaccurate. His talents range widely enough that you know he was born to be an entertainer, and I’m certain his mother has the stories to prove it. I may not get excited when his clothes come off during a performance, but I’ve found an artist whose music turned me toward R&B. This is not an easy feat. Don’t just take it from me, you can find Har Mar Superstar just about anywhere you can watch a video or stream music. His vocals are powerful and his lyrics are different, though they can be a little tongue and cheek, I still found that his style of music is something you can sway to in the kitchen. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up dancing in your underwear. SMS

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Gooters is the

The Merlin Players Present a New Music

The Merlin Players Present a New Musical The 25th Annual Putnam

“The 25th Annual Putnam County County Spelling SpellingBee Bee”

Best Kept Secret!

Music & Lyrics by William Finn Book by Rachel Sheinkin* Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

The only Gourmet Ice Cream Around!

June 15, 21, 22, 23 - 7:30PM *Saturday - June 16 - 2:00PM Sundays - June 17 & 24 - 2:00PM *Come to Saturday matinee & stay for 6:00PM Heritage Days Parade.

Music & Lyrics by William Finn * Book by Rachel Shei Life Is Pandemonium at the Bee! Conceived by Rebecca Feldman

And the losers go home a juice box! A group of 6th - Jun Junewith 15, 21, 22, 23 - 7:30P 8* Saturday graders compete for the win -Sundays but they’re played by24 adults! - June 17 & - 2:00PM

Brioche Bun – bake yourself- so Buttery!

Come to Saturday matinee & stay for 6P Heritage Days

Featuring the talents of Heather Burke, Nate Chesney, Is Pandemonium at the Bee! Jon Esch, Alicia Frarck, TaylorLife Heitman, Maria Markman, And the losers go home with a juice box! A group Will McIntyre, Samuel Temple, Jon -Terrill graders compete for the win but they’re played by

NewBreakfast at Gooters! Pizza and

Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave.,Burke, Faribault Featuring the talents of Heather Nate Ches

Breakfast pockets also!

Jon Esch, Maria Mar Call 507-332-7372 during boxAlicia officeFrarck, hours. Taylor Tues., Heitman, Wed., Fri., Will McIntyre, Samuel Temple, Jon Terrill Sat.: noon-5PM; Thurs.: noon-8PM and 1 hour before performances Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Ave., Fa or online at paradisecenterforthearts.org

Case pricing available

Call 507-332-7372 during box office hours. Tues., Wed., F

200 Schilling Dr. Dundas/Northﬁeld www.gootersdoughtogo.com 507-645-BAKE (2253) OPEN: Sun-Wed. 10-6 • Thurs-Sat 10-7

Come opening night and a wine appetizer Sat.: enjoy noon-5PM; Thurs.:& noon-8PM and 1reception. hour before perfo

or online at paradisecenterforthearts.org Sponsored by Reliance Bank, Faribault Woolen Mills, Come opening night and enjoy a wine & appetizers rece Donahue’s Greenhouse, Spectrum Reach

Sponsored by Reliance Bank, Faribault Woolen Mil

Find us on Facebook & Twitter or at Greenhouse, themerlinplayes.org Donahue’s Spectrum Reach

Find us on Facebook & Twitter or at themerlinplaye

We Cater to Your Needs for Any Event! CORPORATE EVENTS GRADUATION PARTIES FAMILY REUNIONS HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS

CALL (507) 451 - 2524 TO BOOK TODAY!

WEDDINGS CORPORATE MEETINGS SCHOOL FUNCTIONS FUNERALS

And So Much More! A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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The best and brightest festivals and activities in SoMinn’s smaller sized communities BY LINDEN SMITH editor@southernminnscene.com

here’s a lot of fun to be had in Minnesota throughout the summer months. We all know about the State Fair, about the Renaissance Festival and the Minneapolis Pride Festival. But there’s more fun to be had throughout Southern Minnesota outside of the metro. Just because you’re not a townie, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a good townie event. Whether its parades, concert series or art festivals, little towns bring everything they’ve got. So here’s a list of options to try out for some small town fun thus June, July and August.

2018 Hormel Historic Home Peace Garden Concert Series June 15th, 19th, July 1st, 10th, 17th, 24th, August 3rd, 14th

This summer, Austin (Minnesota, not Texas) will host a free concert series in the Peace Garden of the Hormel Historic Home. Local artists will be playing all sorts of musical styles, everything from blues, to folk, to acoustic rock. Come hear the musical talent Austin has to offer! Visit www. hormelhistorichome.org/ for more information.

Cannon River Clay Tour June 16th-17th // Northfield

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Northfield is home to a cadre of ceramic artists. On Father’s day weekend, 10 local artists will open their studio to the public and 10 guest artists will come in from all over the country. Take the selfguided tour through town and buy some ceramic art. More information here: www.cannonriverclaytour.com/

Jamming in June Music Festival

Wind Down Wednesdays June 20, July 18th, August 15th // Albert Lea

June 16th // Waseca Waseca will host a plethora of musical artists at their Jamming in June festival. The festival kicks off early in the day with a free yoga class accompanied by live music. The fun will stretch into the night with the last act concluding at 10:00

P.M. And the best part? It’s all free! See www. wasecachamber.com/events/details/jamming-injune-11763 for details.

Each month of the summer, Albert Lea will host a summer “market and music”

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festival. Come hear talented musicians and nosh some tasty food. The musical lineups will feature both rising stars and old pros. Leave with beautiful arts and crafts you’ll buy from local craftspeople. See https://www.winddownwednesday.com/ for more info.

Hot Summer Nights

GALLERY

June 28th, July 26th, August 23th, September 27th // Waterville Do you love classic cars? Come see the lineup of vintage cars and souped-up hot rods roll through Waterville. There will be scores of food vendors to satisfy your appetite while you appreciate the attractive autos. There will even be a band on Main Street! Check out www.watervillemn.com/events/summer_nights/default.aspx for more information.

Stagecoach Days June 30th-July 1st // Mantorville Mantorville makes history come alive with its Stagecoach Days. Expect scads of locals clad in historic costume. Get ready for historic displays, art exhibitions, live music, food vendors, a horse pull, and, of course, stagecoaches. At the Stagecoach Days you can take a trip back in time, and have fun doing it! For more information and a schedule see: www. mantorvilletourism.com

Blue Collar BBQ Music & Arts Festival August 11th // Faribault Craving barbeque, blues, or beer? Check out the Blue Collar BBQ Music & Arts Festival, winner of the Southern Minnesota Scene Best Of award for music! The Blue Collar Festival will feature twelve hours of live music, loads of food vendors, craft beer and barbeque competitions, an art market, and even kids’ activities. This year is the 10th anniversary of the festival, so expect it to be bigger and better than ever! Get your tickets here: www.paradisecenterforthearts.org/blue-collar-bbq-music-arts-festival/

Spore Cluster by Claudia Poser

AUDITIONS THEATER Purple Door Youth Theater Nov 26 | 5-7 pm Nov 27 | 4-6 pm Sign up for a time online

Rice County Fair July 17th-22nd // Faribault Come see the best Rice County has to offer at the Rice County Fair! There will be shows of all stripes: horses, dogs, livestock, and even a demolition derby. Join a Texas Hold ‘Em tournament or compete in the talent show. Get excited for the rodeo, tractor pull, and the car race! And when you get tired of the thrills, relax in the beer garden and sample the food vendors. For more information, see: www.ricecountyfair.net/

AUDITIONS Steele County Free Fair August 14th-19th // Owatonna Owatonna hosts the largest county fair in Minnesota. And admission is free! Come watch a pig race or visit a butterfly exhibit. There will be an ATV stunt show and bull riding. Ride the carousel on the midway. Peruse over 100 food and drink stands. See www.scff.org/ for more info.

Play the dream roll you would never get!

Crazy Daze

THEATER

July 26th // Northfield

Directed by

Eric Parrish

Shopping fiends will love Northfield’s Crazy Daze. Enjoy the citywide bargains and sidewalk sales. An entire street will be blocked off just to make room for vendors. Expect food-trucks and other events along with the shopping.

Crazy Days July 26th-28th // Owatonna Crazy Days will feature a whole weekend of fun. Come hear singers in “Owatonna Sings,” part of a statewide vocal competition--or compete, yourself! Buy produce at the farmer’s market. Browse the sidewalk sales. Play the dunk tank. Owatonna has much to offer!

Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Show

Book by Brian Yorkey; Music by Tom Kitt; Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

September 1st-3rd // Dundas This show will feature over 250 steam and gas engines. Visitors will be able to appreciate a wealth of history and quality engineering. There will also be a flea market, tractor pull, and blacksmithing! More information here: www.ricecountysteamandgas.com/ SMS

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Mollywood Blvd

MOLLY PENNY Molly Penny is a local radio personality and MSU Mankato alum. It was her love of pop culture that got her interested in doing a morning show gig for KOWZ 100.9. She is now Music and Promotions Director at KOWZ & KRUE Radio in Owatonna and can be heard on various airwaves in Southern Minnesota, including Hot 96.7 in Mankato. She resides in Mankato with her movie buff husband and YouTube obsessed children. Need to contact her? Shoot her an e-mail mollyp@kowzonline.com or catch her on Twitter at @mollyhoodUSA.

Must Pets! Not a dog lover?

NEXT! I love match.com and their Singles in America survey. Now that I am not single it is less depressing and more or less just interesting to find out what is making people tick. I have read some of their questions on pets and dating and was not surprised that if a guy posted a photo of himself with his pet in his dating profile, respondents were more likely to be interested. That doesn’t mean go out and get a dog for the purpose of finding a

date, but if you could even just borrow a friend or relatives dog for a photo op, I’d say go for it. Recently, new research has been done on the topic. I found a New York Times article talking about the study that actually found disliking pets is a major turn off. This research was commissioned by the on-demand dog walking service, Wag!, and OnePoll. According to the survey, 66 percent of women would not date someone who didn’t like pets. That doesn’t mean you need to run out and get a dog, especially if you aren’t ready for the responsibility, but it does mean you might have to at least pretend to love hers. This number is less staggering, but they also say 27 percent of women find photos of pets in an online dating profile a turn-on. I feel like it is a smart move. If you have a pet, flaunt it. Because for one, it could make it appear that you are a good caretaker, which women secretly love, and also, if she hates animals, she will swipe left, saving you the awkward duty of dumping her because she is a heartless pet hater. On the other hand, there seems to be a double standard when it comes to pets— at least when it comes to the little ones. 28 percent of men surveyed said they would

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be turned off if a women’s pet could fit in her handbag. Remember Paris Hilton and her Chihuahua Tinkerbell? I won’t talk smack about Tinkerbell because the pup died a few years ago. But, I would tend to agree. If you are literally walking around with your pet in a Louis Vuitton pet carrier as if it is some sort of accessory, I might have to pass, too. Here is one of the more telling parts of the study. 70 percent of singles think their date’s reaction to their pet is important. I have a friend who actually claims his cat was a huge reason he decided to end it with a girl he was dating. This cat is a typically friendly cat, and seemed distressed and ornery whenever she was around. That would freak me out. Animals totally sense if you like them or not, even if the person you are dating is a little blind to it, so if you aren’t a cat or dog person, you run a huge risk of being “found out.” Like, if I was not really an animal person and still out in the dating world, would I have had to pretend to like the other person’s pet or feign excitement over their dreams of us owning one

together? Sounds exhausting! Finally, guys, if you are deciding what pet to get in your quest to snag a lady, 72 percent of women surveyed said a dog is the optimal pet for guys. OK, they actually said it was the “hottest” pet for a guy to own, so there you have it. But please. Get a pet because you have the space and the means to give it a good home. Get a pet because you want one, and you are ready for one. Don’t get a pet because it will make you more desirable to the opposite sex. But, if you have a pet, and you are single, unless it is a tiny dog that you dress in sweaters or carry in your handbag, make sure to post some pics! SMS

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t l u a b i r a F TA O S E N MIN

NIGHTS

Ann

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Making American Stories

June 13-16 Central Park

June 15 â&#x20AC;˘ July 20 â&#x20AC;˘ September 21 Downtown Faribault Car Club Showdown august 17 Faribault Harley Davidson

Voted Best Music Festival in Southern Minnesota 2017

Grand Parade Saturday, June 16 6PM

Saturday, August 11th Downtown Faribault

July 17-22 Fairgrounds - Alexander Park

Thursday, September 20th

like us on facebook facebook.com/faribaulttourism/

visitfaribault.com

Faribault [fair-uh-boh] French n 1852 translates; great people, incredible fun. A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

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Retz 227 co-owner Aron Bode (Photo by Anna Vangsness).

BY Anna Vangsness editor@southernminnscene.com

Retz 227 co-owner Eric Bode (Photo by Anna Vangsness).

ron Bode is bringing a taste of the Prohibition Era back to Southern Minnesota with each drink he concocts at Retz 227 in the heart of New Ulm. It was 1919 when the United States banned alcohol with the passing of the Volstead Act, aptly named after Minnesota Judiciary Chairman Rep. Andrew Volstead. To meet demand for alcohol, moonshiners and bootleggers quickly became active. As fallout from the Volstead Act, the Prohibition Era began, which forced liquor and beer to go underground in the form of speakeasies. Whether in large cities like St. Paul or smaller towns like New Ulm, speakeasies, often mob-controlled and underground, were inhabited by those who wanted to drink. The establishments illegally sold and consumed alcohol in secret. To gain access to a speakeasy, patrons had to produce a secret password, card, handshake, or code. Speakeasies largely disappeared after Prohibition ended in 1933, though business owners and brothers, Aron and Eric Bode, are making sure they are alive and well in New Ulm. Aron and Eric opened Retz 227 five months ago after Aron was introduced to the concept of speakeasies from a bar owner he met when he was traveling for school out in Colorado. “He taught me the world of beverage,” Aron said. “I told my brother about it and sent him some pictures and he said, ‘let’s get started going to speakeasies!’” Traveling from Chicago to New Orleans and Las Vegas, the Bode brothers hatched an idea to open their own speakeasy in

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their hometown. With the help of Eric, a real estate agent by trade, it took two years to find the perfect location, and in that time, Aron had a list of 100 drinks ready to make. Together, they landed on the building at 518 Center St., which, years ago, was the old Retzlaff car dealership. Thus was born the Retz 227. “I was so excited when Aron talked to me about the idea of a speakeasy in New Ulm,” Eric said. “It took a few years going across the country and trying to find a building that matched our needs, which were finding a building that was unsuspecting with easy access and with an industrial feel to it.” “The folklore behind that building is that they would load the cars up with moonshine and drive them out of town from Retzlaff’s,” Aron said. “That’s where ‘Retz’ came from. I knew I couldn’t call it a bar, so 2-2-7 is the numbers you tap when you text B-A-R to someone.” Retz 227 may be the first of its kind in recent years for New Ulm, but rumor has it that, although New Ulm didn’t have many speakeasies during Prohibition, they did have 3.2 bars. “I always heard from my grandparents that if you handed the bartenders two nickels, they would give you beer or liquor that wasn’t supposed to be sold,” Aron said. While their establishment is completely legal, the Bode’s have brought the feel of speakeasies to the Retz 227, which they designed themselves. With an alley entrance, patrons know if it’s open when a blue light above the door is turned on. Once inside, you’re enveloped in a comfortable, dim atmosphere with multiple seating options and velour couches and a nearly wall-to-wall bar. “The Retz 227 is completely different than what I grew up with here,” Aron said. “The entire thing has been doing what I’ve always wanted to do. I’m doing drinks that taste really good. I’m not using super high-end liquor, I’m using booze people know and using it the best I can. Every weekend I’m making something different than I’ve ever made before.” Aron is no stranger to the food and drink industry. He attended

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

L-R: Eric and Aron Bode (Photo by Anna Vangsness).

“The town has just been phenomenal. We didn’t know what to think at first, but it’s been great and people love it. Hopefully we’ll continue to get a great base of people that come out and check out us and New Ulm.” - Eric Bode a four-year French culinary school, spent two years learn The town of New Ulm has fully embraced Retz 227 ing about vegan food in Oregon and Colorado and has a and Aron said he’s grateful for the support. “I thought for sure that it would be a tough sell degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in food because we’ve never had a cocktail bar here before,” he and nutrition. said. “New Ulm residents come in and tell me it’s cool Each drink on the Retz 227’s menu is an original and people come from out of town and are like, ‘no way!’ creation from Aron. He said the idea around the cocktails It’s like, ‘yes! Come back to us and, more importantly, is that they are farm to glass and making them as healthy come back to New as a drink can be. Ulm! What’s been “They’re a meal the most exciting is in a glass,” he said. getting someone else “All of the maple excited.” syrup is made here Eric said that the in town; the honey success the Retz 227 comes from outside has seen thus far is of town, and the far beyond what they sprouts and herbs would have imagined come from an orfor five months into ganic farm outside their venture, and of New Ulm, too. notes it comes from It’s all really cool, the community of local stuff.” New Ulm. Aron makes each “The town has drink organically just been phenomand with his own enal,” he said. “We syrups. He finds Books line the bar of the Retz 227. In true speakeasy fashion, didn’t know what unique ways to to think at first, but make every one dif- the menus lay inside. it’s been great and ferent than the last, people love it. Hopelike incorporating fully we’ll continue to get a great base of people that Swedish Fish in his ice he buys from Minneapolis. come out and check out us and New Ulm.” SMS “I’m doing all of the crazy things I can think of,” he said. “I like doing things people have never seen before and giving the farm to glass thing a little more emphasis. There are tons of garnishes on the top and things you’ve never thought would go in a drink.” A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

“The folklore behind that building is that they would load the cars up with moonshine and drive them out of town from Retzlaff’s. That’s where ‘Retz’ came from. I knew I couldn’t call it a bar, so 2-2-7 is the numbers you tap when you text B-A-R to someone.” - Aron Bode

The Retz 227 entrance (Photo by Anna Vangsness).

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THE Solstice Vetter Stone Amphitheatre in Mankato – June 22 & 23 A Mankato music festival for those who like to roam outdoors in big spaces and hear a variety of genres. This year’s festival is headlined by The Big Wu, a rock jam band, originally out of Northfield. The group is composed of Al Oikari, Andy Miller, Chris Castino, Mark Joseph Grundhoefer and Terry VanDeWalker. Another headliner is FrogLeg, out of Minneapolis, which features guitars, brass and percussion. Known for their songwriting and improvisational live performances, Frogleg would be best described as a soul band, as

Add your event for FREE to the TIMELINE c al e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ern minn s c ene . c o m / c a len d a r & Cli c k + A d d a n E v ent

Sat Jun 16, 2018 Fillmore County Garden Tour 9:00 am | $18 Spring Valley Greenhouse 720 N Broadway Spring Valley, Mn 55975 A self-guided tour, held rain or shine, of several gardens in the Spring Valley area. Tickets $15 in advance $18 day of tour sold at retail outlets in area communities and by contacting Shelly Skindelien 507.346.7112. Sponsored by Fillmore master gardeners. Art in Z Park - 10:00 am | Free Covered Bridge Park 175 West Ave Zumbrota, MN 55992 As a part of the annual Covered Bridge Music and Arts Fesitval, Art in Z Park features dozens of artists’ booths selling fine arts and crafts. There will also be a local Youth Art Contest for kids PreK through 12th grade. Vote for a People’s Choice Award, and see which art works win the judges’ favor. Art in the Park 2018 in Lanesboro - 10:00 am | Free Sylvan Park 202 Parkway Ave S Lanesboro, MN 55949 The annual Art in the Park fine art festival returns for its 38th year on Saturday, June 16, 2018, in Lanesboros Sylvan Park with 90-plus fine art & craft booths and live music. Renowned for quality, variety and value, Art in the Park attracts thousands of regional patrons to Sylvan Park each year.

Cannon River Clay Tour Jun 16, 17, 2018 10:00 am | Free Artist Studios 27607 Grenada Ave Farmington, MN 55024 Twenty-two clay artists, many of whom exhibit at the national level, will be showcasing their work in June during the Cannon River Clay Tour in Southeastern Minnesota. The free, self-guided studio tour consists of four stops located around Northfield and will take place on Fathers Day weekend. Twelve guest potters from around the country will join them during the two-day event that includes functional potters, sculptors, and installation artists working in porcelain, stoneware, and terracotta. Exhibit Closing Event - 10:00 am | Free Blue Earth County Historical Society History Center 424 Warren Street Mankato, MN 56001 One of the most popular visuals from the 1960s is Tie Dye! Join BECHS for one final ‘hurrah’ as we say goodbye to the Coming of Age: The 1968 Generation exhibit. Basic fabric will be available to tie dye, but you are welcome to bring your own t-shirt to dye. Glass Window Painting - 10:00 am | Free L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library 400 Eau Claire Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 Join artist Dawn Pardun to learn a technique to create a faux stained glass painting. All materials are provided. For ages 18 and up. Registration is required. Register at www.ecpubliclibrary.info/dabble, or call Information & Reference at 715-839-5004.

their influences are not drawn from one specific genre. A typical Frogleg show usually features a unique blend of Funk, Reggae, Rock and Jazz exploration. Beyond that, there’s Fat City All-Stars, Armchair Boogie, Just Mirlyn, Tony Flynn Project, The Fontanelles, Tony Flynn Project, Dave Sandersfeld, Ian Hilmer and Drivestation, DJ Shoba and Pik-A-Color, and more. www.facebook.com/solstice.mankato

Twin Cities Pride Festival Loring Park in Minneapolis – June 23 & 24 A celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, Twin Cities Pride is all about bright colors, vibrant entertainment and a lot of love. The festival takes place across Loring Park in Minneapolis. The parade takes place on South 3rd Street and a Rainbow Run 5K begins at 9:30 a.m. There’s also Pride Night at the Minnesota Zoo June 20 and Pride Family Fun at Loring Park June 17. Oh, and Queer Prom, where you can ‘Wear what you want. Be Who you are.’ It’s basically a big dance party for anyone who hated prom in high school but loves dancing. www.tcpride.org

Artful Aging Pottery Exhibit 11:00 am | Free 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Join us for an exhibition of pottery created by students in the Artful Aging Program. Saturday, June 16, 11am1pm Free and open to the public MetroDemic Scavenger Hunt in Saint Paul Jun 16, 30, Jul 7, 14, 2018 1:00 pm | $35 Landmark Center 75 5th Street West St. Paul, MN 55102 A massive epidemic has hit Saint Paul and it us to you to save the city! In MetroDemic, your team of 2-4 people will compete to save the most lives from a deadly epidemic in 90 minutes. The game is played outside on the streets of Saint Paul. Lives are saved by finding secret outbreak location questions and answering pub-style trivia questions at each stop. Kayak Tour: History Along the Cannon River - 1:00 pm | $5-$10. $5 Children $10 AdultEquipment rental extra Rice County Historical Society 1814 Second Ave. N.W. Faribault, MN 55021 Bring or rent a kayak or canoe on this tour of the mills, bridges and other historic spots along the Cannon River. Stay overnight at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B, located approximately 1 mile down the road from the Rice County Historical Society, and receive two FREE tickets to the event. Kayak rental is limited, call and reserve early! Musical of Musicals, the Musical - 7:00 pm | $18 for adults, $10 for students Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland

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Community College 1900 8th Ave NW Austin, MN 55912 A Summerset Theatre production. In this hilarious satire of musical theatre, one story becomes five delightful musicals, each written in the distinctive style of a different master of the form. The basic plot: June is an ingnue who can’t pay the rent and is threatened by her evil landlord. Will the handsome leading man come to the rescue?

Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime.

Movies in the Park - 7:00 pm | Free Central Park 225 First Ave NW Rochester, MN 55901 Join us in Downtown Rochester for Movies in the Park! Bring your lawn chair or blanket and gather under the string lights in Historic Central Park for this FREE, fun, and familyfriendly outdoor event. Activities and movie-inspired food and drink begin at 7:00PM, with movies beginning at 9:00PM.

Sun Jun 17, 2018

Fellow Travelers Jun 16, 19, 21, 23, 2018 7:30 pm | $25-$220. prices subject to change. The Cowles Center 528 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 An opera by Gregory Spears Libretto by Greg Pierce Based on the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon Developed and Co-Commissioned by G. Sterling Zinsmeyer & Cincinnati Opera The story of a forbidden love affair between two men in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, D.C. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Jun 16, 21, 22, 2018 7:30 pm | $10-$20 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th

Fellow Travelers - 2:00 pm | $25$220. prices subject to change. The Cowles Center 528 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 An opera by Gregory Spears Libretto by Greg Pierce Based on the 2007 novel Fellow Travelers by Thomas Mallon Developed and Co-Commissioned by G. Sterling Zinsmeyer & Cincinnati Opera The story of a forbidden love affair between two men in 1950s McCarthy-era Washington, D.C. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - 2:00 pm | $10-$20 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Winner of the Tony and the Drama Desk Awards for Best Book, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced, wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn, this bee is one unforgettable experience. An eclectic group of six mid-pubescents vie for the spelling championship of a lifetime. Musical of Musicals, the Musical - 2:00 pm | $18 for adults, $10 for students

Frank W. Bridges Theatre, Riverland Community College 1900 8th Ave NW Austin, MN 55912 A Summerset Theatre production. In this hilarious satire of musical theatre, one story becomes five delightful musicals, each written in the distinctive style of a different master of the form. The basic plot: June is an ingnue who can’t pay the rent and is threatened by her evil landlord. Will the handsome leading man come to the rescue? The Color Purple - 7:00 pm | $30 Pantages Theatre 710 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 Get ready to witness one of the most remarkable musicals of recent times Marsha Normans unlikely onstage adaption of Alice Walkers 1982 novel The Color Purple, telling the sometimes uplifting, often harrowing tale of Celie, an African-American woman in the mid-20th century American South. The winner of multiple awards, the newest incarnation of the musical is a bare-bones version of the original that gets right into the heart of the story. Dont miss out on this truly unique work of musical theatre.

Mon Jun 18, 2018 Concert in the Park featuring Lantz Dale and Jeremy Poland 7:00 pm | Free German Park 200 N. German St. New Ulm, MN 56073 New Ulm Public Library is proud to present Concert in the Park: Lantz Dale and Jeremy Poland on Monday, June 18 at 7 p.m. Come down to German Park and enjoy some contemporary easy listening music! This program is co-sponsored by KNUJ and New Ulm Park & Rec. Rain location is New Ulm Civic Center. It is made possible

by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative and was funded in part with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Call the library at 507-3598334 for more information.

Tue Jun 19, 2018 Square Dancing Jun 19, 26, Jul 3, 2018 1:00 pm | $0-$8. Free Members/$8 Non-Members 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 Dancing isn’t just about the steps and music. It’s a perfect combination of physical activity, social interaction, and mental stimulation. 125 LIVE offers Square Dancing as an opportunity to come and experience all the benefits that dance has to offer. Dancing enhances your life in so many ways: 125 LIVE welcomes all participants to come and join us on Tuesdays for Square Dancing - A caller will be on site and refreshments will be served. Note, you do not need to attend with a partner nor do you need Square Dancing Attire. Epilepsy Foundation of MN Community Picnic - 6:00 pm | Free East Silver Lake Shelter 705 E Silver Lake Drive NE Rochester, MN 55906 Come for food, fun and games! Food and beverages provided. All ages welcome 2018 Peace Garden Concerts - Tricia and the Toonies - 6:30 pm | Free Hormel Historic Home 208 4th Ave NW Austin, MN 55912 Enjoy music that will bring all ages together in fun and dancing with great music and laughter. Everyone

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

PLAY. RELAX. ENJOY. Your local course is one of the finest courses in Southern Minnesota! Follow us on Facebook to see our latest events and specials! Online Tee Times Now Available! Find the Link on the Brooktree website and Facebook pages Best Golf Course in Southern Minnesota!

Hopped up Caribou Beer Festival Lutsen – July 13-15 This one is way, way up in Northern Minnesota. You know, in that little triangular nook in the northeast, where you’re surrounded by Canada to the north and Lake Superior to the south. But it’s worth the trip, both for the beautiful scenery and the sweet, sweet (or bitter) beer. And in addition to the beer, there is food, music and adventure. The beer selection comes from across the state, whether Castle Danger in Town Harbors, Bent Paddle in Duluth, St. Croix in Stillwater, Burning Brothers in St. Paul, Surly in Minneapolis or Beaver Island in St. Cloud. And there is a heck of a lot to do while you’re up there whether canoeing a river, riding an aerial gondola, pedaling some trails, sliding some alpines, hiking some hills, playing some golf, climbing some rocks or tasting some wine.

SEASON PASSES AND PUNCH CARDS

STILL AVAILABLE!

www.hoppedupcaribou.com

of Christ. Pizza and refreshments available for purchase. Carry out all trash. No pets.

will have a rockin’ good time. Optional dress up in 50’s and 60’s style! Free concert in the garden - bring a chair or a blanket. Beverages will be sold during the event. For more information, call 507-433-4243.

Wed Jun 20, 2018 Brain & Body Connection (Brain Games) Jun 20, Jul 18, 2018 1:00 pm | $0$10. Free Members/$10 Non-Members 125 Live Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Dr NW Rochester, MN 55901 A game show-like experience that will challenge your mind and body. Working as teams and as individuals, complete simple to complex puzzles, answer general knowledge questions, and perform physical challenges. Designed to be entertaining and to keep your brain firing on all cylinders. Berne Wood-Fired Pizza Summer Concert Series Jun 20, 27, Jul 3, 11, 18, 2018 5:00 pm | Free Zwingli United Church of Christ 23148 County Highway 24 West Concord, MN 55985 Free live music every Wednesday night at Berne (West Concord)! Two live bands each night, beginning at 5 pm and 6:30 pm, on the beautiful grounds of Zwingli United Church

Now opeN

Austin Community Band Concert Jun 20, 27, 2018 7:00 pm | Free Bandshell Community Park 4th Street and 9th Pl SW Austin, MN 55912 Free concert! Bring your blanket or lawn chair, kick back, and enjoy the music!

Thu Jun 21, 2018 The Wizard of Oz - 7:00 pm | $10-$25. Patron tickets $25; All other seats $15/$20 for adults and $10/$15 for youth & students Lourdes High School 2800 19th St. NW Rochester, MN 55901 Don’t miss Dorothy and her friends in the Merry Old Land of Oz! Honors Choirs of SE MN presents THE WIZARD OF OZ! This fully-staged musical features a huge cast of singers, dancers and actors of all ages, plus a live pit orchestra. Five shows only!

Fri Jun 22, 2018 Lysistrata Jun 22, 28, 30, 2018 7:30 pm | $12-$17. $12 - Students/Seniors$17 - Adults Central Park 421 4th Street East Northfield, MN 55057 Lysistrata, by Aristophanes, is a comic

masterpiece of war and sex. Still one of the greatest plays in the history of theater, its unbelievably relevant (and funny) today. Make it a staycation with an overnight stay at the Historic Hutchinson House B&B, located just minutes south in Faribault, MN.

1369 Cherry Street | Owatonna, MN | 507-444-2467

Becky Schlegel with Kenny Wilson on Steel Guitar - 8:00 pm | $18-$20 Crossings at Carnegie 320 East Avenue Zumbrota, MN 55992 Becky Schlegel, Songstress. Her music is original, drawing on the influence of classic country, bluegrass, folk, and her own thoughtful spirit. Beckys incredible voice floats, whispers then soars above music of the highest quality. She takes her listeners on a musical journey, exploring new places and meeting new people in every song. Her music draws on the influence of classic country, bluegrass, folk, and her own thoughtful spirit. Schlegel writes and records specialty songs that honor life events such as Golden Anniversaries or special family stories.

Sat Jun 23, 2018 Labyrinth Workshop - 9:00 am | Free will offering

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Lakefront Music Fest Mystic Lake Casino Prior Lake – July 13 & 14 Prior Lake manages to bring in some big artillery for its annual Lakefront Music Fest. Originally known as the Lakefront Jazz & Blues Festival, the Prior Lake Rotary Club’s Lakefront Music Fest was established in 2010 and has grown into one of the largest outdoor music festivals in the metro area of the Twin Cities. In 2012, the Rotary Club expanded the festival to two nights of music: one night devoted to country; the other to classic rock. Since then, the

Sauerkraut Days Henderson – June 23-25 Sauerkraut is certainly a key component, but this small-town festival in the beautiful Henderson has so much more to offer. Activities include a Car Cruise, Tractor Ride, Kiddie Parade, Car Show, Softball Tourney, Miss Henderson Coronation, Mini Rods, Live Music Outdoors, Cabbage Toss, Wold Champion Kraut Eating Contest. Great Festival Food, and Free FRANK’s KRAUT! There’s a lot of food and a lot of beer available. It’s a great chance to head down (or up, depending on where you’re starting) Hwy. 169, and see some of the luscious tree-filled landscaped of south-central Minnesota. Henderson is buried in the area’s forests with the cutest of all cute downtowns. www.kraut.hendersonmn.com/Henderson_Sauerkraut_Days/Home.html

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Trinity Lutheran Church 213 N Pennsylvania Ave Mason City, IA 50401 Faith and Wellness Outreach ministry is hosting a Labyrinth Workshop on Saturday, June 23 from 9:00 a.m.-11:15 a.m. This workshop is an opportunity to learn about the history and uses of labyrinths, experience walking the Community Labyrinth in the Trinity Lutheran Church Courtyard, and create a clay finger labyrinth for personal use at home. The workshop will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church located at 213 North Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, and then travel the few blocks to the MacNider Art Museum to work in the pottery studio. Dabble Box Adult Craft: Festive Pin or Magnet - 11:00 am | Free L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library 400 Eau Claire Street Eau Claire, WI 54701 Get in the holiday spirit by creating a fun 4th of July themed pin or magnet. All materials are provided. For ages 18 and up. Registration is required. Register starting Monday, May 27 at www.ecpubliclibrary.info/dabble, or call Information & Reference at 715-839-5004. JUR - 6:00 pm | $7 Mortimer’s 2001 Lyndale Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55405 Check out local indie/alt-pop musician

J&Oslash;UR as she performs at The Line of Best Fit Drawing on the same grandiose old Hollywood feel of Lana Del Rey, crossed with the glittering electro-pop and punchy beats of outfits such as CHVRCHES, JUR knows the recipe for an addictive track...’ “Feats of Clay” Ceramics Group Show // Opening Artist Reception - 6:00 pm | Free Lanesboro Arts 103 Parkway Ave N Lanesboro, mn 55949 Feats of Clay is the theme of this years juried group show at Lanesboro Arts Gallery. The exhibition features creative interpretations and variations on the medium of clay by 17 artists working in a variety of ceramic styles. The exhibit opens with an artist reception on Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. and runs through August 12, 2018. The reception will include wine and hors doeuvres, as well as live music by guitarist Kerry Klungtvedt. Jivin’ Ivan and The Kings of Swing Jun 23, Jul 14, 2018 7:30 pm | Free Signature Bar and Grill 201 Central Ave N Faribault, MN 55021 Music From The Golden Era Eat, Drink, Dance and Be Merry

Tue Jun 26, 2018 Survival Fire Starting - 6:00 pm | Free Memorial Park Skyline Drive Red Wing, MN 55066 Have you ever wondered how to start

a fire if you’re out of matches? At this program, learn what is necessary to make a good campfire, different fire starting methods, and how to keep your fire safely contained. Take home natural fire starters for you next camping trip or backyard cookout. Kids are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Program takes place at Memorial Park, at the Upper Quarry Fire Pit, starts promptly at 6:00 pm and will last approximately 2 hours. UMR Connects: Absolutely Elvis 7:00 pm | Free University of MN Rochester, 4th Floor 111 S. Broadway Rochester, MN 55902 Todd Anderson as Elvis is a delightfully entertaining show for all ages! Todd’s voice, costumes and moves are an exciting depiction of an actual Elvis concert. Listen as Todd presents historical and interesting facts about the famous life of the ‘’King of Rock & Roll’’ Wisconsin Riffs: The History of Jazz in Wisconsin with Kurt Dietrich - 7:00 pm | Free The Local Store at the Volume One Headquarters 205 N. Dewey St Eau Claire, WI 54703 New York, Los Angeles, ChicagoMilwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Discover the Wisconsin musicians that made jazz great in the Badger State and around the world with Ripon College music professor Kurt Dietrich. He will share stories of swing-era big band leaders, legendary singers, contemporary jazz rock artists

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(like Sue Orfield), and hot jazz spots, like Eau Claires The Joynt, from his new Society Press ‘Wisconsin Riffs: Jazz Profiles from the Heartland.’ A book signing will follow.

Thu Jun 28, 2018 Family Film Night - 6:00 pm | Free New Ulm Public Library 17 N Broadway New Ulm, MN 56073 The New Ulm Public Library will show a newly released DVD on Thursday, June 28 at 6 p.m. This live-action Disney film is rated PG and runs 109 minutes. Popcorn and drinks will be served at this free event, which is sponsored by the Optimist Club of New Ulm. For more information, call the library at 507-359-8334.

Fri Jun 29, 2018 Love Never Dies - 8:00 pm | $37 Orpheum Theatre - Minneapolis 910 Hennepin Ave MinneapolisMinneapolis, MN 55403

Sat Jun 30, 2018 Lake Menomin WaterX Jun 30, Jul 1, 2018 8:00 am | $0-$25. 16 & over: $15/Day or $25/Weekend 10 to 15: $10/Day or $10/Weekend 9 & under: Free with Paid Adult Wakanda Park 909 Pine Avenue East Menomonie, WI 54751 2nd Annual Lake Menomin WaterX, International WaterCross Association (IWA) racing weekend at Wakanda Beach. Come Watch the ‘Fastest Show on H2O’! Snowmobiles racing on the open water, 2 days of fast paced racing both drag racing and oval racing and Saturday night street dance with music by the Thrillbillies. FAB 6 - Beatle’s Encore - 7:30 pm | $12-$25 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Fab 6 returns to the Paradise stage after their sold out, standing room only performance in 2017. In addition to Beatles favorites from the 2017 show, Fab 6 will add bakers dozen of new Beatle songs, presented with aplomb and joy. This amazing show includes 6 highly talented musicians who are all deeply committed and life-long

Beatles fans. They are joined onstage by The Pepperland String Quartet, The Parlophone Singers and The Sun King Brass. “Eurydice” Jun 30, Jul 5, 7, 2018 7:30 pm | $22 Rochester Repertory Theatre 103 Seventh Street NE Rochester, MN 55906 Rochester Repertory Theatre presents: Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl Presented: June 29-30, July 5-7, 12-15, 2018 Tickets: $22 (General Public) Seats are limited! Please reserve in advance! Call 507-289-1737 103 Seventh Street NE Rochester, Minnesota 55906 Synopsis: ‘In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine. Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters and ingenious plot twists, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.’ Billy McLaughlin and Mystery Guest in Concert - 8:00 pm | $20$23. $20 in advance, $23 at the door Crossings 320 East Ave Zumbrota, MN 55992 An innovative and versatile performer and composer, Billy McLaughlin astounds audiences with the breadth of sound he draws from an acoustic guitar. McLaughlin performs at Crossings on Sat., June 30, at 8 p.m. Hell be performing with a mystery guest. Billy McLaughlin is recognized internationally as a world-class guitarist, Emmy Award winning composer and inspirational keynote speaker who has appeared on Billboards Top-Ten Chart.

Sun Jul 1, 2018 Harpeth Rising Coming to Crossings - 7:00 pm | $24-$28. $24 in advance and $28 at the door Crossings 320 East Ave Zumbrota, MN 55992 Coming to Crossings is Harpeth Rising, a trio of classically trained musicians playing original music, as intricately arranged as a string quartet, lyrically rooted in the singer/ songwriter tradition, and wrapped in three-part vocal harmonies reminiscent

Lakefront Music Fest has seen its popularity and attendance steadily increase each year. Last year, more than 20,000 attended the two-day Fest. When they say ‘Headliners,’ they mean it, with big country and (light) rock names, like Hunter Hayes, Young the Giant, Gretchen Wilson, The Revivalists, Thompson Square and Coin. www.lakefrontmusicfest.com of both Appalachia and Medieval Europe. Unapologetic genre-benders, Harpeth Rising fuses Folk, Newgrass, Rock and Classical into something organically unique.

Tue Jul 3, 2018 Play with Clay on Tuesday - 9:30 am | $5-$10. $5 Member/$10 NonMember 125 Live , Center for Active Adults 125 Elton Hills Drive NW Rochester, MN 55901 Join clay connoisseur Kate Bauman in the state-of-the art 125 LIVE pottery studio to mess with some mud. Now is your chance to try your hands at pottery. Absolutely no prior mud knowledge is necessary.

Wed Jul 4, 2018 Austin Community Band Concert - 8:30 pm | Free Bandshell Community Park 4th Street and 9th Pl SW Austin, MN 55912 Free concert! Bring your blanket or lawn chair, kick back, and enjoy the music!

Fri Jul 6, 2018 Our Next Fabulous Adventure Markets - 4:00 pm | Free Our Next Fabulous Adventure Markets 61437 235th Ave Mantorville, MN 55955 Begun in 2017, NFA outdoor markets feature a variety of artists, makers, growers, bakers selling their unique works. Family & pet friendly, rural setting outside of Mantorville on County 12. Just follow the big yellow signs. Live music & refreshments Friday evenings. BYOB. On Your Feet! - 7:00 pm | $30 Pantages Theatre 710 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55403 For all fans of the Grammy-award winning duo Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan, here is a musical tailor-made for you On Your Feet!, the theatrical production based on the story of the hugely successful romantic and musical partners. With a a book written by Alexander Dinelaris, the musical contains all the couples biggest hits,

from Conga and Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, to, of course, On Your Feet! Grab your tickets and get on down for a night of song, dance and all-round fun! Tonic Sol Fa - 7:30 pm | $12-$23 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Tonic Sol-fa began at St. Johns University in Central Minnesota. Together the group reached national prominence with appearances on NBCs Today Show and in Newsweek magazine. Along the way, they shared the stage with a number of recognizable performers and were recently part of the 30th Anniversary celebration of A Prairie Home Companion. Tonic Sol-fa has established itself as one of the most in-demand vocal groups in the Midwest, and one of the most successful independent acts in America. The Historic Hutchinson House B&B, located just blocks from the Paradise Center for the Arts, is the perfect place to eat, play and stay while exploring all the things Faribault has to offer!

Sat Jul 7, 2018 Quarry Hill Bird Walk - 9:00 am | Free Quarry Hill Nature Center 701 Silver Creek Rd NE Rochester, MN 55906 Join us on a casual walk through Quarry Hill Park. Bring binoculars if you have them, some are available to borrow from the nature center. Dress for the weather. Families and children are welcome. Stay for any length of time. Walks usually last about one hour. Free and open to the public - no registration required. Audubon Leaders: Terry & Joyce Grier Our Next Fabulous Adventure Markets - 10:00 am | Free Our Next Fabulous Adventure Markets 61437 235th Ave Mantorville, MN 55955 Begun in 2017, NFA outdoor markets feature a variety of artists, makers, growers, bakers selling their unique works. Family & pet friendly, rural setting outside of Mantorville on County 12. Just follow the big yellow signs. Live music & refreshments Friday evenings. BYOB.

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1918: A Century Later Exhibit 10:00 am | Free Blue Earth County Historical Society History Center 424 Warren Street Mankato, MN 56001 1918 was a busy year in American History. The United States was highly involved in the Great War (also known as World War I), Spanish Flu tore through the country, women fought for the right to vote and the beginnings of Prohibition. Learn more about these events and more through this great exhibit! Tim McGraw & Faith Hill - 7:30 pm | $69.50-$119.50 Target Center 600 1st Ave North Minneapolis, MN 55403 Every online ticket order includes one (1) physical copy of Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s forthcoming album ‘The Rest Of Our Life,’ scheduled to be released November, 17, 2017. You will receive an email with instructions on how to redeem this offer approximately 7-10 days after your ticket purchase. Offer valid until August 1, 2018 US/ Canadian residents only, not valid for Premium or Resale tickets.

Sun Jul 8, 2018

Kenwood Park 2101 w franklin ave minneapolis, mn 55405 SIGN UP NOW ... An Exciting Family-Friendly Adventure Run/Walk for Adult & Kids ~ Donate Sneakers for Cancer! Official website: www. GreatAmazingRace.com This exciting adventure race, modeled after the popular TV show ‘The Amazing Race’, features teams of two people racing in competition with other similar age teams. Teams complete a variety of fun mental & physical tasks at multiple stops along the course. ‘Teamwork’ is the key skill as each challenge requires the involvement of both racers in order to complete before advancing. Walk, jog or run - and be prepared to get a little dirty & wet. River City Rhapsody Drum & Bugle Corps Show - 7:00 pm | $15-$29. Ticket prices go up the day of event so get your tickets early! Rochester Regional Stadium 851 30th Ave SE Rochester, MN 55904 The River City Rhapsody Drum & Bugle Corps Show will be back in Rochester on Sunday, July 8. Seven of the best drum corps from around the country will be performing at Rochester Regional Stadium at RCTC. New this year - family package discount tickets. For tickets and show information go to www.rivercityrhapsody.com or call 608-782-3219. Get your tickets early for the best seats!

THE GREAT AMAZING RACE Minnesota family friendly adventure/ obstacle race - 3:00 pm | $25

Wed Jul 11, 2018 A Green Pilgrimage - 6:30 pm | $10 Assisi Heights 1001 14th Street NW Rochester, MN 55901 $10 preregistered/prepaid. $15 day of program. As winter has waned, the green season has dawned. The natural beauty of Assisi Heights is dressed up. Now is the opportune time for an environmental pilgrimage-on-foot strolling through the Temple of Nature. The serpentine road carves its way past a colossal cut of limestone to expose a wall creating the hilly topography of Assisi Heights. Panic! At The Disco, Hayley Kiyoko & Arizona Tickets - 7:00 pm | $18 Target Center 600 N 1st Ave Minneapolis, MN 55403 Panic! At The Disco, Hayley Kiyoko & Arizona - shows are known to be fun and exciting for everyone. The show in Minneapolis should be no different.

Fri Jul 13, 2018 RiverSong Music Festival - 5:00 pm | $22-$32. Early Bird Pricing: April 1 May 31Fri $22Sat $29General Ad: June 1 FestivalFri $25 Sat $32 Masonic West River Park Masonic West River Park Hutchinson, MN 55350 2018 Headliners: Blues Traveler, AND Davina and the Vagabonds 11 more bands, two stages, alongside beautiful Crow River in Hutchinson, MN. Kids under 14 are free with paid adult. Free

Prior Lake Rotarys 2018 Lakefront Music Fest Jul 13, 14, 2018 All Day | $49 Lakefront Park 5000 Kop Parkway Prior Lake, MN 55372 The two-day festival featuring one night of rock music and one night of country will be July 13 & 14 at Lakefront Park. The rock headliner on Friday, July 13 will be Young the Giant who is best known as an American rock band that had their first three singles reach the top five of the U.S. Alternative charts. Country night this year will feature co-headliners Hunter Hayes and Gretchen Wilson, who both stormed the country music scene with huge hits and continue to produce hits fan favorites. The Revivalists and COIN will also be performing on rock night both who have become popular over the past couple years with hits. In fact, the Revivalists, were named Billboards Best New Rock Artist of 2017. Grammy Award nominated country duo Thompson Square is also set to perform on country night with local favorite Chris Hawkey kicking off that evening.

Sat Jul 14, 2018 You’re invited to Opportunity Services Annual Walk: Soaring to Glory! - 10:00 am | Free Silver Lake Park East East Silver Lake Drive NE Rochester,

MN 55906 You’re invited to Opportunity Services Annual Walk: Soaring to Glory on Saturday, July 14th! We will be raising money for the Rochester Flyers, our local Special Olympics Team. We will be selling t-shirts and hosting a raffle in addition to collecting free-will donations for the Rochester Flyers. Light refreshments will be served after our walk around the park as well. Please mark your calendar for this fun event! RiverSong Music Festival - 11:00 am | $22-$32. Early Bird Pricing: April 1 May 31Fri $22Sat $29General Ad: June 1 FestivalFri $25 Sat $32 Masonic West River Park Masonic West River Park Hutchinson, MN 55350 2018 Headliners: Blues Traveler, AND Davina and the Vagabonds 11 more bands, two stages, alongside beautiful Crow River in Hutchinson, MN. Kids under 14 are free with paid adult. Free water station, free bike check, free parking. Camping is available, but going fast. Food vendors, plus wine and beer. Memphis & the Meantimes - 7:30 pm | $12-$23 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Memphis & The Meantimes is a celebration of the music that changed the world. Featuring songs from Cash, Haggard, Lewis, Orbison, Elvis and many others, Memphis & The Meantimes have been thrilling audiences for years by providing the audience with a 9-piece powerful presentation. Featur-

Celebration

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Mon Jul 16, 2018

Annual Bug Hunt - 3:00 pm | Free Chester Woods County Park 8378 Hwy 14E SE Eyota, MN 55934 Summer is a time of abundance, particularly for insects. Their diversity and beauty is amazing, yet usually overlooked. We’ll search the prairie and woods of Chester Woods for as many as we can find. We will see up close dragonflies, butterflies, bugs, beetles, and more. Bring your kids, as this will be an active, fun search that will need their keen eyes and youthful enthusiasm. Check the sign posted at the entry station for the picnic shelter where we will meet. Note: All vehicles entering the park are required to display either an annual or daily entrance permit. Audubon Leader: Joel Dunnette

Summer Writing Camp Jul 16, 20, 2018 9:00 am | $189 UW-Eau Claire Campus 105 Garfield Ave Eau Claire, WI 54703 Tap into your writing talents with this exploratory camp for students. Learn creative techniques, interactive storytelling, technology tips, and tricks from experts as you uncover your writing potential. Choose the style and activities best fit for you!

Songs of Hope International Youth Ensemble - 7:30 pm | $10-$25 Paradise Center for the Arts 321 Central Ave. Faribault, MN 55021 Songs of Hope has a well-deserved reputation for upbeat, high-energy concerts showcasing the talents of

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Fireworks • Novelties • gifts • Children’s Car & Swing Rides All Proceeds go to TRINITy LUTHERAN SCHOOL - NORTH MORRISTOwN Not responsible for accidents or missing items (lock your doors!) Notice: Food & Alcoholic beverages of any kind will not be permitted to be brought into the picnic grounds (fenced area) or onto the church grounds. Please refrain from bringing food & beverages.

children and adults from countries around the world. Enjoy an evening of songs, dances, and cultural dress from many countries, with live music by an outstanding band. Now in its twentyseventh year, award-winning Songs of Hope offers music for everyone from US pop to international folk, from show tunes to freedom ballads. Made possible in part by an Arts Tour Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board.

Contact Pam DeMorett - 507-333-3117 or pdemorett@faribault.com

OUR 126th ANNUAL Wednesday, July 4th, 2018

ing the amazing lead vocalists Mick Sterling, Cate Fierro and Shalo Lee backed by an incredibly talented band, Memphis & the Meantines is a joyful noise celebrating the best of American classic country music. The Historic Hutchinson House B&B, located just blocks from the Paradise Center for the Arts, is the perfect place to eat, play and stay, while exploring all Faribault has to offer!

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the hottest outdoor concerts in Minnesota BY Anna Vangsness editor@southernminnscene.com

The Revolution and Now, Now. Star Tribune Stage: Lady Lark, Kid Dakota and Lena Elizabeth.

f you’re looking to hit up an outdoor concert this summer, you’re in luck. Whether you live in northern, southern or central Minnesota, the state has you covered when it comes to live music in outdoor venues. Check out our list of some options below, which has every type of music from country and rock to cover bands and folk – all of it outdoors.

Music on July 7 includes:

Basilica Block Party Since 1995, the Basilica Block Party has been home to one of the largest outdoor concert venues in Minneapolis. With acts like Fitz and the Tantrums and Delta Rae, this year’s audience is sure to be packed. The Basilica Block Party offers three stages of music on Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7. General admission tickets include all stages, food and Silent Disco access.

Music on July 6 includes: Great Clips Stage: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, John Butler Trio, Delta Rae and TABAH. PreferredOne Stage: Fitz and the Tantrums,

Great Clips Stage: CAKE, Borns, Third Eye Blind and Flint Eastwood. PreferredOne stage: Andy Grammer, Judah and the Lion and Early Eyes Star Tribune Stage: Reina del Cid, the Shackletons and Lazy Scorsese Find more information at basilicablockparty.org.

For more information visit suemclean. com/zoo

Bayfront Festival Park

Music at the Zoo Dubbing themselves as the soundtrack of your summer, the Minnesota Zoo has a lofty lineup of musical artists that will take the stage at the Weesner Family Amphitheater now through Aug. 27. With more than 30 acts, there is bound to be a day for nearly everyone’s musical taste. As a bonus feature, you can go early and spend a few hours walking the state’s most expansive zoo!

2018 season: 7/2 Black Violin 7/3 Yonder Mountain Spring Band 7/11 St. Paul and the Broken Bones with Hiss Golden Messenger 7/13 Mary Chapin Carpenter 7/15 The Jayhawks 7/23 Joe Jackson 7/25 Guster with Van William 7/28 Rufus Wainwright

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8/4 Jerry Jeff Walker 8/10 Marc Cohn 8/11 The Mavericks 8/12 The Mavericks 8/13 Son Volt 8/14 Blackberry Smoke and II Grey and Mofro 8/19 The Okee Dokee Brothers 8/25 Michael Franti and Spearheadwith AHI and HIRIE 8/27 Ziggy Marley

If you’re heading up the North Shore this summer, you’ll want to take a detour to the Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth. With the waters of Lake Superior just beyond the stage, you can see some of your favorite acts from yesterday and today! What could be better? 7/3 Hairball 7/6 Bone Thugs-N-Harmo 7/7 Trampled by Turtles 7/12 Chase Rice with Cody Johnson and Abby Anderson 7/20 ReaderFest featuring Cloud Cult 7/21 Bayfront Reggae and World Music Festival For more information visit bayfrontfestivalpark.com.

Lakefront Music Fest

water scene but don’t want to travel up north, check out the Lakefront Music Fest in Prior Lake. The festival offers general admission and VIP ticket packs. Friday, July 13: Openers COIN and The Revivalists. Headliner: Young the Giant. Saturday, July 14: Openers: Chris Hawkey and Thompson Square. Co-headliners: Gretchen Wilson featuring special guest Jessie G and Hunter Hayes. For more information visit lakefrontmusicfest.com.

Ribfest Mankato Perhaps the most popular outdoor concert series in southern Minnesota belongs to Ribfest Mankato. Situated along the banks of the Minnesota River, the four-day concert series takes place at the Vetterstone Amphitheater in old town Mankato. Concerts begin on Thursday, Aug. 2 and run through Sunday, Aug. 5, but that’s not all. Award-winning rib chefs from across the country gather at Riverfront Park to provide a tasty backdrop to the concerts, so go with an appetite. Thursday, Aug. 2: John Michael Montgomery with the Chris Hawkey band. Friday, Aug. 3: Bret Michaels with Arch Allies Saturday, Aug. 4: Sugar Ray with Tonic For more information visit mankatoribfest.com

If you’re in the mood for live music with a

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Iconic Fest With a large majority of Minnesotan’s flocking to Brainerd in the summer, it makes sense that the popular cabin-destination city hosts their own outdoor music fest.

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Shakespeare for One and for All

BY Samantha Stetzer editor@southernminnscene.com

hey say William Shakespeare isn’t for everyone. But Winona’s Great River Shakespeare Festival has spent the last 15 years trying to prove otherwise. “We look at these plays not as historical pieces, but how can these plays – which really explore human nature – how they can relate to our lives in 2018,” said the festival’s Executive Director, Aaron Young. “They’re created with a 2018 audience in mind, so they’re very, very relatable.” In its 15th season, the seven-week Shakespeare festival will begin on Friday, June 29 and will feature “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” All’s Well That Ends Well,” “Shakespeare in Love,” and Venus in Fur.” Besides its performances, the annual festival will also include concerts on the Winona State University green, classes, workshops, a fundraiser and special performances of its plays a week before they open at the end of

June. Productions will feature new and returning actors from across the U.S. in the professional, indoor Shakespeare company settled in the driftless (southeast) region of Minnesota. The festival will run until the beginning of August, with various opportunities to engage with cast members and learn from the expertise of the festival. The festival will host specialty workshops for teachers to provide knowledge and practice on how to teach Shakespeare in the classroom. It takes what the company does in keeping the wording of the plays original while performing them in ways that provoke modern themes, bringing that into a classroom medium, Young said.

The goal of the productions for the company, Young said, is to maintain the Shakespearean wordings while creating plays where audiences can derive a meaning in any year.

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“They’re created with a 2018 audience in mind… A lot of people are afraid of Shakespeare, but because of the way our company approaches it, (it) can be understood by a fourth grader,” Young said. In her fifth year with the festival, actress Caroline Amos, 25, originally of St. Louis, Mo., said she has noticed the themes she’s performed continue through varieties of human existence. “I’m constantly stuck by that human nature doesn’t change,” Amos said. “(It) can continue to relate to people through history year after year.” Amos will play Helena in “All’s Well That Ends Well” and is part of the ensemble in “Shakespeare in Love.” She began her career with the festival in its apprentice program during her junior and senior college – and she hasn’t wanted to leave since. Now residing in Minneapolis, Amos said she has formed connections and bonds unlike any others in her life with the actors and those who work with the company. As for the Shakespearean nature of the productions, Amos encouraged the public to keep an open mind about the performances, specifically the productions’ analysis of gender norms with the “strong, determined, wonderful women” the plays feature. In other workshops through the festival, students and young actors will have the opportunity

to learn about monologuing Shakespeare and the idiosyncrasies that come with it. As another alumnus of the apprentice program within the festival, Alex Givens, originally of St. Louis, Mo., said he has been struck by the education components of the festival. “The sense of duty to teaching young actors, young performers and young theatre makers is paramount here at the festival,” Givens said, adding that he always felt challenged in various positions but not uncomfortable. Givens served the festival as an apprentice, then joined on as an intern with some onstage roles and will now play one of the Dumaine brothers in “All’s Well That Ends Well” and Ned Alleyn in “Shakespeare in Love.” Now in a graduate program for performance acting at the University of North Carolina, Givens said acting out the classic verbiage penned by Shakespeare for a modern audience has created a foundation for his continued education and experience. “It’s really, really fun,” Givens said. “Shakespeare is obviously timeless for a lot of different reasons. It’s all about human experience.” Families will also have the opportunity to take their entire group to the theatre for a suggested donation price one week prior to the shows’ opening. The event invites attendees to simply donate maybe $5, $10 or even $30 as an admis-

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Let’s get with

show and expo Oct. 18 2018 Faribault Public School 330 9th Ave SW Faribault, MN

Chef Guy Klinzing Ticket Sponsor Cooking Sponsor sion price to see a live performance, while the actors get their own soft openings in front of an audience. “This way the theatre is accessible for everyone,” Young said. “(We) recognize that eveyrone’s got different disposable income... it can be quite expensive for a family.” In a year that has been transformed by #MeToo, Young said the productions provide a powerful message about recognizing others and providing spaces for women’s voices – especially within a Shakespeare medium, which is typically defined by male voices. Directors and choreographers will have the opportunity to learn from instructors on the safe spaces of acting and ways to approach the sexual, intimate pieces of productions.

As the festival reaches its landmark 15th season in Winona, Young said the company is looking to expand outside of its bluffland. Goals for new seasons include condensing the festival into a few days for traveling tours to other towns within the area, so those who are interested in attending the festival can get a firsthand look at it in their hometown. Though he’s in his second season with the festival, Young said he has already been inundated with the love those in Southern Minnesota – and the festival’s hometown, Winona – have to see it continue. “One of the things that I’m happy about is that we’ve been true to that original mission, which is that it’s about the work and how it relates to modern (life),” Young said. SMS

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Light is Design. Design is Light. Megan Rolloff Megan is a designer at The Design Element in the Mankato Design Center. She can help you with all your design needs from planning to product selection.

ne of the most important elements when designing or decorating a space is lighting. The right lighting can create a mood, make detailed tasks easier, help to designate the purpose of a space, and set tone for the design style you are trying to achieve. The best thought-out lighting plans include layers of light from several different sources; natural, overhead, portables (floor and table lamps), undercabinet and accent lighting to name a few. The most obvious lighting in a space is the decorative fixtures that are, many times, front and center. They are also often forgotten or, at the very least, not given enough consideration when being selected. Your decorative fixtures can make or break your carefully designed

room by either being perfectly right or perfectly wrong. And while there are not right or wrong answers when it comes to personal taste, there are a few guidelines that, when followed, can make a huge difference in your finished product. First, consider how and when you use the space. For example, is your dining room table used for family dining and dinner parties, or is it also used for arts-and-crafts and homework? If dining and dinner parties is its primary purpose, then you may want a fixture that makes the space feel warm, inviting, and intimate. You are free to choose a light that is based more on how much you like the look rather than how much light it gives off. While seeing your food may be necessary, being able to deci-

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pher each ingredient at a glance may not be necessary. On the other hand, if you are a family on the go, and eat most of your meals at the island or in the car, then the primary purpose of your dining room table may be for homework and science fair projects. In that case, you may want to consider a multi-bulb chandelier with the ability to take a high-wattage bulb. If the answer is all of the above, then you may want to consider a high-wattage chandelier with a dimmer. This gives you the ability to turn it up for tasks and dim it down for dining. In either case, don’t forgo a decorative fixture over your dining room table. That would be a missed opportunity to add style to your room and designate that space as having its own purpose. There are so many fantastic options out there for decorative lighting. Whether your style is traditional, modern, farmhouse, global, eclectic, mid-century, or coastal, there is no doubt that the perfect fixture is out there. And many times fixtures come in “families”. This means that your perfect chandelier may have matching pendants, vanity lights, sconces, and so on. This can ensure a cohesive, purposeful lighting plan throughout your home. On the flip-side of that, you may

want to switch it up over the kitchen island. This is also a great way to bring your personality into your space. Not all the decorative fixtures in your home need to match. It is possible to create a homey, collected feel by choosing a few fixtures that coordinate with your scheme rather than match exactly. With so many choices and decisions to make when it comes to decorative lighting, it can become overwhelming. Sometimes seeking the help of a professional may be just what you need. At The Design Element, we have designers and lighting specialists that can help you navigate all that is out there. If you are starting from scratch with a brand new build, you can make an appointment with one of our specialists, bring in your blueprint, and together you can come up with the lighting plan that best suits your space and needs. They will help you select each fixture either from the in-store selections or from the wide array of special order catalogs available. Or, if you just want to update your current home, selecting

a few key fixtures to switch out can help you get the look and feel you are after. Unlike pillows or furniture, decorative light fixtures are decorative accents that have a sense of permanency and carry more visual weight than many people realize. Selecting the appropriate style and size light fixture can take your interior and exterior to a whole new level. Just remember that light fixtures are not for function only and should be considered with the same care and attention to detail as the rest of the finishes in your home. And there is no shame in asking for help. The world of lighting is wide and can be confusing if you don’t know what to look for. But, when done properly, the visual rewards of a well-lit home can be greater than you can imagine.

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The paperclip was invented in 1899; before that, people used ribbons strung through a hole in the corner, or straight pins to hold a few sheets of paper together.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

1 2

This summer, over 650 million trips will be taken in the U.S. Drive safely!

So far, the

longest bikini parade happened nearly six years ago in China. Just over a thousand bi-

During the summer, the Eiffel Tower is six inches higher than it is in wintertime, due to the heat and steel expansion.

Studies suggest that men are more likely to stray from a relationship during the summer than at any other time of year. Even so, couples are less likely to break up during the summer months.

kini-clad women walked the parade route – a record that’s obviously up for grabs.

Prior to the Civil War, the school year was all the time. Summer vacations, as such, weren’t offered because school had to fit in between the agricultural calendar; having a formal vacation would have only further lessened the time left for education.

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International Picnic Day was June 18th. Write that down for next year.

Just swell: after one single ant visits your picnic table, he leaves a scent for all the rest of the ants to follow back to the table. The guy who invented the ant farm, Milton Levine, had his brainstorm while on a picnic, by the way.

If you’re an average kid, according to the National Peanut Board, you will have eaten 1,500 PBJ sandwiches by the time you graduate from high school.

Studies suggest that most backto-school shopping is done the third weekend in August.

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Different Strokes:

Local Sets

Mississippi Paddling Record BY Grace Webb editor@southernminnscene.com

he Mississippi River — the fourth-longest river in the world — is an iconic landmark of America’s great outdoors. The second-largest drainage system in North America, it starts in Minnesota and flows all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico — 2,320 miles of water. It winds through the Twin Cities and past the St. Louis Arch. It can be breathtakingly peaceful or awesomely turbulent depending on its loca-

tion, a powerful force of nature that discharges 16,800 cubic meters of water per second into the Gulf of Mexico. And last year, Mankato native Daniel Lee traveled the whole thing —on a paddleboard. Oh, and he set a new world record for fastest trip, too. “It is still weird that I hold the fastest time down the river on a paddle board, and I don’t know if it will ever really set in,” he said. Another weird fact? Growing up, Lee was an avid outdoor enthusiast — except for the water. “Really, I hated water as a child,” he admitted. So how did he go from strenuously avoiding water to setting a new aquatic world-record? Well, he started studying recreation, parks and

leisure services at MSU-Mankato, where his professors urged him to try new things. It was a lesson he took to heart, exploring new sports and hobbies—like paddleboarding, which he immediately fell in love with. Lee graduated in 2012 and went on to jobs in that field in several states before returning home to Mankato. But no matter where he moved, from Maine to Colorado, he had a dream that had been forming ever since he was a kid: to paddle down the Mississippi River. “The idea to paddle the Mississippi has always been in the back of my head growing up in Minnesota because we are the head waters of the river and surrounded by so many rivers and lakes,” he explained.

“I had set in my mind to do it the fastest it’s been done before by a paddle boarder,” he said. Lee set off on Aug. 31, traveling with camping gear, a hammock and freeze-dried foods, as well as a solar panel to charge batteries and a GPS tracking device. He continually woke at 6 a.m. to paddle for hours, withstanding brutal winds, rainy weather, bugs and heat — yet he said it was all worth it for the incredible beauty he was able to see.

“It is still weird that I hold the fastest time down the river on a paddle board, and I don’t know if it will ever really set in.” - Daniel Lee Lee decided to tweak his dream to include his new passion for paddleboarding, mapping out an arduous, 2,300-mile journey from Lake Itasca to Port Eads. He planned to start in late August and average 50 miles a day for the next 50 days. Why the strict schedule? He had decided to go for a world record while he was at it.

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“The trip was a lot different than I thought it was going to be,” he said. “The beginning of the river was absolutely beautiful, wild life everywhere. Then once you get to Minneapolis, the river becomes very industrial for the rest of the trip: barges everywhere, recreational boaters

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“The trip was a lot different than I thought it was going to be. The beginning of the river was absolutely beautiful, wild life everywhere. Then once you get to Minneapolis, the river becomes very industrial for the rest of the trip: barges everywhere, recreational boaters speeding past you on the river, and locks and dams.” - Daniel Lee

speeding past you on the river, and locks and dams.” Lee said he spent most of the nights in his hammock along the way, though other times people would invite him to stay with them at their house or RV, feeding him, doing his laundry and even paying for his campsites. While Lee’s goal was to cover 50 miles a day, he ended up with a daily average of about 43 miles, but it was still quick enough to earn him the world record for fastest trip down the Mississippi on a paddleboard. The record isn’t official,

since Lee hasn’t sent in all the photos, signatures and GPS tracking required, but for him, that’s not the point. His goal was to push himself farther than he had thought he could go and to find a way to help others enjoy the beauty of nature, too. That’s why he also worked to raise $6,000 for the American Camp Association, which offers scholarships for kids to attend summer camp. Lee, who worked as a camp counselor for three years, said he wanted to ensure more kids could experience nature.

“I’ve seen the influence on kids that do go to overnight camps,” he said. “They achieve things at camp that they never thought they could do and maybe would not have if they were not given the opportunity until camp provided it for them. I myself achieved things working at a camp for three years that I thought I would have never done before. Being able to give back to a camp that gave so much to me was a great way to repay them for the amazing things camp put in to my life.” When Lee isn’t rolling down the river, he

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works as the manager of Mankato’s Bent River Outfitter, which rents kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, as well as hosting water-themed activities. In fact, Lee said he wouldn’t have been able to succeed on his trip without the company’s support. “Bent River Outfitter gave me the opportunity and skills to be able to achieve my goal,” he said. “They supported me the whole way through this trip. They are an amazing group of people, and I hope [through them] that I can provide more opportunities for others to get outside!” SMS

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Luke LeBlanc, Pete Klug, OboeBass CHAUTAUQUAJune 30 Over 70 Years of Pappas Family Ownership! Patrick Scully,Al Batt, Northern Drawl Luke LeBlanc, Pete Klug, OboeBass A FREE festival of music and arts! Patrick Scully,Al Batt, Northern Drawl Trowbridge Park inWaseca, MN, 11am-4 pm A FREE festival of music and arts! Trowbridge Park in Waseca, MN, 11am-4 pm

Saturday June 30 Saturday June 30

Luke LeBlanc Luke LeBlanc

Patrick Scully as Walt Whitman Patrick Scully as Walt Whitman

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Pete Klug

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Blue Grass favorites Blue Grass favorites Northern Drawl

The Hubbell House first opened as a stagecoach stop in 1854. Paul Pappas laid his eyes on the old limestone structure in 1946 and knew he had found the location of his dream restaurant. Although times have changed, Early-American hospitality is still available in Mantorville.

Northern Drawl

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This activity is made possible by the This activity is made possible the voters of Minnesota through abygrant voters of Prairie Minnesota a grant from the Lakesthrough Regional Arts from thethanks Prairieto Lakes Regional Arts Council, a legislative Council, thanksfrom to a the legislative appropriation Arts and appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund; and the E.F. Cultural Heritage Fund; and the E.F. Johnson Foundation. Johnson Foundation. Waseca Waseca County County Historical Historical Society Society 315 315 2nd 2nd Avenue Avenue NE, NE, Waseca Waseca MN MN

507-835-7700 507-835-7700 www.historical.waseca.mn.us

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502 North Main Street, Mantorville, MN | 507.635.2331

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e n O Part

Fun Kerfoot Canopy Tours

30200 Scenic Byway Rd in Henderson 952-873-3900 www.ziplinemn.com Email: kctinfo@ziplinemn.com

BY Grace Webb editor@southernminnscene.com

ummertime means a lot of great things: baseball, cookouts, camping, water parks … Outdoor activities have become a staple of the season, and for good reason. But while traditional favorites can be a lot of fun, sometimes they get a little … repetitive. How many grilled hot dogs do you really want? If you’re looking for some extreme fun during these hot summer days, check out these businesses across southern Minnesota that offer pastimes of a different sort. And check the next edition of Scene for part two.

Kerfoot Canopy Tours You trail along behind your guide, winding your way through the quiet trees. Leaves crunch underfoot as you approach a massive spiral staircase in the middle of the woods. You climb higher and higher, your heart starting to pump excitedly as a swaying suspension bridge comes into view. Sucking in a deep breath, you take one hesitant step onto it, then another, then another, somehow crossing the 170 feet that span between the two points. But your adrenaline adventure isn’t over yet, because you haven’t reached the Red Tail line — a 1,200-foot zip line that will send you hurtling through space over beautiful Minnesota forest.

It’s all part of Kerfoot Canopy Tours, an outdoor adventure land situated just outside of Henderson. The aerial tour is more than a mile in length, with 14 zip lines, the suspension bridge and kayaking down the Minnesota River for those who want it. The whole experience takes about two and a half hours. Kerfoot Canopy Tours was started by Lee and Eva Kerfoot. Lee Kerfoot points back to his time growing up on the Gunflint Trail by the Boundary Waters as to where he found his love for the outdoors. In 2012, his father start the first canopy zip line tour in Minnesota, and then Kerfoot decided to own his own canopy tour business in June 2013.

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CONTINUED page 38 Follow us on

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Tommyguns Paint Wars

48306 235th St in New Ulm 507-947-3711 www.tommygunspaintwars.com Email: tommy@tommygunspaintwars.com

July 17-22, 2018 CONTINUED from page

Free Admission Rice County Fair Grounds - Faribault, MN

For More Information: 507-332-2470 www.ricecountyfair.net 38

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“The big thing was to just encourage people to get outdoors, to push their boundaries, to give them an adventure,” he said. While most people probably think about ziplining on sunny, warm days, Kerfoot is actually one of the few zipline tour operators in the region who stays open all year round. “There’s a place in Wisconsin that does it yearround, so I said, ‘Why not?’” he remembered. “What’s beautiful about this piece of land is that in the winter, it’s a totally different experience.” Kerfoot said the biggest challenge is making people aware of the fact that there’s “top-shelf” ziplining in Henderson, Minnesota. “You have this perception of ziplining across the world, and there’s a lot of amazing courses, but I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised that this is really a top-shelf experience,” he said, pointing out that his course offers nearly double the number of zips compared to any other course in Minnesota. “It’s really a fun thing to do. It’s fun to see people who come in for different reasons, and they just have an amazing experience.”

Tommyguns Paint Wars Picture this: You and your friends are wandering through the woods outside of New Ulm, laughing, joking and having a good time when

suddenly, out of nowhere, they attack – a swarm of enemies clad head-to-toe in camouflage and protective gear, chasing, yelling, shooting. It’s an ambush, and you’re totally surrounded. You swing your weapon around, desperately trying to protect yourself, but it’s too late — something small and heavy thuds against your chest. You look down, spying a bright splash of green, and you realize to your dismay that you’ve been hit … by a paintball. At Tommyguns Paint Wars, adventurous souls have the opportunity to pit their survival skills against their enemies in a flesh-and-paint war that can rage across 16 acres. The whole wild zone is owned and operated by Thomas Strenge, who started it in 2010 after writing up the idea for a business class during his time at South Central College. (Conveniently, he also used his fledgling business as his official internship.) Strenge had experience playing paintball in high school and college, even playing in tournaments (though he admitted he and his teammates “weren’t that great”), and he wanted to be able to offer the sport to other paintball enthusiasts in the area. “Finding land in the right location was the biggest thing,” he said. “The property we found wasn’t very far from where I grew up. We started with a small shed… [Eventually], we were out of room so we built the shop we’re in now.” Strenge has seven paintball fields and can run games on all of them at the same time. Fields can be reserved, or people can just show up for

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open play Sundays. Strenge says a typical game is about 25 minutes long, with guests usually playing 6-10 games per visit. There’s no time limit, just a $45 cost that includes 500 paintballs per person, paint guns and protective wear, and all-day admission. More paintballs are available to purchase for extremely enthusiastic players. Season passes are also available.

Strenge started with 30 guns available for rent. After three weeks, he had to increase to 70 guns. Now, he has 110. Needless to say, the sport is pretty popular, and he has more customers every year. His season tends to run from April to October, and he said he’s busiest during “wedding season”: April-June. That’s because a lot of his customers come for bachelor and bachelorette

parties. (The fact that he allows players to bring their own alcohol is probably an incentive.) Strenge said most of his customers are male, with only about 10 percent female participation. But the women who do come out, he added, have no problems holding their own. “The girls that do play are usually just fine,” he said. “There’s an athletic side to it, but so much

of it is your gun skills, marker skills… The gun’s a great equalizer.” And as for those guns… Strenge warns that getting shot feels like “getting hit by a wet towel.” That’s one of the reasons players must be at least 12 to participate. Want to start your own war? Visit tommygunspaintwars.com for more info. SMS

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Call for information & Reservations: 507.835.1146 After 4pm: 507.837.9848

204 2nd Street South West, Waseca, MN 507.833.4700

206 2nd Ave. SW For Reservations: 507.461.1387

204 2nd Street South West, Waseca, MN 507.833.7540

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Call for information & Reservations: 507.835.1146 After 4pm: 507.837.9848

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Get fit in SoMinn

NICOLE SWEENEY Nicole Sweeney is a fitness freak who loves nothing more than coffee, laughter & sharing a good workout with anyone and everyone. If you think of any crazy fitness fads you think she should try hit her up on her Instagram account @sisufit or Twitter @APGnsweeney

What’s

Cupping Therapy All About?

ne of the things I’ve noticed as I continue to get older is that it takes me a lot more work and time to get my body to a place where it feels “good” in between the various forms of activity that I do. I’ve experimented with a couple different forms of massage, chiropractic care, RPR therapy, acupuncture and my most recent adventure – cupping therapy. Every form of these therapies has helped me a significant amount; I just continue to explore the different kinds because A) I’m a curious person and B) because a lot of my clients ask me for advice regarding them. It’s nice to have a little bit of input when they do. Over the years, I have seen a couple different kinds of cupping therapy pop up on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, but I must admit the giant bruises scared me off. How could something that leaves bruises like that not hurt like crazy? So, let’s back up … cupping therapy. Ever heard of it? If you haven’t, don’t go to YouTube first like I did. Some crazy stuff pops up. It’s essentially an ancient form of alternative medicine in which the therapist creates suction with cups on your skin. The cups assist with removing toxins in order to promote healing within the area that has been targeted. The cups target areas that are experiencing pain or inflammation, but they can also help increase blood flow, or focus on overall well-being and relaxation. Now, there are different kinds of cupping therapy – dry, wet, needling and some that involve an actual flame that is used to make the “seal”. There are also a couple different cups that can be used. For instance, glass vs. silicone and it’s usually the therapist’s

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own personal preference that determines what will be used during your session. When I found out that my massage therapist and friend, Carrie, was looking for test dummies to practice on so that she could get certified, I swallowed that little bit of fear that I had and figured why not. Carrie put me through a handful of cupping therapy sessions at Alpha Spine in Lakeville. Each session started off by talking about the issues or imbalances I was having in my workouts, or areas that I was experiencing pain or discomfort. She would then twist the “cups” which looked like giant rubber suction cups onto these areas that we had talked about and then let them sit there for 5-10 minutes. Carrie told me that just 5 minutes of cupping work was equivalent to 30 minutes of deep tissue massage. Pretty incredible, right? While I love massage, I usually go in to have some of my problem areas worked on (which involves deep tissue) and anyone who has had a deep tissue massage will tell you that it’s not exactly relaxing. So cutting down on the white knuckling-ugly pain face-deep tissue massage time was super appealing to me. The cups themselves were not painful, I could tell that they were on me because of the pressure in that area. That pressure lessened as time went on, and when Carrie took them off I felt more pressure and then my skin kind of expand back out to try and go back to its regular shape. Carrie then gently rubbed the tiny spots on my back where the cups were and would explain to me how dark the circles were and why. After this, my session was finished and I was instructed to lay low on heavy activity and drink lots of water. Now the bruises that you may have seen on someone who has just done a cupping therapy are because the cups essentially create a vacuum. Nothing to worry about, they only last 7-10 days and in

my experience, fade pretty quickly. My first time, I barely bruised at all, but following that one, they were pretty bad! (I wish I had gotten a picture of it, but it’s pretty hard to take a picture of your own back.) Carrie said I most likely had only a small amount of toxins in my system to be pulled out of me that first time. I was very pleased with my results following my cupping therapy sessions. I will definitely be making a point to go back for some more on at least a bi-monthly basis, if not a monthly basis. Not sure if cupping therapy can help you? While little has been actually scientifically proven, it is believed that cupping therapy can assist you with not only a sore muscle here or there, expelling toxins and such, but can be used to treat Facial paralysis, anemia and other blood disorders, arthritis, gynecological disorders, skin problems, migraines, anxiety and depression as well as different kinds of allergies, and much, much more. Ask your doctor first, and if you get the green light, I say why not give it a shot! I know Lakeville might be a hike for some of you guys, so I looked up some facilities that provide cupping therapy in Southern Minnesota – here’s what I found:

Melanie’s Massage & Bodywork 121 West Main Street, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060

Myo Health Massage 418 Heritage Pl. Suite A, Faribault, MN, 55021

Sisters Salon & Day Spa 1293 21st Avenue NW, Owatonna, MN 55060

Alpha Spine Health & Injury Center 7644 160th St W, Lakeville, MN 55044 SMS

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ALBUM REVIEW By Daniel G. Moir editor@southernminnscene.com

Sting & Shaggy 44/876

n this surprising release, both artists bring out the best of each other as a result of their differences.

Album Grade: B On the surface, the idea of a collaboration album between a Jamaican dancehall singer and the brooding, former leader of The Police seems to be a fundamentally questionable notion at best. Best known for 1995’s goofy song, “Bombastic,” Shaggy seems an unlikely singing partner for the self-anointed “King of Pain.” Sting once hung out with Chief Raoni Metuktire of the Amazon Rainforest tribe Kayapó Tribe. He projected a public image as the music world’s political and environmental commentator-in-chief, so what he is doing with the artist who famously sung, “It wasn’t me”? Despite all this, the surprising partnership has resulted in an equally unforeseen album that is a wonderfully pleasant sun-kissed soundtrack to summer. The album works as a direct result of the disparity of the two artists involved. On 44/876, Shaggy gets serious while Sting learns to loosen up a bit. Both expand their vision and contribute to the growth of the other. The nature of the album is best illustrated in the opening song, “Morning Is Coming.” This song opens with the joyful singing of a Nightingale who wakes up the character at a quarter to three with their bright tune. Sting sings the role of the weary sleeper while Shaggy plays the role of the cheery bird, urging Sting towards the positive with the hopeful thoughts that accompany the dawn of a new day. It is a metaphor for the times we live in and sets the tone for the relationship between the artists involved. It doesn’t deny Sting’s weary worldview, but by representing the bird, Shaggy is telling his friend to quit complaining and to see the joy that is coming. A perfect way to begin the album. Reggae beats are central to 44/876 and is a welcome return for Sting especially. As one of the first musicians to turn American ears on to the genre’s form with songs like “Roxanne,” it is familiar ground. Here, Sting adopts a “crooning” style to match the Jamaican beat. This is especially noticeable with his solo turn on “Love Changes Everything.” “Don’t Make Me Wait” served as the introduction to the collaboration when first released late last year and is the obvious first single. The mid-tempo reggae song

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is uncluttered and unthreatening “middle-of-the road pop” and appealing to the audience of both artists. While it may not be edgy compared to other acts on the charts, this is musical comfort food and satisfying for music fans of all ages. “22nd Street” incorporates Sting’s previous jazz influences along with Shaggy’s Rhythm & Blues to create a lighter companion piece to the former’s “Moonlight Over Bourbon Street.” Both artists find themselves walking down the same street, but with completely different stories and emotions. While Sting views the passage as an avenue filled with loneliness and regret over a former love, Shaggy recounts “22nd Street” as the place where he first met the love of his life. The song’s lyrical setting of opposite emotions helps support the track’s sweetly melancholy melody, instrumental background and gently swaying beat. It is a study in contrast. Sting continues his brooding nature on the dark “Crooked Tree.” Their roleplaying continues on this track, finding the two singers on opposite sides of a judicial trial. As the guilty, Sting attempts to offer the reason behind his crimes to Shaggy’s dispassionate judge. The song ends without resolution other than to suggest that the criminal’s motivation was that his crooked soul was carved from an equally crooked tree. The song falls flat both lyrically and musically. The only part of the album that doesn’t connect and is ultimately pointless. “Dreaming In The U.S.A.” is a timely song that takes a look at American culture from an outsider’s point of view. The English Sting recounts how everything from his childhood, from the shoes on his feet to the music in his ears, had its origins in the America. Where Sting’s intro verse is wide-eyed and amazed, this time it’s the Jamaican born Shaggy that takes the more realistic view. He references his time served in the U.S. Marine Corp before Sting joins to celebrate the immigrant who “gets up every morning working two jobs to make it here in America.” An honest song of its time and sums up the overall tone of this unexpectedly warm album. Bottom Line: A delightful album from start to finish that keeps its optimism tempered by the realities of life, 44/876 is solid as a result of the disparity of the two artists involved. A thoughtful bit of summer fun that makes room for deeper introspection. Sting & Shaggy will play The Amory in Minneapolis on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. SMS Daniel G. Moir has forgotten more about music than all the rest of us know combined. Reach him at editor@southernminnscene.com

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THE BOOKWORM SEZ By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women

by Yvonne Tally

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome:

A Handbook for Time Travelers by Jonathan W. Stokes, illustrated by David Sossella

Tough Mothers:

Amazing Stories of History’s Mightiest Matriarchs by Jason Porath

Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-toThe-Land Life

by Dianna Hunter

Terri Schlichenmeyer is a book reviewer based just across the river from SoMinn in LaCrosse, WI. She can be contacted at bookwormsez@gmail.com

Your to-do list is a mile long. Every day, you add three things for every one you cross off and you’re starting to resent That List. What’s worse: accommodating everything on the list means there’s no more you for you. In “Breaking Up with Busy” by Yvonne Tally, you’ll see that it’s time for the list to get lost. You are not having fun. You’re busy – over-busy, in fact – and while it can be exhilarating and exciting for awhile, it’s also “exhausting.” It affects your personal life, your family, your job, and even your health, as Yvonne Tally learned when busyness led to a panic attack and a trip to the hospital in an ambulance. She was what she now calls an “OSW,” or an overscheduled woman. Her definition is that an OSW has “Superwoman-like powers” and is “everything from

a well-intended problem-solver to a driven and tireless overdeliverer.” You already know that can’t be sustained and, sooner or later, something has to give. The first step to ridding yourself of the problem is to know the ten signs of needing to “break up with busy” – a list of traits with which most of today’s working women will be familiar. Secondly, remember that being overly busy is a habit that, like many habits, can be altered or eliminated altogether. Separate needs from wants and know how both relate to goals you’ve set. Learn to “re-wire” your mind to respond to stress and busyness. Stay away from “OSW Traps” that are lurking everywhere on your calendar; they’re “reinforced by the shoulds of life” and can cause you to lose focus. Take advantage of Tally’s quick worksheets, to know what kind of OSW you are, where you stand, and where work is needed. Learn her “Super Solutions Process” for assessing tasks. Be mindful, learn to listen better, and learn to meditate. Deschedule in a way that doesn’t add to your stress. Finally, “count your yessings”; a little two-letter word (“no”) can mean a world of difference.

At one point in “Breaking Up with Busy,” author Yvonne Tally mentions something that absolutely lends urgency to her entire book: your kids learn by example. Is over-stressed and over-scheduled what you want to teach them? Using case examples that may hit uncomfortably close to home, Tally shows how a packed calendar and no time for one’s self is akin to being bullied. The solution doesn’t appear to be easy and Tally’s ideas can have a whiff of newagey-ness to them but, while they’re quite commonplace in relation to other books of this kind, her fixes seem usable and sound. The one exception: at least initially, it’s not clear how one is to find time in an overscheduled day to learn to unschedule in order to find time… Still, for businesswomen who long for ten extra hours in a week, this book can’t hurt; at the very least, it’s a place to start. You might even want to add “Breaking Up with Busy” to the top of your to-do list.

Who wouldn’t mind a good vacation this summer? Sure, a little trip north. Or south. Or east, west, anyplace other than where you are. It doesn’t have to be far away – a few miles, a couple states or, as in “The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome” by Jonathan W. Stokes, illustrated by David Sossella, maybe a few thousand years… Lucky you! You live in an era when going places is commonplace and so, with that in mind, welcome to the world of time travel, brought to you by “Time Corp” of “New New New New New New New York, AD 2163.” Your destination this summer is Rome, in the time of Caesar, coliseums, and Cleopatra. The first thing you need to keep in mind is safety. There are many ways to die in Rome; in fact, ancient “Rome is an absolute death trap” with floods, starvation, disease, and fires. If you actually become Emperor while you’re there, add

poisoning to that list. If you need to see a doctor, well, don’t. Also, watch your step: horses are everywhere on the streets of ancient Rome. There’s always something to do while you’re there, and you don’t even have to buy tickets early (though it’s recommended). Stop by the coliseum and catch a gladiator fight, wild animal fight, or even a spectator fight. Take a side trip to Pompeii and see it before the volcano erupted. And if you’re really feeling adventurous, Time Corp can arrange for you to be a soldier in the Roman army for a day. With this great vacation package, you’ll sit down for lunch with Ptolemy XIII, Crassus, Spartacus and, of course, Caesar. You’ll know how to be a tourist without looking like a tourist with fashion hints and tips. You’ll also learn how to avoid getting beheaded, how to Be Like Cleo, how to get married like a Roman, and how to avoid Rome’s nuttiest emperors. Bon voyage! Summer vacation begins soon, but your child’s teacher says it’s not a reading vacation. So why not add summer + reading in a hilariously interesting way with “The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome”? Wherever your family is going – or not going – this

summer, author Jonathan W. Stokes takes your child on a colorful, disgusting, wild trip of the imagination, but that’s not all. In between the laughs, both from the “guide book” and from the illustrations by David Sossella, kids get a sneaky bit of education. Using faux-enthusiastic headlines and sidebars (this is a book for “tourists,” after all), Stokes inserts battles, emperors, palace intrigue, Roman entertainment, and real everyday life into his narrative so that kids can’t help but learn while they plan their trip in time. The happy bonus is that if you pick up this book, you’ll see how absolutely funny it is for grown-ups, too. So pack your bags. Pack your backpack, and be sure to take “The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome.” For 8-to-12-yearolds who are ready to go, this could be the trip they had in mind.

Your mom is tough as nails. The minute you were placed in her arms, she became your personal warrior, cheerleader, and banker. She remembers the good things you did and (sigh) the dumb things you tried. She pretends to forget why she ever gave you That Look. And in the new book “Tough Mothers” by Jason Porath, you’ll meet other women just like her. Good old Mom. Through the years, she’s worn many hats: nurse, playmate, disciplinarian, chauffer, chef, advisor. Without her, let’s face it, you wouldn’t have been born. Mom’s made you laugh, she’s made you cringe by living “fully, brashly, boldly” and, says Porath, “You are not alone.” In this book, you’ll read about other kids’ moms. Take, for instance, Toronto mom Vera Peters, a cancer doctor who, in 1949, proved that new ways of treating

breast cancer were better than the old ways. Male doctors didn’t want to believe her but once they finally did, Peters’ methods undoubtedly saved a lot of other mom’s lives. Bella Abzug was a “wrecking ball of a human being,” says Porath, but some preferred to think of her as fierce. No doubt she was: even today, minorities, LGBT individuals, and women enjoy the fruits of Abzug’s work. In first century China, Mother Lü’s son was killed by a corrupt government magistrate. No one would blame her for wanting revenge, but she didn’t get it immediately; instead, she turned to her neighbors with works of sweetness and charity. Of course, they became steadfastly loyal to her, took the stockpile of weaponry she’d amassed, and went to war against Lü’s enemies on her behalf. Sojourner Truth became one of the first black women to successfully sue a white man in America. Susan La Flesche Picotte built a hospital for the Omaha nation that opened in 1913; not long afterward, she died there of bone cancer. Aborigine Molly Craig walked across Australia twice: once, carrying her sisters away from a government “concentration camp” and once, carrying her daughter. And despite being beaten, arrested, and jailed, Fannie Lou Hamer marched…

When you first pick up “Tough Mothers,” don’t let yourself be confused. Yes, it looks every bit like something you’d read to a six-year-old, but don’t: this is no butterfliesand-unicorns princess book. As author Jason Porath asserts in his introduction, the majority of what you’ll read here is absolutely for a mature audience. Indeed, you’ll want to brace yourself (and warn Mom!) if you’re the sensitive sort: Porath recounts violent tales of war and cruelty, death and abuse, outrageous laws and senseless loss throughout the centuries, and some of it is cringeworthy. To the good, though, and to be fair, this is wellresearched, historical information; it’s tempered with humor; and Porath warns his readers with color-coded indications of what’s to come. Get this book for yourself and loan it to Mom – although you may never get it back. Between the incredible illustrations, the laughs inside, and Mom Tales you’ll eat up, “Tough Mothers” is a book you’ll both sink your nails into.

You were going to change the world. It’s true that you were one small voice, just one person with a vision but you were sure it could be done. You were going to change the world, one corner at a time – starting with the one you called home. And in the new book “Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-to-TheLand Life” by Dianna Hunter, that’s sometimes all it takes. Growing up in rural South Dakota, Dianna Hunter learned what “queer” was long before she understood her own sexuality. She was “seventeen, cosseted, closeted, and clueless” then but, once enrolled in college and living in Minneapolis in an atmosphere of early-1970s feminism and LGBT activism, she “surprised” herself by coming out. By then, classmates had introduced her to new friends, who introduced her to a lesbian community that raised her consciousness. Hunter learned how to be an activist, and she

helped to create safe places for lesbians to socialize; when friends began to think about establishing a collective farm in Minnesota, she was highly intrigued. “We were headed toward our dream and our vexation,” she says. “Women’s Land, Open to All Women.” And it felt like the right “path to freedom.” At the first farm Hunter lived on, women and children shared the work and the bounty; “Voluntary poverty and group living” taught them that they “didn’t need much money to get by,” and they didn’t need men to care for livestock or outbuildings. Hunter soaked up every bit of information she could, and when it was time to move on, she and her next housemate rode their own horses more than 200 miles to another farm. Through the years, there were other farms and other horses. Friends and lovers came and went, societal attitudes changed and, though now retired, Hunter was eventually able to buy and manage a dairy farm near Lake Superior. “To many onlookers,” she says, “our lesbian-feminist backto-the-land dream must have seemed strange and unrealistic, but we were far from the only ones who dreamed it.” “Utopia” is a word that author Dianna Hunter uses when recalling the first fifteen years after coming out as a lesbian.

No word could be more apt because, despite tales of lack and hardship, “Wild Mares” makes that life sound positively serene. And yet, there’s angst here, starting with a constant stream of people who move in and out of Hunter’s narrative, taking their drama with them and re-inserting it. After awhile, that seems like just more of the same and character fatigue may begin to set in; it doesn’t help that there are several farms involved, adding to the consternation. Even so, Hunter’s introspection, her eagerness to do anything to find her “utopia,” and her love of the land take over and make this book palatable. Overall and in the end, it turns out to become a worthwhile look at nontraditional twentieth-century farming, and at Midwestern lesbian history. Yes, “Wild Mares” is a little relentless in its overly-peopled telling, but it’s also something different, for a change.

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Breaking Up with Busy: Real-Life Solutions for Overscheduled Women by Yvonne Tally c.2018, New World Library $18.95 / $27.50 in Canada 203 pages

The Thrifty Guide to Ancient Rome: A Handbook for Time Travelers Jonathan W. Stokes, illustrated by David Sossella c.2018, Viking $17.99 / $23.99 in Canada 130 pages

Tough Mothers: Amazing Stories of History’s Mightiest Matriarchs by Jason Porath c.2018, Dey Street $24.99 / $31.00 in Canada 244 pages

Wild Mares: My Lesbian Back-to-The-Land Life by Dianna Hunter c.2018, University of Minnesota Press $18.95 / higher in Canada 241 pages

A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

2018 Berne Wood-Fired Pizza

Summer Concert Series

IF YOU CAN DREAM IT,

FREE MUSIC! EVERYONE WELCOME! RAIN OR SHINE!

WE CAN DO IT.

Wednesdays in June, July, & August - 5-8 PM

PLEASE NOTE: We will also be open Tuesday, July 3rd but closed July 4th

CABIN FEVER

July July

BRANDED Tuesday Night Event The Reunion Band

NIGHT SHIFT The Lost Faculties

HAIR METAL RADIO KnuFunk

July

29 22 15 08 01 25

After School Special

August

OLD COUNTRY BOYS

Artisan Market/Swiss Night Alphornos & Flag Throwers

August

The Vintage Tones

RETRO SOUL & THE WESTSIDE HORNS

July

We are committed to service, eye-catching design, your satisfaction and growing your brand. We look forward to serving you.

Artisan Market Event

Smash and Grab

INCOGNITO

August

Everything related to your brand. In one location. From design to sales collateral printing to graphics and signage to web and your trade show presence. We deliver all of your marketing tools. We do it all right here at KIK. This makes your life easier, your brand more consistent and it allows you to focus on sales.

LP & THE 45’S

August August

WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

June

PROMO

June

DIGITAL

APPAREL

June

Turkey River All Stars

June

DESIGN

18 11 03 27 20 13 06

Opening Band 5PM • Headliner 6:30pm 23148 Cty. Hwy 24, West Concord, MN

KRIS & THE RIVERBEND DUTCHMEN Parks & Kleist Band

fABBAulous The Gopher Tones

GOOD MORNING BEDLAM Colt 45

VENTURA HIGHWAY Hair of the Dog

SIX MILE GROVE

STAGE SPONSORS:

JT & THE GUNSLINGERS

*“This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota State Arts Board through the arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the Legacy Amendment vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.”

110 Highway North, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917 (507) 583-7713 • www.usekik.com A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent

Pizzas are served on the box with napkins. If you prefer plates, bring your own. Garbage must be carried out when you go. There is no dumpster. Please bring plastic bags to pack out any waste. Pop, water, ice cream, and chips are sold on the grounds, but you are welcome to bring your beverage of choice, including beer or wine. Bring lawn chairs, blankets or even bring pop-up camping tables. No credit cards, cash preferred. Portable bathrooms on the grounds, including a handicapped accessible bathroom. Berne Wood-Fired Pizza is a fundraiser for the Zwingli United Church of Christ, Berne, MN. All profits go to support the church and chosen charities. We thank-you for your support!

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A d d y o u r e v e n t f o r F R E E t o t h e T I M E L I N E c a l e n d a r . G O TO w w w. s o u t h ernminn . c o m / s c ene / c a len d a r & C l i c k + A d d a n E v ent