Center Stage

'Morrie' sold out, shows added

The performances of "Tuesdays with Morrie" this weekend at Rochester Civic Theatre are completely sold out.

The show is being presented by RCT as a benefit for Seasons Hospice of Rochester. Additional performances have been scheduled, but not take place until May because of a crowded calendar at the theater, said Gregory Stavrou, RCT executive director.

The additional performances are at 7 p.m. May 11 and May 12. Tickets are $25 for adults, $17.50 for senior citizens, and are available through the RCT box office, 20 Civic Center Drive S.E., (507) 282-8481.

Reed Grimm of Shoeless Revolution makes it to American Idol final 24

Let the voting begin.

Reed Grimm of the La Crosse/Minneapolis band Shoeless Revolution made it into the "American Idol" final 24.

Shoeless Revolution, which plays a mix of funk and jazz, has performed in Rochester several times including at the St. John's Block Party in 2009.

Watch a clip from Grimm's "American Idol" performance here.

Trio presents classical pieces

Trio Dolce, a musical ensemble of three award-winning young women from Concordia College in Moorhead, will perform Saturday in Rochester.

The group is made up of Shu-min Chang, on piano, Ellen Raaen, on flute, and Zhou Long, on cello. They will perform works by Carl Maria von Weber, Maurice Ravel, Bohuslav Martinu, and others.

The concert is sponsored by the Rochester Chamber Music Society. It will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 400 Fifth Ave. S.W. Admission is free.

Alaskan brews tap into town

The Alaskan Brewing Co., based in Juneau, recently released four of its award-winning brews in Rochester: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Black IPA, Alaskan IPA and Alaskan White Ale.

Since then, a handful of local watering holes have jumped on the Alaskan bandwagon, adding one or more of these potables to their beer list. 

Some of the bars and restaurants that can now carry Alaskan beer include: Wicked Moose Bar and Grill, 1201 Eastgate Drive S.E.; both Whistle Binkies locations; Glynner's Pub, 1643 N. Broadway; Carlos O' Kellys, 4825 U.S. 52 N.; Beer Bellyz, 821 Civic Center Drive; The Restaurant, 723 Second St. S.W.; and Newt's North, 5231 E. Frontage Road, U.S. 52.

Know of any other bar or restaruant that has added an Alaskan brew to its cooler? Let me know and I'll mention it in a future column!

— Marissa Block, Life section editor and Out & About columnist

Join the Med City Movie Guy on the Red Carpet Sunday

OK, it’s not exactly a red carpet. It’s kind of mauve with a big brown planter hiding the stain from a dropped grilled cheese sandwich a few years ago. That’s right, I’ll be blogging live from my living room throughout the Academy Awards. Join me for some catty remarks about what the stars are wearing (e.g., “can you believe the socks “Descendants” gaffer Josh Swisek is wearing?”) and for commentary on the awards themselves. It’s interactive, too, so you’ll have a chance to out-quip Billy Crystal (which I am guessing won’t be too difficult). More details here: http://ww2.postbulletin.com/blogs/live
-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

 

New films opening in Rochester this weekend include Nicolas Cage's "Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance" and the action comedy "This Means War"

Also "The Secret World of Arrietty." Rochester, what are your movie plans this weekend?

-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

 

"Tainted Love" Saturday's Rochester Girls Drag Show goes "Totally 80s"

Bust out the big hair and rolled jeans, Saturday's Rochester Girls Drag Show is going to be "Totally 80s."

The show will be held at Wicked Moose, 1201 Eastgate Dr. S.E., Rochester. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10, $8 if you dress for the 80s. Proceeds go to the Minnesota Greyhound Rescue.

These shows always pack a crowd. So get there early if you want a good spot.

Cash show gets bigger venue

The Zumbrota Guaranteed Cash concert featuring Bob Wootton, longtime guitarist for Johnny Cash, is so popular with ticket-buyers that it's moving to a bigger venue. The concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, will now be held in the State Theatre in Zumbrota. It was originally scheduled for Crossings at Carnegie but all tickets for that venue were sold out. With the move to the State, additional tickets are now available. Backing Wootton will be Six Mile Grove. Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 the day of the show; (507) 732-7616.

Canadian songwriter to perform in Zumbrota

ZUMBROTA — Canadian singer/songwriter Garnet Rogers will perform at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24 at Crossings at Carnegie, 320 East Ave., Zumbrota.

Rogers' songs are often cinematic in detail, sung with a baritone voice, and tell tales of everyday people and events. He plays guitar, violin, mandolin and flute. His music was the focus of a tribute album, "All That Is (The Songs of Garnet Rogers)" in 2002 by Red House Records of St. Paul.

Rogers lives in Brantford, Ontario, where his wife raises thoroughbred horses.

Tickets are $16 in advance, $18 the day of the show and can be reserved by phone at (507) 732-7616.

Cash in on Wooton show

If you didn't get your tickets already for the Americana Showcase Valentine's Day show in Rochester, your sweetheart will be brokenhearted. The show is already sold out. But you can still redeem yourself.

Bob Wooton, Johnny Cash's lead guitarist for three decades, and local band Six Mile Grove, who together are headlining the soldout Americana Showcase, are teaming up to perform "Guaranteed Cash: The Songs, the Sounds, the Stories of Johnny Cash," Feb. 22 in Zumbrota.

Six Mile Grove will open the show with a performance that will include new songs from the band's upcoming album, "Secret Life in a Quiet Town," slated to be released at the end of March.

The concert is at 7:30 p.m. at Crossings, 320 East Ave., Zumbrota. Tickets are $20 in advance, $24 the day of the show. Holders of the first 40 tickets sold will be invited to meet the performers at a wine-and-refreshments reception before the concert.

To reserve tickets, call (507) 732-7616 or stop by Crossings.