Center Stage

Movies opening in Rochester this weekend include "The Dictator" and "Battleship"

Also "What to Expect When You're Expecting."

-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

 

Catch the "Bully" review in tomorrow's Post-Bulletin

In tomorrow's PB I review the controversial documentary "Bully" and share a round-up of related area events. What are your thoughts on the film and/or bullying experiences?

-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

Former Rochester resident comes back to play special concerts

Here's a note from Joe Carey, a former Rochester resident who is making his mark on the music scene around the state.

Hey Rochester friends...I just confirmed a sort of last minute booking at Whiskeybone's Roadhouse in Rochester this Wednesday (5/16) for the new acoustic series they're trying out.  I'll be playing solo starting at 8 p.m...til around midnight.  It's been a while since I've played in Rochester...I'd love to see some familiar faces!
 
Also, mark your calendars for June 7 when I, along w/ my sis Jess and guitarist Blair Krivanek, will be playing at the Peace Plaza stage for the Thursdays On First series (opening for Farewell Milwaukee) at 4:30 p.m.
 
AND...very pleased to announce we'll be doing a full band show on July 15 opening for national touring band Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds for the Riverside Concert series in Mayo Park (behind the Civic Center)!! That one starts at 7 p.m.

Movies opening in Rochester this weekend include "Dark Shadows" and "Bully"

What are your movie plans?

-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

 

Musicians gather in Bluff Country

LANESBORO — The Bluff Country Gathering, featuring music workshops, a concert and a barn dance, will be held May 18-19 at the Lanesboro Community Center.

The weekend is a celebration of country and folk music from the era before electric instruments. Musician/instructors and students come from around the country to participate. Workshops in fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, clog dancing and square dance calling take place during the day.

A concert is held at 8 p.m. May 18, featuring the old-time stringband Run Mountain from New England, fiddler Christina Wheeler Wensel from Virginia, the Twilight Broadcasters from North Carolina, and fiddler Jimmy Triplett from Alabama. Admission is $12.

The barn dance is at 8 p.m. May 19, with square dances, circle dances and live music. Admission is $8.

Illusionist comes to Austin

Don’t expect Reza, a nationally traveling illusionist, to pull any rabbits out of hats during his performance in Austin on May 17.

Reza takes the art of illusion to a new level with his rock concert style magic shows. For his current tour, he transports more than 15,000 pounds of lighting, sound and staging to create cutting-edge grand-scale illusions, such as his signature split-second appearance of a revving motorcycle.

In addition to his own tour dates, Reza is also the Star of "Masters of Magic," produced by Jack Stephens, whose tour credits include David Copperfield, RENT, Sweeny Todd, is playing in theaters and arenas across the country.

Reza's interest in magic began at age 7 after being inspired by a magic show in his hometown of Brookings, S.D. By the age of 14, he was performing across the Midwest and kicked off a six-week run in Branson, Mo., on his 15th birthday.

Reza will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Historic Paramount Theatre, 125 Fourth Ave. N.E. Tickets — $15, $10 in advance — are available at the Paramount Box Office, 434-0934. At the door tickets are $18, $13 for students.

Lazie Bone of Bone Thugs N Harmony performs tonight in Rochester

Lazie Bone of Bone Thugs N Harmony will take the stage tonight at Wicked Moose, 1201 Eastgate Dr. S.E.

Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Show starts at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $24. Open to ages 21 and older.

Also playing this weekend at Wicked Moose is Dueling Pianos on Friday night. Tickets: $10.

Top o' the world, ma!

In honor of Mother's Day on Sunday I am asking Rochester moviegoers: what's your mom's favorite film? I'll list a few along side of Thursday's review of "The Avengers."

-- Chris Miksanek
-- The Med City Movie Guy

 

 

Jump at the chance

For a second year, the RT Autism Awareness Foundation is teaming with WestSide Skydivers in Winsted, Minn., for the The Sky is the Limit skydiving event on June 23.

Participants who raise $500 or more will enjoy a coach bus ride to Winsted, one tandem jump, a personal DVD documenting their skydive experience, and food, beverages and other goodies along the way.

Bonuses for top fundraisers include eight tickets to the annual Mending Minds gala and gift cards or memberships to Sam's Club.

Thirty participants helped raise more than $6,000 last year. The goal of this year's skydiving event is to have 100 skydivers; all proceeds go to enhance the Project Lifesaver Program, develop an Emergency Autism Response Team and to pursue employment service opportunities for individuals.

All pledges will be collected at Kathy's Pub in downtown Rochester between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. June 16. Registration information and pledge forms are available online.

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

Anderson Center hosts book art

RED WING — The art of bookmaking will be celebrated May 12 when the Anderson Center hosts a day-long celebration of book arts.

"The Art of the Book: Selections from the Minnesota Center for the Book Arts" features the work of 17 artists who use a wide variety of artistic crafts and materials to create one-of-a-kind books. The results of their work celebrate the coming together of words, images, art and literature.

The event includes book arts demonstrations, printing and book-binding workshops, poetry readings and an exhibition of handmade books. Activities begin at 3 p.m., with a reception for the artists from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and the formal opening of the exhibition at 7 p.m. All events are free.

The Anderson Center is at 163 Tower View Drive, just off U.S. 61, west of Red Wing.