Now Playing Briefs

Children’s voices needed for concert

Singers between the ages of 7 and 10 years are needed for the Hudson High School Choral Department’s production of “This Wondrous Night, the 2008 Home for the Holidays Concert” Dec. 15 at HHS. The concert will feature six high school choirs, the River City Symphony Orchestra and a children’s choir performing a variety of holiday music.

Auditions for children are at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, at First Presbyterian Church, 1901 Vine St. All students will be expected to sing “My Country ’Tis of Thee” for their audition. An accompanist will be provided. Rehearsals are Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. beginning Nov. 6 at First Presbyterian Church. To schedule an audition time, contact Andrew Haase, director of choral activities, at Hudson High School, haaseaa@hudson.k12.wi.us or (715) 377-3800, ext. 6245.

Have fun at Girls Nite Out

Area women are invited to join downtown retailers for next week’s Girls Nite Out, from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. Titled “Bunco & Boas,” the festivities include a downtown limo ride, a $100 drawing at Spokes & Pedals, samples, drawings and, starting at 9 p.m., entertainment, refreshments and prizes at The Nova. Those attending should stop at one of the following retailers to pick up a game card and instructions: Art Doyle’s Spokes & Pedals, Back to Books, CocoBello, Dilly Dally in the Alley, Home-Kitchen-Bath, Kelley Frame, Made Ya Look, Memories by Marnie Photography, The Purple Tree, St. Croix Consignment and The St. Croix Souvenir Co. The next Nite Out event is Dec. 11. For more information, visit www.girlsjustwant2havefun.org or call the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce, (715) 386-8411.

Learn ballroom dancing

Ballroom dance parties are offered Saturdays, Oct. 25 (not Oct. 18 as previously stated), Nov. 15 and Dec. 20, 7:30-10 p.m., in the dance studio of The Phipps Center for the Arts. Tom Larson will offer a ballroom dance lesson from 7:30 to 8:30 for participants to try out new dance skills in a relaxed environment. Dancers of all experience levels are welcome. Refreshments will be provided. Admission is $10 per person. Larson has taught at The Phipps for the past four years and owns the Ballroom and Wedding Dance Studio in Minneapolis. He performed for two seasons with The Continental Ballet Company. For more information, call The Phipps Center at (715) 386-2305.

Space stages ‘Mr. Benchley’

The Space, 156 High St. in New Richmond, is producing “That’s Mister Benchley to you, Mrs. Parker” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17 and 18. Written by playwright Edwin Strout of Minneapolis, the production was voted best play of the 2003 Fringe Festival. This fast-paced romp, spanning the nearly three-decade relationship of master wordsmiths Robert Benchley and Dorothy Parker, is full of the witty repartee which helped them through the fame and the infamy. Tickets are $15. For reservations, call (715) 246-3180 or e-mail events@thespaceforcreativity.com.

‘Something’s Afoot’ in RF

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Theatre will stage the murder mystery musical “Something’s Afoot” at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and Nov. 1. Directed by theater professor James Zimmerman, the show brings a cast of 10 to their unfortunate ends. Loosely based on Agatha Christie’s “Twelve Little Indians,” the show parodies all things “detective” with wacky deaths and catchy songs. Tickets are $8 for students and $14 for adults; call (715) 425-3114.

Lecture on McCarthyism

The UW-River Falls Edward N. Peterson Lecture Series presents an expert on McCarthyism Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Abbott Concert Hall of the Kleinpell Fine Arts on campus. Professor Richard Fried of the department of history, University of Illinois at Chicago, will present “Joseph McCarthy and His Times: 50 Years Later.” A reception at 3:30 precedes the presentations. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.uwrf.edu/history or call (715) 425-3164.

NWA official talks travel

The UW-River Falls College of Business and Economics will host Crystal Knotek, senior vice president of customer service and airport operations for Northwest Airlines, on Oct. 22 from 2 to 3 p.m. in the Kinnickinnic River Theater at the University Center as part of the college’s executive-in-residence program. In her free presentation, “Flying Together,” Knotek will discuss the service challenges and opportunities facing major airlines today. For more information, contact Tina Kelly at tina.kelly@uwrf.edu or (715) 425-3335.

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