Now Playing Briefs

Auditions set for ‘Frog’ play

The Phipps Children’s Theater will hold auditions for area students in grades 7–9 for “The Frog Prince of Spamalot,” by Edith Weiss, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, and 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, in the Black Box Theater of The Phipps, 109 Locust St. Callbacks are at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20.

All actors will be asked to read from the script and should bring a current photo and a list of all conflicts between Feb. 2 and March 26.

Rehearsals begin the first week of February, six days per week, excluding Wednesdays. Five performances run March 27-31 on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. and a school matinee on Tuesday. Director Gretchen H. Page most recently mounted “Rapunzel” for the Phipps Children’s Theater. For more information, contact The Phipps at (715) 386-2305 or info@ThePhipps.org.

Theater open house set

The Phipps Drama Council and Children’s Theater Council will host an open house at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, for anyone interested in volunteering for future community theater or children’s theater productions. The Phipps Children’s Theater annually mounts eight productions, four of them Children’s Theater.

A tour of the main stage, Black Box Theater, control booths, scene shop, prop rooms, costume room, and other areas will be included. Volunteers who have worked on Phipps productions will be on hand to answer questions. For more information, call The Phipps at (715) 386-2305.

Barn dances continue in RF

The oldtime string band Poor Benny will play River Falls’ “Second Saturday” in the gym of the River Falls Academy (the former Meyer Middle School) on West Maple Street from 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. The band features among its members guitar-player David Furniss of the UW-River Falls English faculty.

No prior dance experience is necessary, and partners are not required. Children are especially encouraged to attend the opening family dance segment from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Upcoming dances are Rush River Ramblers, Feb. 14; Poor Benny, March 21; and Barn Cats, April 11. Admission is $5 for adults, $2.50 for children 12 and under; refreshments are available.

Space lists events

The Space, a center for creativity, in New Richmond is offering Ten Mile Creek, a free collection of acoustic and electric favorites featuring Paddy Rose, Phil Wallander, Jerry Germain and Tom Nirmaier at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16.

Broadway actress Tari Kelly will perform at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23 and 24, at The Space. Kelly will share stories from her life and sing her favorite show tunes. Tickets are $20. For reservations, call (715) 246-3180.

The Space is located at 156 High St. More information is available at www.thespaceforcreativity.com.

Photo exhibit at RF library

Area artists are displaying their black and white photographs through January at the River Falls Public Library, 140 Union St. The gallery is generally open during regular library hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. For more information, call (715) 425-0905.

Auditions set

The River Falls Community Theatre will hold auditions for five to six one-act shows that include 12 female roles and five male roles. The auditions are at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the River Falls Academy, 211 N. Fremont St., Suite 203. For more information, call (715) 425-7645, ext. 2203.

UW-Madison group sings

The New Richmond Fine Arts Council is hosting Fundamentally Sound, a men’s a cappella group from UW-Madison, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Old Gem Theater, 116 S. Knowles Ave., New Richmond. The group sings rock, pop, rhythm and blues, rap and barbershop. Admission is $5 at the door.

Stillwater Lift Bridge Open House

Thursday, Jan. 8, 5-7 p.m., Stillwater Junior High School, 523 W. Marsh St.; held by the Stillwater Lift Bridge Advisory Committee and the Minnesota and Wisconsin Departments of Transportation to discuss the bridge management plan and repair project — to rehabilitate and preserve the lift bridge for eventual conversion to pedestrian and bicycle use. The conversion is part of the improvements planned in coordination with the new St. Croix River Crossing. Staff will be on hand; no formal presentations. Questions can be directed to Kristen Zschomler at MnDOT, (651) 366-3633, or Terry Pederson at WisDOT, (715) 836-2857; www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/liftbridge/.

University of Minnesota Alumni

Jan. 12, Feb. 12 - St. Croix Valley chapter, has two events: 1) Monday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m., Boutwell’s Landing, 5600 Norwich Parkway, Oak Park Heights, Minn., $5; “Creativity in Medicine,” Jon Hallberg, Department of Family Medicine; refreshments afterward; RSVP to Donabelle Hansen, (651) 439-6918 or pthansen@aol.com; 2) Thursday, Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. pre-game rally, Gopher women’s basketball game at Williams Arena vs. Purdue Boilermakers, 8 p.m.; $35 for game tickets and barbecue, $18 for rally only for season ticket holders; send check payable to UMAA/St. Croix Valley Chapter, with name, phone number or e-mail address to: Donabelle Hansen, 1008 Northland Ave., Stillwater MN 55082 by Feb. 7; pick up tickets at pavilion; www.alumni.umn.edu/stcroixvalley.

Conversations of the Valley

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Lowell Inn, 102 Second St. N., Stillwater; cost of lunch and program is $17 in advance. Topic is “Thoughtful Philanthropy: Crafting a Legacy,” by Rachel McDonough, partner in a wealth management practice in downtown Minneapolis. She spent her childhood years with her missionary parents serving the poor in Kenya. She is a certified financial planner and a member of the St. Paul Financial and Estate Planning Council. For reservations, call (651) 430-3830, or pay online at www.scvcf.org/ news_calendar.htm using PayPal.

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