MCA offers drawing workshops for youth

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Visual Arts Division invites students in grades 4-7 to participate in drawing workshops from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, March 9, and April 13.

Drawing is a great skill for students to learn observation, memory, and dexterity. Young artists will explore still-life imaginative works, portraiture, and Japanese brush painting during these once-a-month workshops with local artist Julie Johnston.

New students are welcome, and those who have participated previously will be challenged with new themes and works. The price for all three workshops is $35 and includes all supplies.

For more information, go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.

Page Series to host puppet pirates Feb. 5

The Page Series will present the world’s only puppet, rock, yoga opera for families in search of calm during the Z Puppets Rosenschnoz production of “Monkey Mind Pirates” Feb. 5.

The epic tale, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, details how a sea captain discovers the secrets to navigating the stormy seas of stress. When Captain Fitz sets out for the Legendary Waters of Calm, the unruly Monkey Mind Pirates hijack his ship with anxiety, depression and distraction. The chaos turns his ship upside down and drives the captain overboard where he meets the Wise Sea Monkey. Find out how the captain learns to turn his “Arrghs” into “Oms,” regain peace, and tame the Monkey Mind Pirates.

Based in Minneapolis, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz tours their family-friendly comedies across the country. Z Puppets artists Shari Aronson and Chris Griffith have earned many awards, including support from the Jim Henson Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Puppeteers of America and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Monkey Mind Pirates CD is winner of an award of excellence from Creative Child magazine and featured as a top pick by Creative Play Retailer.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the box office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

MCA offers drawing workshops for youth

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts Visual Arts Division invites students in grades 4-7 to participate in drawing workshops from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, March 9, and April 13.

Drawing is a great skill for students to learn observation, memory, and dexterity. Young artists will explore still-life imaginative works, portraiture, and Japanese brush painting during these once-a-month workshops with local artist Julie Johnston.

New students are welcome, and those who have participated previously will be challenged with new themes and works. The price for all three workshops is $35 and includes all supplies.

For more information, go to www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, email mca@smumn.edu, or call 507-453-5500.

Page Series to host puppet pirates Feb. 5

The Page Series will present the world’s only puppet, rock, yoga opera for families in search of calm during the Z Puppets Rosenschnoz production of “Monkey Mind Pirates” Feb. 5.

The epic tale, which begins at 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, details how a sea captain discovers the secrets to navigating the stormy seas of stress. When Captain Fitz sets out for the Legendary Waters of Calm, the unruly Monkey Mind Pirates hijack his ship with anxiety, depression and distraction. The chaos turns his ship upside down and drives the captain overboard where he meets the Wise Sea Monkey. Find out how the captain learns to turn his “Arrghs” into “Oms,” regain peace, and tame the Monkey Mind Pirates.

Based in Minneapolis, Z Puppets Rosenschnoz tours their family-friendly comedies across the country. Z Puppets artists Shari Aronson and Chris Griffith have earned many awards, including support from the Jim Henson Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, Puppeteers of America and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The Monkey Mind Pirates CD is winner of an award of excellence from Creative Child magazine and featured as a top pick by Creative Play Retailer.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the box office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saint Mary's holds first History Day Hullabaloo

About 100 area intermediate and junior high school students used the Fitzgerald Library during the first-ever History Day Hullabaloo Jan. 8.

“National History Day” coordinated the event and Saint Mary’s hosted the Southeast Region project. Saint Mary’s and WSU students served as “mentors” for this event, and faculty and library staff assisted these young students in their research. It was a great opportunity to get students excited about history and for us to share the university’s library facilities.

Page Series brings ‘Janet’s Planet’ to Winona

The Page Series invites audiences to explore the vast universe with PBS’s “Janet’s Planet” on Thursday, Jan. 15. By focusing on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), Janet’s Planet travels at the “speed of thought” and is designed to fuel STEAM potential in elementary school kids. Available on more than 140 public television stations nationwide, Janet Ivey of “Janet’s Planet” is excited to tour her introduction to the wonders of the galaxy.

The event is 6:30 p.m. in the Page Theatre. Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the box office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

Halloween Fun Night draws more than 500 to Saint Mary’s

Pint-sized ghouls, princesses and superheros covered the campus Monday night as more than 500 people participated in Saint Mary’s Halloween Fun Night. This free, safe and fun event was sponsored by the Office of Residence life. Thanks go to the many volunteers who made the event such a success. For more photos, go to the Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota Facebook page.

Students celebrate National Chemistry Week with high school Chemistry Night

Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during upcoming Chemistry Night at Saint Mary’s, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Chemistry Department and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year high school students solve challenging but fun chemical problems, based on the National Chemistry Week theme. This year the theme is “The Sweet Side of Chemistry—Candy.”

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the Saint Mary’s Chemistry Department, under the guidance of chemistry and biochemistry majors.

About 10 area schools and 50 students typically participate in this event.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at Ext. 6972.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 27 at Saint Mary’s

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 14th annual Saint Mary’s, Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, Saint Mary’s students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy. Last year more than 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

Students celebrate National Chemistry Week during Chemistry Nights

Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during upcoming Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 22 and 29.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve challenging but fun chemical problems, based on the National Chemistry Week theme. This year the theme is “The Sweet Side of Chemistry—Candy.”

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems. Prizes will include Saint Mary’s scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000. Pizza and refreshments will also be provided.

About 10 area schools and 50 students typically participate in this event.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at Ext. 6972.

Halloween Fun Night is Oct. 27 at Saint Mary’s

Elementary and preschool children from the Winona area are invited to attend the 14th annual Saint Mary’s, Halloween Fun Night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27.

Participants should stop at the guard booth at the main entrance of the Winona campus for directions on where to park.

Young trick-or-treaters should start out the evening at the Hall of Fame Room, located in the Toner Student Center, where tattoos and stickers, a coloring station, and other fun games will be offered, and the Cardinal mascot will greet pint-sized ghosts and goblins.

From there, Saint Mary’s students will lead groups of trick-or-treaters through the residence halls of the university, where they can go door to door for candy.

Last year more than 750 youth participated in this free, safe and fun event, sponsored by the Office of Residence Life.

Students celebrate National Chemistry Week during Chemistry Nights

Many area high school juniors and seniors will perform hands-on chemistry projects during upcoming Chemistry Nights at Saint Mary’s, which will run 5 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, Oct. 22 and 29.

Chemistry Night, sponsored by the Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry and the La Crosse-Winona local section of the American Chemical Society, is an annual event designed to help students explore the discipline of chemistry and appreciate the positive role that chemistry plays in our everyday world.

Each year students solve challenging but fun chemical problems, based on the National Chemistry Week theme. This year the theme is “The Sweet Side of Chemistry—Candy.”

Students will work in small teams, using wet chemistry and working with chemical instrumentation in the Saint Mary’s Department of Chemistry, under the guidance of chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Prizes will be awarded to the teams that have the greatest success in solving the chemical problems. Prizes will include Saint Mary’s scholarships of $2,000 and $1,000. Pizza and refreshments will also be provided.

About 10 area schools and 50 students typically participate in this event.

For more information, contact Dr. Brett Bodsgard at Ext. 6972.

Saint Mary’s Page Series to present Curious George

There’ll be a lot of monkeying around as Theatreworks USA presents Curious George Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Saint Mary’s.

In this delightful new musical, the inquisitive, lovable little monkey Curious George, star of books, movies, and the award-winning PBS television show, works to help his friend win the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a Page Series returning favorite, Theatreworks USA. Famous Theatreworks alumni include actor Henry Winkler, four-time Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks, two time-Tony Award winner Robert Lopez, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Glover, and many more. The theatre company’s goal is to continue doing what it has successfully accomplished for more than 50 years: giving America’s children their first thrilling day at the theatre.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Saint Mary’s Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Saint Mary’s Page Series to present Curious George

There’ll be a lot of monkeying around as Theatreworks USA presents Curious George Tuesday, Oct. 7, at Saint Mary’s.

In this delightful new musical, the inquisitive, lovable little monkey Curious George, star of books, movies and the award-winning PBS television show, works to help his friend win the world-famous Golden Meatball Contest in Rome.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features a Page Series returning favorite, Theatreworks USA. Famous Theatreworks alumni include actor Henry Winkler, four-time Tony-winning director Jerry Zaks, two time-Tony Award winner Robert Lopez, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Glover and many more. The theatre company’s goal is to continue doing what it has successfully accomplished for more than 50 years: giving America’s children their first thrilling day at the theatre.

Tickets are $14 for adults, $6 for seniors and students and are available online at www.pagetheatre.org or at the Saint Mary’s Box Office, Ext. 1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enjoy a Curious George read-aloud 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2, at the Winona Public Library; tickets to the Page Series performance on Oct. 7 will be given away.

String camp students from Hong Kong welcomed

The Center for International Students had an Ice Cream Social to welcome a group of students from Hong Kong who are enrolled in Dr. David Leung’s music camp  this week. The camp participants also enjoyed a game of cards.

Countdown to College continues to welcome students

Countdown to College (C2C) students are on campus through Aug. 2. On July 19, C2C welcomed a new cohort of  incoming freshmen, and on July 20 returning sophomores joined them. These two cohorts will study on campus through Aug. 2.

This two-week program for students from under-resourced communities is offered each summer for four years, beginning just after they complete eighth grade and continuing until the summer before their senior year — helping to assure each student is prepared for a successful college experience.

The camp is free to student participants from San Miguel and Nativity middle schools and Cristo Rey and Lasallian high schools and their parents (who come the first weekend). Teachers from their schools co-teach with Saint Mary’s instructors, and help prepare Saint Mary’s instructors on how to effectively work with this growing population of students. C2C is part of the First Generation Initiative, which helps students prepare for and succeed at college.

String camp participants to perform in public concerts

Saint Mary’s String Camp participants — on campus July 13-20 — will work on developing their skills and musicianship to master many important aspects of string playing in the contemporary era. Throughout this eight-day camp, participants will have the opportunity to work closely and intensively with the faculty to improve their skills in solo, chamber music and orchestral playing.

The public is invited to three free and public concerts by these talented young musicians (ages 12-18):

July 18 — 7:30 p.m., student solo recital
July 19 — 7:30 p.m., student chamber music recital
July 20 — noon, string orchestra concert

All concerts will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Saint Mary’s Performance Center.

The string orchestra will perform Mozart’s “Divertimento in F major, K. 138”; Coreelli’s “Concerto Grosso in D Major, opus 6 no. 4”; “Company” by Philip Glass; and “Capriol Suite” by Warlock. The student solo recital will include works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. The chamber music concert will include string quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Ravel.

Countdown to College to welcome 86 students

Countdown to College (C2C) students are on campus through Aug. 2. The first two weeks (July 5-18), Saint Mary’s is welcoming cohorts 3 and 4 on campus. A graduation ceremony will be July 18. Parents of the seniors are invited to join the celebration.

On July 19, C2C will welcome a new cohort of  incoming freshmen, and on July 20 returning sophomores will join them. These two cohorts will study on campus through Aug. 2.

This two-week program for students from under-resourced communities is offered each summer for four years, beginning just after they complete eighth grade and continuing until the summer before their senior year — helping to assure each student is prepared for a successful college experience.

The camp is free to student participants from San Miguel and Nativity middle schools and Cristo Rey and Lasallian high schools and their parents (who come the first weekend). Teachers from their schools co-teach with Saint Mary’s instructors, and help prepare Saint Mary’s instructors on how to effectively work with this growing population of students. C2C is part of the First Generation Initiative, which helps students prepare for and succeed at college.

MCA presents 2014 Summer Dance Intensive Showcase

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present the Summer Dance Intensive showcase at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Valéncia Arts Center Academy Theatre, 1164 West 10th St.

The showcase, which is free and open to the public, features works that the students participating in the Summer Dance Intensive have learned in their two-week dance camp.  A variety of dance forms will be presented, including classical and contemporary ballet, jazz, musical theatre dance, and modern dance. The works were choreographed by MCA guest artists Dustyn Martincich, Allan Kinzie, Jen TeBeest and Tammy Schmidt.

In addition to learning showcase pieces, students have been participating in comprehensive dance training including technique and theory classes throughout the two-week process. Class studies have included ballet, pointe, variations, pas de deux, repertory, jazz, hip hop, rhythm tap, modern, musical theatre dance, piyo, choreography and improvisation.

The students are from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa; range in age from 11 to 16; and were selected for the program by audition.

For more information about the Summer Dance Intensive showcase or future MCA program offerings, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” them on Facebook, or call 453-5500.

String camp participants to perform in public concerts

Saint Mary’s String Camp participants — on campus July 13-20 — will work on developing their skills and musicianship to master many important aspects of string playing in the contemporary era. Throughout this eight-day camp, participants will have the opportunity to work closely and intensively with the faculty to improve their skills in solo, chamber music and orchestral playing.

The public is invited to three free and public concerts by these talented young musicians (ages 12-18):

July 18 — 7:30 p.m. student solo recital
July 19 — 7:30 p.m. student chamber music recital
July 20 — noon string orchestra concert

All concerts will be held in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the Saint Mary’s Performance Center.

The string orchestra will perform Mozart’s “Divertimento in F major, K. 138”; Coreelli’s “Concerto Grosso in D Major, opus 6 no. 4”; “Company” by Philip Glass; and “Capriol Suite” by Warlock. The student solo recital will include works by Mendelssohn, Bach, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven. The chamber music concert will include string quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Ravel.