December concerts announced

December events at Saint Mary’s include an abundance of music guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit and some hot jazz to help warm your winter nights. Mark your calendars for:

• SMU jazz ensemble, jazz combo and World Drum Ensemble concert, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m., Page Theatre. Under the new direction of Eric Heukeshoven, the jazz groups will perform classic to contemporary works.

• Lessons & Carols, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m., Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels. The performance by the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Women’s Choir celebrates Advent and the Nativity through sung and spoken word.

• Concert Band performance, Dec. 9 at 3 p.m., Page Theatre. This concert will feature many holiday favorites for everyone in the family. A musical lobby party and cookie reception follows.

• Vanessa Trouble, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m., Minnesota Marine Art Museum. Tickets for this “Off the Page” concert are sold out. The locally raised jazz vocalist will sing holiday songs with a jazz beat.

Tickets for student performances are all $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors and are available at www.pagetheatre.org or at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715.

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘The Nutcracker’

The Department of Theatre and Dance and the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts (MCA) will present the Dance Repertory Company in “The Nutcracker,” Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 28 through Dec. 2.

The production will take place in Page Theatre, located in the SMU Performance Center.

This year marks the company’s seventh biennial production of the piece and features a special choral performance by MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers at the conclusion of Act I in the Land of Snow.

The cast includes more than 90 members, comprised of students from Saint Mary’s University, Winona State University, MCA and children and community members from Winona and the surrounding areas.

Through this ballet, the beauty of the pure, young heart shines bright in a world of dancing dolls, angels, and of course, the wonderful magical Nutcracker Prince. In the dreams of a child named Clara, a battle wages between a band of mice and a company of toy soldiers. With Clara’s assistance, the toy soldiers are victorious and grateful. A Nutcracker Prince welcomes her to the Land of Snow, where they dance with the angels, and to the Kingdom of the Sweets hosted by the Sugar Plum Fairy, where she sees a beautiful array of ethnic dances such as Spanish Coffee, Chinese Tea and Russian Baba.

“The Nutcracker” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 1, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

A special matinee for families with younger children will be held 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28. The matinee features selections from the full ballet and lasts about one hour. This is especially suited for families with young children who may not enjoy a full evening performance. The cost for this afternoon matinee is $4 for everyone.

To order tickets, call the Saint Mary’s Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday at Ext. 1715 or visit www.pagetheatre.org.

Men’s hockey team holds annual Teddy Bear Toss

The Saint Mary’s University men’s hockey team will hold the third annual Toys For Tots Teddy Bear Toss on Friday, Nov. 30, during the Cardinals' 7:30 p.m. home game against St. Olaf at the SMU Ice Arena.

Fans are encouraged to bring a teddy bear or stuffed animal — preferably new, but used in good condition will also be accepted and appreciated. Teddy bears will also be available at the area for a donation of $1. Collection bins will be located in Campus Ministry and on the first floor of Saint Mary’s Hall for anyone wishing to donate a teddy bear.

After the first SMU goal in the first period — or at the end of the first period if SMU fails to score — fans will have an opportunity to throw their teddy bear and/or stuffed animal(s) onto the ice. They will then be collected and go directly to benefit area children during the Christmas holiday.

The men’s hockey team will also have a collection bin in the SMU Ice Arena lobby for anyone wishing to donate a toy other than a teddy bear for Toys For Tots.

The U.S. Marine Corps Toys For Tots Foundation was formed to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December and then distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in their local communities.

FGI students present at Missing Voices conference

On Tuesday, five First-Generation Scholars and Cindy Nava (the FGI senior student coordinator) presented twice at the Missing Voices: Equity in Education conference on the Twin Cities campus.

FGI Scholars who presented included William Wolfe, Priscilla Nava, Cindy Nava, Santiago Zarate, Lupe Andrades and Stephanie Cruz-Cordero.

Teachers from across the Twin Cities came together to brainstorm ways to tackle Minnesota’s persistent achievement gap. To read more about this event, go to www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21989302/teachers-students-discuss-states-achievement-gap-at-conference.

Forums discuss education in a global era Nov. 13-14

On Nov. 13 and 14, the Under-Told Stories Project and Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting hosted forums on both the Twin Cities and Winona campuses on “Closing the Global Gap: The complex issue of education in a global era.”

International journalist Fred de Sam Lazaro led a distinguished panel and moderated a discussion with the audience.

Panelists in Winona included:

• Nathalie Applewhite, managing director of the Pulitzer Center
• Dr. Efe Agbamu, executive director, English Language Learners, St. Paul Public Schools (Winona event)
• Brother Ed Siderewicz, First-Generation Initiative (Winona event)

Chapel to be included on Christmas house tour

SMU’s Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels will participate in this year’s Christmas Candlelight House Tour on Sunday, Dec. 2. The interior features various colors of imported marble, rich mosaics and stained glass windows. For more information, go to www.winonahistory.org.

Tickets are $10 for Winona County Historical Society members and $12 for the public and are available through Nov. 26 at the history center.

Veterans honored on campus

On Nov. 12, in recognition of Veterans Day a small ceremony was held at the Veterans Memorial. A prayer remembrance was held for all those who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. armed forces, especially those from the Saint Mary’s community.

The Saint Mary’s men’s hockey game against Hamline Nov. 9,   included a Veterans Appreciation Night. The VFW Post 1286 Color Guard presented the colors during the national anthem and special camouflaged jerseys were unveiled.

Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party is Nov. 18

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will host the Sugar Plum Fairy Tea Party Sunday, Nov. 18, at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 10th and Vila streets. Shop the Land of the Sweets Boutique for seasonal and unique gifts and cards. All children attending receive a photo with their favorite character from “The Nutcracker.”

To reserve seats or a full table for six, call 453-5500 or e-mail mca@smumn.edu. Proceeds from this event go to the MCA student scholarship fund and offset production costs for the “Nutcracker” performance.

Cineclub announces Nov. 29 film

The Spanish Department announces the next film for the Cineclub for Fall 2012. All showings will be on Thursdays at 7 p.m. in the World Room of the Hendrickson Center.

The Nov. 29 Brazilian film, “Quanto Vale Ou É Por Quilo (What’s it Worth?),” directed by Sergio Bianchi, is a free adaptation of Machado de Assis’s short story “Pai Contra Mãe.” The film tries to trace a parallel between life in Brazil during the slavery period and life in modern Brazil. The drama stars Antonia Abujamra and has English subtitles.

One of the main objectives of Cineclub is to provide an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities to enjoy some films from Spain and Latin America that may not typically be shown in local theaters.

In addition to viewing the films, participants will be invited to exchange ideas related to film and other forms of cultural expression. Also, the films may serve as an additional opportunity or resource for students of the Hispanic language, literature, and culture.

Conservatory’s Fall Music Division Concert is Nov. 16

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present its Fall Music Division Concert 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at Figliulo Recital Hall. The concert will showcase the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), two new jazz combos, and a variety of private-lesson students.

For more information visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu, “like” the Conservatory on Facebook, or call 453-5500. Admission is free-will donation, and all proceeds support the music division.

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is a nonprofit arts organization that offers programming in dance, music, visual art and theatre year-round. Classes, lessons, workshops and camps are offered for children age 3 and older through adults at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

John Paulson Big Band jazz premiere is Nov. 17

The 17-piece John Paulson Big Band (JPBB) will debut in concert 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Winona Art Center, 5th and Franklin streets.  The group, comprised of area music educators and outstanding soloists from the Twin Cities, will perform blues-based contemporary jazz pieces composed and arranged by leader and tenor saxophonist John Paulson. Paulson is a former long-time professor of music at Saint Mary’s.

Seating is limited and tickets for the concert will only be available at the door one hour prior to the performance. Tickets are $10 or $5 for students and senior citizens. Come early and enjoy the paintings by Winona artist Andrew Foss. For more information, visit www.paulsonjazz.com, call (507) 454-4948 or  e- mail jpaulson@smumn.edu.

Paulson has been doing big band jazz arrangements for student groups for more than 20 years, and the goal of this concert is to perform these works with the best players in the area. A grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council has made this concert a reality. This concert, along with a John Paulson sextet concert in January, will be recorded and featured on an upcoming CD.  Profits from the sale of the CD will go to support the Music Access for All program.

Other members of the John Paulson Big Band include saxophonists Brian Koser (Austin),  Richard Rohrbaugh (Rochester), Dave Townsend (Rochester) and Ray Dretsky (Winona); trumpeters Warren Bandel (Rochester), Adam Meckler (Twin Cities), Jerry Paulson (Winona) and John Mundy (Wabasha); and trombonists Scott Agster (Twin Cities), John Sievers (Rochester), SMU’s Eric Heukeshoven and Tom Nalli (Winona).  The rhythm section is comprised of pianist Larry Price of SMU, drummer Rich MacDonald (Winona), guitarist Mike James (Onalaska) and bassist Eric Graham (Red Wing).

Baked goods, treats to raise money for Jamaica

The Friends of Jamaica are sponsoring a bake sale on Monday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the hallway of the first floor of Saint Mary’s Hall. Pie, candy, bars and treats will be available. Buy just one or treat your office mates or roommates. All proceeds will be donated to our program in Mandeville, Jamaica, to help outfit a classroom.

Basketball team invites community to bring toys for Gifts for Winona program

The men’s basketball team is partnering with the Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program to collect toys on Saturday, Dec. 8.

On Dec. 8, the men’s team will play Crown College at 3 p.m. in the SMU Gym. Attendees are encouraged to bring along a variety of new toys for girls and boys, which will be distributed through Gifts for Winona.

The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program, now in its 11th year, helps more than 1,600 people in the Winona area have happier holidays.

No ‘Campus Notes’ next week

Because of Thanksgiving break, there will be no ‘Campus Notes’ next week. The next issue will be Friday, Nov. 30. Look ahead on your calendars. The deadline for that issue is Wednesday, Nov. 28.