Still time to register for March 9 All-Program Reunion

Register now for the March 9 “All-Program Reunion” on the Twin Cities Campus. The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is planning a once-in-a-lifetime gathering to mark the SMU Centennial and 30 years of graduate education. Everyone is welcome. Register at  www.mysmumn.org/MarchBack.

Dance marathon fundraiser collects $1,200

Students met Abel, a little boy who was helped by the Children's Miracle Network.

Dancing for a good cause

The Saint Mary’s University Dance Club hosted a public Dance Marathon Friday, Feb. 15, to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

The fundraiser, hosted in association with Gundersen Lutheran of La Crosse ran from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in Gostomski Fieldhouse. Approximately $1,200 was raised and 249 people participated.

Page Series brings ‘The Gruffalo’ to life Feb. 27

Saint Mary’s Page Series is hosting the Tall Stories production of “The Gruffalo” 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Page Theatre.

Children ages 4 and older (and their parents) will enjoy watching as Mouse goes on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark woods in this magical, musical adaptation of the Blue Peter award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined? Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and scary fun.

Tall Stories, from London, England, was founded in 1996 by artistic directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. The company has grown to become a highly acclaimed, internationally touring, not-for-profit organization. They present old, new and timeless stories in fresh and exciting ways, and their productions tour to theatres, community venues and schools in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. Tall Stories aims to tell stories in a physical, visual style, and their performances link original music with movement and a lot of laughs.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU students to stage ‘Spitfire Grill’ Feb. 22-24

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present the musical drama “Spitfire Grill” Feb. 22-24 at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at 10th and Vila streets.

Under the direction of Dr. Gary Diomandes, “Spitfire Grill” is centered around a feisty parolee (Percy) as she follows her dreams ­– based on a page from an old travel book – to a small town in Wisconsin and finds herself working at Hannah’s Spitfire Grill. Although it’s for sale, there are no takers in the struggling little town. Percy suggests to Hannah that she raffle off the business. Entry fees are $100 and the best essay about why you want the grill wins. Soon, mail is arriving by the wheelbarrow, and things are getting hot at the Spitfire Grill. This musical triumph is an inspiring celebration of fresh starts and the power of what one person can do.

The show is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, Feb. 22-23, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24.

Tickets are $10, $5 for students and seniors and are available at the SMU Box Office, Ext. 1715, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Next Pulitzer event is March 20

The next Pulitzer/Under-Told Stories Forum will be on “Fragile Nations and Their Minnesota Connection” Wednesday, March 20, with Fred de Sam Lazaro, director of the Under-Told Stories Project, and special guest Jina Moore, an independent journalist who specializes in post-conflict and human rights, reporting at the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting. The event will be held 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall. If you would like de Sam Lazaro and Moore to visit your classroom the afternoon of March 20, please let Deb Nahrgang know at Ext. 6966.

Kabara elevator pitch winners announced

The Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies announced that John Fitzpatrick, Kyle Johnson, Michael Lunka, Timothy Smith and Ryan Wagner were each awarded a $100 prize in the recent Elevator Pitch Competition.  Smith is a philosophy major; the other winners are business majors.

Contestants created an idea for a business or an organization and had 90 seconds (the length of an average elevator ride) to convince a panel of judges that the idea was a worthwhile investment. Judges considered the feasibility and creativity of the idea and the enthusiasm and professionalism of the presentation when awarding the prizes.

The Kabara Institute is currently presenting a series of three workshops to help students create business plans. The deadline to enter the annual Business Plan Competition is March 21.  Questions about the competition can be directed to Teresa Speck at Ext.1449.

Music students attend, perform at state MMEA conference

Band members attending and performing at the MMEA conference included, from left: front, Phillip Emmerich (trombone), Marilyn Yennie (clarinet), Ed Wendt (tuba), back, Alex Cyert (euphonium), Katie Lieder (trumpet), Mary Gerty (bassoon) and Katie Kosiek (alto saxophone).

Dr. David Leung

Twelve SMU music students attended and performed at the Minnesota Music Educators’ Association Conference Feb. 14-16. Seven members of the SMU Concert Band performed in the Intercollegiate Honor Band, a college level all-state ensemble made up of the best musicians from colleges and universities throughout Minnesota.

Band members attending included: Phillip Emmerich (trombone), Marilyn Yennie (clarinet), Ed Wendt (tuba), Alex Cyert (euphonium), Katie Lieder (trumpet), Mary Gerty (bassoon), and Katy Kosiek (alto saxophone).

This year’s highlight was the world premiere of “Star-Crossed,” a new composition for band by Andrew Boyson, who also conducted the ensemble. Along with the honor band performers, music and music education majors attended the many pedagogy clinic sessions and performances, including: Ashley Buhr, Abbie Zuzeck, Rebekah Kisrow, Eric Doyle and Cassie Ricker.  As part of the conference the SMU Music Department had an information booth in the exhibit hall, and Dr. Janet Heukeshoven and David Leung spoke with many teachers and students in the booth.

Saint Mary’s hosts Alison Scott performance March 7

Saint Mary’s “Off the Page” series will welcome the strong vocals of Alison Scott 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Dr.

Scott, a Minneapolis singer-songwriter, delivers her heartfelt lyrics with both grace and style. Her organic style delivers a unique sound which combines soulful vocals and brilliant lyrics with a keen sense of creativity and passion.

A true multi-talented performer, Scott’s voice can soar high one minute and be seductive and fragile the next. She’s also a keyboard talent, whose beautiful harmonies mesh with her skintight backing band that’s made up of four of the Twin Cities’ most accomplished players, all with experience and recognition.

Together, this five-piece unit is as powerful as it is talented; they are a serious force to be reckoned with when they fuse contemporary soul with undercurrents of ’60s Brit-pop, silky jazz, and full-throttle rock.

Scott has opened for several national acts such as Bon Jovi, Chris Isaak, Marc Cohn, Boz Scaggs, and Nanci Griffith. Her CD release, “Chinese Whispers,” has been picked up for national distribution and is creating a lot of buzz around the Midwest. It was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students. Call the SMU Box Office at Ext. 1715 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or go online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU presents Rockwell Kent prints through Feb. 27

Saint Mary’s is partnering with several local organizations to celebrate the 100th anniversary of artist Rockwell Kent’s stay in Winona.

A selection of Rockwell’s graphic works will be presented at Saint Mary’s until Feb. 27. “Rockwell Kent Prints: Selections from the Ralf Nemec Collection” will be on display in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

For more information on the festival and events, email info@rockwellkentwinona.org or to go www.rockwellkentwinona.org.

Saint Mary’s exhibit honors Russian artist

A new exhibit of 20 works — commemorating the 120th anniversary of Aleksander Rodchenko’s birth — will be on display through Feb. 24.

Rodchenko, a Russian constructivist artist, worked during some of the most turbulent eras of the early 20th century in Russia. His groundbreaking philosophy and methodology in painting, photography and graphic design make him one of the most innovative artists of the early modern avant-garde.

This exhibit in the Lillian Davis Hogan Galleries is one of several worldwide dedicated to the memory of Rodchenko’s life. The public is invited to view the exhibition free of charge during normal gallery hours, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Cineclub announces Feb. 25 film

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages announces the next film for the Cineclub. All showings are Mondays at 6 p.m. in Room 200 of Saint Mary’s Hall.

Feb. 25 — The drama “La piel que habito”  (Spain, 2011); director Pedro Almodóvar.

A brilliant plastic surgeon, haunted by past tragedies, creates a type of synthetic skin that withstands any kind of damage. His guinea pig: a mysterious and volatile woman who holds the key to his obsession. Stars: Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya.  (English subtitles.)

Cineclub provides an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s and Winona communities to enjoy films from Spain and Latin America that may not typically be shown in local theaters.

In addition to viewing the films, participants are 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. Contact Dr. Kyle Black at kblack@smumn.edu for more information.

Mayo physician to address frac-sand health concerns

Health concerns related to the mining, transporting and processing of frac sand in and around Winona will be discussed by a Mayo Clinic physician at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 25, at Saint Mary’s.

Wayne Feyereisn, M.D., an internal medicine specialist and faculty member of the Mayo Medical School, will speak about health concerns related to dust from silica sand and exhaust from heavy volumes of diesel exhaust.

The presentation in Figliulo Recital Hall  is free and open to the public. It will also include discussion of:
•  Likely frac sand truck routes into Winona from mines being considered in Winona, Fillmore and Houston counties;
• The potential concentration of frac sand transport, mining and processing activity within one mile of SMU; and
• An update on the Minnesota Proppant frac-sand facility proposed for St. Charles, Minn., which would, if approved, be the biggest such
facility in the U.S.

Dr. Feyereisn’s presentation is being sponsored by the Land Stewardship Project, Citizens Concerned about Silica Mining (CASM), Concerned Citizens for St. Charles, and Winona’s Will Dilg Chapter of the Izaak Walton League.

‘Campus Notes’ schedule

Because of spring recess, there will be no ‘Campus Notes’ March 8. The next issue will be Friday, March 1, and the deadline for this issue is Wednesday, Feb. 27, so please look ahead on your calendars. The other two issues next month will be on March 15 and 22 with time off March 29 for Easter break.