Commonweal opening new production this weekend

"Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" previews begin THIS SATURDAY, Aug. 26! On the fog-bound streets of London, Dr. Henry Jekyll conducts mysterious experiments that unleash a shadow self — Edward Hyde. He’s an eerily endearing brute who’s unafraid to pursue his basest desires. When Hyde falls in love with a young chambermaid, Jekyll fears for her life and decides to end his experiments. But is it too late? Thus begins a savage game of cat-and-mouse, leaving a trail of mayhem in its wake. Commonweal favorite Jeffrey Hatcher reimagines this classic tale of horror that probes the nature of humanity and oozes with suspense.

Don't forget, Commonweal offers the Burro Biz discount to anyone who works in Lanesboro - which means FREE tickets to any preview. This show is going to be doozy so if you work at one of Lanesboro's businesses, you don’t want to miss this free opportunity. AND, of course, there’s always the FREE County Night, which for "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" is Aug. 31. Any residents or employees of Fillmore and Houston Counties can see that performance for free. And if you can’t make free county night or any of the previews, there’s always Pay What You Can Night on Thursday, Sep. 7. For all of these special offers, and/or for more information, call the Commonweal Box office today!

Previews will run Aug. 26, 27, 31 and Sep. 1, leading up to opening night on Saturday, Sep. 2. Then, the following weekend, "Women in Jeopardy" returns in rep. "Women in Jeopardy" by Wendy MacLeod is a hoot! It’s Murder She Wrote meets Sex and the City. Best friends Mary, Jo and Liz are single, divorced and loving it. But danger looms when Liz starts dating an unhinged dentist, Nancy Drew inspired mysteries and bawdy hilarity ensues.

More fun to consider!

Mark Your Calendars! Saturday, Sep. 16, is Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch Opening Day! Big Spring Farms Pumpkins and Farm Maze is open from Sep. 16 through Oct. 29. The Corn Maze is created on 10 acres with 4.5 miles of trails with a theme of emojis. The fun awaits the whole family. With multiple ways to enjoy the maze, this is sure to be fun for everyone! September hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., October hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the Flashlight Mazes on Oct. 20, 21 and 28. Daily admission is $12, and season pass is $22. Children, age 3 and under, are free.

Join the Lanesboro Area Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Lanesboro EDA, for a Business and Community Mixer, honoring the new business owners who have invested in Lanesboro over the past year and new residents who have chosen to move to our community! We want all to join us as we grab a beer, enjoy some live music and show our new neighbors the true Magic of Lanesboro. All business owners, employees and residents are invited to introduce themselves and get reacquainted with other community members during our "Welcoming Week" event on Thursday, Sep. 7, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Sylvan Brewing.

Rescheduled: Improvisational Quilting as Stitching Identity. Rescheduled from July 28, join Sophia Munic at Cheryl's Fabric Garden on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to learn about how she uses improvised quilting to examine how we stitch together our identities. Sewing experience is suggested and it’s asked you to bring a sewing machine. This event is free, but limited in capacity, so registration is required. 

Lanesboro Arts is thrilled to present Humbird, on Saturday, Sep. 9, at 7 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre. This indie folk group’s music has the air of both folk and Americana, but the incredible instrumentation and powerful lyrics transcends genre. Each song tells a story that will encapsulate the listener. The harmonic folk style is why their debut album received such praise as Best Local Albums of the Year from the Current. Their new release Still Life deals with the intersection of som many powerful emotions while also bringing a familiar comfort every time. Tickets are $25 dollars, ($22 for Lanesboro Arts members) and available on the Lanesboro Arts website. 

Eagle Bluff Summer High Ropes Challenge are coming to a summer time close, the last two chances to get up on the course are this Saturday, Aug. 26, at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Buy tickets in advance on eaglebluff.org/events. Maneuver 30 feet in the air through a series of towers connected by various cables, ropes and log events! Do this all while enjoying the best view of southeastern Minnesota! 

The International Owl Center in Houston is one of the best attractions. The staff knows what they are talking about, and the live owl shows are awesome! They are open Friday-Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with programs at 11, 1 and 3. 

The Lanesboro Farmers Market is open every Saturday morning, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in Sylvan Park, from now through October. Find produce, baked goods, plants, canned goods and so much more!

There are only two more Summer Sundays at Sylvan Brewing. We round out the month with the Rhubarb Man himself, Tom Schramm on Sunday, Aug. 27. After that there’s only one big Sunday left on Labor Day Weekend. Bring a friend, have a couple drinks, and enjoy an afternoon in Lanesboro!

Jokes on Tap returns to Sylvan Brewing on Friday, Aug. 25! Join us in the taproom with comics Ryan Stock and Andy Holt hosting open mic night on the last Friday of each month! Ryan and Andy bring in comics from the region to showcase their talents and try out new material.

The final Lanesboro Barn Dance of the year will be at the Sons of Norway Hall on Saturday, Sep. 23! It will be a raucous square dance that’s still fun for the whole family. Live music and live calling make for a fun, interactive night of dance and fun from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Admission is $8. Caller is Rina Rossi with music by AJ Srubas and Bob Bovee.

As the sun sets a little earlier, and the crisp hints of fall around the corner, there’s something special about catching a performance on the patio at the High Court Pub. Charlie Warner and Jason Helder close out August on Friday, Aug. 25 and Saturday, Aug. 26, respectively. Then September kicks off with the smooth sounds of Nick Foytick’s soulful blues on Friday, Sep. 1. Tim Dallman returns with his originals and covers of rock, country and pop on Saturday, Sep. 2. Then, on Friday, Sep. 8, lonesome Dan Kase comes down from Minneapolis and brings the blues and folk with him!

We are in the hot, final days of Augy-doggy with Tuesday Trivia at the High Court Pub. Travel the globe with us on Aug. 29 with Around the world in 30 (ish) questions. My guess is it’s 31. 31 questions. 

Hops Harvesting has never been as fun as it is at Karst Brewing in Fountain during Pickin’ and Grillin! this Sunday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. with a picking contest at 4 p.m. There will be local, all-beef Sass hot dogs provided. The Final Sinkhole Saturday is this Saturday with Tim Dallman from 7 to 9 p.m. And don’t miss Twisted Barrel Wood Fire Pizza, being served tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 25, Friday, Sep. 29, and Friday, Oct. 20.

Karst Brewing also hosts Bingo every first and third Thursday of the month and Trivia the second and fourth. Trivia is Thursday, Aug. 24, and next week we have another fifth week, so we’ll see what those crazy Karst kids come up with. The topics in Round 1 are Double Albums, and general trivia, and Round 2 are Celebrity Auctions and general trivia, and then the topic for the Bonus Round is Annoying Spokespeople.

Karaoke Wednesdays are the second Wednesday at the American Legion from 6 to 9 p.m. with karaoke on the fourth Wednesday at the High Court Pub, starting at 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Remember to swing by Granny’s Liquor every Saturday from 12 to 3 p.m. for a Complimentary Tasting.

Before we go - look, we don’t want to do it either - we’ve been putting it off, but it’s time. School starts soon, on Tuesday, Sep. 5, to be exact. Other big days to know for Lanesboro Public Schools are elementary picture day on Sep. 26; high school picture day on Sep. 28 and Homecoming on Sep. 19 with the Burros playing Leroy-Ostrander.