Ear to the Ground

Be sure to let us know what you have going on to add it to our "Ear to the Ground" section! We’d love to add it to our list. Members can simply post an event to the online calendar through the member portal or email [email protected].

Mark Your Calendars! The first weekend of the Lanesboro Area Art Trail is just a few weeks away. One of the highly unique things that can be #onlyinlanesboro, the art trail is an amazing chance to get into some of Lanesboro’s finest artists' studios.  Get a behind-the-scenes-look at how some of the best artists in the Driftless do their work. There are three weekends every fall and it’s worth doing at least one, but I'd recommend all three to watch how their work progresses over the season. The first one will be held next weekend, Aug 18-19, with additional weekends being held Sep. 15-16 and Oct. 6-7.

Learn to Paint a Watercolor Owl will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, at Lanesboro Arts. This is going to be a great opportunity to learn the basics of watercolor painting with artist and educator Marlene Maloney. Students, ages 10-14, will paint their own feathered friend and learn the skills to create all kinds of watercolor masterpieces at 1 p.m. And then, that evening from 6 to 8 p.m., anyone 14 years and older can participate in an adult-level introductory watercolor painting class! These Learn to Paint classes are $15 dollars at registration (which can be done at lanesborarts.org) and all supplies are included with the registration fee (contact Leah Steding at [email protected]  if a participant is in need of financial assistance). Marlene Maloney is a former graphic artist and middle school art teacher from Minneapolis. Since retirement, she’s been enjoying her own creative life working with pastels, watercolors and acrylics. Her style is still evolving and loosening up with more expressive colors and brushstrokes.

Rhythm on the Root closes out another banner year with Minneapolis’ singer-songwriter Faith Boblett on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 6 p.m. in Gateway Park. Named one the Best New Bands in 2018 by First Avenue, many of her songs receive regular airplay on MPR’s The Current. For Faith, creating music has been an important part of her life since she was a teenager. Today, Faith Boblett is creating timeless songs by finding her own distinctive voice. Drawing inspiration from Tom Petty, Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow, her songs feature a variety of pop, Americana, alternative country, rock and more! In addition to writing and performing her own music, Faith Boblett is also a part of the larger Minneapolis music scene. She has performed in shows paying tribute to Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, The Replacements, XTC and Shania Twain. Tickets are $20 General Admission for individuals age 13+ and $15 Lanesboro Arts Members (free for 12 and under, but ticket still required). Seating will be first-come, first-served general admission. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket to sit on in the park!

Combine watercolor, collage, and mosaic skills to create beautiful and expressive cards with guest teacher Robin Anderson! This class encourages participants to explore colors, textures and shapes in creative combinations. Students ages 12 and up can make everything from abstract patterns to carefully arranged paper scenes to decorate unique greeting cards! Paper Quilting Greeting Cards will take place at the St. Mane Theatre’s second-floor studio from 1 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Registration for this art class is required, however, the class is FREE. Lanesboro Arts will provide all necessary materials. Register now at lanesboroarts.com

Lanesboro Arts is proud to present award-winning dancer Sachiko “La Chayí” and Twin Cities Flamenco Collective in “A Night In Andalusia'' on Friday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at the St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro. Described by dance critic Linda Shapiro in Pioneer Press as “Flamenco dynamo Sachiko,” McKnight Dancer Fellow Sachiko “La Chayí” and Twin Cities Flamenco Collective invite audiences to join their Southern Spanish tablao-style Flamenco which celebrates the Gitano spirit. The show features internationally recognized guest artists, festero Javier Heredia (Seville, Spain), dancer La Rhina (Seville, Spain), and guitarist Kris Hill “El Cuervo” (Phoenix, AZ). General Admission tickets are $25 and $22 dollars for Lanesboro Arts members.

Join local artist Lynn Susag for The Art of Paper Cutting to practice the fundamental skills of paper cutting! Create your own paper artwork in this adult-level class (suitable for ages 18 and up). The class will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 21, in the second-floor studio at the St. Mane Theatre. Paper Cutting is an art form found in cultures all around the globe! Since the invention of paper in China in the first century BCE, creatives have been creatively cutting it into decorative designs. It has many iterations from German scherenschnitte to Japanese Kirigami. Lynn will give a demonstration and explanation of how to follow a paper cutting pattern, before turning the class loose to snip, trim and unfold their way through delightfully simple yet stunning designs. All participants will go home with a cut-paper masterpiece or two, as well as patterns to continue practicing at home! This class is a FREE art-making opportunity! However, pre-registration is strongly encouraged. All necessary supplies will be provided. Register for Paper Cutting by Clicking Here!

Fur and Feathers is the next show at Lanesboro Arts Gallery, Julie Fakler paints vibrant one-of-a-kind domestic animal portraits. The show will feature over 20 of these portraits and kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 19, with a demonstration of her techniques, from 2 to 5 p.m., followed by an Artists Reception from 6 to 8 p.m. with live music and light refreshments.

Stringwood Festival Artist Concerts are back for another year at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church and there’s only one more chance to catch them, Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 7:30 p.m. Artaria String Quartet and guest artists will perform Octet and other selections. Tickets are $25.  

Homegrown Lanesboro native Theo St. Mane is coming to the Lanesboro Library on Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. to talk about his middle school and young adult series, "The Mouse Traveler's Apprentice", a gripping high fantasy tale following the trials and tribulations of Jessa, the first Chimp Traveler. The program is free and open to all ages.

The public is invited to attend the BAM 2023 Live Welcome Concert with Dan Chouinard and Lanesboro Friends on Wednesday, Aug. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. in Lanesboro' s Sylvan Park Gazebo. Chouinard, a popular Twin Cities pianist, writer and host of hit shows for radio, concert hall and theatrical stage, is the host for this concert including performing duo Matt and Brenda Steir; the Rhubarb Sisters: Elizabeth Fuglestad, Peggy Hanson, Beth Hennessy and Julie Kiehne; Tom Schramm, Lanesboro's Neil Young; Nathan Davidson, jazz sax, and Stela Burdt on vocals; and Maddie Bergey, a talented gem from the Fillmore Central High School class of 2023. This summer concert will also include greetings by BAM’s tour director, Mary Derks. Sylvan Brewing beers and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Cash preferred.

The Lanesboro Barn Dance returns to town at the Sons of Norway Hall on Saturday, Aug. 19! 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 Robin Nelson with music by Teresa and Eric Lind and Bob Bovee.

“Women in Jeopardy” by Wendy MacLeod is now showing at the Commonweal Theatre. This show 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. And Deathtrap has only a few shows left!  If you have yet seen this thrilling ride filled with twists and turns, run don’t walk to the Commonweal Box Office and get your tickets today! Desperate for a hit, a washed-up playwright will do anything to resuscitate his dying career. This devilishly clever thriller will have you on the edge of your till the final bow. Monday performances are up and running, so there’s even more options to catch a show.

"Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde" previews begin 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.

Eagle Bluff Summer High Ropes Challenge opportunities take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday in August. 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 of our area. The staff knows what they are talking about, and the live owl shows are awesome! The center is open Friday through 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!

The continued model of the High Court Pub must be “If Music be the food of love, play on,” those iambic pentameter lovers, because it doesn’t seem like live music is slowing down at the old HCP! Ben Scruggs is a Mankato-based musician who mixes blues, folk and Americana for an awesome night of tune-age.  He’ll be at the pub this Friday, (tomorrow) Aug. 11. Then, on Saturday, (the day after tomorrow, Jake) Rob Coates gets all genre bendy, and you’ll get all wibbly-wobbly on Aug. 12.  Music savant Ryan Howe will be getting you on your feet on Friday, Aug. 18, with energetic multi-instrumental covers and originals. Mike Munson returns for masterful slide guitar blues on Saturday, Aug. 19.

We are knee deep into Augy-doggy with Tuesday Trivia at the High Court Pub. Up next on Aug. 15 is Cats! Guest Hosts Isa and Lizzy will be taking us through all things feline - be they musical, theatrical or animal. Then Wyatt strikes back on Aug. 22 with The Disney Empire – which includes this reference. (Imperial march begins). Finally, we go all around the world, and I, and I, and I hope we find our baby! Travel the globe with us on Aug. 29 with Around the World in 30(ish) questions. My guess is it’s 31, 31 questions.   

Take a Bite into Trivia on Monday, Aug. 14, at the Bite in Harmony. The Pizza of the Month is the Totcho Supreme Pizza, and it looks delicious. Jalapeno cheese sauce? Tater tots? More jalapenos! Yum! Oh, also, yeah, trivia that night starts at 6:30 p.m. and it’s trivial pursuit.

Sinkhole Saturday is grooving along at Karst Brewing in Fountain. Christian Tim will be rocking the boards on Aug. 12, and Tim Dallman will be ringing in the night on Aug. 26.  And don’t miss Twisted Barrel Wood Fire Pizza, being served on Friday, Aug. 25, Friday, Sep. 29, and Friday, Oct. 20. Grab yourself a Top of the Trail and a nice wood fire pizza. Of course, don’t forget the rotating bi-weekly Bing-via…tri-go? Bingo every first and third Thursday of the month and Trivia the second and fourth.

Have you been to Summer Sundays at Sylvan Brewing yet? No? Why not?!? Everyone is there, it’s a real party. Seriously, check out the fools who even brought a couch! But I mean you’ve had the delicious farm to table food from the Driftless Trading Post, right? OK, phew. There are only four Sundays left to enjoy live music on the cool new patio, feel that nice late summer breeze on your face and drink some great beers. Tim Emmons’ energetic covers and soul-stirring originals will have you tapping your feet on Sunday, Aug. 13. Jason and James of Spartz Electric will be charging you up at Sylvan Brewing with a fun blend of original roots-rock and Americana music on Sunday, Aug. 20, and 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. Bring a friend, have a couple drinks, and enjoy an afternoon in Lanesboro! On these hot Augy-Doggy summer days, it sure is nice to grab a crisp Willow Wheat, and a sandwich from the Driftless Trading Post and enjoy the tunes! Jokes on Tap returns 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.

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

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

Upcoming City Meetings

Wednesday, Aug. 16: Library Board - 5 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 16: Planning and Zoning - 6 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 21: Public Utilities - 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 22: Parks Board - 4:30 p.m.