Traditionally, in March, weather-wise, lions and lambs take center stage. When the lion arrives, we simply bundle up. If the soft, warm, little lamb arrives, we unbundle. So far as we humans know, we have no choice controlling the weather. However, here in Minot, culture wise, the choices are so many they literally tumble all over each other, making choices sometimes difficult.
On March 1, at 7:30 p.m. in MSU's Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, you may listen to a beautiful Italian pianist, Cristiana Pegoraro. At the age of 16 she was awarded a prestigious honor in Italy and has been performing all over Europe and our country.
On March 5, same place, same time, you can be sure that Minot's Symphony Orchestra's magical maestro will have arranged for you both lion and lamblike musical numbers. Dennis Simons assures you who will once again fill the hall that you will have for yourselves a "night to remember." You who have filled the hall all season and given him and his musicians lion-like roars can once again get your hands ready to applaud as well as your voices to roar. What an orchestra and what a director.
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Arlene Saugstad is a freelance writer who lives in Minot.
On both March 10 and March 19 it's for sure the Minot Moose Lodge will roar with the uproaringly popular music of the JMB Band. A call to 839-2893 will fill you in for details of this roaring evening. On March 22, members of MSU's Music Divisions Faculty promise you a lamblike evening of Chamber music in the Ann Nicole Nelson Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. and it's free for the listening. On March 28 in MSU's Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, a gentleman, Jim Witter, brought to Minot as the last in this season's International Artist Series will take the stage in a program billed as "The Piano Men."
'Willy Wonka'
If you've ever wished you could be in a real live chocolate factory, your wish can come to life if you are among the crowds in the Mouse River Player's Arlene Theater March 3-5 at 7:30 p.m. or March 6 at 2 p.m.
Thanks to the talented artistry of Sonia Polanaski from Minot Air Force Base you will immediately believe in wishes. Her expertise as a graphic designer created Willy Wonka's domain. Angie Maizia Potton, a young lady also from Minot Air Force Base plays the part of Charlie. All of you who remember the song "Candyman" will literally roar with applause when you hear Tim Wollenzien sing "The Candyman" in his role of the Candyman.
The cast of 39 on stage range from tiny tots as chocolate candy to a grandma as played by Nancy Pearson. You'll not be surprised at the directing talents of Holly Eidsness, choreography of Paula Simonson, or musicianship of Virginia Dohms. A crew of faithful volunteers working behind the scenes help to bring out the roaring successful family musical show. For reservations, just dial 1-866-667-1977.
On March 5 from noon until 4 p.m. in the Mouse River Player's Arlene Theater, youth interested in learning more about what goes into being on as well as behind the stage are invited to be part of the first Saturdays of the month classes. In time many of us will be seeing the results of these classes as the class participants of today become the thespians of the future.
Also taking the stage in downtown Minot, March 3 to March 5 at 7:30 p.m. and March 6 at 2 p.m., the Central Campus Playmakers perform, in the Central Campus Auditorium, "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It's a bet that Puck will have you roaring like a lion. Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for students.
During the month of March, MSU's campus will, literally, roar with culture, so bundle up if need be and take in the variety of "good stuff," culturally speaking, that this campus offers. From March 10-12, the Theater Department will present "The Vagina Monologues" in the Aleshire Theater. A call to 858-3159 will give you needed information.
Through March 17 in the Gordon B. Olson Library, New Yorker Marla Mossman, author, will present "Peace Caravan: Journey Along The Silk Road." If you'd like to meet Marla for a book-signing, be in the library on March 2. Starting March 7 in Hartnett Hall you can view the women's invitational exhibit titled "Through The Looking Glass" -- an opportunity perhaps to take a peek at how far women have come. And starting March 23 in the Gordon B. Olson Library you can see paintings by Annette Marchand.
The Minot Public Library also offers some roaring views like the exhibit brought to Minot from a St. Paul organization, TRACES.org, starting March 21. It's billed as "Other losses: the WWII POW experience and the Midwest" tailored for baby boomers. This library will also have on display art work by talented White Shield school students. Viewing any and all of these exhibits in our libraries costs you absolutely nothing so VIEW!
Those interested can come to the Aleshire Theater at MSU to take part in a discussion by the Sex Offender Task Force at 7 p.m. March 23. Then on March 29 at 7 p.m. in the Aleshire Theater at MSU there will be a guest speaker on the program recognizing Women's Heritage.
Not to be outdone, the Taube Museum in downtown Minot has a sort of lamb-like array of pastel paintings on the walls of the Main Gallery and on the Lower Gallery what Nancy Walker, executive Director, calls "Refrigerators and More." While you are having sloppy joes from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 5, why not take a few minutes or so to view the gallery's lambs and lions. The viewing is free.
Tying up the month of March is the annual Prairie Quilters Festival. From March 19-21 in the Grand International Inn you can see how much and how wonderfully beautiful will be the quilters from our area. Special quilters who will be in Minot for the Festival will be Nancy Odom and Heidi Pridemore.
Bundle up or unbundle -- cultural lions and lambs are yours to enjoy in Minot in March.