WILLISTON The James Memorial Art Center presents an evening of Irish culture featuring music, traditions and food with Dearbhail Finnegan and Robin Slater, a husband-and-wife team from County Meath, Ireland, on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m.
In preparation for the James' upcoming "Key Ingredients" exhibition which deals with America's food culture, the reception following the program features tea direct from Ireland, scones and apple tart, all components of Irish food culture. There will be a $5 admission charge per person for the evening's program.
Dearbhail Finnegan is a qualified music teacher and performs professionally worldwide playing the Irish harp. She has had the honor of playing for President Clinton at the White House and is delighted to introduce the music, dance and folk art of Ireland. She has many solo albums to her credit and is the featured harpist at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Mo.
Robin Slater trained at the Royal Ballet School in London, England and has performed in many London West End theater productions including "42nd Street" and "Cats." He developed an interest in traditional Irish music and instruments and plays the Irish drum and the silver flute. He has played in major festivals, concerts and events in Ireland.
Finnegan and Slater are touring under the auspices of the Cultural Kaleidoscope of Kansas City, Mo. They will be in residence at St. Joseph's School the week of Jan. 9-13.
----------------------------
Minot band to present Winter Concert
The Minot Community Concert Band will present its Winter Concert Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in Ann Nicole Nelson Hall on the campus of Minot State University.
The performance will include a variety of repertoire for the concert band, including marches, transcriptions, new works and classics. The program includes pieces by Percy Grainger, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Dwayne Milburn and more. The concert will feature a solo organ performance by MSU student Suzannah Miller, who will also play organ with the band on "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" by Richard Wagner.
The Minot Community Concert Band is a volunteer musical organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of instrumentalists of all ages. The band is made up of approximately 40 Minot area residents, and is conducted by Tim Wollenzien of Minot.
The Winter Concert is free and open to the public. Donations support band activities.
----------------------------
Childrens' theater workshops scheduled
The Mouse River Players Community Theater in Minot is planning several "Mini-Mousers Saturday Workshops" in 2012.
Dates for the workshops run Saturdays Jan. 14 through Feb. 11. Children in second and third grades will attend from noon to 1 p.m. Children in fourth grade or older will attend from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.
The cost will be $5 per session. The themes for each workshop are: Jan. 14, Creating a Play Space (children should bring a shoe box); Jan. 21, Stage Movement and Blocking; Jan. 28, Musical Theater (singing and dancing); Feb. 4, Building a Character; and Feb. 11, Practice Auditioning for a Show.
Those interested should call 838-3939 to preregister or for more information.