Some like it hot, some like it warm, some like it frozen -- culture, that is -- and in February in Minot you can savor all three -- many of them for free.
On Feb. 4, if you step into the Taube Museum of Art at 2 North Main and you are one of the first 200 inside, you will not only slurp a variety of soups but, when you leave, you'll take home with you a ceramic soup bowl handcrafted by MSU students from the college Ceramics Department.
For this third annual fundraiser "Soup It Up," seven handsome young chefs representing seven of Minot's finest restaurants -- Qdoba, Big Time Bistro, Olive Garden, Spicy Pickle, Primo, Ebenezer's and 10 North Main -- will be standing behind kettles of hot soups. You may taste all the line soups and eat Marketplace artisan Italian breads, plus volunteer-made desserts and drink coffee if you wish for $10 if you are a member of the Taube and $15 for nonmembers.
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Arlene Saugstad is a freelance writer who lives in Minot.
Memberships will be available so if you are frugal, just purchase a membership, suggests Nancy Walter, Taube executive director. Margaret Lee as usual will have art projects for your children to enjoy. Warm culture trims the walls of the gallery which Nancy invites you to view while you are in the gallery. Photographers have captured "Forgotten Places" in our state that are nostalgically warm and worth your viewing. Funds raised at this annual event help to carry the Taube's mission which is enriching lives through the visual arts.
For parts of three days in February at the Sleep Inn & Suites you can enjoy the kind of music that only the musicians who perform as the Frozen Fingers can provide. The Frozen Fingers Music Festival begins Feb. 10 where there will be a jam session from 7 to 10 p.m. and it will cost you $10. Feb. 11 from noon to 8 p.m. will cost $15 to attend. Also on Feb. 11 there will be a chance for you to kick up your heels at a dance, which will cost $5. The festival concludes with more of the Frozen Fingers music on Feb. 12 from noon until 7 p.m., also for $15. Contact person for this event is Rich Anhorn at 833-1811.
On Feb. 12 out at MSU's Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at 4 p.m., talented, soft spoken Gordon Troxel, director of what is billed as North Dakota's only Brass Band, hopes he will be looking out at a packed house for the band's winter concert. And why not? It's free with a freely given offering. When Gordon picks up his baton and with a light touch summons the Brass Band to begin "This Is My Country," you can be assured that you will want to rise up and sing in proud assurance that "This Land Is My Land." In addition there will be a warm number, "Echo Waltz," performed by a euphonium trio whose members are Jim Lien, Tim Wollenzien and Chris Badger. Trumpeters Pat Schwan and Al Schon accompanied by the band will offer "Amazing Grace."
Singing with the Brass Band are the Nodakords plus men from several male groups in Minot, as they sing under the unique name of Men of Minot. Gordon has included a number of patriotic songs for this program and because this concert is close to Valentine's Day, you may feel the urge to sing along when the vocalists accompanied by the band perform "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." With all of this homegrown talent together for an afternoon concert, Gordon hopes to draw a packed house.
Theater
If you have ever been a bride or a father of a bride or if these roles are on your upcoming calendar you're sure to want to be in the Arlene Theater for the Mouse River Players production of "Father of the Bride." Brittany Knickerbocker who incidentally has reserved a June date for her own wedding vows plays the bride, and Ryan Haider takes the stage as her father in this production, directed by veteran Conrad Davidson. Having been the father of the bride, Conrad should know his way around.
Along with Brittney and Ryan you'll sit and enjoy other thespians. Kelly Thom plays the mother of the bride. Other cast members include Alex Schoenberg-Carton, Anthony Anderson, Breanna Benson, Kena Davidson, Sara Thom, C.J. Leigh, real-life father-of-the-bride Tim Knickerbocker, Courtney DuPona, Miles Way, Danny Knickerbocker, Ceecy Nucker and Paige Leigh. Dates for this production are Feb. 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. If you do not have a season ticket, it will cost you $10. Reservations can be made by calling (866) 667-1977.
Playwright Neil Simon's comedy "Jake's Women" under the talented direction of Paula Lindekugel-Willis, takes the stage at MSU's Aleshire Theater Feb. 24-26. In this production you will laugh at the troubles that writer Jake has trying to untangle his array of women both dead and alive. Does he finally find happiness? You will discover when you attend February's farce in the Aleshire Theater. If you are an adult it will cost you $6. Seniors and students can enjoy the evening for $5. Call 858-3178 to reserve your seat.
On Feb. 26 at 3 p.m. in the MSU Ann Nicole Nelson Hall, Bob Demke will, for your pleasure, direct Minot's prestigious Minot Chamber Chorale. The chorale will present the Saint Cecilia Mass. This mass dates back to 1885 when it was first performed on Saint Cecilia's Day. A freewill offering will be accepted.
Short on days, long on culture, February has something hot, warm and frozen for everyone to enjoy. So enjoy!