In Minot, in June, culture in myriad ways, shapes and forms is literally bursting out all over for everyone who has wishes and dreams, and who has time for doing something creative to help make those dreams and wishes take shape and form with interesting, fascinating and fun activities.
Nancy Walter and Margaret Lee at the downtown Taube Museum will have summer art ventures for budding artists of any age. When you call 838-4445 you'll get exact information concerning the June classes and make your plans for filling vacation time.
You can also discover details concerning the Taube's "Run for Fun" which is set for June 6, officially kicking off cultural activities at the Taube. If you love to run and want to "Run for the Arts," just call the Taube for exact times and kind of races. With your running shoes in tow be at the Taube in beautiful historic downtown Minot to register from 6 to 6:45 p.m., and at 7 p.m. you'll be off and running for prizes and food and fun, all in the name of and for art. There will be a fee for this fun time with the beginning and ending at the Taube. Walter says that if you would rather walk, that's OK too. Dinner will be ready for you at 7:30 p.m., prizes will be handed out and you will be given an opportunity to create your own work of art on your very own t-shirt.
On June 15 and 16, the Taube will take culture to a new level with its annual "Revel in the Rubble" rummage sale. Like all rummage sales, this one will feature what you don't need or want and what someone else will take home to fill needs or wants - or both - with the Taube winding up with the resources which will help keep art alive and well in Minot.
If you would ask, "How many Norwegians does it take for you to listen to a City Band concert June 10 in Minot's Scandinavian Heritage Park," the answer undoubtedly would be "all of them" because all people of Norske heritage have long been known for generosity, especially where culture is concerned.
When the notorious flood of 2011 removed Oak and Roosevelt parks as venues for among other things band concerts, those in charge of the Scandinavian Heritage Park offered their beautiful facilities. So June 10, at 4 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., just bring whatever you want to sit on during the concert and enjoy what Jerry Spitzer, director for 29 years, has put together.
Asked if he would be using the same baton as always, Spitzer quipped, "the same one with less finish."
The band's numbers will include a variety of popular numbers, he said, adding that Angie Orluck's trumpet under her talented winds and fingers will be featured in one of the solos. In addition to the concert, you'll want to see what Jackie Younger's nimble fingers have fashioned. She's a Minot resident via the MAFB route. You will enjoy looking at her treasures and chatting too. As usual there will be buckets here or there in the park willing to receive any loose change or other shapes of cash or checks which help keep all of us culturally happy during the summer.
On June 14 at 7 p.m., again in the Scandinavian Heritage Park, one of Minot's finest vocal groups, The Minot Chamber Chorale, directed by veteran baton welder Bob Demke, will fill the summer evening with amazingly beautiful singing. In the wings will be Grandpa Moses Richard Mulbradt and his artwork, and the beautiful artwork of Lindsay Auran.
On Sunday, June 17, at both 4 and 7 p.m., bring with you whatever you need to be seated to the Scandinavian Heritage Park for another unique group, which was put together by a generous musically talented group known by hundreds of you through the years as the "Five of Us." Also while you are in this park, you can spend time with artistic Kathleen Cunningham. What she creates on ordinary envelopes you will find extraordinary.
On June 21, the Scandinavian Heritage Park will feature the feminine vocal ensemble known as the "Voices of Note" in concert. So talented is this respected group that it has the luxury of several directors who will take the baton to bring out the Voices of Note for your enjoyment starting at 7 p.m.
On June 23, from 1 to 8 p.m. out at the park, you will not need to have your genealogy checked when you arrive for the annual cultural Jazz Festival. If you remember, nostalgically and fondly, North Dakota's own Peggy Lee and the Benny Goodman Orchestra with which Peggy sang, you'll be sure to be among the hundreds. Amanda Carr and the Everett Longstreth Orchestra will make you believe you are listening to Peggy and Benny and his orchestra, and leave you asking as Peggy asked long ago - "Is This All There Is?" Incidentally, this concert, thanks to the generosity of several sponsors, will be free.
On June 24, yet another of Minot's parks, Polaris Park, will be the scene for a Minot City Band concert. Spitzer has called this Sunday concert the "Pops Concert," and he laughingly quips that moms and children are also welcome. Spitzer adds that concert numbers will include pieces that will be favorites of every member of the family, which of course includes all grandparents. The concert, as always, is free. Also free for the looking will be quill artwork created by and with the extraordinary imagination of Avis Veikly.
Back at the Scandinavian Heritage Park, on Thursday, June 28, culture takes on an international flavor. Instructors from the International Music Camp will pull out all the professional stops when they perform in concert as the International Brass Quintet. You can hear this prestigious quintet at 7 p.m. free of charge. And Minoter Vicky Haider, a national prize winning quilter, will have some of her unique quilts on display and will perhaps share some of her prize-winning tips with you.
From June 11-17, a mosquito-less Minot State University Amphitheater will host all you fans of the annual MSU Summer Theater. Respected veteran Kevin Neuharth, director for the first play of the season, says the farce "Lucky Stiff" is a zany, offbeat and very funny murder-mystery complete with slamming doors, mistaken identity, $6 million in diamonds, and a corpse in a wheelchair. It will cost you $8 if you are an adult, $7 if you qualify and admit to being a senior citizen, if you are 12 years and younger the cost will be $5. For reservations call 858-3228. Neuharth adds that, as usual, popcorn and soft drinks will be available - for a price of course.
Winding up June culturally in Minot, it can be said that the Mouse River Players will be willing to take anything except your clothing for the June rummage Sale. On June 21, the sale will be from 3 to 7p.m., on June 22 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and June 23, 9 a.m.-noon. This date, according to Nancy Pearson, will be the time to pick up items at the bag sale. Please call 838-3939 if you have items you would like to have picked up. Pearson assures you these items you would like to contribute will help keep the Arlene Theater alive and well in the realm of theater.
From the Taube's arty activities and races, to the Mouse River Players rummage sale, June in Minot offers all of you plenty of culture, right?
So enjoy all there is to enjoy!
On a personal note: By the time this column sees the light of day, this columnist will have written close to 300 columns for the sheer joy of writing. And she will have celebrated with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren plus scads of wonderful friends, 100 years on Planet Earth. Uncountable thanks go out to all of you who contributed in so many ways to making my 100th a piece of cake - preferably spice!