Spring-time in the Twin Cities

After an unusually mild winter, spring has come early for the Twin Cities! And what a better way to celebrate the nice weather than by getting out and enjoying one of the many cultural offerings found in Minneapolis/St. Paul! Here's what's coming up:

• Cory Wong releases Quartet/Quintet, a double-disk set showcasing his jazz diversity on April 23. Attend the CD release party on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 at 9:00 p.m., at the Artists' Quarter in downtown Saint Paul. $10 cover.
• Terell Stafford, one of the greatest trumpeters of our time, is performing with the JazzMN Orchestra on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets at http://jazzmn.org/tickets or by calling 1-866-811-4111.
• Park Square Theatre presents Doubt, A Parable, starring Linda Kelsey, April 20 - May 13. As Sister Aloysius battles for truth and personal integrity, this play will leave you with questions to ponder long after the curtain goes down. Tickets and info at www.ParkSquareTheatre.org.
• Festival of Nations celebrates 80 years with its return to the Saint Paul RiverCentre on Thursday, May 3 through Sunday, May 6. This family-friendly festival brings together people from a vast array of backgrounds to celebrate their ethnic heritage through exhibits, food, music, dance, and personal connections. Tickets and more info at www.festivalofnations.com.

For more information on any one of the above events, download a press release on the Media Resources page.

What's going on in 2012

• Twin Cities-based band Beira Mar Brasil hosts Carnaval Brasileiro 2012 (Brazilian Carnival) at the Fine Line Music Cafe on Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. with an all-ages family matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m.
• Park Square Theatre presents three public performances of their annual production of The Diary of Anne Frank on March 1 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and March 31 at 1 p.m.
• The Casswell Sisters perform with the JazzMN Orchestra at the Hopkins Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m.
• Congratulations to TigerLion Arts, Minnesota Boychoir, Puppet Farm Arts, and Circus Juventas on selling out the final week of The Dragons Are Singing Tonight!

Read the full press releases for these events here >>

Thanksgiving

I received a Thanksgiving card today -- one that I'll keep for a long time. Park Square Theatre used a great production photo of the cast of Oliver Twist from the "giving thanks" scene. What a nice gesture and reminder that in today's electronic world, a thoughtful card in the mail is meaningful.