paperless society?

Paperless society?
NOT.

Though we all think the use of the computer has reduced our use of paper, it hasn't. So why not LEARN TO MAKE YOUR OWN?
ArtScape has a one session class coming up on October 13th where you can embrace the texture, the fluidity, the fun of paper making.
If you have ever wondered how one turns cotton rags, trees, and other vegetable matter into the wonderful thing we use every day then you won't want to miss this class.
Learn how the Chinese developed the method of papermaking that hasn't really changed for over 2000 years. A screen, a frame, fiberous material, and a lot of water.

You will learn to create your own mold and deckle (frame and screen), learn how to turn ordinary scrap paper and vegetative matter into beautiful paper suitable for making cards, using in collages, making your own handmade books (just in time for holiday giving), or as a work of art on their own.

Our teacher, Cherene Bebeau is well known in the area for her accessible teaching method, her hands on help, and her dedication to your creative growth.

The vital statistics:
Saturday, October 13, 9am-noon
Handke Center in Elk River
$28 class fee

call 763.241.3520 to register for this ArtScape class.

Congrats to the winners!

News just in from Dave Phipps of the Creative Department, Sunday at noon on Newstalk 1450 KNSI. The winners to the hotly contested tickets for the C. Willi Myles and Laura Harley event on Saturday October 6th have been announced.
They are: Janet Wensman and Don Fortner, both of St. Cloud. We hope you enjoy the show and pass the word on to your friends that Elk River is just down the road a piece.

Speaking of October 6th and all. According to a reliable news source, C. Willi is tearing up the house in Arizona this weekend, while troubadour, Laura Harley is making the rounds of small clubs and coffee houses in California this past week.

We know they'll be back to entertain you at the Zabee however.

Those of you that get there early that night will be in for a real treat.

See you there!

talk it up

We saw an article in the Strib the other day that stated that over 70% of Sherburne County residents that work commute to outside of Sherburne County. This helps explain the back up from 101 to at least the 494-694 exchange every week day morning.

This also helps explain the challenge an arts organization has in reaching those that make many of the decisions about where to look for arts programming. Our neighbor commuters are tuning in to media outlets that generally speaking are focused upon the activities in the city. This reenforces the mistaken notion that only the city has arts programming. We know differently and attempt to get our message to the big city media just as we do to our local outlet(s). One can open the Sunday paper and not see an ad from us or perhaps even a listing of our events in their Fun Things To Do list.

The economics of the situation leaves only the best endowed organizations with the opportunity to regularly advertise in the big city papers or on the big city radio or television. Sometimes it seems we are shouting from a megaphone at cars speeding by. The internet is meant to be the great equalizer for this sort of dilemma. You dear reader need to spread the word for us.

Tell ten of your friends to come to the October 6th concert at the Zabee Theater featuring comedian C. Willi Myles and vocalist Laura Harley.

Tell another ten friends to join the Arts Alliance so they can participate in the nonjuried Members Show starting October 8th at the Sherburne County Government Center.

Then tell ten more friends that they should enter the Arts in Harmony 08 national juried art exhibit by December 7th to be eligible to win some of the $9000 that will be given out in prizes.

We could tell you to tell ten more friends about Joe Chvala on December 1st, but we’re not sure who’d be left in town that wouldn’t have already been told about it.

Arts in the xburbs. Talk it up.

C. Willi Myles and Laura Harley open the 2007-2008 Arts Alliance Performance Series at Zabee Theater, October 6 at 7:30pm.

If you like to laugh at life, and it does provide many opportunities, doesn’t it, then you will want to be at the Zabee Theater on October 6th.

C. Willi Myles was born in Alabama and came North to go to college in St. Cloud. His recollection of his first winter in Minnesota, back when Minnesota had real winters, is enough to get your smile on. Then he goes ice fishing. “People, there is something wrong here...”
The New York Times has been quoted as saying C. Willi Myles "leaves them hurtin' with laughter and wanting more!" With extremely funny non-offensive stories and jokes, Willi makes everybody laugh, whether a child or a senior citizen.

C. Willi has opened for many of the top musical and comedy acts throughout the country and performs regularly at casinos and in concert with some of the biggest names in entertainment including Bill Cosby and Dennis Miller. He has appeared at the Minnesota State Fair, under the Big Top in Bayfield, Wisconsin, and has been featured locally and nationally on the Fox Network, Comedy Central, and Showtime at the Apollo. The Big Top says that they have never had so many phone calls after a performer has been on their weekly radio show as when C. Willi appeared.
C. Willi Myles is celebrating the release of his new CD, “The Big Show Live,“ recorded live under the Big Top.

He really is a truly funny guy.

Opening for C. Willi is Twin Cities based vocalist Laura Harley.

These days there are plenty of bad role models for young women to emulate. Laura Harley is the opposite of that. She is a trained life coach, works with young people on a daily basis helping them find a path through what can be a quagmire of mixed messages from the media and their peers. Her songs reflect her own search for meaning and a path in life.
Critics and fans alike rave about the "crystalline beauty" of Laura Harley's voice. In a time when the airwaves are jammed with the static of a world on the brink, Laura cuts through the noise. Her captivating voice, evocative lyrics, and unforgettable songs have brought her devoted fans and critical acclaim throughout her musical career.
At a high-school battle of the bands, Laura’s singing caught the attention of guitarist Teddy Kim, who was looking for a collaborator. The two cut a demo under the name Sliver and burst onto the Minneapolis club scene. Sliver became a buzz act when the local college radio station obtained a copy of their demo and put it into heavy rotation. That year, before releasing a record, Sliver was voted Minneapolis' best new band in a ballot sponsored by the prestigious First Avenue Club. They went on to release two critically-acclaimed CDs, tour nationally, and chart on the college music charts. Later she and Teddy began a new musical collaboration seeking new perspective.
Her 2006 self titled CD had critics outdoing themselves with praise. “Sounding like a snowcapped Sade, Harley (a trained life coach) strives for meaningful messages and inner explorations amid rich, subtle arrangements. Even empowerment anthems “Champion” and “Sing Out Loud” never lose their cool, but that’s in tune with Harley’s vision to make soothing, contemplative pop."
--Minnesota Monthly
"...Her self-titled album was written and recorded in both New York and Minneapolis, and it’s a unique mixture of urban chic and Midwest innocence. Part electro-pop, part trance and part muted rock, Harley hypnotizes the listener with a voice that is both beautiful and haunting, like a sharply chiseled icicle or a temptress stuck behind a thick sheet of glass. “I’m the fire / burning bright red light,” Harley sings on “Breathe It In,” and from the tone of her voice you have to believe her. “I’m the siren / Cut through all the noise / Feel it change me / I break the silence with my voice,” she sings, and her voice clears its way through a funky pop beat to dance with the listener, forcing the song to come alive..."
--Pulse

For more information about either of these artists check out their websites, or go to the Arts Alliance website and look for their link.
Arts Alliance: www.elkriverart.org
C. Willi Myles: www.cwilli.com
Laura Harley: www.lauraharley.com


It is not too late to purchase a season pass for our Performance series. $60. If you are a member you receive an extra ticket voucher for one performance, so that you can introduce a friend to our great value, high quality, close to home entertainment.

Single tickets are:
$15 adults
$12 Art Alliance members/Seniors
$6 Youth under 18.

We also have the Family Pak this year: $30 for 2 adults + one youth (save $6); each additional youth is $5.