Play the Drums with Mu Daiko - Drumming Workshop

Would you like to experience what it is like to perform taiko drumming? Join 20 participants from 4:30 to 5:30PM March 8 at Zabee Theater in a workshop provided by the Mu Daiko performers. You will learn the basic forms and stances of taiko drumming along with a few basic rhythms from the song, Matsuri. Participants will take part in warm up stretches, hitting the drums and playing the rhythms. The workshop is available for ages 10 through adult and is $15 per person. Call the Arts Alliance Office to sign up at 763-441-4725. Allow the rhythm and movement of taiko drumming to sweep you away.

Grand Opening Member Show March 8, 2008

Are you interested in seeing your art hanging in the New Arts Alliance location in Beautiful Downtown Elk River? We are having a members show starting on March 8th. We will be having a grand opening reception that evening in the gallery space from 5pm to 7pm prior to the Mu Daiko performance. Information is available on our website at http://elkriverart.org/grandopeningshow.asp. We are also starting a list of artists who are interested in holding their own shows in the gallery. If you are an artist and would like to be included in our member artist link on our website please email webmaster@elkriverart.org

Moving to 716 Main Street - Do you want to help?

The Arts Alliance Move to our new location at 716 Main Street in Beautiful Downtown Elk River is on. When we answer the phones on February 19th we will be in our new location. We are looking forward to being in a location where it is easy for people to stop in, appreciate the art that will be hanging in the gallery and ask about classes and other activities being offered by the Arts Alliance.
We are looking for volunteers to help us with the move - transporting boxes from the old location to the new. Please call the arts alliance office at 441-4725 if you can help!

Waybacks

Wow! if you missed the Waybacks Performance on Saturday night (2-9-08) make sure that you visit their website http://www.waybacks.com/ in March when their new CD will be released. They were all exceptionally good musicians. Many of the songs that they played were written by the band members. The violinist was the best I have ever heard in a blue grass band 0r anywhere for that matter. They entertained us with a variety of music styles. Their music was tight and energetic and everyone left with a smile on their face and plans to buy their new CD when it is released!

Many Good Things Happening

We are very excited to bring the Waybacks to Zabee Theater on February 9, 2008 at 7:30. We have been getting requests for tickets from all over the Twin Cities area. One gentleman said that he had heard them before, that they were one of the best bands he had ever heard and that the musicians themselves are very accomplished musicians. He is coming from Minneapolis to hear them play again. There are still tickets available. You can order them on our website directly or can view the locations selling tickets. Rockwoods Grill in Otsego has offered ticket buyers an opportunity to save $5.00 off their total dinner check the evening of the performance if you show them your ticket. They are also selling tickets there that will offer you a $5.00 discount off regular adult ticket price with a dinner purchase. (Remember, Valentines day is just around the corner – this is a great opportunity to celebrate early).

We are also very excited to be moving downtown Elk River. Plans are being made for an opening reception on March 8th from 5 to 7 in the new space (Before the Mu Daiko Performance at the Zabee that evening). Many volunteers are working hard to get a members show up and running in the Gallery space at the new location. If you are an Arts Alliance member (or you become one) and are interested in helping or having your art displayed in the Gallery, send an email to elkriverart@sherbtel.net or call 763-441-4725.

The Arts in Harmony Exhibit opens on Feb 4 at the Sherburne County Government Center. Thank you to Dave Beauvais and all the other people on the exhibitions committee for bringing us another incredible show! The opening reception is Sunday, February 10, 2008 from 1 to 3:30. Everyone is invited to come and meet the artists, see their art and see the prizes being awarded. Light refreshments will be served.

As many of you know, Patrick Grace our executive director, resigned the end of December. Our Board Chair David Raymond has been volunteering much of his time in the office and many others on the board have been volunteering much of their free time working to keep things running smoothly. If you have time to help out let us know – we will be very appreciative. We are definitely a volunteer run organization right now – let us know what you like to do and how you would like to help the Arts Alliance provide quality arts experiences in our community.