Edge Center for the Arts

Circle Mirror – Ready Set Go

2012-02-11T06:36:00.001-08:00

The play Circle Mirror Transformation, starting performances in Bigfork later this month, includes a set with most everything in a dance studio. Building it took volunteers from the region including Marcel, Effie, Togo and Bigfork to finish in two days. Complete with mirrors, ballet bars, wooden flooring, hula-hoop, exercise ball and a cast of five, the play is definitely a go. Circle Mirror Transformation, which won last year’s Obie for Best New Play off-Broadway is about a Creative Dramatics class taught at a community center in a small Vermont town. It will run February 23th through the 26th.

The flooring and painting the set walls took a day. If you have tried this, you can appreciate how much time and patience it takes.

Putting the 12-foot walls up went quickly. It is amazing how lots of hands can make the difference. Two of the walls are “real” enough to hold the mirrors, lean on and even use the ballet bars.

The first rehearsal in the new set was Firday the 10th. And with less than two weeks before opening night, there will be lots of rehearsing.

The show times at The Edge Center Theatre in Bigfork are Thursday through Saturday, February 23rd to 25th at 7pm and Sunday, February 26th at 2pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 children, and $3 student rush.

Tickets are available at the Edge Center Wednesdays - Fridays 9am-1:00pm, at Two Rivers Cenex Convenience Store in Bigfork, online at www.the-edge-center.org, and at the door.

Artists in Training

2012-02-07T13:02:00.000-08:00

When native artist Gorden Coons exhibited at The Edge Canter gallery in October of 2011, he conducted five classes at the Bigfork School in his techniques. The following is some the art that the students of the Bigfork School created as a result.

The above photo is Gordon during one of the classes.

Gordon Coons, because of his Ojibway and Ottawa heritage, has chosen to work in the Eastern Woodland and the Ledger styles. He is a self-taught artist, now living in Minneapolis, and is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of northern Wisconsin.

His student classes started with 14 Native American students from Grand Rapids and then included several grades from the Bigfork School. The talks he gave after the classes helped students and other visitors understand what lies behind his color and symbol choices.

Here are several examples of the student art. The whole collection can be viewed at:

http://www.the-edge-center.org/exhibits/CoonsStudentArt.html

Robin Hood Older and Wiser?

2012-02-01T12:13:00.000-08:00

Who would have ever thought Robin Hood and Marian would not live happily ever after? Evidently, all did not stay merry in Sherwood Forest. This sequel really spins an interesting yarn and is better at it than most sequels. But Robin refusing to do what King Richard wants and Marian a nun? This is interesting stuff and “Robin and Marian” could be worth a trip to Bigfork February 9th at 6:30PM to see it free-of-charge. It is part of the Park Theater Memorial Classic Movie Series and will include Jack Nachbar’s background discussions and treats appropriate for love renewed.

Below stars Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn enjoy a special moment as Robin and Marian in the 1976 film.

The movie poster below is even special. It is by award-winning Drew Struzan, who is an American artist known for his movie poster work with over 150 done for such special movies such as all the Indiana Jones movies, Back to the Future, and Star Wars along with album covers, collectibles and book covers.

The following is by Jack Nachbar on “Robin and Marian”.

“As Americans, we all like to believe in second chances. Just look at the popularity of sports movies, for example. Our Classic Movie for February is one of the grand movies to celebrate the second chance. ROBIN AND MARIAN (1976) takes up the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian twenty years after most Robin Hood stories end. Their lives haven't gone as they had hoped. Robin is losing his skills and is disillusioned by the crusades. Marian has given up on love and entered a convent. But they meet again and, as the ads for the movie proclaimed in 1976, "love is the greatest adventure of all." The two stars of the movie were also embarking on second chances. Sean Connery was finishing his James Bond roles and was anxious to explore new roles. Audrey Hepburn was returning to movies after an eight year absence. Together they are pure magic.”

Here is another Struzan poster. From Walt Disney’s “Return to Oz”.

Alice Unwrapped at The Edge - A Family in Distress Over Dad Being MIA in the Middle East

2012-01-27T13:34:00.000-08:00

How one fifteen year-old tries to cope with a father missing in action, a mom who won’t come out of her bedroom and a little sister who just wants a normal life, is the story behind the musical drama Alice Unwrapped. The 35-minute single-actress show will be presented for two performances at The Edge Center in Bigfork on Wednesday February 1st. The performances will be at the Bigfork School Music Room for students at 2PM at no charge and the public at 7PM on The Edge Center stage. The price of admission for the 7PM performance is pay what you think it is worth after the show.

From the creator’s project description, "ALICE UNWRAPPED is a new on-site theatrical presentation featuring acclaimed singer-actor Anna Slate in an emotionally-expansive and spiritually-engaging demonstration of how integrated musical-theatrical performance can uniquely illuminate contemporary social situations and psychological challenges. This production was originally created for the Spirit in the House and Minnesota Fringe Festivals in 2009; it was also performed in classrooms at MacPhail Center, Saint Olaf College, and Lawrence University."

The Edge Center, in its mission to present a wide variety of performance experiences, offers this musical drama billed as a non-political view of the trials for the families of service men and women who are deployed to a war zone. One of the play’s creators, Laura Harrington, comes from a military family whose father fought in WWII and two brothers served in the 1960s. It is a play designed for non-theatrical settings primarily for educational institutions. The one-actress/one accompanist play includes a discussion period after the performance focusing on the musical-theatrical and other aesthetic issues and those relating to social science, psychology and family dynamics.

That’s a BIG FORK

2012-01-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

Sure is, and it’s in the Bigfork gallery all winter. With winter finally here in Northern Minnesota, it is time for The Edge Center gallery in Bigfork to change into its winter show. The gallery’s permanent collection is on display from now until the spring and summer exhibits start. During the winter, the gallery is open during theater events and visitors are welcome during The Edge Center’s normal business hours Wednesday thorough Friday from 9AM to 1PM . Gallery visits for groups are also available by special appointment. It might be a nice stop for snowmobile groups. There might even be some hot coffee available for group visits. Call The Edge Center to make an appointment.

As far as the BIG FORK is concerned, it is one of two new additions to the gallery’s permanent collection. It was created by Darren Peterson and donated to the Gallery by Lonnie and Ashley Bommer. In case there is more interest in forks, they have been around since the Roman Empire or possibly earlier in Ancient Greece. They never caught on in the Far East where chopsticks are used for a similar purpose. Personal forks came into use in the Eastern Roman or Byzantine Empire. In the first millenium they spread to, what is now, the Middle East, then onto southern Europe in the second millenium, and finally to North America in the 19th century. When using the fork in these parts one usually keeps the tines pointed up, but, for the continental style, point the tines down. All this is good background, but the one at the Bigfork gallery is probably the largest one you will see.

The other new addition to the gallery is a beautiful blue painting that was purchased from Native American artist Gordon Coons, who had a very fantastic and successful exhibit in October of last year. His abilities in traditional American Indian art impressed visitors. He sold more paintings than any previous individual artist who exhibited at the Edge Gallery. Gordon Coons, because of his Ojibway and Ottawa heritage, has chosen to work in the Eastern Woodland and the Ledger styles. He is a self-taught artist, now living in Minneapolis, and is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of northern Wisconsin. In addition to exhibiting, the artist taught five classes at the Bigfork School.

Pictured in the gallery set-up are Barry Nelson, Kathy Champoux and Karen Ferlaak

The forks pictured above were made in Iran in the 8th or 9th century and are not in the Bifgork gallery.

The following are a couple of gallery photos including the visitors at a Cello and Piano concert held on Sunday, January 15.

The Zorro Photoplay Presented at The Edge

2012-01-07T14:17:00.000-08:00

Photoplays, flicks, silent dramas or just movies were what audiences saw before “talkies” took away, what many believe, was the magic of live music accompaniments. And one of the most classy and classic of them all was “The Mark of Zorro”. It defined a genre and, many believe, it is still one of the best action adventures available today even if it is silent. The Edge Center in Bigfork won’t have live music to accompany it, but this very special silent movie will be presented free-of-charge on Thursday January 12 at 6:30PM in the center’s theater. It is part of the Park Theater Memorial Classic Movie Series and will include Jack Nachbar’s background discussions and treats appropriate for a Zorro movie.

This “Mark of Zorro” is a 1920 silent drama starring Douglas Fairbanks and Noah Berry. It was the first “Mark of Zorro” movie. It was based on 1919 story that introduced the intrepid hero. For a more extensive history of the movie come and hear Jack’s discussion. To find out what kind of reaction the movie had in 1920 here is part of the original New York Times review of the movie published on November 29, 1920 in THE SCREEN column of the paper. The photos were not part of the review.

“Movie Review
November 29, 1920
THE SCREEN
Published: November 29, 1920

“Douglas Fairbanks's latest motion picture, "The Mark of Zorro," is at the Capitol this week. The program says that it is "from" a story by Johnston McCulley, called "The Curse of Capistrano," but one who has not read Mr. McCulley's story imagines that it is pretty far from it. There's too much Fairbanks in it for any one to have written it without the athletic comedian definitely in mind. What is on the screen is probably "The Curse of Capistrano" spiced and speeded up to suit the taste of Douglas Fairbanks and the many who enjoy his gay and lively style of playing. This means that whatever plausibility there was in the original has been sacrificed for headlong action, that whatever consistency there was has given place to intermittent fun and thrills, that whatever of sentiment there was has become romantic nonsense. All of which may mean that "The Mark of Zorro" is more enjoyable than "The Curse of Capistrano" could ever hope to be.”

“Certainly there are moments in the motion picture which must delight anyone, no matter how preposterous they are. There is a duel scene, for example, which is something distinctly original in the history of mortal combat on the stage or screen, and there are spirited races and pursuits, sudden appearances, quick changes, and flashes of tempestuous love-making that are typically, and entertainingly, Fairbanksian….”

United Artists Produced Zorro. Here are studio founders Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and DW Griffth.

A Cello for Your Thoughts in Bigfork

2012-01-02T03:19:00.000-08:00

On January 15th at 2:30 PM. cellist Josh Aerie and Pianist Samuel Black will be at The Edge Center in Bigfork for a speical concert. They are active in the Arrowhead area music activities including chamber music performances tailored to take the chill out of a January Sunday afternoon. The prices of the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

Josh Aerie conducts the Heartland Symphony Orchestra, the Red Cedar Symphony Orchestra, the Duluth Community Orchestra, and the Mesabi Community Orchestra, in addition to teaching cello at the University of Wisconsin-Superior and The College of St. Scholastica. He also teaches music courses at Mesabi Community College and UWS, and directs the Woodland Chamber Music Workshop for adult amateur musicians. He plays the cello at every opportunity and especially enjoys chamber music collaborations with his friends. Josh is a founding member of the Gichigami Trio and is working with Sam to make the premier recording of the
Sowash Cello Sonata.

Samuel Black has been involved musically with the Duluth Playhouse, Arrowhead Chorale, Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, and a wide variety of recitals as pianist, organist, vocalist, & conductor. He organized the Northshore Chamber Society in Lake County and as Music Director at Duluth Congregational Church, he hosts year-round weekly concerts on Thursday afternoons, and monthly concerts throughout the school year. For the past ten years he has also written music reviews for the Duluth News Tribune. Sam is a founding member of the Gichigami Trio and is the Assistant Director of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.

The Program

The Cliffs Above the Clear Fork, Rick Sowash (b. 1951), 1980/rev.

Clear Fork is a bluff somewhere around Bellville, Ohio, between Columbus and Akron on I-71.

“The latter work is a musical landscape; the Clear Fork is a branch of the Mohican River, and Bellville, Ohio, the composer's former home, overlooks it. Here, Sowash has written music that is pastoral in a manner reminiscent of Vaughan Williams, and also has shown his affinity for French Impressionism.”

Cello Sonata, Op. 78 (1913, but only published in 1976) Arthur Foote

I. Allegro appassionato
II. Andantino con moto
III. Vivace assai

Chamber music with energy on both sides of an incredibly beautiful center. Foote was an accomplished pianist/organist, which is why he didn't write as much as I might wish: he enjoyed performing chamber music, apparently more than writing

The Water is Wide, Stephen Paulus (b. 1949) 1988

This is from American Vignettes for Cello and Piano, a collection of six popular melodies arranged for cello/piano combination. This in # 3 in the collection, and only one that is of British origin, rather than purely American. Delightful way has of interpreting this poignant melody and story.

Sonata for Cello and Piano, Rick Sowash, 1990

I. Moderato
II. Largo religioso
III. Allegro energico

Rick is our personal friend in Cincinnati, and we are in the process of recording this sonata for him. This is good repertoire that will gain more players in the coming generation. We have had a lot of fun with Rick's humor, as well as his wonderful sense of melody.

The Edge Report Card

2011-12-31T04:04:00.000-08:00

This is one of two great audiences enjoying this year’s elementary school holiday concert at The Edge Center Theater in Bigfork. The Edge Center for the Arts is part of and attached to the Bigfork School. Throughout the school year it provides a state-of-the-art theatre and gallery for students to show their creative talents and become acquainted with this important part of their education.

In addition to its continual use for educational purposes, The Edge Center presented a full calendar of art in the summer and stage performances throughout the year. Here is the 2011 schedule along with a few photographs of the year’s events. Besides a full gallery schedule for 2012, the 2012 theater season is shaping up to include an even more ambitious selection. Visit www.the-edge-center.org for a look at the 2012 theater schedule.

None of this would be possible without the fantastic support of the community, audiences, volunteers and donations. The Edge Center humbly thanks all of them for making it possible.

In 2011 The Edge Center Art gallery presented:

"Art & More": Edge of the Wilderness Art League Show April 1 – 30
Bigfork Student Show May 5 – 21
Pete Pestalozzi and Jeanne Bourquin - Furniture and Paintings May 26 – June 25

Art on the Edge: 7th Annual Juried Show June – July 30
Anything Quilted: Quilt Show August 4 – September 3
Terry Honstead paintings September 8 – October 1
Gordon Coons - Paintings and Prints October 6 – 29

Annual Gift Show November 3 – December 11

In 2011 The Edge Center Theater presented:

WIT directed by Linda Kelsey - January 28-30
Polar Revue - February 20
Flamenco, Pure and Strong (De Danza Touring Company) - April 2
Ann Reed: Heroes - April 29
Piatigorski Concert - May 6
John Perkins Concert - July 28
GODSPELL (McNally-Smith College of Music) - August 13-14

Piano Bar - August 20
THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS starring Linda Kelsey as Ann Landers August 25-28
Pretenders and Friends - September 11
Classical Cello and Piano at The Edge (Piatigorski) - Sept 14

Classic Movie Night – September 21 “The Searchers”
Deer Camp, the Musical (Great North Show Providers) - Oct 15-16
Classic Movie Night – October 19 “It Happened One Night”
Classic Musical Movie Night - November 2 “On the Town”
Classic Christmas Movie Night - December 8 “Christmas Memories” and “Stubby Pringle’s Christmas”
Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus - Dec 18

Greek Theater, a Time Out or Circle Mirror?

2011-12-15T02:47:00.000-08:00

Ancient Greeks used theater as holistic healing. It was thought to becalm the mind the release the ills within. Obviously the cast of the newest play in rehearsal at The Edge Center in Bigfork got the feeling. They look very relaxed to say the least, or are they napping? Actually, it’s a scene from Circle Mirror Transformation and is one of just many interesting "exercises" in an upcoming play produced by the EdgeWild Players. It will run February 24th through the 26th. The play, which won last year’s Obie for Best New Play off-Broadway is about a Creative Dramatics class taught at a community center in a small Vermont town.
　
What Circle Mirror Transformation provides is a "different" look at how local theater happens. In this play, the class members begin to understand that "real" acting comes from authentic, inner feelings and thoughts, not just "pretending." The author Annie Baker grew up in a small town and experienced that difference. The Edge Center has five actors who share that "experience" with the audiences.
　
Below are the cast members left to right --- Brianna Krickhahn, Michael Raymond, Paula Taylor, Greg Anselmo, Kimberly Powell and Director Patricia Feld.

The play’s creator, Annie Baker, believes silence is an important part of everyday life and a play’s dialogue. She uses silence in her plays as an effect that sometimes makes audiences aware of themselves, sometimes making them uncomfortable until they get used to the hyper-realistic silence.
　
In an article in The Brooklyyn Rail, talking about how this play can reach audiences, she described one performance where there was strongly divided opinions. She said, "when a performance almost resulted in a fight between people who like the play and those who hated it, I was cowering in the back row the whole time, humiliated but also thrilled." That could be called an engaged audience. And could be considered the purpose of a play, right?
　
Put this one on your calendar for February. It’ll be hard to find anything like this in all of Minnesota, except at the Guthrie!

At The Edge: See Two Rare Christmas TV Movie Classics For Free

2011-12-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Two very special Christmas TV movie classics not generally available for three decades will be the holiday treat for viewers at The Edge Center in Bigfork next Thursday December 8th at 6:30 PM. The movies are CHRISTMAS MEMORIES and STUBBY PRINGLE'S CHRISTMAS. They are not on Netflix or in stores. Admission is free except for a smile at the door. Bring some loved ones, friends and an open heart. These movies will really help to make your Season bright.

Read more below about these great classics from Jack Nachbar discussing this special event that is part of the Park Theater Memorial Classic Movie Series.

"Of the hundreds of TV holiday movies, how many stick in your mind as "classics"? Charlie Brown, of course. And the Grinch is on every list of favorites. Others might nominate Rudolph. Besides the obvious fact that they are wonderful, these animated treasures are so well loved because they are seen over and over every year. Our December classic movies, however, deserve to be called Christmas Classics even though they have not been generally available in over thirty years. In addition, neither of them is commercially on Netflix or in stores. Like Charlie Brown and the Grinch, they are wonderful, and the chance to see them on December 8th will be a rare treat guaranteed to put you in that happy Holiday mood."

"A CHRISTMAS MEMORY (1966) stars the great actress Geraldine Page in an Emmy Award winning performance. Based on a short story by Truman Capote, A CHRISTMAS MEMORY tells the story of a young boy and his best friend, an aging aunt, who despite Depression hardships in the rural South, manage to create a memorable Christmas for themselves through love and kindness. This movie is so good it may even convince you to like fruitcake."

The following photo is of Gelaldine Page.

"STUBBY PRINGLE’S CHRISTMAS (1978) stars Beau Bridges and another great American actress, Julie Harris. Stubby is a young, penniless cowboy, whose selfless instinct to give happiness to others leads everyone he meets on Christmas Eve to feel the goodness of the Season. "Are you Santa Claus?" a little girl asks Stubby and after you see this little movie you may well ask the same question."

The following photo is of Beau Bridges.

Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus Holiday Concert in Bigfork

2011-11-21T11:39:00.000-08:00

A December 18th holiday music special by the Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus will warm your spirits free of charge at 2PM at The Edge Center in Bigfork. In addition to traditional holiday favorites the audience can expect to hear from a wide selection of musical styles. This fourth annual performance is in appreciation to the center’s supporters of the theater and gallery.

The following photo is of the current chorus

In their 56th year of existence, the group’s mission is to bring good music and joy to their audiences while providing a place, and setting, for a group of men to share their love of singing. They practice weekly under the leadership of Eileen Grosland, are accompanied by Bonnie Kangas, and invite all like-minded men to join with them. The chorus is in the Minnesota Musical Hall of Fame and enjoys the support, through their performances, of communities in several states and Canada.

After a modest beginning in 1953, the chorus was officially organized in 1955. There were 13 original members under its first director Betty Kauppi, and were unofficially knows as Betty’s Boys. In 1956, officers were elected and named the Grand Rapids Male Chorus. By 1957 there were thirty members. The chorus has had four official names over the years. In additional to the original, it was named the Arion Male Chorus, then Blanden Male Chorus, and currently the Grand Rapids Area Male Chorus to reflect its membership being beyond the city of Grand Rapids.

In 1959 the group joined the Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA), and in November 1994, the Chorus was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame with such stars as Judy Garland and Bob Dylan.

The following photos are of the induction poster with the wrong photo in it, and of the chorus about the time of its induction.

The Chorus is a non-profit organization and usually performs 12 or more times each year for charitable fund-raisers, scholarship drives, civic gatherings, religious organizations, and senior homes throughout the state. They also have performed in Wisconsin, North Dakota and Canada.

A special spring Concert, performed at the Rief Auditorium in Grand Rapids, is the only one with an admission charge used to help sustain operational costs for the next year. They participate in an annual "BIG SING" where all the choruses in the AMCA come together at the location of one of our member choruses and perform as a single chorus. This incredible event is usually about 400 male voices strong. Last spring it was in Grand Rapids.

Art and Theater Gift Card from The Edge Center

2011-11-13T05:31:00.000-08:00

If you have a difficult person for whom to find a gift, a gift card is often the best answer. It's not that you don't try to find a gift, but there is always that unknown "will they like it" to consider. The Edge Center in Bigfork is offering gift cards for the first time ever this year for just that situation. The cards have no expiration date and can be used for theater events and items for sale in the gallery. The Edge Center gift cards are on sale at the gallery Thursday through Saturday from 10AM to 4PM. Stop by and you may even find that special gift at the annual holiday sale going until December 10th. Be sure to check out the hand-decorated wreaths.

Keep in mind that if your hard-to-buy-for friend or relative likes theaters or art galleries, a gift card is a chance for them to pick out what they can most likely use. If that friend or relative talks about going to The Edge Center theater or gallery, but never quite makes it, here is a way to give them a nudge. If they are the sort of person who just has everything they need, a gift card always works. And, if you want to take them to the theater as your guest, but you know they won't let you pay, here is a way to take them as a guest and you get to pay as a bonus.

Fruit Cake…no, Grandpa Ties…no, Surprises…yes

2011-11-03T03:16:00.000-07:00

You want buying a holiday gift to be easy and fun. Yes, for some it can be easy and fun from a store with thousands of the same thing as last year. But maybe you can make it even more fun from a special place with unique treasures made by artisans with a love of their crafts. That can be easy too because The Edge Center Gallery in Bigfork has been transformed by volunteers, not elves, into a place for finding something different this year for those special people in your lives. Try it and you make like the feeling. The 7th annual gift show is open November 3rd through December 10th on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday each week from 10Am to 4PM.

The chaos of set-up turned the gallery into a place where jewelry, pottery, wood turned bowls, wood furniture, North Woods decorations, jams and jellies, knitted items, quilted purses and potholders, and so much more can be found. For the first time, there are fresh wreaths with a hand-decorated touch and even gift cards for upcoming theater performances or future gallery purchases.

New York in Bigfork

2011-11-02T06:07:00.001-07:00

The Park Theater classic movie series presents ON THE TOWN with Gene Kelly, Frank Sinartra and Ann Miller at The Edge Center in Bigfork November 10 at 6:30 PM free of charge. ON THE TOWN, filmed in New York in the late 1940s is one of the best musicals of the period and provides award winning music, dancing and comedy. Over the fall and Winter months you can get out of the weather, warm your spirits and learn some interesting movie history once a month by seeing a great classic and hearing about it with an informative and informal discussion.

If you would like a chance to see New York was in the late 1940s and learn some interesting movie history, ON THE TOWN (1949) is famous as the first movie musical to be filmed on location there. The film explores a great city showing some of its famous landmarks and hidden treasures. Gene Kelly, Ann Miller and Vera Ellen, who is considered the movie’s best woman dancer, keep the tempo high and Frank Sinatra’s singing adds to the mix. By the way the movie won numerous awards including an Academy Award. The movie takes three energetic sailors on a 24 hour leave seeking romance through one of the best productions Hollywood offered during a time great performances by great talent.

From the following parts of the original movie review published by the New York Times and written by Bosley Crowther on December 9, 1949, you can see it was predicted to be one of the industry’s best and it was. “The Music Hall pulled the wrappings off its Christmas show yesterday and revealed a delightful entertainment for all ages, sexes and seasonal moods. It is Metro's crackling screen version of the musical, "On the Town," and a more appropriate all-purpose Yuletide picture would be hard to fashion or find. Gaiety, rhythm, humor and a good, wholesome dash of light romance have been artfully blended together in this bright Technicolored comedy. The holidays should be nicer for having "On the Town" around...”

“From the moment the picture opens, in the actual Brooklyn Navy Yard, with the three sailors cutting off for New York, the whole thing precipitately moves, with song, dance, comedy and romance ingeniously interwoven and performed. With Mr. Kelly playing the role of the principal tar, the excellence of the masculine dancing is immediately guaranteed. And with Vera-Ellen playing the little Manhattanite whom he meets—Miss Turnstile, the Subway Cinderella—his vis-a-vis is assured.”

“These two are deliciously coupled in the singing and dancing of ‘Main Street’ and a new Leonard Bernstein ballet number. ‘A Day in New York.’ As another of the tars, Frank Sinatra finds his soul-mate and comedy relief in Betty Garrett, who plays a taxi driver with an obvious Sinatra yen. Together they comically warble the familiar ‘Come Up to My Place,’ ‘You're Awful’ (a phrase of endearment!) and join jovially in ‘Prehistoric Man.’ This latter is a new item which has been neatly contrived for Ann Miller and giggly Jules Munshin, who comprise the third duo. Assisted further by Florence Bates and Alice Pearce in lesser roles, these six very spirited young people have great fun from ‘On the Town.’ And so do we…”

Art, Artist and Advocate

2011-10-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Native artist Gordon Coons, ended his exhibit at The Edge Center in Bigfork on Friday with five classes at the Bigfork School during the day and a reception in the evening. His abilities in traditional American Indian art impressed visitors. He sold more paintings than any previous individual artist who exhibited at the Edge Gallery. One of Coons’ paintings may be part of the Edge’s permanent collection.

Gordon Coons, because of his Ojibway and Ottawa heritage, has chosen to work in the Eastern Woodland and the Ledger styles. He is a self-taught artist, now living in Minneapolis, and is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of northern Wisconsin.

His student classes started with 14 Native American students from Grand Rapids and then included several grades from the Bigfork School. The talks he gave after the classes helped students and other visitors understand what lies behind his color and symbol choices.

The evening reception was well attended. A special thanks to Karen Ferlaak for bringing Gordon’s work to the gallery and the whole gallery committee for their help in making it such a success. We hope to see Gordon Coons back for a return show in the future.

“Will you be my tree? … my baseball glove? ...my stuffed snake?”

2011-10-27T12:31:00.001-07:00

There will be auditions for a special play at The Edge Center in Bigfork on November 1st and 2nd Between 5-7pm. It is for a new play that won last year’s Obie (Off-Broadway) prize for Best New Play. It is about a group of regular townspeople doing strange, bizarre and weird things on stage in a small town class. The EdgeWild Players will produce Circle, Mirror, Transformation, which is a sharply funny new play by playwright Annie Baker.

The play follows five people through a summer of “creative drama” in their small towns’ adult acting class. Led by their bohemian acting coach, the five experiment with harmless theatre games that unexpectedly lead to poignant discoveries about themselves and each other. Circle, Mirror, Transformation, is surprisingly funny and subtly insightful. It is a revealing play that reminds us why theatre is the most human of all arts.

There is a need for two males around 60 and 48 years old, two women 55 and 35, and one girl 16 years old. Performances will be February 16-19th 2012.

The EdgeWild Players invite anyone who would like a chance to pretend to be a tree, baseball glove or lots of other things, to try out for this play. It will be fun.

Meet Native Artist Gordon Coons

2011-10-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

There will be a reception for artist Gordon Coons at The Edge Center gallery in Bigfork from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, October 28. The reception is open to the public at no charge. This exceptionally colorful exhibit of his work is on display during October and Saturday October 29 is the last day it will be shown.

Gordon Coons is of Ojibway and Ottawa heritage. He is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of northern Wisconsin and now lives in Minneapolis. Gordon Coons is a self-taught artist, creating works in a variety of mediums including linoleum block print, acrylic, pen and ink, and stone and wood carving. Although his artwork is more contemporary, each piece portrays a unique view of traditional native stories, incorporating strong family influences into the image.

Gordon's art has been shown around the country, including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

What Really Happens at Deer Camp?

2011-10-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

This is not real life and is not really what goes on in a deer camp…right? But, if you hunted deer at a “shack” in northern Minnesota you probably have heard someone mention the stuff that goes on in Deer Camp, The Musical. If you are a significant other who “keeps the home fires burning” while your “other” hunts from a deer shack, this show might raise an eyebrow or both. If you are neither and just want to get some good belly laughs and hear some good music, this show is for you too. It was on stage at The Edge Center in Bigfork last night. It will be shown again today Sunday October 16 at 2 PM. Deer Camp, The Musical is presented by Great North Show Providers and not the local Edge Wild Players. If you want to go, tickets are available at the door and cost $26.00.

Cars and Art in Bigfork

2011-10-10T14:35:00.000-07:00

It can be easy for vintage car lovers to relate to art since vintage cars and art take lots of love and work to complete, and when finished, appreciative audiences welcome both. That combination happened in Bigfork at The Edge Center for the Arts Saturday October 8. Some 38 members of the Paul Bunyan Vintage auto Club made Bigfork one of its stops on a northern Minnesota fall color tour. Though many of the leaves had turned already they got to see some bright and colorful art being exhibited by native artist Gordon Coons. The club also got a chance to see the center's performing arts theater and hear about the center’s colorful history. The current gallery exhibit is Gordon Coons: Language of Color From My Inner Voice and runs until October 29 on Thursday through Saturday 10 AM until 4 PM with a closing reception on October 28 at 5 PM. There is no charge for gallery admission.

Marcie Lindgren gave the tour and did an on-stage description of The Edge Center and made the cookies. Some of the tour group wanted the recipe. Here it is.

AUNTIE MARCIE’S
CRANBERRY-PUMPKIN COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

½ CUP BUTTER/MARG. SOFTENED
1 TSP. BAKING SODA
1 CUP WHITE SUGAR
½ TSP. SALT
1 TSP. VANILLA
1 CUP CRANBERRIES (I USED DRIED)
1 EGG
1 TSP. CINNAMON
1 CUP PUMPKIN
1 TBLSP. ORANGE ZEST (I USED A GRATED
2 -1/4 CUPS FLOUR FRESH ORANGE)
2 TSP. BAKING POWDER
½ CUP WALNUTS

MIX ALL TOGETHER – DROP BY TSP.
BAKE 375 DEGREES FOR 10-12 MINUTES

THE RECIPE DIDN‘T CALL FOR ICING HOWEVER I ADDED THAT LITTLE TREAT.
PWD. SUGAR MIXED WITH A TAD OF WATER AND A TAD OF ALMOND FLAVORING

Laugh Your Antlers Off

2011-10-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

The Edge Center is doing something new…again! Another organization, NOT the local EdgeWild Players, is using the theatre to present their musical. Great North Show Providers is bringing Deer Camp, The Musical to the folks in the heart of deer hunting, north Itasca County! This is the original cast from Bemidji. Written by Gene Jurek with music by Doug Spartz, this show takes four buddies from Elmwood, mixes in plenty of cold beer, lots of songs, a hunting shack, and the only ones safe in the woods are the deer!　For years, these mighty hunters have spent all their time in the "hunting" shack doing nothing but shooting the bull and sipping some suds. But this year they have a problem. The guys are under a threat from their wives to "bring home a deer instead of a hangover". What to do to solve this dilemma-shoot one? Buy one? Steal one? They try everything with hilarious results! "Performances are Saturday, October 15 at 7:00 and Sunday, October 16 @ 2:00. Tickets are $23.00 in advance, $26.00 at the door and are available by calling 218-536-0589.

Language of Color Fom My Inner Vioce

2011-10-06T14:18:00.000-07:00

A very colorful and special exhibit of art is at The Edge Center gallery until October 29. On October 28 there will be a free closing reception with the artist from 5 to 7 PM. The exhibit is titled Gorden Coons: Language of Color From My Inner Voice. The artist, Gordon Coons, because of his Ojibwa and Ottawa heritage, has chosen to work in the Eastern Woodland and the Ledger styles of Native American art.

His heritage is Ojibwa from Lake Superior Chippewa Band of Wisconsin (from his father) and Ottawa from Michigan (from his mother). He is an enrolled member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe of northern Wisconsin, who now lives in Minneapolis.

Coons is a self-taught artist, creating works in a variety of mediums including linoleum block prints, paintings, pen and ink, and carvings in stone and wood. Although his artwork is more contemporary, each piece portrays a unique view of traditional native stories, incorporating strong family influences into the image.

Native American art, in general, depicts spiritual power and uses spirit lines that often radiate from the spines of animals or emanate from both the interior and the exterior of animal or human figures.

Coons’ block prints and paintings are often in the Eastern Woodland style. Elements that identify Woodland Art, in particular, are:
1. Figures that are outlined and look like X-rays (animals, fish, birds, plants, and humans).
2. Balls or seeds of spirit power, which often float within the picture, circles, which represent the sacredness of the circle in Aboriginal spirituality.
3. Simple forms outlined in black filled with bright colors that reflect the mood of the painting.

Some of Coons’ acrylic paintings are in the Ledger Art style associated with Plains Indians. It is called that because it is painted on antique ledger paper, the newest of which Coons uses is from 1913. Gordon Coons explains, ”In my ledger art I use the wolf/coyote in his role as a trickster. As with the trickster, I add a component of humor.”

Gordon Coons has been showing artwork at juried shows around the country, including Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C, Indian Art Northwest of Portland, Trail of Tears in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and Red Cloud Art Show in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. He has won numerous recognition awards in graphics/prints categories since he started showing his work in 1998. His works have become part of many permanent collections of institutions around the country.

Coons has been an artist-in-residence at multiple schools in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois. He will be working with the students of Bigfork School on October 28.

2011-06-29T06:55:00.000-07:00

Gene Madsen's
Possession

It just never ceases to amaze me the incredible talent we have here in The Edge of the Wilderness. As I looked at the 7th Annual Juried "Art on the Edge" show that is opening tomorrow with the opening reception on Friday July 1st 7:00 to 9:00, I notice that four of the artists chosen for this show have entered the Juried Show every year.

The Juried Show runs from June 30 to July 30. The Gallery is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00 to 4:00.

Gene Madsen's painting entitled "Possession" was created from an actual experience told to Gene. Gene spend several months thinking about how he wanted to portray that encounter. Gene's attention to detail and his passion for "getting it right" show is this terrific painting.

Thanks Gene for your dedication to your art and to the Edge Center.

Spanish Flamendo Dance by Patricia Feld

2011-03-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

Clicking heels, bright costumes, Spanish guitar and singing? Si... I mean...yes, on the Edge Center Stage, Friday April 1st for a student daytime concert demonstration and for the community at 7pm.

Debra Elias, a dear Minnesota woman who has been a professional flamenco dancer with the nationally famous Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre for fourteen years will bring her talents and those of “La Conja,”Conja Abdessalan, a Spanish singer; Colette Illarde, Dancer; and Trevor May, Guitarist. They all have long professional resumes and we are so fortunate to be able to have our second dance concert be another such high-quality one.

Debra is also a very popular Young Audiences and college instructor, bringing her talent and enthusiasm for Spansh culture to school groups all over Minnesota.

Tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for 12 years and under, with $3 student rush ten minutes before curtain. Please join our lively Edge audience is something brand new for the northwoods! Ole!

COMING EDGE EVENTS
• 1 April - Spanish Flamenco Dance concert, Debra Elias’ DeDanza Dance Company, school & evening.
• 28-29 April - The Ann Reed “Heroes” concert.
• 30 July - John Perkins concert
• 20 August – Piano “Bar” dancing and listening ON stage
• 11 September – The Original Pretenders, 2pm
And keep watching here and the website for the upcoming events like an experience for children in the summer, classical concerts, and much more!

Polar Revue Hits Their 6th Year

2011-01-28T09:39:00.000-08:00

…and the talent of the north woods can shine on the Edge Center’s welcoming stage. Bring your act to the Edge Center between noon and 4:00pm on Saturday, February 19, so the volunteer Sports Booster’s crew can get sound levels and lighting set. The talent show will take place the next day, on Sunday, February 20, at 2:00pm. Proceeds benefit Bigfork School’s sports teams.

OTHER UPCOMING EDGE EVENTS

• 1 April - Spanish Flamenco Dance concert, Debra Elias’ Zorongo Dance Company, school & evening.
• 28-29 April - The Ann Reed “Heroes” concert.
• 30 July - John Perkins concert
• 20 August – Piano “Bar” dancing and listening ON stage
• 11 September – The Original Pretenders, 2pm
And keep watching here and the website for the upcoming events like an experience for children in the summer, classical concerts, and much more!

"WIT" Coming to the Edge

2011-01-13T08:56:00.000-08:00

Award winning play, Wit, at the Edge Center in Bigfork

The Boston Globe reviewer described Pulitzer Prize winning play Wit, "Every once in a while a play comes along that bonds people together in extraordinary ways. The play isn't a tearful lecture on how to die; it's a dry-eyed lesson on how to live--with simplicity and kindness." This is an extraordinary play for a community theater to tackle, but with the direction of professional Linda Kelsey, the starring performance of Patricia Feld, professional actor Dan Hopman and the supporting roles by the EdgeWild Players, the Edge Center Theater is again taking on challenging and thoughtful work. Performances at the Edge Center Theater in Bigfork are on Friday, January 28, Saturday, January 29 at 7 pm and on Sunday, January 30 at 2 pm.

Linda Kelsey performed at the Edge as The Belle of Amherst in 2003 and may be best known her Emmy nominated role as for as Billie Newman in the television’s Lou Grant Show. Since returning to St. Paul 14 years ago, Kelsey has been gracing the stages of Twin City theaters including the Guthrie and Park Square. According to director Kelsey, "Wit is the story of a brilliant professor, Vivian Bearing who journeys to a state of grace through a serious illness. The playwright (Margaret Edson) has created an evening of theater that is not only uplifting, but even makes us laugh at the ups and downs of Vivian’s journey as she learns that she is much more than her intellect or her education – that she is a woman with a heart and a soul. Patty has wanted to do this Pulitzer prize-winning play for years, and now I understand why, as I start to delve into all of its depths and surprises."

Patricia Feld is well known to Edge Center Theater goers as the Artistic Director of the Edge and director of most for the EdgeWild productions, but many remember her marvelous role in the EdgeWild production of Three Tall Women.

Wit about coming to terms with life while facing a life threatening illness. Vivian, the main character in Wit, is a college professor and John Donne expert who is dying from cancer. However, as a Boston critic stated, "To say that Wit is about cancer is misleading; it is really about finding a balance between head and heart."

"This is a rich and resonant piece of writing," asserts an Atlanta reviewer, "a play about language and ideas, philosophy and religion. It is at once funny, sad, tragic and life-affirming, complex and simple--yes, a metaphysical paradox" and well worth seeing and talking about. Because Wit offers so much depth and complexity, there will be several opportunities to learn more about the play. Audience members are invited to join the discussions after each performance. Patricia, Linda, and guests will participate, and each performance’s discussion will have a different theme. Friday’s discussion will focus on medical issues, on Saturday on student questions and observations and the Sunday discussion will have a religious emphasis.
The Edge of the Wilderness Book Club, Bigfork Valley Hospital, Bigfork High School and Itasca Community College students, as well as church groups are studying the themes of the play before the performances.
Director Linda Kelsey says about her experience working in Bigfork, “the chance to work with Patty, who is not only a wonderful friend but a great actress, is very exciting. Everyone I’ve been working with on the EdgeWild ‘team’ has brought professionalism and heart to this project. This is a community theater in the best sense of that word, and I want more people to know about it.”

Tickets for the performances on January 28 and 29 at 7:00 and January 30 at 2:00 are available online at www.the-edge-center.org , at Cenex Two Rivers Convenience Store in Bigfork, or at the door. Adult tickets are $10, children 12 and under are $5, and student rush tickets are $3 ten minutes before curtain.

The performances of Wit are funded by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008, and an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature. Wit is being underwritten by the Bigfork Valley Hospital.