Centuries of Cello and Piano Music in Bigfork

Hear classical music that can be enjoyed by everyone when The Edge Center in Bigfork presents the pleasant sounds of cello and piano chamber music through the past three centuries. “From Beethoven to Barber: Masterpieces for Cello and piano Across the Centuries”, played by Cellist Josh Aerie and Pianist Kate Lanzer, PhD offer selections that demonstrate the power and range of their instruments. One of Josh’s students, Maggie Anderson on cello accompanied on piano by her father Ed Anderson, MD, a Bigfork Valley Clinic physician, open the program with a Joseph Haydn Concerto.  Beautiful and smooth sounds of the classics, two of the best artists in the state, plus a very talented local touch: What a wonderful way to warm a February afternoon in Northern Minnesota. The place is center stage at The Edge Center in Bigfork with a reception following the performance. The date, Sunday February 17th. The time 2PM. The prices $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Josh Aerie is a sought-after performing and recording artist, instructor, and conductor. Josh’s career highlights span a wide array of credits and accomplishments, including major-label recordings, nationally syndicated television performances, and film soundtracks. He currently lives in Duluth, Minnesota, and is on the music faculty at the College of St. Scholastica, the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and Mesabi Range Community and Technical College. He is Music Director and Conductor of the Heartland Symphony Orchestra, the Red Cedar Symphony Orchestra, the Mesabi Community Orchestra, and the Duluth Community Orchestra. In the summer of 2007 he founded and inaugurated the Woodland Chamber Music Workshop for adult amateur musicians of all abilities.

Returning artist Josh Aerie is no stranger to The Edge Center Stage, “The Edge Center is a wonderful venue for our concert - it's acoustically near-perfect for cello and piano, with an intimate feel. I've performed in many concert halls across the country and the Edge is one of my favorites!”

Josh is a founding member of the Duluth-based Gichigami Piano Trio, and the Minneapolis-based AxialAge Ensemble. In September 2009 Josh was selected as a 20 Under 40 Award recipient in the Duluth News Tribune’s annual recognition of 20 community leaders under the age of forty. In June 2010 he was a recipient of a McKnight/ARAC Artist Fellowship Grant.

About Dr. Kate Lanzer, Josh says, “Kate and I have been collaborating in different ways for a number of years; Kate has played for and soloed with a couple of the orchestras I conduct, and we've kept up with and participated in each others musical endeavors along the way. This is the first time we've put together a major cello/piano concert and, speaking for myself, I'm so pleased to be partnering with Kate on this program. I think we make a good team.”

Dr. Kate Lanzer is a performing artist and teacher in Duluth, MN. Since completing her Doctorate in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of WI-Madison, Dr. Lanzer has been on the faculty at the University of MN-Duluth and the College of St. Scholastica. Currently, Kate teaches at the College of St. Scholastica in addition to maintaining a private teaching studio in the Duluth community.  As an active recitalist, Kate has given solo and collaborative performances around the country and abroad.  Dr. Lanzer is also a certified instructor of Yoga and is a sought after clinician on her research that combines the practice of Yoga with art of playing music.

Maggie Anderson is an up-and-coming student of Josh Aerie who is dedicated to making the cello an important part of her future.  Her accompanist father, Dr. Anderson and her mother, Kristen, have played piano from childhood and her younger sister is now starting out with the violin.  Maggie has been a “regular” at The Edge Center as a musician.

Earlier in 2012 Maggie played in the Itasca Symphony Orchestra when it visited The Edge Center for a concert.

More recently, Maggie and her mother played during the Great Northern Radio show with Maggie on cello and Kristen playing the guitar.

Maggie and he father will open the concert with a challenging work by Joseph Haydn, the Haydn Concerto in C Major for Cello and Piano.

About the music for the concert, Josh says, “The repertoire for our concert, 'From Beethoven to Barber: Masterpieces for cello and piano across the centuries' includes three wonderful and distinct pieces: Beethoven's most famous cello sonata, the No. 3 in A Major; Debussy's only cello sonata - an impressionistic masterpiece full of color and wit; and Barber's cello sonata - an early work brimming with vigor and passion." Below is Beethoven and Debussy on top plus Barber on the bottom.

“These three pieces nicely encompass the cello/piano literature: the Beethoven is an example of early Romanticism during which the cello emerges as a solo instrument; Debussy displays his mastery of the French Impressionism genre and inventive compositional technique in his sonata; the Barber hints at emerging 20th-century tonalities and poly-rhythms while still remaining melodically and emotionally driven.”

So come and warm yourself on a cold February afternoon with music, friendship and enjoy a reception to help share the fun.

Many Hollywood Legends

Come and see one of the best Hollywood love stories for Valentine’s day this year at The Edge Center in Bigfork.  No matter how many times you've seen “Casablanca”, this is a good time to see it again on the big screen and learn much more about the “story behind the story” from an expert. Possibly things like: why the ending might be totally different if made elsewhere, or why Rick could have lost his cynical edge if made just a little later in the war. And, maybe why Bogart and Bergman would not have shared this career defining moment in movie history without perfect timing and the right studio.

Learn more when you see “Casablance” at The Edge Center in Bigfork along with an informative discussion about the movie February 14, 6:30PM. The movie is presented by the Classic Movie Series with an appropriate cartoon, treats matched to the movie, and a background presentation by Jack Nachbar.

With a general release in 1943, the fact that Casablanca starring, Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, won a Best Picture Academy Award tells us how the public and critics felt about the movie back then.  It truly is a movie classic love story and one that is still very special on this 70th anniversary year of its release.

The studio system was in full force during that time with each major studio having a reputation for making a certain “type” of movie.  Warner Brothers, was a tight run organization watching budgets closely and known for making “edgy” movies.

Edgy was the Warner Brothers mark and it made their movies often distinctive. That’s why “Casablanca” is that it is, why it became a cult classic, made its stars “super stars”, and, most importantly, made the studio money.

Humphrey DeForest Bogart (1889 – 1957) appeared in 75 films during his 30-year film career, after his Broadway career slowed due to hard times for plays due to the 1929 stock market crash.  He was a successful movie actor at the time of  “Casablanca”, but it made him a film icon and, in 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Bogart as the greatest male film star in the history of American movies.  He had four wives with his last being Lauren Baccall (below).

It is hard to talk bout Bogart without talking about Lauren Bacall.  They were truly meant for each other with only his death from cancer ending the marriage.  Lauren provides some insight to Bogart’s feeling about “Casablanca” when she said, “Boggie would say, ‘ Of course, I did nothing in Casablanca that I hadn't done in twenty movies before that, and suddenly they discover I’m sexy. Any time that Ingrid Bergman looks at a man, he has sex appeal.’ ” This according to Aljean Harmetz in the 1992 book, “Round up the Usual Suspects.”

Above is Ingrid Bergman (1915 – 1982), a Swedish actress who has 53 acting credits in her career with 13 in Swedish movies.  It is said her career had its up and downs, with her best work in the 1940's and ending up winning three Academy Awards in her movie life.  She left the United States for some six years due to a marriage scandal in the 1950's, but came back strong winning an Oscar in 1956 for "Anastasia".  About “Casablanca” Bergman says, “"I feel about Casablanca that it has a life of its own. There is something mystical about it. It seems to have filled a need, a need that was there before the film, a need that the film filled.” This is according to Charlotte Chandler in the 2007 book  “Ingrid: Ingrid Bergman, A Personal Biography.”

Not only a box office success, Casablanca became a cult film with people seeing it 50 – 60 times or more and audiences shouting lines at the screen.  A truly special film with special stars, and you can see it all, learn some of the background and history about the 1940's wartime period in our history and enjoy the treats. Bring your valentine too if you wish.

Auditions…Comedy in Bigfork…Looking for Actors…

“Becky’s New Car” is a very funny comedy about what it might be like to try a new life for a while.  Actors get a chance to not only talk to the audience but seek their advice.  And, as long as Becky keeps her millionaire friend in the dark about who she really is, she gets to keep enjoying what it might be like to change everything in her world.  Needed are three women and four men.  Auditions are Monday and Tuesday – February 4th and 5th from 4:30 PM to 6:30PM.

This EdgeWild Players production, directed by Patricia Feld, will be performed April 25-28, 2013.

Here is a chance to act in a play that is funny, challenging, and enjoyable.  A chance to help Becky stroll through an existence one might fondly wonder about, but only can experience in imagination or onstage!  Becky gets the chance to really do it and learns a lot about herself in the process.  The cast of characters needed for the play below covers a nice range of middle-American society.  Below is a poster with a "Variety" comment about the play.

Becky Foster – Looking for someone who can play a forty something looking woman with quick comic timing, a range of emotions and very is charismatic. Becky Foster works for a car dealership.

Joe Foster – Looking for someone who can play a forty something man, salt-of-the-earth type, who is a good husband who means well but settled in his ways. Joe Foster works as a roofer.

Chris Foster – Needed is an actor who can play a mid-twenties son, living in the basement and is a psychology student.

Walter Flood – If you would like to play a wealthy businessman, one who is 60 and widowed…Walter Flood would be your choice.

Kenni Flood – Needed is someone to play Walters’s daughter, who is in her early twenties who means well…but.  Kenni Flood appears in the second act.

Steve – Can you play a 50ish car salesman who works with Becky?….He’s NOT your typical car salesman.

Ginger – How would you like to try to be Walter’s neighbor in her fifties?  We are not sure about her plans, and she appears in the second act.

Written by Steven Dietz's (above)  “Becky's New Car”, had its world premiere on October 23, 2008 in Seattle and has kept audiences laughing very successfully since.  It won a Steinberg/American Theatre Critics New American Play Award for a play that opened out side of New York.  Dietz placed eighth on the Top Ten Most Produced Playwrights in America.

So come out and audition for this play, it will help pass winter and keep you laughing too.

Below is a part of the Seattle Times review of this play and here is the URL if you wish to read more. Above is a picture from the Seattle opening of the play.

http://seattletimes.com/html/thearts/2008280381_dietz20.html

Steven Deitz's "Becky's New Car" was written as a birthday present:
The new Steven Dietz play "Becky's New Car" plays at Seattle's ACT Theatre Oct. 17-Nov. 16.

By Misha Berson
Seattle Times theater critic

Steven Dietz is the prolific author of more than two dozen plays, and his work has been presented at major theaters around the U.S. But "Becky's New Car," in previews at ACT Theatre, is the only play he's created as a birthday present from a husband to his wife.

The wife Dietz wrote it for is not his own (fellow playwright Allison Gregory) but another man's spouse.

How's that? Let Dietz, a part-time Seattle resident with long ties to this area's theater community, explain.

"'Becky's New Car' was commissioned in a program ACT started recently, where anybody can underwrite a new play as a gift to someone," said Dietz, by phone from Austin, Texas, where he spends the academic year teaching writing at University of Texas.

Seattle commercial realtor Charles Staadecker commissioned "Becky's New Car" for his wife Benita, an ACT trustee. And that led to the forging of ACT's New Works for the American Stage, which grants $5,000 to $8,000 per year over a three-year period to a writer toiling on a new script ACT might produce later. (The company won't specify the exact amount of Dietz's commission.)

"I wanted to make this gift to Benita something unusual and memorable, something that would be a real legacy," says Staadecker. And yes, his theater-loving wife was indeed pleased by the gesture.

"On Betina's birthday," notes Dietz, "I sent her the play's first scene."

The practice of arts patrons funding new works in tribute to friends or lovers was commonplace in, say, Shakespeare's day, and Mozart's.

It happens far less frequently now, but Dietz says he's been happy to oblige with "Becky's New Car," a satirical comedy that sounds like a cross between the Demi Moore film "Indecent Proposal" and the Craig Lucas farce "Reckless."

"My play is about a regular middle-class woman, Becky, who works in an auto dealership and her husband is a roofer," Dietz elaborated. "She meets this slightly eccentric, somewhat bumbling millionaire, and through a bunch of misunderstandings, he offers her a chance to live a kind of parallel existence."

The idea of having a secret double life fascinated Dietz.

"I think we all love those great little stories you find in the corner of the newspaper — you know, 'after his death, Florida man is revealed to have three different families.' That felt like the stuff of comedy to me."

The settings and subjects of Dietz plays have been all over the map — from 19th-century France (in "Inventing van Gogh") to 1990s Seattle ("Lonely Planet") and the isle of Grenada during the Reagan Era ("Halcyon Days"). But he often ponders secrets, lies and identity, and employs strokes of sardonic humor.

As for "Becky's New Car," Dietz insists his benefactors the Staadeckers "put no restrictions on me in terms of the writing. But they have become very enmeshed in the production, coming to rehearsals and watching over the project. And really, I've just loved having them around."…

Edge Putting on Our Winter Coat

Winter in Northern Minnesota can be really white, really windy and really cold.  If you are in the Bigfork area, take a break from winter and stop by The Edge Center gallery to see color again, get out of the wind...and warm up. That’s because the gallery has changed to its permanent collection: a warm mixture of color and art.  The painting above is one of four Bill Hafeman paintings on display.  Known as an extraordinary hand-made canoe builder, he also was an accomplished painter, and the gallery is very fortunate to have some of his Northern Minnesota landscapes on display.  The gallery's permanent collection will be up until the spring and summer exhibits start.

Outside The Edge Center.

Inside The Edge Center

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.

There is more art on display than Mr. Hafemans’s paintings, like above, which include lots of color, some abstract views of the world and more looks at nature up north.

Mr. Hafeman at work below.

As far as William Hafeman’s paintings are concerned, they show what is special about Northern Minnesota in a way that seems real enough to step into.  He came to the area in 1921 with his wife to live in the woods.  In a 1982 interview by Charles Kurault he said.

“I wanted to live in a wild country like the Indians did … I didn't want to live in a city where you go to work by a whistle, go home by a whistle.”

His canoe building started out of necessity.  He built his first canoe to be able to get to Bigfork some 15 miles by river.  After that he just kept building them along with his reputation as one of the best.  You can see the interview and read about his canoes at the following links, but you need to see his painting at the gallery to appreciate his "other art".

Link to interview below.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/cb-of6jB7RLZikP/just_like_old_times/


Minnesota history article below with URL following.

http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/43/v43i04p142-145.pdf

The Hafeman Canoe Works, now owned by Ray Boessel and his wife Christie, is still in existence where Bill founded it on Highway 6 just 15 mile upriver from Bigfork.  Christie is the granddaughter of Mr. Hafeman and Ray learned his craft from him in the 1980's.  You can see one of Ray’s 13 foot Chippewa Long Nose canoes on display in the Commons area of the Bigfork Valley Hospital just around the corner from the gallery.  There you can also see another of Mr. Hafeman’s paintings along with a lot more art from local artists.  While in the Commons, you might want to have a lunch in the cafeteria.  It will be delicious.

Bigfork Valley Hospital commons area below.

So, why not make a day of a visit to Bigfork this Winter?  See The Edge Gallery exhibit and then go to the Commons to see more art plus have a great lunch.

“Monte Walsh” Western Movie At The Edge Center In Bigfork

How can it be that the 1970 movie “Monte Walsh”, acknowledged to be one of Lee Marvin’s best performances and with a beautiful haunting score sung by none other than Mama Cass Elliott, end up so well hidden in film history? This is a movie about changing times involving conflicted people in a classic tragedy. Leave it up to the Park Classic Movie folks in Bigfork to find such a gem this month. Viewers will leave with the music score in their heads, the story on their minds and possibly some answers to why this classic didn’t garner awards instead of obscurity. Learn more when you see it along with an informative discussion about the movie at The Edge Center Theater in Bigfork on Thursday, January 10 at 6:30PM. The movie is presented by the Classic Movie Series with a cartoon from the same year and a background presentation by Jack Nachbar.

It could be that in 1970 the country had lots of issues on its agenda, and a good western about the end of the cowboy era did not fit the times. When a made for TV remake was done with Tom Selleck in 2003 it received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing and, in 2004, the Western Heritage Awards Bronze Wrangler for Outstanding Television Feature Film. But you still need to go back to the original to get the Lee Marvin touch.

In the movie, Monte Walsh (Lee Marvin) and his friend Chet Rollins (Jack Palance), two long-time cowhands, will do whatever ranch work comes their way, but "nothing they can't do from a horse".


Lee Marvin as Monte Walsh

Jack Palance as Chet Rollins

"Monte Walsh" is all about the two aging cowboys who have a hard time dealing with the end of open ranges, cowboy work, and the “wild” in the Wild West going away. To get a glimpse of what that era was like, look at some of the work of America’s own western artist Charles Russell (paintings below). About the film and Charles Russell, Jack Nachbar says, “I think the film comes closest to his work. Charlie was a working cowboy, much like Monte and Chet.”

Known as the “cowboy artist,” Russell’s more than 2000 paintings showed the life of cowboys and Indians along with landscapes in the Western United States and Alberta Canada. In his life he was a working cowboy, and he lived with the Blood Indians, a Branch of the Blackfeet nation.  In his life as an artist, Russell (below) was a painter, sculpture, and author.

Charles Russell came to Montana in 1880, left for a brief period returning in 1882 and remained there for the rest of his life. “Laugh Kills Lonesome” (below) is probably Russell’s most famous painting and recreates the beauty of a night under the stars. The other images following show more of the cowboy life. 

"Bronc for breakfast" (below).

"Russell and friends" (below) was also used on a Montana stamp.

These Russell images will just help set the tone for the movie “Monte Walsh” and Monte's lifestyle. You need to see this special showing of this hidden gem to understand more about “Monte Walsh” the person.  The movie may bring a real tear to your heart for the by-times your remember. Share this great classic and some treats picked especially for the film.

Russell's painting "Loops and Horses are Surer than Lead" (below) is one more look at his view of the cowboy life.

2012: What a Wonderful Year At the Edge

For the last 12 months, The Edge Center for the Arts in Bigfork has tried to include as much new programming as possible while keeping in mind that it serves many audiences. We have included student art and education, Native American exhibits/programs, thought provoking plays, a touch of history with classic movies, nationally prominent entertainment, plus lots of music and laughter. Next year we hope to repeat the experience and possibly add a whole new category of “literary art” education for the young and old.

Of paramount importance to The Edge Center is being part of our young people’s education. The Edge Center is part of and attached to the Bigfork School by design so students can participate in this process. During the year some artists participating in Edge Center events also include student classes as part of their activities. Also, The Edge Center is utilized throughout the school year for numerous school activities.

All of what we do is only possible with the continued support of you, without which we would not exist. From our large and expanding group of volunteers, to the community as a whole, and to each individual supporter, thank you very much and we hope we can make 2013 even more of an enjoyable artistic experience.

In 2012 The Edge Center's community work revolved around its Art Gallery, On Stage Performances and hosted Bigfork School Activities (volunteers doing stage set-up shown below).

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In 2012 in the Art Gallery, with your help, The Edge Center presented a variety of events with each accompanied by an opening reception such as shown below:

April – Edge of the Wilderness Art League Show

May – Bigfork School Student Show (below)

June – Joe Geshick – Journeys, Native American paintings (set up below)

July – Art on the Edge: 8th Annual Juried Show (award below)

August – Al Kruger - Wildlife (set up below)

September – Jackie Solem - Migration to the Edge, photography (below)

October – Mary Lingen - Landscapes, paintings (below)

November – 8th Annual Holiday Gift Show (goodies below)

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In 2012 On Stage, with your help and a very ample stage, The Edge Center presented performances ranging from classic movies, to music, to thought provoking plays. Below is a photograph from this year's giant puppet show in June.

Sunday January 15th - Sam Black, pianist, with Josh Aerie, cellist, - Chamber Music (below)

January 12 – “The Mark of Zoro” Classic Movie

January 29th - Polar Revue #7 - Local Talent Show

February 8 – “Robin and Marian” Classic Movie

February 23, 24, 25, and 26 - EdgeWild Players present Circle, Mirror,
Transformation (below)

March 2, 3, 4 - "I am Anne Frank" presented by the Nautilus Music-Theatre of St. Paul

March 8 – “White Heat” Classic Movie

April 12 – “Some Like It Hot!” Classic Movie

April 24th – 29th: -TU Dance returns with a School performance plus Community performance and Saturday Dance Movement Class

May 6 - Itasca Symphony Orchestra (below)

June 21-24 - Almanac with Big Puppets, with Master puppeteer Theresa Linnehan,
were in the Wilderness Parade and filled the stage. (below)

July 13, 14 - Stages Theatre of Hopkins is coming to the Edge with the
                     musical, "Seussical" (below)

August 11 - Piano Bar with the Northern Lights Trio (below)

August 25 - John Perkins, local song writer (below)

September 9 - Pretenders and Friends – 50’s; and 60’s Rock n Roll (below)

September 13 – “Cabaret” Classic Movie

September 16 - Art Redhorse and Nico - Native American Grass Dance
                         and Native Flute (below)

October 11 – “Dr. Strangelove” Classic Movie

October 13 - "8 The Play" BellWether's performance

October 6 - SAM MILTICH trio and CHARMIN MICHELLE (below)

October 25 - Theatre "Stories for the Stage" and Diary of Anne Frank

October 26 - Monroe Crossing, nationally famous bluegrass music

November 8 - “Meet John Doe” Classic Movie

November 16-18: EdgeWild Players present Love, Loss & What I Wore (below)

December 13 - "Shop Around the Corner" Classic Movie

December 15 - Great Northern Radio Show (below)

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In 2012 Edge Hosted Bigfork School Activities included:

January - On-going violin lessons through June

January - 18, 25 High School communications class

January - 19 Community Education

February - 1 “Alice Unwrapped,” Nautilus Music-Theatre of St. Paul, school & comm.

February - 3 English class political debates

February - 7-8 Winter Fest, prep & coronation

February - 25 Speech Tournament awards ceremony

March - 9-11 Bigfork School's presentation of Tom Jones

March - 29 Community Speech night

March - 30 D.A.R.E graduation

April - 11 Honor Society Induction

April - 18 Elementary spelling bee

April -20-21 Prom prep and Grand March

May - 1 Itasca Sheriff’s Drug Lyceum

May - 10 High School Academic Awards

May - 14 Strings Recital, school and community

May - 16 High School senior reception

May - 24 High School athletic awards

May - 23-31 Five days of giant puppet building 3rd-6th grades

May - 31 Kindergarten graduation

July - 24-25 Grand Rapids HS Band at Edge

September - Piano lessons begin for elementary students each week
                    Violin lessons continue for elementary students each week

September - 14 Violin demo for students

September - 25 School & community meeting

October - 9-10 Homecoming prep and coronation

September - 16-17 English class presentation

November – 28 Elementary Talent Show

December 11-12 HS Winter concert & prep