Lilacs!

The lilacs bloomed early this year and as Spring quickly blossoms into Summer Northfield will come alive with entertainment and outdoor events.
I'm particularly excited about the upcoming and ongoing Riverwalk Market Fair!  Every Saturday morning from June 5th through October 30th this collaborative open air market will offer an enticing array of regional products:  ceramics, prints, painting, jewelry, crafts, and a bounty of local and organic produce, cut flowers and artisan foods.  The event will focus on high-quality products that reflect regional talents and tastes and will provide an opportunity to both socialize and shop along the picturesque Cannon River.  I can't wait to check it out!!  (www.RiverwalkMarketFair.org)
Of course there's plenty of other reasons to visit our friendly little town by the river.  Take in some local theater, enjoy a hike in the arboretum, catch a baseball game or just hang out at one of our neigborhood venues, sip a cold beverage and listen to some live music.  When you need a quiet break from the activity, you can always retreat back to your cozy room at the Magic Door to soak in the whirlpool, watch a DVD or just take a refreshing little nap.  Sounds like a plan, don't you think?

May Events (for a complete listing go to www.northfieldguide.com)

May 6, 7 and 8th      Companydance Spring Concert, Kelsey Theater, St. Olaf, 7:30pm

May 7th  Convocation:  Oliver Wang, Skinner Memorial Chapel, Carleton
     Oliver Wang writes on pop music, culture and politics for NPR, Vibe, Wax Poetic, LA
     Times, Village Voice, SF Bay Guardian, etc., 10:50am-11:50am

May 7th    Girl's Night Out!  Gather your girlfriends for a fun night!  Enjoy fabulous sales and
     giveaways at Northfield's shops and boutiques.  Snack on hor d'oeurves and refreshments         and then gather at the Grand Event Center for live entertainment, music and dancing! 
     5pm - 1am, tickets $10

May 7th and 8th    Theater:  Out of the Frying Pan,  Northfield High School, 7:30pm, $6

May 7, 8, 13 and 15th  Theater:  Of Mice and Men, Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault,
     7:30pm, $12, (also a matinee on May 9th at 2pm)

May 7th    Music:  Sweet North, Tavern Lounge, 7:30-11pm

May 7th    Lectureship Concert:  Nicholas Collins, Composer, Concert Hall , Carleton,
     8-9:30pm

May 7th    An Evening of Nordic Music, Buntrock Commons Plaza, St. Olaf, 8:15pm,
     Bring a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy a spring evening of Nordic music, storytelling,
     and dancing

May 8th    International Festival, Sayles-Hill Great Space, Carleton, 2pm, A Carleton
     tradition that features international cuisine, music, performances, activities and info.

May 8th    St Olaf College String Quartets, Northfield Public Library, 7-8:15pm,  Part
     of Carnegie Centennial Concet series to celebrate dedication of the original library.
     Free dessert and beverages at 7pm.

May 9th    Art Opening Reception:  Senior Show #2, Flaten Art Museum, St Olaf, 2-4pm

May 9th    Faculty Recital, Jay Johnson, Marimba, Concert Hall, Carleton, 3-4:30pm

May 9th    Faculty Recital:  Soprano Alison Feldt and Pianist Kathryn Ananda Owens,
     Urness Recital Hall, St. Olaf, 3:15pm

May 10th    Concert:  Valhalla Band, Christiansen Hall of Music 140, St Olaf, 7:30pm

May 11th    Lecture:  No Country for Leftists?  Clientelist Continuity and the 2006 Vote
     in the Brazilian Northeast, Gould Library Athenaeum, Carleton, 4:30pm

May 11th    Screening of "No!  The Rape Documentary" and discussion with the Fimmaker
     Aishah Shahidah Simmons, Carleton, 7-9:30pm

May 13th    Music:  Barb Piper, The Contented Cow, 5pm,  Modern folk.

May 14th    Convocation:  Kevin Clements, Skinner Chapel, Carleton, 10:50-11:50am,
    Clements is the Director of the New Zealand Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies.

May 14th    Music:  Alison Rae, The Tavern Lounge, 7-11pm, St Paul based muscian

May 14th    Music:  Monroe Crossing, The Grand Event Center, 7pm, bluegrass and
     gospel quintet, doors open at 6:30, $12

May 14th    Music:  Urban Hillbilly Quartet, The Contented Cow, 8pm

May 14th    Concert:  Carleton Symphony Band, Concert Hall, Carleton, 8pm

May 14, 15 & 16th    Theater:  Independent People, Arena Theater, Carleton, 8pm,
     (2pm matinee on the 16th)

May 15th    Theater:  Broadway Revue, Urness Recital Hall, St Olaf, 8pm

May 16th    Concert:  Carleton Jazz Ensemble, Concert Hall, Carleton, 3-4pm

May 16th    Concert:  St Olaf Orchestra, Boe Chapel, 3:30pm, with senior soloists

May 16th    Backroads Variety Show, The Grand Event Center, 5-7pm, Locally based
     variety show with music, community interaction and witty dialog.  Hosted by Will
     Healy, doors open at 4:45, free

May 16th    "Inside North Korea", Dittman Center 305, St Olaf, 5:45pm, screening of the
     National documentary, Korean food served before the screening, get tickets by emailing
     ward@stolaf,edu.  $3 (if you eat)

May 17th    Theater:  The Secret Garden by The Hampstead Players, Paradise Center
     for the Arts, Faribault, 1:30pm

May 18th    Final Scared Scriptless All Music Improv Comedy Show, Christiansen Hall
     of Music, Urness Recital Hall, St Olaf, 9pm

May 20th    Author/Lecture Seminar:  Janet Attwood, author of "The Passion Test",
     Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault, 6-9pm, concludes with book signing

May 20th    MayFly Mini-Fest, The Contented Cow:  Carey Langer 5pm, God Save Norman
     8pm, Study Hall 11pm, (first of a 3 day festival, pre-cursor to big show: June 23-26.

May 20th  St Olaf/Carleton Student Art Event, Oolala (downtown shop), 8pm

May 20th  Northfield Wine Club Tasting, Theme:  "Summer Slippers", Grand Event
     Center, free and open to the public, 7-9pm

May 20th    Music:  Chris Herriges, The Tavern Lounge, 8-11pm

May 21st    MayFly Mini Fest, The Contented Cow, Bridgewater Ramblers 5pm,  Pot Luck
     and the Hot Dishes 8pm, Marty Anderson and The Goods 11pm, 2nd show of 3 day fest

May 22nd   MayFly Mini Fest, The Contented Cow, Chance Meeting 5pm, Mr Sticky 8pm,
     Tailchaiser 11pm, last night of 3 day mini fest

May 22nd    Legendary Ladies of Country Music, Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault,
     Stephanie Erdman sings classics by Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette,
     and Dottie West, 7:30pm,  $15

May 22nd    Concert:  Carleton Singers and the Carleton Choir, Concert Hall, Carleton,
     8-9pm

May 27th    Music:  Linda James, The Tavern Lounge, 8-11pm, St Paul based singer/pianist

May 28th    Honors Convocation:  Robert A. Oden, Jr., Skinner Chapel, Carleton, 3-4pm

May 28th    Music:  Jeff Ray, The Tavern Lounge, 7-11pm, piano and harp

May 28th    Concert:  Carleton Orchestra, Concert Hall, Carleton, 8-9pm

May 28th    Concert:  The St Olaf Band, Skoglund Center, St Olaf, 8pm

May 29 & 30th    Rice County Steam and Gas Engines Annual Swap Meet and Flea Market,
     8am-5pm

May 29th    Concert:  The St Olaf Orchestra, Skoglund Center, 3pm

May 29th    Concert:  The St Olaf Choir, Skoglund Center, 8pm