Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Tim Grimm to open Grassroots Concerts season Sept. 19

                                              


Tim Grimm to open Grassroots Concerts season Sept. 19


           NISSWA – Tim Grimm, an award-winning songwriter and stage/screen actor, makes his Grassroots Concerts debut on Friday, Sept. 19 in a 7:30 p.m. show that will include his wife, Jan Lucas, on vocals and harmonica.
           The event is the first of five fall concerts to be held at the Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar in Nisswa. The concert series is in its 26th year, and this will be the 287th concert.
          Tim Grimm has toured and recorded with his friend, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and appeared with Harrison Ford in the film "Clear and Present Danger." His recording, "The Back Fields" was named Best Americana Album in the 2006 Just Plain Folks Music Awards in Los Angeles.
           Critics compare Grimm's folk-country style to Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and Bruce Springsteen. His songs and performances have established him as a unique voice in Americana music. Each of his past five recordings has reached the top of the Folk or American-roots charts.
            After several years working in Los Angeles (where he co-starred for two seasons on the NBC drama "Reasonable Doubts" and appeared in several films), Grimm returned home to rural, southern Indiana. He now lives there with his wife and sons.
           AmericanaUK says: "He sings of families being lost, the loss of rural America, returnees from Basra, slaves escaping a horrendous life, floods, yearning, anguish and the reason why people faced with such adversity carry on whilst being totally empathetic toward their plight or feelings."
           For more about Grimm go to www.timgrimm.com
         

The rest of the 2014 fall season:

Friday, Oct. 3 – Germaine Gemberling (www.germainegemberling.com) and Rich Mattson (www.richmattsonmusic.com). Lifelong musicians, their sensibilities have produced a delightful collaboration. They play "classic country music, the kind that Johnny and June made," says Tony Bennett of the Duluth News Tribune.
         

Friday, Oct. 24 – Eliza Gilkyson (www.elizagilkyson.com). Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and activist Gilkyson makes her second appearance on the Grassroots stage (first: September 2006). One of the most respected musicians in folk and Americana circles, she has won Folk Alliance International awards for best artist, best songwriter, and record of the year and has been inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. "Like the master she is, Gilkyson packs a political punch that is as entertaining and blue-collar as the work of Woody Guthrie," says William Michael Smith of the Houston Press.

Friday, Nov. 14 – Erik Koskinen (www.erikkoskinen.com). Koskinen is a native of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Since moving to the Twin Cities 10 years ago, he has earned a following as a musician, songwriter, bandleader, producer, and recording engineer. He is Minnesota's "best pure country singer/songwriter," says Jon Bream of the StarTribune.

Friday, Dec. 5 – Tim Sparks (www.timsparks.com). Sparks is an award-winning guitarist whose blending of musical styles has won extensive praise from listeners in all corners of the world. Sparks has captivated guitar fans with some of the finest finger-style guitar playing around. "He's really one of best musicians I know," says Leo Kottke.
          Admission is $10 at the door for adults and $5 for children under 12 with listening attention, when accompanied by an adult. At all shows, seating is first-come, first-served. Showtime is 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30), and you are encouraged to come early to claim your choice of seats.
The Live Well Nightclub and Coffee Bar, 5459 CR 18, is located in the Journey Church across from the A & W Restaurant and next to the school in Nisswa.
          Nonprofit Grassroots Concerts are sustained in quality and low cost with the help of a grant from the Five Wings Arts Council through the Minnesota State Legislature.

       At each concert, the all-volunteer series welcomes your non-perishable food or cash donation to a local food shelf.

        For information go to www.grassrootsconcerts.org, call (218) 829-4092.


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Pequot Theater to present state premiere of comedy

PEQUOT LAKES – Rehearsals are under way for a Minnesota premiere of the 

Pequot Lakes Community Theater production "Mom's Gift" by Phil Olson.

Cast members are Michael Johnson of Crosby, Sharon Hartley of Baxter, 

Mary Nelson of Cushing, Ann Collman and Dan Rohr of Brainerd, and Julie Friday of 

Crosslake.

This heartwarming family comedy reminds us that forgiveness may be the 

simplest path to love. Mom has always taken good care of her family. She expects to go 

to heaven, but 11 months after she dies mom is still an earthbound ghost. Like Clarence 

in "It's a Wonderful Life," she has to accomplish a task to earn her wings.

Performances are July 10, 11, 12 and 15, 16, 17 at 8 p.m. on the stage of the 

theater at Pequot Lakes High School.

This play, first performed six months ago in Los Angeles, has won numerous 

awards for playwright Olson. He has written three popular shows performed in recent 

summers on the PLCT stage.

"We are excited to bring this new play to our state," said Director Nancy 

Waller of Breezy Point, who previously directed Olson's "Crappie Talk," "Don't Hug 

Me" and "Don't Hug Me County Fair" for Pequot Lakes Community Theater.

The production team for "Mom's Gift" includes Stage Manager Meredith 

Bjorkquist and Technical Director Craig Friday, both of Crosslake; Set Designer Peter 

Herzog, Pequot Lakes; and Costumer Mary Chapp, Breezy Point.

Tickets are available by calling Pequot Lakes Community Education at 218-568-

9200. Information is available at www.glapa.info, the web site for Greater Lakes Area 

Performing Arts.

Photo:

The cast for Minnesota's premiere of "Mom's Gift" includes from left, front, Julie Friday, 

Michael Johnson, Sharon Hartley, and back Mary Nelson, Dan Rohr, and Ann Collman. 

Shows are at 8 p.m. July 10-12 and 15-17 in the high school theater at Pequot Lakes.