Youth Summer Stock 2013 – Now including “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown – The Broadway Musical”

YOUTH SUMMER STOCK 2013 – REGISTRATION OPEN!

Want to be in a show this summer? In addition to learning and performing songs and scenes from your favorite Broadway musicals, we’re including the production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown – The Broadway Musical.” Come to sing, dance, act – in large groups, small groups and solo – it’s your choice this summer as we work together to create a star-studded production for family & friends in our Black Box Theater!

HIGHLIGHTS

• For youth entering 6th grade through 12th grade.
• August 5-16 , M-F, 9am to 3pm, plus optional August 25 float appearance!
• All youth can perform in an ensemble or a solo, if desired, and be part of the Charlie Brown Musical cast!
• Get audition tips & coaching, and an audition song selected just for you!
• Under the enthusiastic direction of Miss Lori Sager!

WHERE: Classes will be held at both the Merrill Community Arts Center – Rivertown Campus and East Ridge Campus.

WHEN: August 5-16, Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm, and until 4:30pm on the 16th. Optional opportunity to perform in our Woodbury Days float on Sunday, August 25 at 1:30pm.

NOTE: Scheduling can be arranged so you can attend the East Ridge High School Theater Camp also the week of August 5-9.

REGISTER: The fee is $190 for all classes and performances and includes a show t-shirt. Registration is limited to 60 students. Download our flyer and registration forms below for more information, and to secure your spot for this summer!

MCAC Youth Summer Stock Flyer 2013 UPDATED

Summer Stock Registration Form 2013 FINAL

Music Man Auditions

Music Man Auditions

East Metro Symphony Orchestra

Mark your calendars now and watch for updates on this concert. Origins series explores the music of Bulgaria at 3:00pm on Sunday, June 2.

The East Metro Symphony Orchestra (EMSO) is thrilled to present Dancing Through Bulgaria, a celebration of the unique traditions of Bulgarian classical and folk music and dance.  This final performance of EMSO’s 2012-2013 season will be held Sunday, June 2, 3pm at Tartan High School in Oakdale.

Although the small, east European country, Bulgaria, has rich traditions of remarkable classical music (much of which is based on the equally rich traditions of Bulgarian folk music and dance), it is largely unknown in the U.S. because the country was closed off from the West for many generations.  In the meantime, Minnesota has become home to a growing community of people from Bulgaria, finally giving us the opportunity to experience the exciting and distinctive music and dance from their homeland.

Working with Minnesota-based Bulgarian musicians Nikolay Gueorguiev (who plays the gadulka – a bowed string instrument) and Nickolai Kolarov (cellist), along with Ethnic Dance Theatre (Donald LaCourse, artistic director), EMSO music director and conductor Elizabeth Prielozny Barnes has created a multi-faceted exploration of Bulgarian folk dance and music traditions and how they generated unique classical music traditions.  The music that EMSO will be performing includes the U.S. premiere of the iconic symphonic work Thracian Dances, by pivotal Bulgarian composer Petko Stainov. The music was all personally brought to Minnesota from Bulgaria by the Bulgarian musicians and Barnes, who was able to travel to Bulgaria recently to study folk dance and gather printed and recorded music (courtesy of an Artist Initiative Grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board).

Please join us for a delightful, enlightening feast of folk music and dance, and the orchestra music it inspired.  Joining the East Metro Symphony Orchestra will be Ethnic Dance Theatre in traditional costumes, performing a suite of folk dances from the Varna region of Bulgaria, and “The Niks” Bulgarian Folk Musicians.  As with all EMSO concerts, this event is informal and family-friendly.

Tartan High School is located at 828 Greenway Avenue North in Oakdale and offers ample free parking and handicapped accessible seating.  Tickets are available at the door: $10 adults, $8 seniors, ages 18 and under are free.  EMSO will be posting facts and updates about the concert on its Facebook (www.facebook.com/emsorch) and Twitter (twitter.com/EMSOrch) pages throughout the weeks preceding the performance.  For more information visit http://www.facebook.com/l/OAQFJ62BBAQGXSx8wpFA86CIgKFoVtRwmeuYAiRR9X_F_sQ/www.emsorch.org or email info@emsorch.org.

Nunsense

BE ONE OF THE FIRST PATRONS IN THE NEW BLACK BOX THEATRE AS

WOODBURY COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS

NUNSENSE, APRIL 11-14, 18-21, 2013!

TICKETS ARE NOW ON SALE.

A Celebration of the HeART Thank You

A BIG THANK YOU FROM THE HeART

The board of directors would like to thank the many people who worked so hard to make our “Grand Opening Gala” such a wonderful success! This truly was an event to celebrate the many years of work that have gone into getting a home for the arts in our community. A special Thank You to our affiliate partners Woodbury Community Theatre and East Metro Symphony Orchestra! Our hats off to Michelle Witte our Operations Director for her great work.  Since 1991 when these efforts began there have been many board members and committee members and volunteers who have been a part of the efforts to build a home for the arts. Each and every one of you have made a difference and we salute you for your great work! To all of the folks who came to celebrate and support the arts, Thank You! To all of the folks who could not make it, we look forward to seeing you at one of the many arts events that we will be offering! We are excited about what the future has to offer as we continue to fulfill our mission of  building community by providing opportunities for interaction that make arts accessible to all people.”

Thank You From The Bottom Of Our HeARTS!

Merrill Community Arts Center

Board of Directors

A Celebration of the HeART

Friday, February 22 – Grand Opening Event!

Join us for a festive evening to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new “heart of the arts” here in our community -

 Merrill Community Arts Center in Woodbury!

Merrill Community Arts Center – East Ridge Campus

• 6:00pm to 8:00pm – Be the first to see the new Black Box Theatre that is currently under construction behind the Loft Stage at East Ridge High School! Enjoy food, fun and folly as we celebrate the grand opening of this wonderful performing arts gem in our community. The evening will also feature a small ensemble from East Metro Symphony Orchestra, a silent auction, and a wonderful display from our arts’ history.
• 8:00pm to 9:00pm – Woodbury Community Theatre will perform a retrospective of our journey getting here, and a look into the future of the arts to come.
• 9:00pm to 9:30pm – Guests will bundle-up and join our progressive event over at our second campus.

Merrill Community Arts Center – Rivertown Campus

• 9:30pm to 11:30pm – Take a short journey across town to our Rivertown facility, and tour our 10,000 s.f. of wonderful space to build and store props, costumes and set pieces, and to display visual arts, conduct rehearsals, host small events, and house artist organizations. Enjoy a full open beer and wine bar and singing Broadway tunes around the piano.

CLICK HERE to see the full invitation.  Tickets can be PURCHASED ONLINE or CLICK HERE to mail in your reservation.

For more information, or if you’d like to donate a bottle of wine for our “Wall of Wine” drawing, or something for our Silent Auction, please send us an email at info@merrillartscenter.org  or call Michelle Witte, Director of Operations, at 651-402-3184.