ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Much Ado About Nothing at the Northfield Arts Guild and Lutheran Summer Music, 7-3-26

ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Much Ado About Nothing at the Northfield Arts Guild and Lutheran Summer Music, 7-3-26

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist highlights two upcoming events: First, director Andy Anderson and actors Macey DeZee and Kevin Chapman will preview the Northfield Arts Guild production of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. https://northfieldartsguild.org/northfield-arts-guild-66th-theater-season/ [https://northfieldartsguild.org/northfield-arts-guild-66th-theater-season/] Second, Thomas Bandar, the Lutheran Summer Music Executive and Artistic Director will discuss the program and the upcoming concerts at St. Olaf and around Northfield. https://www.lsmacademy.org [https://www.lsmacademy.org/] Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Join us in Northfield’s Central Park (at 421 4th St) for Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.  To be performed OUTSIDE at 7PM on: Friday, Saturday, Sunday July 10 – July 12 Thursday, Friday, Saturday July 16 – July 18 Count Claudio falls in love with Hero, the daughter of his host. Hero’s cousin Beatrice (a confirmed spinster) and Benedict (an eternal bachelor) are each duped into believing the other is in love with them. Claudio is deceived by a malicious plot and denounces Hero as unchaste before they marry. What could go wrong?! This comedy showcases some the the Bard’s finest verbal repartee and balances intrigue and strife with quick-witted humor. Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. Experience a summer of concerts, recitals, and worship at St. Olaf College—open to all! New in 2026: Many recitals and concerts require free tickets to help manage seating. https://www.lsmacademy.org [https://www.lsmacademy.org/] In addition to advanced musical instruction and numerous performance opportunities, LSM students form an intentional community, living together for four weeks on a Lutheran college campus. Since 1981, this unique and immersive program has guided the lives of thousands of young musicians, many of whom credit LSM as the starting place for their future careers and vocations.

ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Mosaic Artist Michael Sweere, 6-26-26

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes mosaic artist Michael Sweere. He creates modern fine art from reclaimed materials. His large-scale mosaic work can be found at airports, health-care facilities, libraries, schools, and sporting stadiums. In Northfield, the mosaic Your Mind is a Magic Wand is on display at the Northfield Public Library and he has been chosen to design and create the mosaic mural at the new Northfield Ice Arena. http://www.michaelsweeremosaic.com [http://www.michaelsweeremosaic.com/] Michael Sweere -Multi Medium Exhibit at Fifty North Art Gallery https://fiftynorth.org/activities/art-gallery/ [https://fiftynorth.org/activities/art-gallery/] Gallery Show: July 20-August 28 Artist Reception:Thursday, August 6, 4:00-5:00pm Michael Sweere creates mosaics by utilizing pieces of broken dishware, ceramic and porcelain tile, glass and found objects like vintage buttons, stones and old coins.

ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Northfield Noontime Organ Recitals and Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, 6-19-26

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes Stephen May, Karen Olson, and Cathy Rodland to highlight the Northfield Noontime Organ Recitals and the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival at St. Olaf. We’ll hear about wonderful music events to add to your summer calendar. 2026 NOONTIME ORGAN RECITALS 19th Season – Seven Recitals Wednesdays, 12:15 to 12:45 p. m. June 24 – Catherine Rodland, Boe Chapel, St. Olaf College, 1523 Campus Dr. July 8 – Nathan Proctor, 500 3rd St. W., St. John's Lutheran Church July 15 – Students of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy, Studio A, Christiansen Music Hall, St. Olaf College, 1523 Campus Dr. July 22 – Noah Klein, First United Church of Christ, 300 Union St.  July 29 – Richard Collman, St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 418 E. Sumner St. August 5 – Megan Engel, Bethel Lutheran Church, 1321 North Ave.  August 12– Stephen May, Skinner Memorial Chapel, Carleton College, 405 1st St. E. Recitals will include a free-will offering to defray publicity expenses.  For more information & to get on mailing list, email nnorop42@gmail.com [nnorop42@gmail.com] Lutheran Summer Music (LSM) is the nation’s premier faith-based music academy for high school students. Experience a summer of concerts, recitals, and worship at St. Olaf College—open to all! New in 2026: Many recitals and concerts require free tickets to help manage seating. https://www.lsmacademy.org [https://www.lsmacademy.org/] In addition to advanced musical instruction and numerous performance opportunities, LSM students form an intentional community, living together for four weeks on a Lutheran college campus. Since 1981, this unique and immersive program has guided the lives of thousands of young musicians, many of whom credit LSM as the starting place for their future careers and vocations.

ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Bows, Strings, & Contentment Orchestra preview Nordic Music at The Grand, 6-12-26

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes two sets of guests from Bows, Strings, & Contentment Orchestra to preview their Summer concert Nordic Music at the Grand Event Center.  Bows, Strings & Contentment String Orchestra, Conductor Laura Geissler Summer Concert: Nordic Music Featuring Nordic music from Scandinavia, Finland, and Iceland. Special Guests: Sara Lynnnore (Hardingfele) and Kate Stuart (folk dance) Sunday, 14 June 2026 @ 6PM The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Northfield Menu - Special add-on food feature will be Swedish meatballs, gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jam. The menu also includes hand-held foods, gluten-free veggie patties (for burgers) and possibly a veggie wrap (new).  Doors open at 5PM, Dining hours 5PM - 7PM Free Concert, Family Friendly, Contributions appreciated

ArtZany! Radio for the Imagination! Northfield Open Writers on The Basement Door, 6-5-26

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes writers Torild Homstad and Joan Ennis to share the story of the Northfield Open Writers group and their anthology The Basement Door. The writing group meets monthly at the Northfield Public Library and includes local writers from all genres—fiction, non-fiction, poetry. https://mynpl.libcal.com/event/16708926 [https://mynpl.libcal.com/event/16708926] Beyond the Basement Door: Readings and book signing from the Northfield Open Writers Monday, June 15, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm Northfield Public Library Atrium Get it all in one place: science fiction, fantasy, memoir, poetry, romance, historical fiction, biography and more! Northfield-area writers will read their original work, some from the 2025 anthology The Basement Door, and some from yet unpublished works. The Northfield Open Writers group meets monthly at the library to share and discuss their writing, and includes local writers of all genres - fiction, non-fiction, poetry.  Proceeds from the sale of The Basement Door at this event will be donated to the Friends of the Library.