New Native Theatre presents its second in-person, mainstage production since the pandemic, April 19 through May 7, 2023 at Dreamland Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota. This will be the first time that, This is How We Got Here, an award winning Canadian play (Dora Mavor Moore Award for Outstanding New Play in 2020 & 2018 Governor General’s Shortlist) will be presented in the US.

The story documents the year following the suicide of a teen whose family still grapples with the ways their lives have been irrevocably changed by his devastating loss. Simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming, This is How We Got Here explores the confusing and transformative process of grieving.

Artistic Director, and director of the play, Rhiana Yazzie, says “the American Indian community has the highest rates of teen suicide per capita than any other group in the US; this is one of the reasons I felt it was so important to talk openly about that experience with a beautifully written play like this.” New Native Theatre has been waiting three years to produce this play and it will premiere in the 40 seat Dreamland Arts for fifteen performances.

Yazzie goes on to say, “We want to make this a moving and healing experience for our audiences that are made up of Native and non-Native folks, and we’re excited to have commissioned composer, Danielle Jagelski, to write original music to accompany the play’s production.” Jagelski hails from the Oneida Nation and is the only female Native American conductor in the US. The two met when Yazzie directed the US premiere of Missing at the Anchorage Opera this past March.

Yazzie goes on, “I’m thrilled to work with such talented Native artists!” New Native Theatre has had a large footprint in creating an ecosystem in the Twin Cities of Native theater artists. The cast is made up of both newcomers and seasoned actors representing Lakota, Ho-Chunk, and Cree communities: Thomas Draskovic, Genevieve Lane, Jalisa McKee, and Canadian First Nations’ film and TV actor, Mistatim.

The play opens on April 19, 2023, and runs for three weeks: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are pay-what-you-can with the suggested price of $35. Audiences can buy tickets online at Click Here or by calling (651) 645-5506. Not recommended for ages 12 and younger. For group tickets, contact New Native Theatre directly at boxoffice@newnativetheatre.org.

New Native Theatre is a new way of thinking about, looking at, and creating authentic Native American stories for the stage. Based in the Twin Cities since 2009, it is the largest and longest running professional Native American theatre company in the Upper Midwest focusing exclusively on Native American Playwrights, actors, and directors. For more details or questions about the company, contact New Native Theatre at (612) 367- 7639 or through email at info@newnativetheatre.org. Visit www.newnativetheatre.org for details.

“Performances,” the recently opened exhibit at Town Hall Arts Center’s Stanton Gallery in Littleton, offers a cool picture of the artists’ imagination when given a theme … Lyrics, a memory, bursts of color that look like musical tones to me, photos of animals that appear to be performing, costumed dancers, abstract bursts of form and color …

This collection, juried by Dan Oakleaf, almost creates a swirl of sound in one’s head, just from looking for a while! And, this looks to me like a great exhibit to take a child to: Make up a few stories about what’s happening inside the frames! Maybe do a little dance in the gallery! This seems to be a particularly festive exhibit, which will run until the Western Welcome Week exhibit is installed in early August.

It’s a fine location to find a gift if you have an upcoming wedding, birthday person or graduate in the family! These works are all small to medium-sized, in assorted mediums and techniques, glowing with color or more subtle, if that’s what appeals.

The First Place winner, “Splintered Forms” by Judith Bennett, is described as “a hand-painted collage, in acrylics and ink.” It really dances in front of a viewer, suggesting constant motion! And the precise shapes speak of an artist’s skill and control over her medium.

Juror Oakleaf said this was a really difficult show to judge — excellent work is the norm here.

He is a Colorado native, whose website works show a close tie to nature.

As does photographer William Knoll, with his warbling meadowlark, “Singing With Heart,” and pair of crested ducks who appear to be warbling a duet.

Another photo with a real sense of humor is Carl Paulson’s daffy dancing crane: “Doing the Hokey Pokey.” It’s a “don’t miss,” on the left wall as you enter. Some works are inspired by lyrics, while others picture performers, such as Peggy Dietz’s “Traditional Tlingit Dancer,” who is very much in motion as we stand in front of her colorful, carefully composed photograph. Another Native American portrait is Pat Hartman’s subtle “Tribal Pride,” showing an elder in ceremonial dress.

Sally Van Der Kamp’s glass panel, “In the Limelight,” catches lights in the room and glows, while Merrie Wicks’ “Calypso” dances in its frame. Sue Williams takes us traveling with her sunny “Montmarte Art Market,” where I thought I heard music in the background …

The Depot Art Gallery, also filled with Littleton Fine Art Guild member’s artwork, has a show that runs through April 30: “The Great Outdoors.” Two short member pop-up shows will follow, then on May 16, the 61st Anniversary Show will open at the Depot.

The Depot, which is owned by the City of Littleton, courtesy of the late Varian Ashbaugh, became the Guild’s home in 1976, with aid from a grant honoring a U.S. birthday. Members, and their families, scrubbed and painted the old Santa Fe Depot, which had sat unused in Bega Park for a period, until it was moved to the present Powers Avenue site by Ashbaugh, a businessman who sculpted in his spare time.

Exhibits change often and prospective members are encouraged to inquire about joining this active group.

The Stanton Gallery at Town Hall Arts Center, 2450 W. Main Street in downtown Littleton, is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and during performances.

The Depot Art Gallery, 2069 W. Powers Ave. in downtown Littleton, is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

1. Check Out MIAD’s Senior Exhibition 

BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR

Last Friday, I had the chance to pop into this amazing exhibition at MIAD. It featured work from all the 2023 seniors – a massive amount of talent scattered throughout the school. I also had the chance to talk to a few of the artists while I wandered around the rooms (so many rooms!) full of different types of art, from product design to sculpture to interior architecture design. It was so cool to hear about all the hard work they put into the projects they had on view. Unfortunately I didn’t get to see but half of it, so I’ll definitely be going back before it closes on May 6. And if you like seeing new and upcoming artistic talent, I recommend you head on over too!

2. Enjoy a Meal at Lebnani House

ANN CHRISTENSON, SENIOR DINING EDITOR

It’s Sunday night – which I expect to be a quiet night at Lebnani House (5051 S. 27th St., Greenfield) – man, am I wrong. Families with babies, cakes, voracious appetites and booming voices inundate the dining room. I expect the service to be slow and chaotic and the kitchen bottlenecked, but it’s not. Or if it is, I’m, not aware of it. And goodness, is our table ever lucky – a windfall. The hummus with pockets of fresh-from-the-oven pita; arugula salad loaded with whole walnuts, fried apricots, beets and a pomegranate-molasses dressing I can’t get enough of; a flatbread topped with minced beef which they call mashrouha; and this wowsa production – chicken maqlouba, a chicken, eggplant and rice dish which comes to the table in a covered pot. The server removes the lid, places a dinner plate over the top, flips it and plunks the plate right in front of me. This thing is a steaming-hot, cardamom-coursing dream. Now, some words to the wise: If you come to Lebnani without a reservation, good luck – be prepared for a wait. And oh, yeah: maybe this story has a little something to do with it. 

3. Read The Look of the Book by David J. Alworth and Peter Mendelsund

ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR

When I look back on college, the thing I miss most is long afternoon breaks between classes, during which I had hours to escape to the library and read. I read more during college than ever before or after, devoting many hours of my free time to literature, and after four years I feel as though I developed an appreciation for the best that books have to offer. (FYI: The thing I miss second-most about college is all the free beer.) I bring up my obsessive love of reading because The Look of the Book, which I read last week, cracks something I’ve thought about for many years, but never seen put into words – how crucial a good cover can be for a novel. The two authors, one of whom designs covers himself, decode the meaning behind great covers, the strategies, the concerns, the approaches, and it’s genuinely fascinating. Also, it answered a question I’ve had for some time – why does every mediocre popular novel written in the past four years have a nearly identical cover design? Turns out the answer is Amazon. If you want to learn why, read this book. 

4. Check Out Vennture’s Bake Juice 

CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Vennture Brew Co.’s (5519 W. North Ave.) release of its annual Doughnut Don collaboration beer with Cranky Al’s is always a good reason to stop by the brewery-coffeehouse on North Avenue, and the four versions of the coffee cruller imperial stout are all typically excellent – sweet and pastry-ish without going so over the top a full glass is undrinkable. But the highlight of my visit this weekend was Bake Juice, a hazy IPA also released Saturday – 4/22, it should be noted – that features some dank hops and Pinapple Express terpenes. These aromatic oils are found in hops and their botanical cousin, cannabis, and in Bake Juice they are expressive and delicious. The Don and Bake Juice should be on tap well into this week, but come early to ensure maximum selection. 

5. Check Out “Native America: In Transition”

ALLI WATTERS, DIGITAL & CULTURE EDITOR

Over the weekend I stopped by the Milwaukee Art Museum for “Art in Bloom,” which was wonderful, but is also over now so it can’t be my pick for the week. What I can recommend is an exhibition that I checked out while I was there, “Native America in Translation.” The show, curated by Apsáalooke artist Wendy Red Star, features photographs from 10 Indigenous artists. The images are captivating. Catch the show while it’s still running, through June 25.

Comments

comments