Art Hounds

Courtesy of Peterson Creative Photography and Design

Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, Minn., presents “Peter and the Starcatcher” – a show that imagines Peter Pan’s origin story.

Lanesboro Arts’ Annie Schoonover really enjoyed Commonweal Theatre’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which imagines how Peter Pan became the boy who refused to grow old. While it’s filled with laughter and adventure, Schoonover says the heart of the show is Peter’s friendship with an incredibly smart and daring young girl. Performances run through Oct. 26.

John Dienhart is looking forward to Chronofon’s “When the Shark Bites,” a performance featuring the music of Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann. Dienhart says their music challenged audiences to think critically about the world. Chronofon’s performance promises to do the same for today’s audiences. Performances run through Aug. 18 at Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis.

St. Mary’s music professor Eric Heukeshoven recommends a trip to Rochester for the latest in the “Jazz in Les Fields Hall” series. This Sunday, Les Fields and the Turkey River All Stars welcome the Steve Kenny Quartet to join them for an afternoon of jazz both familiar and new. Doors open at 1 p.m.

Courtesy of Peterson Creative Photography and Design

Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro, Minn., presents “Peter and the Starcatcher” – a show that imagines Peter Pan’s origin story.

Lanesboro Arts’ Annie Schoonover really enjoyed Commonweal Theatre’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which imagines how Peter Pan became the boy who refused to grow old. While it’s filled with laughter and adventure, Schoonover says the heart of the show is Peter’s friendship with an incredibly smart and daring young girl. Performances run through Oct. 26.

John Dienhart is looking forward to Chronofon’s “When the Shark Bites,” a performance featuring the music of Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht and Elisabeth Hauptmann. Dienhart says their music challenged audiences to think critically about the world. Chronofon’s performance promises to do the same for today’s audiences. Performances run through Aug. 18 at Open Eye Figure Theatre in Minneapolis.

St. Mary’s music professor Eric Heukeshoven recommends a trip to Rochester for the latest in the “Jazz in Les Fields Hall” series. This Sunday, Les Fields and the Turkey River All Stars welcome the Steve Kenny Quartet to join them for an afternoon of jazz both familiar and new. Doors open at 1 p.m.

Artist and arts educator Meghan Duda is amazed by a new show at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, N.D., called “The Other Four.” A typical art show is designed for the eyes; this one is comprised of works that engage the other senses: smell, taste, touch and hearing. Duda was particularly struck by how smells evoked memories, and how she left feeling her entire body had been invited to participate. The show runs through Nov. 30.

ELL teacher Mike Larson loves escape room games, so he’s really looking forward to seeing Walking Shadow’s latest play, “Cabal.” The play works similarly to an escape room game, except that actors accompany you on your journey, moving the mysterious story along while you solve a series of puzzles. Six to 10 people are admitted to each show so performances will sell out fast.

Performance artist and teacher Sandy Agustin is a big fan of the annual ArtCar Parade in Minneapolis. Each year artists use their two- and four-wheeled vehicles as canvases for their creative imaginings. Agustin says the results are pure joy. Imagine a “TOYota” covered in small toys, or a bike converted into a Viking ship. This Saturday marks the 25th ArtCar Parade. Vehicles gather at the Rose Garden at 5 p.m. and process around Lake Harriet at 6 p.m.

Artist and arts educator Meghan Duda is amazed by a new show at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, N.D., called “The Other Four.” A typical art show is designed for the eyes; this one is comprised of works that engage the other senses: smell, taste, touch and hearing. Duda was particularly struck by how smells evoked memories, and how she left feeling her entire body had been invited to participate. The show runs through Nov. 30.

ELL teacher Mike Larson loves escape room games, so he’s really looking forward to seeing Walking Shadow’s latest play, “Cabal.” The play works similarly to an escape room game, except that actors accompany you on your journey, moving the mysterious story along while you solve a series of puzzles. Six to 10 people are admitted to each show so performances will sell out fast.

Performance artist and teacher Sandy Agustin is a big fan of the annual ArtCar Parade in Minneapolis. Each year artists use their two- and four-wheeled vehicles as canvases for their creative imaginings. Agustin says the results are pure joy. Imagine a “TOYota” covered in small toys, or a bike converted into a Viking ship. This Saturday marks the 25th ArtCar Parade. Vehicles gather at the Rose Garden at 5 p.m. and process around Lake Harriet at 6 p.m.

Theater artist Emily Zimmer says Twin Cities puppeteer Margo McCreary is a community gem, and her new show "Diggity Dog Days" provides a great opportunity to see her heartfelt work up close. The story follows Jack the dog as his owner's aging begins to affect their daily routine. Zimmer says the show uses humor and a dog puppet to deftly explore heartache and grief. Performances are Friday through Sunday at Dreamland Arts in St. Paul.

Performance artist and dance teacher Justin Leaf is intrigued by a new show called "Holding On: Unexpected Stories of World War II." The performance combines storytelling, theater, dance and music to bring to life the experiences of local veterans; their roles are performed by residents of Episcopal Homes and danced by alums of the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Performances on Friday and Saturday at MacPhail Center for Music's Antonello Hall.

Theater-maker Steve Lawler recommends visiting Northfield, Minn., for the Vintage Band Festival, which runs Aug. 1 through 4. Musicians from around the state and from far away as Belgium, Germany and Finland gather in Northfield to share their love for old military bands, uniforms and music. Lawler says you never know when a band might march on by and strike up a spontaneous performance.

Theater artist Emily Zimmer says Twin Cities puppeteer Margo McCreary is a community gem, and her new show "Diggity Dog Days" provides a great opportunity to see her heartfelt work up close. The story follows Jack the dog as his owner's aging begins to affect their daily routine. Zimmer says the show uses humor and a dog puppet to deftly explore heartache and grief. Performances are Friday through Sunday at Dreamland Arts in St. Paul.

Performance artist and dance teacher Justin Leaf is intrigued by a new show called "Holding On: Unexpected Stories of World War II." The performance combines storytelling, theater, dance and music to bring to life the experiences of local veterans; their roles are performed by residents of Episcopal Homes and danced by alums of the St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. Performances on Friday and Saturday at MacPhail Center for Music's Antonello Hall.

Theater-maker Steve Lawler recommends visiting Northfield, Minn., for the Vintage Band Festival, which runs Aug. 1 through 4. Musicians from around the state and from far away as Belgium, Germany and Finland gather in Northfield to share their love for old military bands, uniforms and music. Lawler says you never know when a band might march on by and strike up a spontaneous performance.

Playwright and lyricist Dan Pinkerton was knocked out by the musical "Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant." The premise: a junior pageant show ends abruptly when one of the contestants dies on stage. Twenty years later, one of the remaining contestants decides to remount the competition, even though they're now all in their 30s. Pinkerton says it's an over-the-top comic affair that also has a lot of heart. Performances run through July 28 at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

Musician Nidhal Keddah had a blast at "Scream if off Screen," a short film competition at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Local filmmakers submit their work, and the audience decides who wins. Don't like a film? Scream it off! Keddah says while it's a competition, it's also about creating a much-needed space for budding filmmakers to show their work. The next round is July 5.

Avid arts consumer Florence Brammer paid a visit to the Rochester Civic Theatre last weekend to see Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." Brammer says while she loves new work, it's always fun to revisit a classic like this one, and to see how it continues to hold its own 125 years after it was written. Witty dialogue, biting satire and relatable — albeit ridiculous — characters keep the show humming along. Performances run through Sunday.

Playwright and lyricist Dan Pinkerton was knocked out by the musical "Jefferson Township Sparkling Junior Talent Pageant." The premise: a junior pageant show ends abruptly when one of the contestants dies on stage. Twenty years later, one of the remaining contestants decides to remount the competition, even though they're now all in their 30s. Pinkerton says it's an over-the-top comic affair that also has a lot of heart. Performances run through July 28 at Park Square Theatre in St. Paul.

Musician Nidhal Keddah had a blast at "Scream if off Screen," a short film competition at the Parkway Theater in Minneapolis. Local filmmakers submit their work, and the audience decides who wins. Don't like a film? Scream it off! Keddah says while it's a competition, it's also about creating a much-needed space for budding filmmakers to show their work. The next round is July 5.

Avid arts consumer Florence Brammer paid a visit to the Rochester Civic Theatre last weekend to see Oscar Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." Brammer says while she loves new work, it's always fun to revisit a classic like this one, and to see how it continues to hold its own 125 years after it was written. Witty dialogue, biting satire and relatable — albeit ridiculous — characters keep the show humming along. Performances run through Sunday.

This week on Art Hounds: a quirky musical, an Oscar Wilde classic, and the "Scream it off Screen" short film competition.

Forecast Public Art's founder Jack Becker was walking by Theatre in the Round the other day and was delighted to come across muralist John Pugh. Pugh is finishing up work on a massive "trompe l'oeil" — or "to fool the eye" — mural on the exterior of the theater. Becker says the brick walls appear to peel away, revealing a glass sphere with actors performing inside. "Theatre in the Round," indeed.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts' board member KC Foley attended the opening of "Rose and Melvin Smith: Remembering Rondo" at the Weisman Art Museum, and she wants everyone she knows to go see it. Foley says the husband and wife capture the vitality of the African-American neighborhood at its height, before Interstate 94 was built right through the middle of it. The sprawling exhibition includes paintings, collage and sculpture. On display through Sept. 8.

Props master Brooke Nelson paid a visit to Duluth recently, where she took in a performance of Renegade Theater Company's production "Sylvia." In it a middle-aged man falls in love with a dog — played by a beautiful young woman — much to the consternation of his wife. Nelson says the show is great fun, but not appropriate for children due to a very foul-mouthed dog. Performances run through Saturday.