Arts briefs: Lakeville 'Coffee Concerts' start with violin recital

The latest series of coffee concerts at the Lakeville Area Arts Center begins Sunday with a violin recital by Erin Aldridge, concertmaster of the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra.

Aldridge will be accompanied by Beth Gilbert on piano. The show is at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14.50 for general admission or $12 for students and seniors.

The Highview Hills Coffee Concerts series, in its sixth season, features "performers sharing their musical insights and passions as they explore varied instrumental combinations and repertoire in an engaging, informal, conversational cabaret setting, with complimentary Caribou Coffee and refreshments," according to a news release.

The other shows are:

•OboeBass: The Vecchione /Erdahl Duo & Friends, with Julie Johnson and the No-Accounts, on Feb. 24. The Vecchione/Erdahl duo founded the series in 2007 and continues to organize it and choose its artists.

•Crash: Music in Motion on April 28.

•Bell' Alma Duo -- Kathy Kienzle, harp, and Michele Frisch, flute -- on May 19.

Symphony to perform Grieg, Verdi piecesThe Dakota Valley Symphony will by joined by guest performer Roberto Plano and choral groups CORO and Hymnus for performances of Edvard Grieg's "Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16," and Guiseppe Verdi's "Requiem" on Feb. 10 at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

Italian pianist Plano has won awards including the First Prize of the Cleveland International Piano Competition, and he was a finalist in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

CORO is a semiprofessional ensemble of vocal soloists based in the Twin Cities under the leadership of artistic director John-Scott Moir. Hymnus is a community choir based in New Prague, led by Rush Wagner.

The show starts at 2 p.m., and tickets range from $5 to $16. There will also be a raffle for two "Walls of Wine" and a silent auction before the performance and during intermission.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the BPAC box office or through Ticketmaster at 800-982-2787 or www.ticketmaster.com. The arts center is located at 12600 Nicollet Av. Call 952-895-4680 for more information.