Arts briefs: Tickets on sale for St. Croix Ballet's 'Nutcracker'

Tickets are on sale for the St. Croix Ballet's performances of "The Nutcracker Suite," Tchaikovsky's longtime holiday favorite.

The narrated, family-friendly version of the classic Christmas ballet will be performed by St. Croix Ballet students and professional level dancers.

Performances will be at 2 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 29 and 30, and at 1 and 6 p.m. on Dec. 1, at Stillwater Area High School, 5701 Stillwater Blvd. N. in Oak Park Heights.

Tickets are $15 each. All seats are reserved and can purchased online at www.stcroixballet.com or by calling 651-439-2820.

What happens when a trio of cats takes an adventure through a maze of rhyming homonyms? They find themselves surrounded by naughty gnus and fleeing a blue steer in Michael Hall's most recent children's book, "Cat Tale."

Hall, who worked as a biomedical researcher before becoming a designer and children's book author and illustrator, will speak at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, at Writers on Writing (WOW) at ArtReach St. Croix, 224 N. 4th St., Stillwater.

WOW offers talks by published authors on the thrills and challenges of the writing life, and provides the chance for writers, artists and book lovers to mingle.

For more information, call 651-439-1465.

Fair-trade handicrafts, foods, toys, clothing and more will go on sale at the 18th annual Alternative Gift Market at the First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater, 6201 Osgood Av. N.

It's open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24. Homemade treats also will be available both days, along with a simple soup lunch on Saturday.

Cheese and Chocolate Weekend, a Three Rivers Wine Trail event, will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17, at Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Av. N., Stillwater.

The weekend offers the chance to not only sample a diversity of wine styles, but also to explore the creativity of local cheese and chocolate artisans.

"Historic Heat: 50 Years of Fantastic Glass from the Heartland," an exhibit by 29 regional glass artists, opens on Nov. 22 at the Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust Street, Hudson Wis.

A gallery talk with artists Dick Huss and Jim Engebretson will run from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by an opening reception where artists will showcase their distinctive techniques and the region's unique place in American Studio Glass.

In addition to current work, "seasoned artists" will exhibit early career pieces — a rare opportunity to study the artists' progression from past to present.

"It's November," the latest in a series of preschool story time activities designed for 2- to 5-year-olds, takes place from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center, 12805 St. Croix Trail, Hastings.

The story time program incorporates a story, a nature walk, and an art or craft activity. The fee is $5 per child or $3 for "Friends of CNC." There is no charge for accompanying adults.

The New Century Artists will present a preholiday "Art Cornucopia" with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, at the Lake Elmo Public Library, 3537 Lake Elmo Av.

The 11 artists have been working together for over 15 years and use acrylic, oil, pastel and watercolor in their art. The group includes Dagny Bilkadi, Lou Cunico, Laurel Gregorian, Mike Kramer, Bor-Jiin Mao, Jill Marudas, Bev Marx, Dave Prochniak, David Swanson, Mark Weersma and Al Weber. They currently meet at the Lake Elmo Regional Art Center on a regular basis to learn, discuss, and create their various pieces.

Light appetizers and beverages will be served. The public is invited to stop in, check out the new art and discuss the pictures with the artists.

The artwork will be on display following the show during library open hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday.

For more, see http://lakeelmopubliclibrary.org.