Arts briefs: 3 St. Croix Valley artists featured in new show

Three artists from the St. Croix Valley are featured through Valentine's Day at ArtReach St. Croix in Stillwater:

• Taylor Berman, of New Richmond, Wis., does highly detailed lithographs.

• Debra Korluka, Stillwater, draws from techniques of traditional iconography to produce work with religious influence; and

• Julie Luna, Stillwater, works with hand-dyed fabric that is "hand stitched to reflect continuity with generations of fiber artists," in the words of the organizers.

The joint display is being called "Admiration." It's open for viewing now but has an opening reception on Feb. 1 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Galleries at ArtReach St. Croix, 224 North 4th St., Stillwater, are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m.

To learn more: www.StCroixSplash.org

The show opened last month and remains until Jan. 31.

It's the work of Laurie Schneider, a visual storyteller who creates hand-toned gelatin silver prints and color photographs based on "meditative sittings in the woodland."

The show is free and open to the public at the hospital's art gallery, open all day and evening at 927 Churchill St. W., Stillwater.

Winter bikers can compete next Sunday during the fourth annual Carver Lake Cold Catfish Cup.

There are coffee and bonfires for spectators as racers circle Carver Lake on groomed off-road mountain biking trails.

The competition drew 107 racers last year, organizers say, and the hope is for 125 this year. A food truck will be present.

It's for all ages, abilities and bikes. Things start at 10 a.m. for day-of registration, with racing beginning at noon.

Preregistration is $20 per person; it's $25 at the event, at 3175 Century Av. S., Woodbury.

For more information or to register, go to www.woodburyrecreation.com and click on the special events tab, or call 651- 714-3583.

No auditions are required for singers wishing to join Phipps Oratorio Society rehearsals, which start today for a performance of Mozart's Requiem that is to take place on Palm Sunday.

It's open to any adult, though organizers caution that "singing experience and basic musicianship skills will be of great benefit."

There are weekly rehearsals on Sundays from Jan. 18 to March 22, each from 2:30 to 5 p.m. A $20 membership fee is charged, and music will be provided.

The performance itself is March 29 at 2 p.m. at the Phipps Center, led by Thomas Dahle.

"Hitchcock meets Monty Python in White Bear Lake."

That's the premise for "The 39 Steps," a comic take on the 1935 Alfred Hitchcock movie at the Lakeshore Players Theatre through the end of this month.

Other shows over the coming week are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and next Sunday at 2 p.m. The final round is Jan. 29-Feb. 1, the same performance times on the same days of the week.

Tickets are $18 to $23 and may be reserved in advance, with remaining seats sold at the door starting two hours before show time.

Go to LakeshorePlayers.com to buy or call 651-429-5674.

Staff reports