Arts briefs: American History Book Club forms at Oakdale Library

How has our past shaped our present? That's the question a new book club that will meet at the Oakdale Library will try to answer.

The American History Book Club will hold an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the library, 1010 Heron Av. N.

Members will read and discuss 24 titles on American history. The group plans to hold meetings on the second Tuesday of each month.

For more, call 651-730-0504.

Calling all artists, crafters for May Fair Applications are available for the Afton Business Association's annual May Fair. This year's festival will take place May 19 and 20 in Afton's central park and surrounding boulevards and streets.

In addition to vendors displaying jewelry, ceramics, photography, woodwork, crafts, sculpture and other artwork, the outdoor fete will feature games and activities for kids, a pie-baking contest, live music and food.

Applications are available at www.aftonmayfair.com.

The evening starts with "Deconstructed Dublin Coddle" (rashers, potato and gunnison onion), followed by a second course of cauliflower and parsley fritters. The third course will be sorrel sorbet, and then comes a main course consisting of salmon and cockles and mussels, with chocolate Guinness cake as the dessert finale. Beer and 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey by Kieran Folliard also will be served. The price is $54.95.

Seating begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with the first course served at 7 p.m. For reservations, call 651-436-8883.

Indonesian music, dance on display The East Metro Symphony Orchestra and Sumunar Indonesian Music and Dance will combine for an afternoon concert titled "A Meeting of Two Spirits" at 3 p.m. Sunday at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive.

The performance will include traditional Indonesian gamelan and dance works by Sumunar and several orchestral works influenced by Indonesian traditions, along with several joint numbers.

It is part of the East Metro Symphony's "Origins" series, which pairs Western classical music with music and dance of world cultures. Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. For information, go to emsorch.org.