Arts briefs: Copper Street Brass Quintet shows off range in Hudson

The Copper Street Brass Quintet offers a look at "The Evolution of the Brass Quintet" next Sunday, Feb. 22, in Hudson, Wis. The event is at 7 p.m. at the Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St.

The show blends classical and popular music "from Mozart to Dave Brubeck," with stops at pop, rock, and fusion of keyboard, guitar and electronic effects.

Selections come from sources such as "Carmen" by Georges Bizet, Mozart's "The Magic Flute," "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen and "Libertango" by Astor Piazzolla.

The performers' résumés include work with the Minnesota Orchestra and many others, and they work as a group at venues such as the Walker Art Center, Fitzgerald Theater, Landmark Center and the Minnesota State Fair.

Tickets are $26 for adults and $19 for students. For reservations, call the Phipps ticket office at 715-386-8409 or visit www.ThePhipps.org/.

Craft creations, drumming and spreadsheets are among the topics in the days to come at Washington County libraries.

Repurposing: Participants in a Wednesday, Feb. 18, program will transform discarded adult fiction, picture books, and other library books into crafts. The program is from 6-7:30 p.m. at Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake.

Calculations: Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi, is in the midst of a series of three Introduction to Microsoft Excel classes. The two remaining classes are from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., on Feb. 18 and 25.

Participants will learn data entry, functions, saving, and formatting spreadsheets. To register, call 651-426-2042.

Taiko drums: Mu Daiko, a professional taiko drumming ensemble based in the Twin Cities, performs traditional and contemporary works. The drums are Japanese percussion instruments. They're coming to the R.H. Stafford Library in the Woodbury Central Park Amphitheater, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Feb. 21.

The program is funded with money from Minnesota's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Woodcarving: From 6-7:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, the Park Grove Library, 7900 Hemingway Av. S., Cottage Grove, will offer a program on woodcarving from members of the Newport Wood Carvers. Presenters will demonstrate techniques including bark, chip, and relief carving. This event is aimed at adults.

Auditions are:

• Feb. 15 from 6-9 p.m. at Lakeshore Players Theatre, 4820 Stewart Av., White Bear Lake;

• Feb. 16 from 7-10 p.m. at St. Stephen Church, 1965 E. County Road E, White Bear Lake.

Bring a song to sing and a headshot and résumé if you have them. No appointments are necessary. Callbacks, if needed, will be held the evening of Feb. 18.

Rehearsals start in late February and will take place mainly Sunday to Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. Performances start with a preview on April 16 and run through May 17 on weekends.

Woodbury Parks and Recreation is seeking team registrations for adult softball leagues.

Those returning from the 2014 spring/summer league may register anytime before Feb. 27. Open registration for all teams will be held March 2-20 on a first-come, first-served basis.

League games begin April 20 and start at 6:15, 7:15, 8:15 and 9:15 p.m. Teams will participate in 14 to 22 doubleheaders, depending on the league, plus one single-elimination tournament. Games are at Bielenberg Sports Center.

A maximum of 20 players is allowed per roster. Players must be 18 or older.

Registration information is available on the Woodbury eteamz website. For more information, contact Reed Smidt at rsmidt@ci.woodbury.mn.us or 651-714-3588.