Arts briefs: Final performances of 'Wonder of the World' this coming week

Performances of the fast-paced comedy "Wonder of the World" wrap up this week at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center.

The Chameleon Theater Circle production has five performances left, including one at 2 p.m. Monday, which is "pay what you can" and features a discussion with the cast and crew after the show. The other remaining shows are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. next Sunday.

A description of the play from the theater group says: "A shocking discovery compels Cass to abandon her marriage and her comfortable, predictable lifestyle, sending her on a surprise-filled odyssey in search of a new life and all the experiences she thinks have passed her by. On her way to a fresh start, she encounters one bizarre character after another."

The play contains adult situations, adult language and simulated violence, the theater company warns.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $17 for students and seniors, Fringe Button holders and groups of eight or more. See www.burnsvillepac.com or call Ticketmaster at 1-800-982-2787 for tickets.

The Farmington Knights of Columbus will be hold its annual Turkey Bingo on Nov. 23 at the Church of St. Michael, 22120 Denmark Av.

A sloppy Joe dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. and bingo starts afterward, about 6:30 p.m. Popcorn, soft serve ice cream, beer, wine and pop will also be available. The cost is $7 per person and a maximum of $25 per family.

Songwriter Martha Scanlan will stop in Northfield on Saturday as she tours on the strength of her new record, "Tongue River Stories," inspired by her time living and working on a remote ranch in southeast Montana.

Scanlan first gained national recognition for her songwriting at the Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest in 2004, where she won awards in two categories. With the Reeltime Travelers, she was featured on the soundtrack for the film "Cold Mountain," produced by Grammy Award winner T-Bone Burnett. Since then she has collaborated and performed with roots musicians including Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Levon Helm, Ollabelle, Black Prairie, Ralph Stanley and Norman and Nancy Blake.

The show is 7:30 p.m. at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 W. 3rd St. Tickets are $20 and are available at www.northfieldartsguild.org or 507-645-8877.

The Lakeville Area Arts Center will hold its annual holiday art sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 23, with the sale remaining open through Dec. 5 during the center's business hours and events.

The sale will feature artwork including jewelry, pottery and mixed media handcrafted by Lakeville Area Arts Center students and instructors.

The Lakeville Area Arts Center is at 20965 Holyoke Av. For more information, call the Arts Center at 952-985-4640 or click on the arts center link at www.ci.lakeville.mn.us.

The author of a book chronicling the history of Northwest Airlines will speak during an event at the Heritage Library in Lakeville at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18.

Author Jack El-Hai's book, "Non-Stop: A Turbulent History of Northwest Airlines," examines eight decades of the airline's history, following it from its first flights in 1926 to its acquisition by Delta in 2010.

The book opens a window into an airline with Minnesota roots that grew increasingly complicated to manage and expensive to operate.

It prominently features a colorful crew of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and CEOs.

This event is free and open to the public. The Heritage Library is at 20085 Heritage Drive in Lakeville. For more information, go to www.co.dakota.mn.us/library or call 952-891-0360.

STAFF REPORTS