Arts briefs: Portrait exhibit will rotate through Washington County libraries

Washington County Libraries invite area residents to view the portrait display "Women Poets: Portraits by Jay Wittenberg," which will be rotated throughout the county during winter and spring.

The portrait artist is St. Paul resident Jay Wittenberg, a graduate of the College of Visual Arts and professional artist for more than 20 years.

Dates and locations for the displays are:

•Through Jan. 30, R. H. Stafford Branch, Woodbury

•Feb. 5 to Feb. 27, Hardwood Creek Branch, Forest Lake

•March 5 to March 29, Oakdale Branch, Oakdale

•April 2 to April 29, Wildwood Branch, Mahtomedi

Wittenberg teaches drawing for the cities of St. Paul and Woodbury.

For more information, go to the Washington County Library's website at www.co.washington.mn.us/library or call the library's information desk at 651-731-1320.

'Stars on Broadway II' auditionsWoodbury Community Theatre is holding auditions for its spring show, "Stars on Broadway II," which will feature songs from popular Broadway musicals. It will be directed by Lori Sager, with choreography by Colleen Wenzel.

Audition dates are: Wednesday from 7:45 to 10 p.m. for adults; Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. for children and teens; next Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon for adults, and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. for children and teens; and next Sunday, Jan. 13, for callbacks.

Auditions will be held at the Merrill Community Arts Center, 380 Rivertown Drive, Suite 200, Woodbury. For details, go to woodbury communitytheatre.org.

Kids of all ages can bring in a natural object or a journal entry, photograph, rubbing or drawing of a natural object and share what they know about the object with a staff person or a volunteer to earn points. Points earned can be used to trade for another item at the Trading Place or can be saved for use at a later time.

The Trading Place is a collaborative effort of Washington County Library and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Call the R. H. Stafford Library with questions at 651-731-1320.

Ice cream social celebrates winterAn outdoor ice cream social, a long tradition, will be held at North Lowell Park from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Free coffee and ice cream will be served. Bring your own skates for ice skating, and warm up by a bonfire while listening to live music. Chili will be available at nominal cost. The event is sponsored by Leo's Malt Shop, River Moon Coffee and the Stillwater Visitors Bureau.

The social was started in 1950. Proceeds go to the Washington County Historical Society.

The meal is catered by the Sail Away Café. Cost is $25 per person if pre-registered or $30 at the door. Make reservations online at www.aftonhistoricalmuseum.com/ or call 651-436-3500.

Snowshoe lessons at state parkSnowshoeing lessons will be offered in two sessions -- at 10 a.m on Saturday, Jan. 19, and at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 20 -- at Afton State Park, 6959 Peller Av. S. in Hastings. Learn the history of snowshoes and then try on a pair during a guided snowshoe walk. Bring your own snowshoes or use a pair from the park. Reservations are requested by calling 651-231-6968.

Youth Ski League at O'Brien ParkWilliam O'Brien State Park, 16821 O'Brien Trail N. in Marine on St. Croix, will be a host site for the St. Croix Valley Youth Ski League at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Skiers of all ability levels between the ages of 3 and 13 are encouraged to join with their parents. The league is a volunteer organization that offers children and their parents the chance to learn and enjoy cross-country skiing together.

The membership fee is $25 per child, and all participants must have their own ski equipment. They will meet from 1 to 3 p.m. every Sunday for eight weeks in all weather conditions at the visitor center.