The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) has awarded the firstof its 2011-12 Arts Activities Support grants, and three area organizations are among 56 beneficiaries.
Grants of $10,000 each were awarded in late September to the White Bear Center for the Arts, the East Metro Symphony Orchestra and the Square Lake Film and Music Festival. In total, the council handed out $515,707 in grants.
The White Bear Center for the Arts will use the money to fund its "Arts Are for Everyone" initiative, which will feature 75 art classes in various disciplines over a 12-week period beginning in December. The East Metro Symphony will use its grant to help pay for four concerts between January and May. The annual outdoor Square Lake Film Festival, which also includes live music, will take place in August 2012.
The organizations were chosen because they demonstrate strong artistic quality and a connection to a community need, the MRAC said.
OAKDALE
Tickets for fourth Spooktakular on saleKSTP-TV weatherman Patrick Hammer will be the emcee for the Woodbury Community Foundation's 2011 Soirée Spooktakular.
The fourth annual Halloween-themed bash will feature a costume contest, dancing, live and silent auctions, and hors d'ouevres, with the fun commencing at the eerie time of 6:13 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Prom Center, 484 Inwood Av.
Tickets are $75 and up, with proceeds going to the Woodbury Community Foundation's work in the areas of youth, jobs, housing and food. For more information, call 651-788-6586.
STILLWATER
Landvik featured at 'Writers on Writing'Lorna Landvik, author of "Patty Jane's House of Curl," "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" and "The View From Mount Joy," will talk about her popular novels and the writing process in a program at 7 p.m. on Thursday in the Margaret Rivers Room of the Stillwater Public Library, 224 N. 3rd St.
