Dakota County arts & leisure: Shakespeare gets comedic treatment in Eagan

A zany take on Shakespeare's plays — all 37 of them — comes to Caponi Art Park next Sunday, June 30.

Three actors will run through all of the playwright's works in 97 minutes during the comedic "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" at 6:30 p.m. in the park's outdoor amphitheater.

The event is free, but there's a $5 per-person suggested donation. In the event of rain, the performance will be moved to Easter Lutheran Church, 4545 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. Watch the park's website (www.caponiartpark.org), Facebook and Twitter pages for weather announcements.

Caponi Art Park is at 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan.

The Rosemount Area Arts Council is kicking off a new entertainment series this summer.

Thursdays in the Park will bring dance and music to the Central Park amphitheater on at least seven Thursdays this season. The Rosemount Parks and Recreation Department and the Leprechaun Days Committee helped fund a couple of the events.

The first event took place June 13, and the remaining dates are as follows:

July 11: Rosemount Dance Connection

July 18: Moses Oakland Blues Band

July 25: Rocket Club Band

Aug. 8: Rosemount High School Band

Aug 15: Rosemount Youth Tap Ensemble

Author Rodney VanVleet will discuss his book chronicling the life of a Civil War doctor from Hastings from 1-4 p.m. Saturday in the carriage barn of the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion St., Hastings.

VanVleet is a former Hastings resident, Hastings High school principal and social studies teacher.

"Rendezvous with Glory" tells the story of Dr. J.P. Adams, especially as it relates to the fierce battles in and around Gettysburg in 1863.

The event is free. For more information, see www.dakotahistory.org.

FROM STAFF REPORTS