South metro arts: Brass ensemble to play American classics in Lakeville

The Chestnut Brass Company, a Grammy-winning group that combines modern and historical brass instruments to create a singular show, will perform in the second installment of the Lakeville Area Arts Center's Coffee Concerts series at 2 p.m. Sunday.

Since beginning as a street band in Philadelphia in 1977, the band has performed in North and South America, Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. Along with its expertise in early music and instruments, it performs and commissions contemporary music. The group won a Grammy in 2000 for its crossover classical recording "Hornsmoke: Music of Peter Schickele." Trombonist Larry Zimmerman is an Apple Valley native.

The Lakeville show will feature folk songs from diverse traditions, popular tunes of George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, and two new works by American composers Joseph Turrin and Eric Ewazen.

The coffee concerts take place in a casual cabaret setting with free coffee and other refreshments. Tickets are $15 for general admission or $12 for students and seniors. The Arts Center is at 20965 Holyoke Av. For tickets or information, see www.lakevilleareaartscenter.com or call 952-985-4640.

Music, dinner and a silent auction are planned for Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church's annual Valentine Cabaret on Feb. 15.

The event, featuring music from members and friends of the church, is 6 to 9 p.m. at the church, 14401 Pilot Knob Road, Apple Valley. The show is a fundraiser for the church's youth group mission trip.

Tickets are $12 for those ages 6 and up and $10 for children 5 and under. Everyone in the community is welcome.

The Prior Lake Players Community Theatre will present the classic family musical "Oliver!" March 6-9 and 13-16 at Twin Oaks Middle School, 15860 SE. Fish Point Road, Prior Lake.

"Oliver!" is a stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel "Oliver Twist." It premiered in London in 1960 and became a hit with two runs on Broadway. The Prior Lake production features Nicholas Dekker as Oliver, Duane Johnson as Mr. Bumble and Jessica Frederikson as Widow Corney.

The Prior Lake Players, founded in 1972, is a nonprofit volunteer organization dedicated to providing theater entertainment to Prior Lake and surrounding areas.

All shows are at 7 p.m. except the Sunday performances on March 9 and 16, which are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for seniors and students, and $8 for children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at www.plplayers.org and will also be available at the door. For more information, visit www.plplayers.org.

The Northfield YMCA will hold a daddy-daughter dance at 6 p.m. Feb. 15 at the National Guard Armory, 519 Division St. All girls ages 3-12 and their dad or other male adult are invited to attend. Men are encouraged to wear shirt and tie, suit or sport coat.

Registrations are encouraged and can be made at www.northfieldymca.org or by calling 507-645-0088.

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