Washington County arts briefs: 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

The Woodbury Community Theatre is offering performances starting next weekend of "The Importance of Being Earnest."

The Oscar Wilde comedy opens on Friday and runs through Sunday, April 19. Subtitled a "Trivial Comedy for Serious People," it takes place in England in the late 1800s.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays, April 10-11 and April 17-18 at 7 p.m., and Sundays, April 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. They will be given at the Black Box Theater at East Ridge High School, 4200 Pioneer Drive, Woodbury.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for seniors and students and can be purchased online at www.merrillartscenter.org or by calling 651-200-4610.

For more information, visit www.merrillartscenter.org.

Registration is open for the next "Conversation of the Valley," a talk and discussion about challenges and opportunities involving migrating birds on flyways such as the St. Croix River.

The event is scheduled for April 22 in Stillwater, with guest speaker Don Arnosti.

Arnosti is a conservation advocate with experience at the Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Audubon, Clean Water Action, and presently the Izaak Walton League of America.

The program runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Grand Banquet Center, 301 S. 2nd St., Stillwater.

Lunch and program are $17 and must be paid in advance. To reserve, e-mail thesteiners2@frontiernet.net with the number of people attending, their names, and your telephone number. Then send a check for $17 per registrant to the St. Croix Valley Foundation, 516 2nd St., Suite 214, Hudson, WI, 54016. Or reserve online using a credit card at www.scvfoundation.org/conversations-of-the-valley.

The Stillwater Lions and the Yellow Ribbon Network of Washington County will present a show based on one man's experiences in World War II.

"The Accidental Hero" will be presented on April 23 at 7 p.m. at the Water Street Inn in Stillwater.

The inn is offering a Czechoslovakian-inspired buffet at 4 p.m. that day, for $18. Reserve a spot by calling the Water Street Inn at 651-439-6000.

Proceeds go toward the hearing and vision programs of the Lions Club.

Theater classes for students in grades 1-6 will be offered on four Saturday mornings beginning next weekend at the Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson, Wis.

"Mother Goose on the Loose!," for students in grades 1-3, will be offered from 9 to 10 a.m. Young actors will create their own story based on storybook adventures. The final class will include a presentation of skills learned. The fee is $42.

"Mental Floss Improv Class," for students in grades 4-6, will be offered from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Participants will learn the basics of storytelling through theater games. The final class will include a presentation of skills learned. The fee is $52. Classes are from April 11 to May 2.

Register by mailing the fee to the Phipps Center, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wis., 54016. Or call 715-386-2305 or visit www.ThePhipps.org and charge the fee to Visa, MasterCard or Discover. A $5 processing fee will be charged to all phone, mail and online orders.

Downtown River Falls, Wis., will host a free Roots and Bluegrass Festival that starts later this week.

The Thursday-through-Sunday event kicks off with a beer and wine tasting. It continues with music in 15 venues, all indoors just in case.

Regional and local roots and bluegrass music goes on all weekend. There are also free workshops and jam sessions — more than 50 hours of music in all, organizers say.

More details are at www.Riverfallsbluegrass.com.