Washington County arts & leisure briefs: Works by Maine on St. Croix artist featured at gallery

Marine on St. Croix artist Tom Maakestad has two new oil pastels in the Groveland Artists Group Show which opened recently at the Groveland Gallery, 25 Groveland Terrace, Minneapolis.

He will also be conducting a porch painter demonstration at the Groveland from 12:30 to 4 p.m. on July 20. And on Aug. 3, he will be participating in the gallery's "smackdown," featuring many local artists.

Plein air, or outdoor, painting will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a reception and sale.

"Young Stars of the Stage," a musical theater camp for children ages 8-13, is being offered by the Lakeshore Players Theatre from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 29-Aug. 2 at the theater at 4820 Stewart Av. in White Bear Lake. Cost is $115.

The camp will teach acting, vocal and dance techniques through performance and play, and its educational and theater professionals will help each student in developing self-confidence and collaborative skills vital to everyday life.

To register, go to lakeshoreplayers.com. For information, call 651-429-5674 or e-mail ben@lakeshoreplayers.com.

Fall adult softball league registration is now available in Woodbury.

Registration packets are available at http://www.eteamz.com/woodbury/index.cfm?subsite=860832.

Contact Reed Smidt for more information at 651-714-3588 or e-mail rsmidt@ci.woodbury.mn.us.

Instructors James and Tricia Wood of Dance and Entertainment in Woodbury are again offering a free outdoor summer dance series co-sponsored by the city's Parks and Recreation Department at the Ojibway Park bandshell, 2695 Ojibway Drive, Woodbury. Rain location is the Central Park indoor amphitheater.

The series include:

• "Ballroom Night" from 6:30-7 p.m. July 16, with a Foxtrot lesson followed by dancing until 9 p.m. to Tim Patrick and His Blue Eyes Band. • "Country Night" from 6:30-7 p.m. July 23, with a Country 2-Step lesson, then dancing until 9 p.m. to the Dixie Hicks Band.

The sixth annual Chicago Dogs Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest takes place from 1-8 p.m. on July 18 at Chicago Dogs, 402 N. Main St. in Stillwater.

The drawing will be done on the sidewalks in front of the shop.

There are three categories based on age: 12 and under, 13 to 17, and 18 and older. There will be trophies, ribbons and prizes.

Creations will be judged by two local artists. All contestants will be provided with coloring chalk, but they can provide their own if they want.

Judging will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. July 19, and winners will be announced at 5 p.m.

Learn about beavers, North America's largest rodent, and how they are natural engineers.

All ages welcomed. Meet at the picnic shelter outside the visitor center.

For more information, call 651-436-5391.

Chomped! The Campfire Edition!, a fun day focusing on campfire cuisine, starts at 10 a.m. on July 20, at William O'Brien State Park, 16821 O'Brien Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

A fire-building and safety class will begin in the morning, and then the naturalists will prepare some of their favorite campfire recipes and show off some their tips and tricks for cooking over an open fire.

There are a limited number of campfire rings and pedestals in the picnic grounds, so call the park office to sign up a group at 651-433-0500.