West metro arts & leisure briefs: Spring activity blooms at the arboretum

Spring activity blooms at the arboretumThe Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, which has its annual Orchids Exhibit continuing through April 29 in its visitor center, is also celebrating spring's early arrival of blooms outdoors.

Yellow daffodils are popping up on the slopes near the arboretum's entrance, and flowering white magnolias are evident near the visitor center. Apricot trees are blooming in the perennial garden, and pink rhododendrons can be found near the green heron pond. There are also crocuses and hyacinths in the home demonstration gardens and yellow forsythia shrubs and lenten roses near the Snyder building, according to the arboretum.

And by late April to mid-May, 32,000 short- and long-stem tulips will be blooming.

Some other upcoming events at the arboretum include:

•All About Dogs Day. 9-11 a.m. Saturday. Stroll along the arboretum's Three-Mile Drive with your pet and check out a pet expo; $25 per dog for arboretum members, $30 for non-members, which includes admission for two humans.

•Easter Bunny Brunch on Sunday. Seatings are at 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the visitor center. $21.49 for arboretum members and children 8 and older, $23.49 for non-members, and $9 for ages 4-7; ages 3 and younger can eat free. Make a reservation at 612-626-3951.

•Gardening classes, including "Grow Your Own Food" from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday. $35 for arboretum members and $45 for non-members. To sign up, call 952-443-1422 or go to www.arboretum.umn.edu/learn.aspx.

'Author's Studio' at Edina Art Center"The Author's Studio" at the Edina Art Center -- modeled after the television show "Inside the Actor's Studio" -- will spotlight mystery writer Sujata Massey on April 14, and poet and fiction writer David Breeden on May 12.

Admission is free but seating is limited so reservations are required. E-mail artcenter@edinamn.gov or call 952-903-5780 to make a reservation. The Edina Art Center is located at 4701 W. 64th St.

Angelica Cantanti in Music at TrinityThe Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs will perform in the final concert of the 2011-12 Music at Trinity concert season at 4 p.m. April 22.

The choirs are among the oldest and largest co-ed community youth choirs in the Twin Cities. The Music at Trinity concerts are free and open to the public, but donations are accepted to support the series.

Trinity Episcopal Church is located at 322 2nd St. in Excelsior. For more information, go to www.trinityexcelsior.org or call 612-202-7421.

"Bluegrass Mass" combines the vibrant energy of a bluegrass band with the traditional form of a mass. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for ages 17 and younger, and will be available at the door or from Choral Society members or online. For more information, go to www.minnetonka choralsociety.org/spring.html or call 952-476-1922.