West news briefs

"Bye Bye Birdie" set for June 17-19 Blue Water Theatre Company will present "Bye Bye Birdie" June 17-19 at Hopkins High School, 2400 Lindbergh Drive in Minnetonka.

The youth theatre, based in Plymouth and Wayzata, will present four shows: At 7 p.m. June 17, 18 and 19, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. June 19.

The musical revolves around a teen idol, Conrad Birdie, and the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, which he visits just before heading off to war. The cast of the show is made up of students from grades 6-12 from throughout the metro area.

Tickets are $10, and may be purchased at the door or in advance at The Bookcase at 607 East Lake St. in Wayzata.

Two premier parties planned at Arboretum Two "premier" parties are planned this summer at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chanhassen.

• "Gala in the Gardens 2010: Delight, Discover, Dream" is set for 6-9 p.m. next Wednesday, June 16, and will feature a summer garden reception, music, dining and a live auction. Reservations are required. Cost ranges from $175 to $500 per person. Call 952-443-1400, ext. 7046, or go to www.arboretum.umn.edu/gala.aspx.

• "Toast & Taste in the Gardens" is scheduled from 7-9 p.m. July 29 and will feature local cuisine from 20 specialty restaurants around the Twin Cities, including Spoonriver, The Corner Table, Café Maude and more. There will also be regional wines and beers and live music. Reservations are required. The event including a pre-party reception for patrons at 6 p.m. will cost $100. General admission at 7 p.m. will cost $75.

Garden tours registration underway The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Auxiliary Garden Tours, now in their 26th year, are scheduled for July 11, 13 and 14.

The tours will feature four of the finest private gardens in the western suburbs, with tour participants transported in tour-style buses. This year's gardens will include such features as a rain garden, a container garden display and a country estate garden. The tours also will include a brunch or lunch accompanied by live harp music on the Arboretum's Morgan Terrace.

Cost is $55 for July 11 and $50 for July 13 and 14. Tours will begin at 9, 9:45 and 10:30 a.m. on July 11 and every half hour from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. on July 13 and 14. The meal will follow the tour.

For reservations, go to www.arboretum.umn.edu or call 952-443-1453. The Arboretum is located at 3675 Arboretum Drive in Chanhassen.

Art on the Lake set for 30th year Excelsior's Art on the Lake will celebrate its 30th year when the outdoor art festival opens Saturday and Sunday with 182 artists.

Brian Jensen, an illustrator/painter from Mound, was commissioned to create a signature piece for the 30th anniversary, and illustrated a view of Excelsior Bay on a summer morning from the city Commons' shoreline.

Jensen's painting will be printed on the Art on the Lake T-shirts, and 125 limited edition prints, signed and numbered, will be available for purchase at the show.

The original "Excelsior Bay" also will be auctioned Saturday night during a "Lake Minnetonka Cruise for Great Art," scheduled for 7-9 p.m. aboard the Queen of Excelsior. Proceeds will go to fund scholarships for graduating Minnetonka students pursuing a major or career in art.

Bands will be performing both days of the event, and kids' art activities will be offered.

Show hours are 10-6 on Saturday and 10-4 Sunday. Free shuttle buses will run during show hours from Minnetonka High School's parking lot.

Park concert series begins Monday Golden Valley's Concerts in the Park series will kick off with the Golden Valley Orchestra at 7 p.m. Monday at Brookview Park, 200 Brookview Pkwy., Golden Valley.

The orchestra will be joined by the choir of Calvary Lutheran Church along with Chorus Polaris.

The concert is free.