“Little Shop of Horrors” is the 2018 fall production of Borealis Bards, the community theatre troupe of Backus Community Center. This play will be the group’s third annual full-length musical featuring an inter-generational cast. This production is especially exciting for the organization because it offers a new genre of music not previously performed. Music will be provided by local rock and roll musical artists; previous musicals were performed by a small orchestra.

Borealis Bards is committed to offering theatrical experiences to expand appreciation and understanding of this art form for audience and artist alike. Each performance successfully expands artistic skills of returning cast and crew while developing the talent of new members. The “Little Shop of Horrors” cast and crew has four new actors, a local youth assistant set director, and will introduce a new acting director to our production cadre.

This series will explore artistic expression and understanding through learning traditional craft skills with community participants. This will consist of free two-day workshops each month in October and November 2018 and January, February, and March 2019. It will also involve weekly drop-in opportunities for community members to try-their-hand at various activities including hand-tool woodworking, weaving, and metalwork. Workshop participants will learn about traditional skills through hands-on activities and experimentation. They will also learn about natural materials and the histories of these crafts. Each workshop will accommodate up to 8 adults, and will be open to families with children. I want to offer opportunities for community members to be introduced to traditional ways of working, and to learn about how different skills and crafts interrelate and come together.

“Little Shop of Horrors” is the 2018 fall production of Borealis Bards, the community theatre troupe of Backus Community Center. This play will be the group’s third annual full-length musical featuring an inter-generational cast. This production is especially exciting for the organization because it offers a new genre of music not previously performed. Music will be provided by local rock and roll musical artists; previous musicals were performed by a small orchestra.

Borealis Bards is committed to offering theatrical experiences to expand appreciation and understanding of this art form for audience and artist alike. Each performance successfully expands artistic skills of returning cast and crew while developing the talent of new members. The “Little Shop of Horrors” cast and crew has four new actors, a local youth assistant set director, and will introduce a new acting director to our production cadre.

This series will explore artistic expression and understanding through learning traditional craft skills with community participants. This will consist of free two-day workshops each month in October and November 2018 and January, February, and March 2019. It will also involve weekly drop-in opportunities for community members to try-their-hand at various activities including hand-tool woodworking, weaving, and metalwork. Workshop participants will learn about traditional skills through hands-on activities and experimentation. They will also learn about natural materials and the histories of these crafts. Each workshop will accommodate up to 8 adults and will be open to families with children. I want to offer opportunities for community members to be introduced to traditional ways of working and to learn about how different skills and crafts interrelate and come together.

Clay Club has a Fall and Winter session.  Participants in grades 6-12 meet on Tuesdays and need to submit their registration to the ISD 166 central office. Please direct any questions to Melissa Wickwire at melissawickwire@gmail.com or (218) 370-1474.

The primary goal of Clay Club is to facilitate an opportunity for engaged learning in the arts.  Participants will gain knowledge and skills specific to the ceramic process as well as knowledge and skills that can be transferred to other areas of their lives.  Participation in Clay Club could become empowered as creative problem solvers and also gain increased comprehension of how creativity and creative works are all around us. This program is led by ceramic artist and educator Melissa Wickwire and co-facilitated by ISD 166 Art Teacher Mila Horak. Clay Club will meet at ISD 166 room 303. Snacks will be provided, if there are food restrictions, please provide a snack. Students/parents are responsible for their own transportation. There will be no supervision provided before 3:30 and after 5:30 pm.

Each event will include a drum circle and blessing, a screening of PBS’ Native America project, and elders and others participating in storytelling traditions. WDSE-WRPT will show a portion of the Carl Gawboy: Seasons and Stories series we are producing at each event as well. We will provide food and beverages at each event, and at the final event, Gawboy’s finished piece of artwork will be unveiled in the WDSE-WRPT station office.

Event Dates:
October 8 | Grand Portage Heritage Center, Grand Portage | 6:30-8 p.m.
October 16 | American Indian Community Housing Organization, Duluth | 6:30-8 p.m.
October 30 | Bois Forte Heritage Center, Bois Forte | 6:30-8 p.m.
November 6 | WDSE-WRPT Station, Duluth (Final event artwork unveiling) | 6:30-8 p.m.

Clay Club has a Fall and Winter session.  Participants in grades K-5 meet on Wednesdays and need to submit their registration to the ISD 166 central office. Please direct any questions to Melissa Wickwire at melissawickwire@gmail.com or (218) 370-1474.

The primary goal of Clay Club is to facilitate an opportunity for engaged learning in the arts.  Participants will gain knowledge and skills specific to the ceramic process as well as knowledge and skills that can be transferred to other areas of their lives.  Participation in Clay Club could become empowered as creative problem solvers and also gain increased comprehension of how creativity and creative works are all around us. This program is led by ceramic artist and educator Melissa Wickwire and co-facilitated by ISD 166 Art Teacher Mila Horak. Clay Club will meet at ISD 166 room 303. Snacks will be provided, if there are food restrictions, please provide a snack. Students/parents are responsible for their own transportation. There will be no supervision provided before 3:30 and after 5:30 pm.