Column: Pat Garbisch, Eye on the Arts

If you are like me, you are probably wondering what happened to summer? As the days grow shorter and the kids head back to school, remember that there is still family fun to be had this fall through your local arts community. Take a look at what’s coming up for the month of September.

“Broadway Previews: The Art Center’s Permanent Collection on Display,” is the featured exhibit through Sept. 17, at the Albert Lea Art Center, 224 S. Broadway Ave. The art featured at this show will be auctioned at the Art Center’s second annual “Celebrating the Arts & Artists,” at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club on Oct. 21.

Art on Broadway, the retail art shop at the Art Center, is highlighting jewelry by Betsy’s Bracelets, Julia-ry, Lovely’s by Laura and Simply Said for the month of September. An artists’ reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 6 at the Art Center.

On Sept. 24, the Art Center will present an art and architecture event titled “Look Up! Look Down! Look Around!” This event is for all ages and includes a scavenger hunt for elementary aged children and public gallery exhibitions for all middle school, high school and adults. Watch for more information on this event in the Albert Lea Tribune and on our website at www.thealbertleaartcenter.org in the upcoming weeks.

Also, be sure to register now for community education classes, including basic drawing and beginning watercolor, to be held at the Art Center in October. Check out the Fall 2011 Community Ed brochure for more information on these classes or visit their website at www.albertlea.k12.mn.us.

At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 8, the Albert Lea Community Theatre will host a free season preview at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, 147 N. Broadway Ave., featuring previews of productions for the upcoming season. Also that evening there will be backstage tours and refreshments with the ACT board in the green room. The box office will be open for subscription sales and a demonstration.

ACT opens its 47th season with a gripping story of suspicion and scandal. “Doubt, A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley, will be directed by Gordy Handeland on Sept. 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and Oct. 1. Set in the Bronx, school principal, Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands when she suspects a priest of inappropriate conduct with a male student. Call the box office at 507-377-4371 to reserve your tickets for this brilliant, award-winning drama.

Do you have the itch to try community theater? ACT will be holding auditions for December’s performance of “A Christmas Carol” at 7 p.m. on Oct. 3, 4 and 5 at the Civic Theatre. For more information on this and other events, visit the ACT website at www.actonbroadway.com.

The Freeborn County Historical Museum Library & Village has two main events in September, beginning Sept. 18 with the annual Autumn in the Village event from noon to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 for adults, $1 for students ages 12-18, and members and children 11 and under are admitted free. There will be music, demonstrations, food and activities for the entire family. All of the buildings will be open in the historical village.

Then on Sept. 22 there will be a fundraiser called the Style Show Luncheon at Bethany Hall at First Lutheran Church in Albert Lea, with proceeds going to the Freeborn County Historical Museum building expansion fund. The ticket cost is $20 and will be available for purchase at the museum, Addie’s Floral and Doyle’s Hallmark. The theme is “Fashions Through the Years.” Vintage attire is optional for those attending the show.

Do you have your old band instrument shoved away in a closet somewhere? Why not join others in the community who love making music together for the sheer fun of it? The Albert Lea Community Band is always looking for new members to join the in the fun.

Community Band rehearsals will be held at Southwest Middle School from 7 to 8 p.m. on the following Tuesdays: Sept. 27, Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1 and 8. The fall concert will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Northbridge Mall.

This September, start your fall off with some family-fun activities sponsored by your local arts community.

Pat Garbisch is the arts administrator for the Albert Lea Art Center.