Arts Events - Regional & Statewide
See below for arts events in our region or state. If you are hosting an arts event that you’d like to share, please reach out to our Promotions Specialist Kristin and let her know.
Mixed Blood Theater Presents Warroad Community Potluck at Warroad RiverPlace September 12-14.
ANNOUNCING TICKET SALES | Tickets are now available for the free production of Warroad Community Potluck, a new play by Mixed Blood Theater made for the RiverPlace stage on:
Friday, September 12 | 7 PM
Saturday, September 13 | 7 PM
Sunday, September 14 | 2 PM
TICKETS: warroadriverplace.org/events/potluck
It’s Potluck Time—and the stakes have never been higher!
It’s the ultimate small-town showdown: a potluck battle judged by a mysterious visitor on a mission to determine Minnesota’s best. With hotdish drama, fishing contests, heritage trivia, and surprise guests, this lighthearted comedy celebrates the spirit of Warroad, where competition is fierce but community always wins.
*Special note: This play is a potluck in name only. Just bring yourself — no food, please! — and stay for light refreshments and community conversation after the show.
Written by nationally-recognized playwright Kira Obolensky and directed by award-winning director Michael John Garcés, Warroad Community Potluck is brought to you by Mixed Blood Theater—a nationally acclaimed theater company in Minneapolis that models reciprocity, inclusion, and genuine welcoming to build relationships—and Warroad RiverPlace.
**This production was made possible by the American Theatre Wing, National Endowment for the Arts Our Town program, the Ruth Easton Fund of the Edelstein Family Foundation, and by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
The Mexican Brass
Friday, October 17 | 7:30 PM
Hosted by the Northern Lights Concert Association
Concert is at the Warroad RiverPlace (103 State Avenue, Warroad, MN 56763)
Celebrating 20 years as a brass quintet, M5 The Mexican Brass is a world-class ensemble seamlessly blending virtuosic musicianship, non-stop audience interaction, and showmanship to produce a great musical-theatrical experience every night!
*Please note: This concert is part of the Northern Lights Concert Association series. Season tickets—for only $45!—are required to attend any or all of the five shows lined up for the 2025-2026 season.
North Country Fiddle and Dance September Events
Nordic Fiddle with Vidar Skrede
September 8th, 5:30 PM at the EGF Campbell Library
Vidar Skrede is a performer and composer of Nordic folk music. Originally from western Norway, and currently living in Milwaukee, WI, he is a multi-instrumentalist performing fiddle, Hardanger fiddle, guitar, and mandolin.
Vidar is a leading musician on the Nordic folk music scene and is well known for his own tune creations across the scene.
Community Dance with Eric Lind and Teresa Neby-Lind
Saturday, September 13th, 3 to 5:30 PM at
Bernies Restaurant, 121 DeMers, EGF
Fiddle and banjo duo Eric Lind and Teresa Neby-Lind from the Twin cities, will provide rousing dance tunes for reels, simple squares, circle mixers and more.
All dances are taught and easy to learn, all ages are welcome! Join us!
Donations at the door for both events.
Association of the French of the North’s (AFRAN’s) Chautauqua & Arts Festival at Old Crossing Treaty Park. This arts event is free and everyone is welcome. Featuring live music, dancing, and more! Huot, MN
An Artist Spotlight with Karlstad Artist Alicia Spilde was held on Thursday, August 7 at 11:30 AM.
NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett spoke with Karlstad Artist Alicia Spilde on Thursday, August 7 at 11:30 AM. We discussed Spilde and her art. She has been a frequent entrant in the NW Art exhibits and currently has a piece in the Traveling Art Exhibit and the Welcome to the Whimsical Exhibit. The conversation was live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. Watch the discussion at https://youtube.com/live/Fn0oj2WasPc
East Grand Forks 2025 Heritage Days with
Live Music and Dancing
August 8, 9, 10
Heritage Village 219 20th Street NE, East Grand Forks
Bandstand Show
Open gate for all events
Friday, August 8 – Bandstand
Classic Swing Band - 6 - 8 PM dance / concert, hotdogs available at concessions, antique car show on grounds.
Saturday, August 9 : Bandstand, Heritage Village Grounds
1 - 2 PM – Peggy and Dean Ellingson, ( Bemidji ) - Light-hearted songs from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s - Guitar and Mandolin
2 - 3 PM - Skally Line,- Original songs and stories about Minnesota history and traditional tunes.
3 - 4 PM- O'Neil Family Band - traditional and original songs, tunes, and dancing
Sunday, August 10: Bandstand, Heritage Village Grounds
12 -1 PM – Chuck Gust – accordion
1 - 2 PM – Skally Line - Original songs and stories about Minnesota history and traditional tunes.
2 - 3 PM - Fargo Spelemanslag- Hardanger Fiddle ensemble
3 - 4 PM – O'Neil Family Band - traditional and original songs, tunes, dancing, and dance participation
Artist Spotlight with Jill Levene July 28 at 10 am
Listen to NWMAC Staff Kristin Eggerling and Trey Everett in a conversation with Red River Valley Artist and Printmaker Jill Levene. Levene’s work is featured in our exhibit Middle Sister Made: The Inklings of Jill S Leven” at the Historic Fournet Building Downtown Crookston, 101 N Broadway. We talked about her art, the exhibit, her inspiration, artistic practice, and much more! The exhibit is open until August 5 on the 2nd floor Atrium. The conversation was live on our Facebook and YouTube channels. You can watch it at https://www.youtube.com/live/8O-ymys7s8o?si=1Kgw_nbZ10o3XBZU
Heritage Through Image
a photography exhibit
and
Works by Hallock Metal Artist and Painter
Dennis Kinkead
Carnegie Library, 102 Main Ave N, Thief River Falls
Stop by During the Art & Wine Walk on
July 10 from 4 - 8:00 PM
This NWMAC exhibit will be a stop on the Art & Wine Walk in Thief River Falls on July 10. Heritage Through Image, an exhibit open through July. The exhibit includes 22 images (2 images of each subject), along with a 5 x 7 framed narrative for each person that depict traditional practices, customs, and folklore that serves as a visual representation of regional heritage.
For more information about the Art & Wine Walk or to purchase tickets visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trf-zehlians-art-wine-walk-2025-tickets-1259732075549?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Photographer Monika Lawrence, formerly of Bemidji now living in Germany, was commissioned to capture the images that reflect traditional practices, customs, and folklore to serve as a visual representation of the heritage of East Polk County. Come and see images and information featuring folk arts such as Hardanger embroidery, Scandinavian desserts and pastries, rosemaling, historical storytelling including stories from Indigenous communities, woodworking, experimental archaeology and textiles, blacksmithing, tractor and vintage car restorations, and more. There’s something for everyone!
Lawrence interviewed and photographed the subjects who are featured in this exhibit. They include Stephenie Anderson, John Balstad, Dustin Carlson, Caleb Curfman, Amy Mulry, Al and Vicky Olson, Jeffrey Olson, Earl Steinbrenner, Lynn Sundrud, Rosayn Watnemo, and Carol Wold.
Hallock Artist Dennis Kinkead will be joining this exhibit with his work on July 10. He is a 2-D and 3-D artist who specializes in sculpture and iron works. He will also be present during the event from 4 to 8 PM that evening.
From boilermaker to grain farmer to customs officer at the US border, Dennis Kinkead’s interests and abilities know no bounds. A native of Aitken, Minnesota, he has always had a passion for learning and new experiences. Inspired and taught by his father-in-law in the late 1990s, Dennis started learning the craft of metalworking. His first large project was a coffee table that he handcrafted entirely on his own, including all the jigs and fixtures. After taking home first prize at the county fair, Dennis knew he had found a new art form to be passionate about. His work progressed over the years, including metal roses, the front railing on his family home, a hall table with matching mirror, and other pieces of household furniture. He soon shifted gears into a more natural and mythical theme including birds, skull heads and dragons. Recently, Dennis signed up for an online art class where he has been honing his drawing and painting skills. Today, his art is distinctly influenced by Asian culture as evidenced by the images of koi fish, blossoming trees, and Chinese and Japanese characters. When asked what inspires his love of Asian imagery, he simply replied, “I just like it.”
Many pieces of Kinkead’s art will be for sale.
The Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls is at 102 Main Ave N. The gallery is open Mondays & Fridays from 10 AM - 2 PM and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 8-11 AM. It will be open when the Chamber of Commerce office is open. You can contact the Chamber of Commerce to see about other possible open hours at trfchamber.com, 218-681-3720, or info@trfchamber.com.
The NWMAC will host Dennis Kinkead Exhibit at the Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls
Carnegie Library, 102 Main Ave N, Thief River Falls
2nd Floor
Stop by the Exhibit during the Art & Wine Walk on
July 10 from 4 to 8 PM
A number of works by Hallock metal artist and painter Dennis Kinkead will be featured in an upcoming exhibit at the Carnegie Library, 102 Main Ave N, in Thief River Falls. Kinkead’s work will open on Thursday, July 10 during the Thief River Falls Art & Wine Walk. The artist will also be present during the event from 4 to 8 PM that evening. Everyone is welcome to attend this exhibit.
From boilermaker to grain farmer to customs officer at the US border, Dennis Kinkead’s interests and abilities know no bounds. A native of Aitken, Minnesota, he has always had a passion for learning and new experiences. Inspired and taught by his father-in-law in the late 1990s, Dennis started learning the craft of metalworking. His first large project was a coffee table that he handcrafted entirely on his own, including all the jigs and fixtures. After taking home first prize at the county fair, Dennis knew he had found a new art form to be passionate about. His work progressed over the years, including metal roses, the front railing on his family home, a hall table with matching mirror, and other pieces of household furniture. He soon shifted gears into a more natural and mythical theme including birds, skull heads and dragons. Recently, Dennis signed up for an online art class where he has been honing his drawing and painting skills. Today, his art is distinctly influenced by Asian culture as evidenced by the images of koi fish, blossoming trees, and Chinese and Japanese characters. When asked what inspires his love of Asian imagery, he simply replied, “I just like it.”
Many pieces of Kinkead’s art will be for sale.
The Carnegie Library in Thief River Falls is at 102 Main Ave N. The exhibit is located on the second floor. Parking is available in the back of the building. It is open Mondays & Fridays from 10 AM - 2 PM and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 8-11 AM. It will also be open at other times when the Chamber of Commerce office is open. Contact the Chamber of Commerce to see about other possible open hours at trfchamber.com, 218-681-3720, or info@trfchamber.com.
For more information about this exhibit, visit our website at NWArtsCouncil.org, or if you are an artist interested in exhibiting a body of work with NWMAC, please contact Trey Everett at (218) 280-4917 or email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Please sign up for our e-newsletter on our website home page to see the latest news and grant announcements. Email director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886 to reach our office during regular business hours.
Micro Mosaics
Saturday, July 26 | 1-3 PM
Hosted by Folk School Warroad
Create your own micro mosaic masterpiece in this beginner-friendly class hosted by Folk School Warroad. It's the perfect way to try your hand at the mosaic art form.