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10.28.26 Cathy Erickson
A wall in the Self-Taught Artists, Self-Told Stories folk art exhibit is dedicated to “Polka Queen” Cathy Erickson of Middle River. The Cathy Erickson Band is nationally recognized with Cathy as the accordion player. She also played with The Alleycats. This spring she was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame and was awarded the NW Star Award from the NWMAC a few years ago. Cathy received a grant from the NWMAC to purchase radio equipment to allow her to host radio shows from home. Learn how she came to host a show on Pioneer 90.1 and many more stories.
6.3.26 Misti Koop
Described as a one woman arts institution by host Phil McKenzie, Misti Koop spoke about how she began her musical and theater stage career. Misti has been teaching music in Minto, ND for the last 7 years and will be taking a break next year to work on her creative efforts. Misti’s experience includes performing regularly in the Medora Musical and Frost Fire Theater. She’s the President of the Summer Arts Stages.
Stages Arts Stages is traveling drama camp that began 32 years ago in East Grand Forks under the direction of Larry D’Amico. Each year, Misti gathers a team to develop a show. They spend two weeks working on the show, including the costumes and sets for 2 teams who will travel the region from June through mid-August. This year the show is The Lion King. Kids will participate in these one week camps daily and at the end of the week they perform the show. Summer Arts Stages receives funding from the NWMAC. You can find the schedule for the camp throughout the region and more info at summerartsstages.com.
Misti is also involved in the Medora Christmas Tour. She received a grant from the NWMAC to help her create a favorites album of the Christmas show, which she’ll start to record soon and work into the fall.
If this isn’t enough, Misti serves on the Fire Hall Theater Board in Grand Forks and will be directing a show in January. She also teaches piano and plays many musical instruments.
Listen to hear more!
3.12.25 Brayden Drevlow
Thief River Falls native Brayden Drevlow connected with Phil McKenzie in Singapore recently. They spoke about some of Brayden’s upcoming concerts — March 15 and 16 with the Bismark Symphony and one in Alexandria on April 5 with the Central Lakes Symphony. Besides being a world traveler, Brayden is a talented pianist. He attended Concordia for piano performance. He’s performed quite a bit internationally, including Siberia and Africa. He shared the challenges of practicing his instrument when he travels. Listen to hear the first part of their conversation.