ArtZany! - Radio for the Imagination

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes mosaic artist Michael Sweere. He creates modern fine art from reclaimed materials. His large-scale mosaic work can be found at airports, health-care facilities, libraries, schools, and sporting stadiums. In Northfield, the mosaic Your Mind is a Magic Wand is on display at the Northfield Public Library and he has been chosen to design and create the mosaic mural at the new Northfield Ice Arena.http://www.michaelsweeremosaic.comMichael Sweere -Multi Medium Exhibit at Fifty North Art Galleryhttps://fiftynorth.org/activities/art-gallery/Gallery Show: July 20-August 28Artist Reception:Thursday, August 6, 4:00-5:00pmMichael Sweere creates mosaics by utilizing pieces of broken dishware, ceramic and porcelain tile, glass and found objects like vintage buttons, stones and old coins.

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes two sets of guests from Bows, Strings, & Contentment Orchestra to preview their Summer concert Nordic Music at the Grand Event Center. Bows, Strings & ContentmentString Orchestra, Conductor Laura GeisslerSummer Concert: Nordic MusicFeaturing Nordic music from Scandinavia, Finland, and Iceland.Special Guests: Sara Lynnnore (Hardingfele) and Kate Stuart (folk dance)Sunday, 14 June 2026 @ 6PMThe Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, NorthfieldMenu - Special add-on food feature will be Swedish meatballs, gravy, mashed potatoes, and lingonberry jam.The menu also includes hand-held foods, gluten-free veggie patties (for burgers) and possibly a veggie wrap (new). Doors open at 5PM, Dining hours 5PM - 7PMFree Concert, Family Friendly, Contributions appreciated

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes Pauline Jennings, the Performing Arts Manager at the Northfield Arts Guild and singer Erin Schwab to visit about the upcoming 411 Concert Series. 2025 – 2026 is the fourteenth 411 Concert Series season. (411 is the address of the theater!) This series features regional and nationally-recognized artists in the intimate venue of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater and offers a truly unique listening and viewing experience. Toward the Guild’s goal of lifting up the young and aspiring, every show includes a talented local young musician(s).https://northfieldartsguild.org/arts/music/411-series/411 Concert Series – The Singer’s Voice: Erin Schwab with Dan ChouinardSunday, 22 February 2026Erin Schwab with Dan Chouinard @ 7pmNorthfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street West, Northfieldhttps://northfieldartsguild.org/arts/music/411-series/Erin Schwab knows how to work a song--and an audience. She’s built that up over a career in musical theater with the likes of Tina ‘n’ Tony’s Wedding and the national tour of School House Rock Live! That experience allows her to tackle just about anything under the sun, from covers of tunes by the Police to a selection from Avenue Q to originals based on her years as a working performer.Her warm approach and ability to work a crowd can be heard at local gigs at places like Crooners Lounge & Supper Club, Honey Mpls, or on her album, Martini’s & Cleavage. Most recently, Erin was seen as King Herod in The Ordway's Jesus Christ Superstar. She lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota, with her husband, Director and Theatrical Producer Michael Todaro, and daughter.For nearly four decades Dan Chouinard has been pianist and accordionist of choice for a who’s who of Twin Cities performers, an enabler of community sing-alongs, and writer and host of hit shows for radio, concert hall and theatrical stage.2.22.26 OPENER: Quinn Flannery - Quinn is multi-instrumentalist, singer and a junior at Northfield High School. Currently, she sings in the HS choir and Northfield Youth Choir with which she has been singing since she was 5 years old. Quinn’s main instrument is the guitar and has been taking stringed instrument lessons from Helen Forsythe since she was 8. THE SINGER’S VOICEDAN CHOUINARD IS BACK WITH 4 MORE SUPERSTAR GUESTSFOR OUR 2026 411 CONCERT SERIES!From 1994 to 2000, Sunday evenings at the legendary Dakota Jazz Club belonged to a live KBEM radio show called The Singer’s Voice. Created by and hosted by Dan Chouinard at the piano, it was a song-laced conversation with a different singer each week about their life and music. The show was acclaimed by critics and embraced by the music community for its freshness and spontaneity, intimate format, and its power of story and song…ONCE AGAIN, THE WORLD-CLASS FEATURED VOCALISTS WILL SHARE, VIA SONG AND STORIES, PARTS OF THEIR RICH MUSICAL HISTORY.MANY THANKS TO OUR 411 SPONSORS CHARLIE KYTE AND JIM BASSETT!

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes guests from the Paradise Center for the Arts: Julie Fakler, Executive Director and Will McIntyre, Performing Arts & Education Director. We’ll preview upcoming events and discuss the Arts & Nature membership option.https://www.paradisecenterforthearts.org

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes poet, performer, essayist, and storyteller Thadra Sheridan to preview the first installment of Narrative: Storytelling at The Grand. This event is an open mic for stories in prose, poetry, or music. The evening is hosted by Thadra Sheridan and features the iconic, hilarious, and legendary Tom Cassidy.https://www.thadrasheridan.comNarrative: Storytelling at The GrandGrand Event Center, 315 Washington Street, Northfield, MNHosted by Thadra SheridanStorytelling Open Mic featuring Tom CassidyFriday, 23 January 2026Show starts at 7pm, doors open at 6pmFree and open to the publicThadra Sheridan is a poet, performer, essayist, and storyteller who grew up in Northfield and then wandered around the country until she ended up back here. She has been on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, performed at San Quentin Penitentiary, onstage for The Moth, and on Snap Judgement, among many other places.

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes Pauline Jennings, the Performing Arts Manager at the Northfield Arts Guild to visit about the upcoming 411 Concert Series. 2025 – 2026 is the fourteenth 411 Concert Series season. (411 is the address of the theater!) This series features regional and nationally-recognized artists in the intimate venue of the Northfield Arts Guild Theater and offers a truly unique listening and viewing experience. Toward the Guild’s goal of lifting up the young and aspiring, every show includes a talented local young musician(s).https://northfieldartsguild.org411 Concert Series – The Singer’s Voice: Maria Jette with Dan ChouinardSunday, 4 January 2025Maria Jette with Dan Chouinard @ 7pmNorthfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 Third Street West, Northfieldhttps://northfieldartsguild.org/arts/music/411-series/Maria Jette has appeared with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, New York Chamber Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. She'll sing her musical theater favorites. For nearly four decades Dan Chouinard has been pianist and accordionist of choice for a who’s who of Twin Cities performers, an enabler of community sing-alongs, and writer and host of hit shows for radio, concert hall and theatrical stage. THE SINGER’S VOICEDAN CHOUINARD IS BACK WITH 4 MORE SUPERSTAR GUESTS FOR OUR 2026 411 CONCERT SERIES!From 1994 to 2000, Sunday evenings at the legendary Dakota Jazz Club belonged to a live KBEM radio show called The Singer’s Voice. Created by and hosted by Dan Chouinard at the piano, it was a song-laced conversation with a different singer each week about their life and music. The show was acclaimed by critics and embraced by the music community for its freshness and spontaneity, intimate format, and its power of story and song…ONCE AGAIN, THE WORLD-CLASS FEATURED VOCALISTS WILL SHARE, VIA SONG AND STORIES, PARTS OF THEIR RICH MUSICAL HISTORY.MANY THANKS TO OUR 411 SPONSORS CHARLIE KYTE AND JIM BASSETT!

Today in the ArtZany Radio studio Paula Granquist welcomes guests from the Northfield Arts Guild Purple Door Youth Theater production Winnie-the-Pooh! Guests include director Rachel Haider, theater techs Kyra Reverman and Emily Taubman, and actor Miles Mazzariello.https://northfieldartsguild.org/event/winnie-the-pooh/2025-12-14/PURPLE DOOR YOUTH THEATER: Winnie-the-PoohDecember 12th– 21st, 2025Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 2:00Christopher Robin has just moved into a new neighborhood and he isn’t happy. To bring him out of his shell, his father A.A. Milne tells him wondrous tales of his beloved toys and their many adventures, hoping that, through them, Christopher Robin will find the courage to make a friend. Adapted from A.A. Milne’s original story, WINNIE-THE-POOH brings your favorite characters to the stage. Don’t listen to Eeyore…all will end well!Produced by special arrangement with Theatrefolk (theatrefolk.com)