In the News: Opportunities to Create!

SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA – From song composing to performing arts to gardening, the greater Root River Valley area is flush with spring and summer opportunities to learn from ‘the pros’. 

In the News this week are three recently announced activities desigined to enrich your or your family’s lives.

Spring songwriters showcase

Four regional singer-songwriters will share original songs, their inspiration and the stories behind them during a two-part program on Saturday, April 12 – an ideal opportunity for budding songwriters, as well as anyone who appreciates original music.

(Photos provided by Lanesboro Arts)

The day includes a songwriting workshop called “Songwriting through Inspiration, Intuition & Practice,” and concludes with an evening concert that immerses audience members in an intimate Nashville-style round robin setting that, according to organizers, “removes the usual distractions of a normal gig, and allows the audience to be drawn into the emotional heart of each song.”

Presented by Lanesboro Arts, the 2025 Spring Songwriters Showcase will feature musicians Sarah Peterson, Jill Burkes, Audrey Robinson and Jason Chaffee:

• Peterson is a singer-songwriter living in Lanesboro, a 2025 recipient of a Creative Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, and organizer of the Songwriters Showcase series.
• Burkes is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Hibbing, Minn. 
• Robinson is a singer-songwriter originally from Waterloo, Iowa, now based out of Rochester Minn. 
• Chaffee is an award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer from the Twin Cities. 

Mingling arts and agriculture at Flourish Summer Camp

Since 2003, the Flourish Summer Camp has been offering a unique program that brings professional performing artists together with young people, aged 11-15, to inventively “stage” original creative ideas.

In recent years, the program has brought vocalists, puppeteers, dancers, percussionists, musicians, spoken word artists and storytellers together with campers to fashion a “creative community.” 

Campers and staff at Flourish Summer Camp work together as a “creative community.” (Photo provided by DreamAcres Farm)

According to co-director Eva Barr, campers spend a full week practicing skills and honing and rehearsing their own visons for a final performance, a performance that could be in the trees, or in the creek. Flourish campers spend much time in the garden and in the woods. 

Camp mentors encourage campers to embrace each space as a potential one for a story. The final performance is thus a journey.

Over time, this week-long camp has evolved to incorporate design and culinary arts in addition to the performance techniques staff members come ready to teach. 

Space is limited! Registrations are being accepted now for the 2025 Flourish Summer Camp hosted by DreamAcres Farm, outside Wykoff, Minn., July 27-August 3. Visit Flourish Summer Camp for details and registration.

Master gardeners share knowledge during Spring Daze

Gardening enthusiasts from across the region are invited to Spring Grove for an evening of gardening knowledge and fun heading into the 2025 growing season.

Hosted by University of Minnesota Extension, the evening features Linda Lind, a Houston County Extension Master Gardener volunteer and prior owner of Alpine Nursery in Houston, Minn. Her presentation reflects on over 35 years nurturing and cultivating landscapes; her passion for plants and the environment is reflected in her commitment to education and sustainable gardening practices.

Now retired, Linda continues to help fellow gardeners by offering a wide variety of plants, trees and gardening advice to the local community, while also enjoying the fruits of her own gardening endeavors.

In addition to Linda’s presentation, the Spring Daze gathering offers numerous make-and-take garden items to support every gardener’s adventure. 

The Thursday, April 24 program will be held at Giants of the Earth Heritage Center in Spring Grove – doors open at 5:30. Visit this Houston County Extension Master Gardener page for additional details and to make advance reservations to attend.