Things to Do

Planning time. What is on your agenda for the upcoming week?

~ A new exhibit is opening in Frehner Gallery at the Monroe Arts Center on Thursday evening. "Women of Whimsy" is a show featuring five women who have all taught art locally. The opening reception is from 5 until 7 pm at MAC on Thursday evening.

~ The BoDeans are playing in Monroe, a MAC event that will take place at the high school's PAC starting at 7:30. Contact MAC for tickets. Ticket prices range from $32 through $12.

~ More live music! You can hear your choice at Baumgartners, Tofflers or the French Quarter or Turner Hall this weekend. Baumgartners will feature Glenn Davis, Tofflers has Mark Harrod on Saturday evening. Turner Hall will host the Zwiefel Brothers on Sunday afternoon.

~ "The Vagina Monologues" is playing in Freeport on Saturday evening courtesy of the Freeport Art Museum and Winneshiek Playhouse. This event is a fundraiser for VOICES DV. $12 per ticket.

~ The kids at Monroe Middle School have been working hard on this year's spring musical. "Cinderella" is ready to go. The young performers will present their work on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at the middle school. The curtain rises at 7 pm. Admission is a free will donation that will go to music clinic scholarships and curriculum enhancements.

~ Brodhead Public Library has an open house event on Saturday afternoon to celebrate one year in their new facility. There will be live music starting at 1:30 and a dedication for a new piece of art at 2 pm.

~ Speaking of students, get out there and support our student athletes! Many of our area schools have tournament play going on for basketball this weekend and in the upcoming weeks of March Madness. Wrestling is going to state this weekend too!

~ Enroll now for upcoming Monroe Theatre Guild workshops. There will be a children's musical theatre workshop this Saturday from 10 am until 2:30 to help youth ages 12-18 prepare for this summer's Music Man production. Adults, how about Scenic Painting workshops? These are FREE for members! Remember, membership is only $20 per year per family and includes lots of perk. Junk Puppets for kids is coming up, and this time around the kids will be helping their puppets lip sync to create a musical video.

~ Kookaburra's in Monroe has a Quick Casserole class on Tuesday evening. On the menu are Baked French Toast, Bacon Noodle and a Stuffed Shells casserole. Class fee is $25.00 per person. Pre-registration is required. Register online or call 608.325.3955

~ Peeking at what is coming up later in March: the Celtic Pub Crawl, New Glarus Fire Department Kabelwurst dinner, bridal show, youth choir performance, and the popular Gem and Mineral show.

See you around town!

Knitting, spinning, dyeing. Oh my!

Every spring, fiber arts enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as the Stephenson County Fiber Arts Fair takes place right in our own back yard.

This fun fair has something for everyone. There is workshops offered in a variety of fiber arts every year. This year's line up will teach participants how to spin with beads, needle tat or paint yarn and the basics of Entralac knitting, Kumihimo weaving, and felting (wet and dry). There is also a spinning wheel workshop to help people learn to "get the most out of your wheel" (bring your own spinning wheel).

There are always vendors on hand to feed any fiber arts enthusiasts stash. I will be on the prowl for some nice sock yarns and another set of bamboo double pointed needles, but I know from previous years experience that there array of choices will be stunning and include a huge variety of yarns and rovings, lots of needles for knitting and crochet, accessories, and supplies galore for any fiber art from needle felting to weaving and everything in between.

Join in the fun and enter the drop spindle spinning competition. Watch this ancient art, and perhaps you will see why I am so tempted every year to give a go myself.

The fair happens on April 18 from 9 am until 5 pm at the Jane Addams Community Center in Cedarville, IL, about halfway between Monroe and Freeport.