Arts

Including theatre and music, the arts abound in Mayville-Portland. Our communities are fortunate to be home to Mayville State University and all the cultural activity that comes with having a university in town. Plus, our communities are close to both Fargo-Moorhead and Grand Forks and the cultural opportunities available there.

 

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Grassroots Arts Council 
The Grassroots Arts Council was formed in 2006 to promote the arts in Mayville-Portland and surrounding communities.
  
Mission of the Grassroots Arts Council: The Arts Council advocates for, coordinates, promotes, and encourages the arts to enrich the quality of life, economic development, and education in Mayville-Portland, and the surrounding communities. We do this through:

  • Coordination: We coordinate artists, arts groups, and the community to work together.
  • Promotion: We promote the rich, artistic uniqueness of the Mayville-Portland area to local, regional, state, and national audiences.
  • Encouragement: We encourage appreciation and production of art through:
    • Education: We encourage the arts-related education of students, audiences, and arts professionals.
    • Access: We encourage all audiences and artists who wish to participate in the arts in any way, at any level.
    • Advocacy: We partner with local, state, and federal education and governmental bodies for arts-related legislation. 

Goals of the Grassroots Arts Council

  • Strengthen the arts as one of the Mayville-Portland area’s key industries and civic resources.
  • Engage all of the Mayville-Portland area in the arts.
  • Make the Mayville-Portland area a preeminent arts destination.

For more information on the Grassroots Arts Council, contact – grassrootsartscouncil@gmail.com

MUSIC
Mayville State University & Community Fine Arts Series

This series brings performers of the highest quality to the Mayville State University Campus. This collaboration between the university and community ensures world-class musical performances throughout the year. All performances are in the MSU Classroom Auditorium.
For more information call 701.788.4742.

THE 2009-2010 SEASON:

Gamelan Sumunar Ensemble     Sunday, September 20, 2009  7:30 p.m.

A gamelan is a percussion orchestra indigenous to Indonesia; the Sumunar Ensemble plays the version from Java. Made primarily of bronze, the instruments include suspended gongs of various sizes, small pot-shaped gongs resting on horizontal racks, and various metallophones (like xylophones but with metal bars). The music is traditionally learned by oral transmission; nowadays a number system is often used for notation. This ensemble offers a unique opportunity for group cooperative effort. Some instruments are simple to play and some more demanding, but there are no soloists—everyone must listen to the total texture and fit in appropriately. The sound is melodic, rhythmic, bell-like, hypnotic—a sound uniquely associated with Indonesia.

Eugenia Zuckerman, flute     Monday, October 19, 2009  7:30 p.m.

Acclaimed by the Boston Globe as ``one of the finest flutists of our time,´´ Eugenia Zukerman is a consummate musician. Her elegant sound referred to as ``finely articulated cascades of classical grace,´´ along with her lyrical phrasing, extraordinary agility and compelling stage presence have contributed to her popularity as an international performer with orchestra, in solo and duo recitals, and in chamber music ensembles in North America, Europe, and Asia for over 25 years.

A versatile artist, Ms Zukerman is respected for her innovative programming as well as for her performances. She has been praised as ``. . . a bona fide phenom. Few major instrumentalists offer anything comparable to the intelligence and breadth of programming that she brings to her concerts.´´

Aviv String Quartet     Monday, November 30, 2009  7:30 p.m.

Founded in Israel in 1997 as a private initiative of four young musicians, Aviv String Quartet succeeded to win a series of prestigious prizes: 1st Prize and the Grand Prize in Melbourne Chamber Music Competition, Australia (1999), Top Prize and Critics’ Prize in Bordeaux Quartets Competition, France (2003), 1st Prize at Amadeus Quartet Contest (Heerlen, Netherlands 1999), Special Schubert Prize at Schubert Competition in Graz, Austria (2003), 2nd Prize in Prague Spring Quartets Competition (1998). Aviv was also proclaimed as the “Best Young Ensemble” by the Culture Ministries of Germany (1999) and Israel (2000), and received the special award for the Best Musical Ensemble in Israel (2003). During the last seven years Aviv Quartet has performed on some of the world’s important stages, including Carnegie Hall.
David Burgess, guitar     Monday, February 15, 2010  7:30 p.m.

Praised by musicians and critics worldwide, David Burgess is recognized as one of today's outstanding guitarists. His international appearances as soloist and chamber musician have taken him to concert halls throughout North and South America, Europe and the Far East. Highlights of recent seasons include several concert tours of Europe, repeated recitals in New York, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Baltimore, Boston, Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Denver, Phoenix,  and Nashville, along with numerous appearances as an orchestral soloist, including featured performances with the Philharmonia Virtuosi of New York, and the American Chamber Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
First prize winner in the Andrés Segovia Fellowship Competition in New York City, he has also won top honors in the Ponce International Competition in Mexico City, the Guitar ‘81 Competition in Toronto and the 31st International Music Competition in Munich.
 
Manhattan, Piano Trio     Monday, March 8, 2010  7:30 p.m.

Hailed by critics as “a grand departure from the usual” (News Herald), the Manhattan Piano Trio has quickly become one of the most creative, exciting, and dynamic young ensembles in the United States. With more than 300 concerts in its first five seasons alone, MPT is one of the most active groups in the classical music scene, welcomed by enthusiastic audiences in over 30 states, across three continents, and in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Ravinia Festival. The Washington Post described the Trio as “impressive” and “outstanding,” while the Sarasota Herald Tribune said “one seldom is privileged to enjoy music of such a wide range of styles performed with self-effacing skill and relaxed assurance.”
The Manhattan Piano Trio has been recognized for its electrifying performances in international competitions. Since its inception in 2004, the Trio has captured grand prizes at the Plowman Competition and at the Yellow Springs Competition; runner-up at the Chesapeake Competition; and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Listeners’ Choice Award in Melbourne.

ART 

Northern Lights Art Gallery

The Northern Lights Art Gallery is located on the campus of Mayville State University and features exhibitions throughout the academic year. The Gallery on the upper level of the student center at Mayville State University features artists from around the region.
Gallery hours are 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and Thursday until 5:00p.m.
For more information about each upcoming exhibit visit www.northernlightsart.org or call 701.788.6200 or 701.788.4288

2009-2010  Exhibits:
Cindi Finley Mintie
September 8 - October 2, 2009

Janice Tingum
October 9 - November 6, 2009

Jennifer Eaton - "The Way I See It"
Opening reception with the artist - Monday, November 9, 5-7pm
November 9 - December 11, 2009

"The Beat Goes On" - 10th Anniversary
Annual Art Auction
January 21, 2010

Welcome Back/Past Exhibiting Artists
January 25 - February 19, 2010

Dale Cook
March 1 - April 1, 2010

Anne Greenwood
April 6 - May 15, 2010
THEATRE 

Mayville State University Theatre
The Mayville State University Drama Department is open to anyone interested in theatre, from acting to set building and lighting. Performances are held in the Old Main Theatre on the 2nd floor of the Old Main Building. The Drama Department traditionally produces three shows each year, including one musical.
Contact Greta Kyllo at 701.788.4747 (greta.kyllo@mayvillestate.edu), or Director Bob Sylskar at 701.788.4725.
Tickets are on sale at the MSU Bookstore – 701.788.4823.

Performances scheduled for the 2009-10 season:

“Bingo! The Musical”
September 24, 25 - 7:30 p.m.
September 27 - 3:00 p.m.
This musical comedy centers around three pals who have driven through a terrible storm in the name of their weekly obsession – bingo. Between the number calling, strange rituals, and fierce competitions, love blossoms and long lost friends reunite. This show is being held to raise funds that will be used to purchase a Clavinova keyboard for the MSU Theatre.

Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House”
Nov. 19, 20, 21 -  7:30
Nov. 22 - 3:00
Being critical of 19th century marriage standards and its depiction of real-life situations made this classic play controversial for its time.

Musical - “Once Upon a Mattress”
Feb. 25, 26, 27- 7:30
Feb. 28- 3:00
The MSU Theatre’s annual musical is based on the “Princess and the Pea” story, featuring a princess who isn’t necessarily princess-like and a prince who is unable to stand up to his overbearing mother, the queen.

6th Annual “Nights on Broadway”
April 16- 7:00 Show, Piano Bar to Follow
April 18- 3:30 Matinee (coincides with Academic Awards Day)
A community chorus made up of persons who are of high school age or older. The repertoire draws from the rich heritage of American musical theater. Proceeds of “Nights on Broadway” performances are used to support the MSU Theatre Department and provide scholarships for Mayville State students who participate in theatre.

Annual Children’s Show  “Aesop’s Fables”
April 29, 30-School performances
April 29, May 1-7:30 Public performances
May 2 –3:00  Public performance
This whimsical show highlights several of the best-known fables, such as “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”