Happenings: Anti-valentines, Land by Hand, Still Life with Iris

By Elisabeth Pedersen, contributor, MN Today

Keeping the love alive in Minnesota

Valentines day may be over, but this weekend presents many opportunities to celebrate, or in some cases, to "anti-celebrate."

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On Friday, February 17th at 10:00, Tycoons Alehouse will be celebrating the 8th annual Anti Valentines show.

This event is 21+, and it ideal for individuals who prefer beer to chocolate. Duluth Tycoons states how they "proudly pour award-winning Fitger's Brewhouse Beer from a fully stocked bar." This celebration is also in recognition of Duluth's weekly magazine for "art, music, and swearing," Transistor.

Transistor plays a crucial role in Duluth's arts and culture scene by providing a weekly calendar, quirky comics, and sarcasm. The Anti-Valentines show will feature performances by local groups Crew Jones, and the Uptown Boys.

Land by Hand: Fiber Artists Explore Place opens in Mankato tonight that will be featuring original work by Minnesotan artists.

- Image credit: Jill Lynn

The themes of this show are natural landscapes, and historical traditions. The artists in this show demonstrate their work in various media with an emphasis on fiber art. Each piece of work is unique to the artist, but they also reflect a larger sense of the environment that surrounds us. The landscape of Minnesota is inspirational in various aspects, and this show allows the opportunity to view the diverse perspectives that each artist has of their surroundings. This event supports Minnesotan artist, and upholds artistic traditions as a way to provide a sense of community and culture. The show opens Thursday, February 16th and goes from 12:00p.m. until 4:00p.m. and will remain on display through March 28th, 2012.

Yellowtree Theatre, located in Osseo is a place "where good stories live," and this weekend the stage lights will warm Still Life with Iris a play written by Steven Dietz.

Yellowtree Theatre explains, "set in the magical land of Nocturno, Still Life with Iris is a fantastical adventure chronicling a little girl's search for the simplest of things: home." It is an educational, entertaining, and inspiring play that involves Poe's literary figure Annabell Lee, and the iconic Mozart as companions in Iris's adventures and trials. It is an excellent play for the young, and the young at heart. Yellowtree Theatre is an exceptional venue that can be seen in the aesthetic quality of the venue itself, as well as the brilliant performances they put on with each show.