The Arts: "Northwoods" Style

Many people think you have to travel to Minnesota's metropolitan areas if you want to find top-quality cultural activities.  While it's definitely not a metropolitan area, Itasca County offers tremendous opportunities to enjoy and participate in the Arts without leaving our beautiful Northwoods.  Year-round visitors to the area will find live musical performances, art galleries, plays, dance recitals and many other cultural events.

The Myles Reif Performing Arts Center offers fine stage performances by local and professional touring artists.  Expect to find exceptional performances by symphony orchestras, ballet troupes, touring theaters, and ethnic and modern dance companies.  For more information contact the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center at (218) 327-5780 or visit their website at www.reifcenter.org.

The MacRostie Art Center is a perfect spot for artists, crafts people, and lovers of the arts to find and appreciate original artwork.  Conveniently located in downtown Grand Rapids it also offers regularly scheduled classes in wood working, pottery, oil and watercolor painting, rosemaling and sculpture.  For more information contact the MacRostie Art Center at (218) 326-2697 or visit their website at www.macrostieartcenter.org.

For the country music lovers the West Range Country Show features monthly stage performances by local talent during fall and winter at the Greenway High School auditorium.  With admission just $5 for adults and $3 for students it is a fun and affordable way to spend an evening.

For more than 30 years the Grand Rapids Players have been producing two annual performances to the delight of young and old alike.  Their spring musical and fall play are a must-see for anyone who loves amature theater.

Have you been to the Mississippi Melodie Showboat?  If not, you are missing out on one of the finest evenings of summer entainment offered anywhere!  This  vaudeville variety show is produced on the banks of the beautiful Mississippi River in Grand Rapids the last three weekends of July.  This is one event you will make an annual tradition!  For more information call (866)336-3426 or visit their website at www.mississippimelodie.com.

The Itasca Orchestral Society is a community orchestra which performs three concerts during the year at the Myles Reif Performing Arts Center and Greenway High School Auditorium.

The Edge Center for the Arts located in Bigfork was developed with the goal of building community through the arts - enhancing opportunities in education, recreation, and the fine arts in the Edge of the Wilderness area. For more information, visit their website at www.the-edge-center.org.