Tag Archives: Dan Chouinard

Flappers, Miners & Moonshiners — February 7

Crossings brings Dan Chouinard and Prudence Johnson to Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, February 7 at 7:30 pm for "Minnesota in the 1920s: Flappers, Miners and Moonshiners."

Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Join Prudence and Dan on a journey back to Minnesota in the Jazz Age, featuring songs, vintage photographs and stories. Audience members are invited to sing along to “My Blue Heaven,” "Ain’t We Got Fun?,” “Side by Side,” “Stardust,” and many more as golden-voiced Johnson and pianist and accordionist Dan Chouinard travel back in time through music and stories of life on the farm, on the reservation, in the nightclubs of St. Paul, and the mining towns of the Iron Range.

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) listeners will recognize Johnson as a regular on “A Prairie Home Companion” weekly radio show. Her more than 30-year music career has taken her from nightclubs and honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall, from the theater stage to the Silver Screen (Robert Redford’s “A River Runs Through It” and “A Prairie Home Companion” the movie), from the Midwest to the Middle East.

Chouinard is a Minneapolis native who plays, tours and records regularly with an ever-expanding roster of local and national performers. Chouinard regularly creates special programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He recently appeared at the State Theatre headlining, for the third year, a hometown holiday performance and sing-along that also features local talent.

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Holiday Extravaganza — December 20

Holiday Extravaganza!

7:30 PM, Saturday, December 20

Tickets: $15 in advance, $18 at the door,

$5 Students (18 and under) Buy online now

Tickets also available in Zumbrota at Busby's Hardware and Furniture, Crossings, and Main Street Pharmacy.

Want to reserve your seat? Choose your seat at Crossings: $19 Adults, $9 Students

A joint production of Crossings and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to benefit State Theatre renovations.

Multi-talented performer Dan Chouinard returns to Zumbrota with special guest Simone Perrin for the 2014 Holiday Extravaganza! A multitude of talented local musicians and dancers will join them in the third annual production to benefit renovations at Zumbrota's State Theatre. The Holiday Extravaganza lights up the stage on Sat., Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m.

This community-wide variety show and sing-along will include performances by the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Jazz Band, the Rochester Flute Choir, Gwendelara Hendee, selections from the Zumbrota Dance Studio’s production of “Elsa, the Princess of Ice,” Flamenco Guitarist Victor Jortack, the ZMHS Singers, and a special “Ask Santa” segment featuring the jolly old elf himself.

This concert is a joint production between Crossings at Carnegie and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to raise funds for improvements to the historic State Theatre, which is owned and operated by the Zumbrota Area Arts Council. The theatre is an intimate venue whose vintage atmosphere is praised by audiences and performers alike. Plans are underway for the new addition that will house handicapped accessible restrooms and an expanded concessions area.

Chouinard turns up regularly in Zumbrota playing a supporting role for performers like Peter Ostroushko, Prudence Johnson, Ann Reed and others. He is an accomplished pianist and accordionist, as well as a talented storyteller.

Chouinard has hosted similar community-based holiday shows in Lanesboro every year since 2007, drawing on local talent to fill most of the show's roster of musicians and storytellers and always featuring a performer friend from the Twin Cities as a special guest. He regularly creates unique programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He has dubbed Crossings “my favorite SE Minnesota haunt.”

Perrin is also no stranger to Zumbrota, performing regularly at Crossings. She was last seen at the State Theatre in February in The Love Show. Based in Minneapolis, accordionista and chanteuse Perrin has performed at the Guthrie Theatre as well as on A Prairie Home Companion.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $5 for students 18 and under. Advance tickets are available in Zumbrota at Busby Hardware & Furniture, Crossings at Carnegie and Main Street Pharmacy. Reserved seating tickets are $19 for adults, $9 for students and are available only at Crossings, 320 East Ave, Zumbrota, or call 507-732-7616.

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. This event is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

The Love Show — February 15

Crossings brings a Valentine Treat to the State Theatre on Saturday, February 15:

The Love Show

Starring Kevin Kling, Dan Chouinard, Claudia Schmidt, Prudence Johnson, Simone Perrin and Dane Stauffer.

Tickets are $25 in advance, $28 at the door and can be purchased online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7:30 pm.

Few storytellers can take you from the brink of tears to a belly laugh as adeptly and delightfully as storyteller and playwright Kevin Kling. Joined by talented singers and actors Claudia Schmidt, Simone Perrin, Dane Stauffer and Prudence Johnson, along with pianist and accordionist Dan Chouinard, Kling explores the ups and down, thrills and spills of love.

Whether for a first — or 50th — Valentine’s date, “The Love Show” promises to be an evening of fun for sweethearts and friends alike!

National Public Radio commentator Kling and friends create a night of extraordinary storytelling and music. Schmidt, Perrin and Johnson are known for their silky-smooth vocals expertly applied to a wide range of genres. Schmidt’s a virtuoso of the 12-string guitar, and Perrin is a self-taught accordionist. As a teen, Stauffer studied at the Minneapolis Children’s Theatre, and is known as “Hugh” from San Diego’s longest running show ever, “Triple Espresso.”

Chouinard is a Minneapolis native whose special programs blending storytelling, interview and music have been heard on Minnesota Public Radio, with some shows also playing on Twin Cities public television.

Kling himself is best-known for his commentaries on NPR’s All Things Considered. He also is the creator of several books and CDs of recorded storytelling. He dubs himself “author, playwright, teller of tales.”

Kevin Kling

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota. For more information call 507-732-5210.

Hometown Holiday Show — December 21

The Hometown Holiday Show is back! Join us on Saturday, December 21, at 7:30 PM for another delightful evening of music and storytelling. Adult tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Student tickets for ages 18 and under are $5. Add $4 per ticket and you can reserve your seat! Tickets can be purchased at Crossings, as well as online or by calling 507-732-7616. Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Pianist/accordionist Dan Chouinard and fiddle/mandolin player Peter Ostroushko headline a performance that also features a multitude of talented local performers.

This community-wide variety show and sing-along will feature performances by the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Jazz Band, a flute and cello duet, Irish soft shoe dancers from the Zumbrota Dance Studio, Rochester's Choral Arts Ensemble, and other fabulous acts by your neighbors! Concert goers will be greeted by carolers from Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.

This concert is a joint production between Crossings at Carnegie and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to raise funds for improvements to the historic State Theatre. The theatre is an intimate venue whose vintage atmosphere is praised by audiences and performers alike. Planned renovations include weatherizing the exterior, restoration of interior finishes, upgrades in sound and lighting equipment, seating improvements, and an addition to the building for handicapped accessible restrooms, a larger lobby and dressing rooms.

Chouinard turns up regularly in Zumbrota playing a supporting role for performers like Ostroushko, Prudence Johnson, Ann Reed and others. Both he and Ostroushko are regular contributors to Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion radio show.

Chouinard has hosted similar community-based holiday shows in Lanesboro every year since 2007, drawing on local talent to fill most of the show's roster of musicians and storytellers and always featuring a performer friend from the Twin Cities as a special guest. He regularly creates special programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He has dubbed Crossings “my favorite SE Minnesota haunt.”

Ostroushko, one of the finest mandolin and fiddle players in acoustic music, plays a rich ethnic mix of music, at the heart of which is his Ukrainian heritage. It’s a mixture of musical styles he calls “sluz duz,” a phrase roughly meaning “over the edge” or “off his rocker.” He has earned an international reputation as a versatile and dazzling musician and composer.

Dan Chouinard

The State Theatre is located at 96 East 4th Street in Zumbrota.

www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

Tiptoe Through the ’60s — March 9

Join "child of the sixties" Prudence Johnson and fellow musician Dan Chouinard as they perform the music of a revolutionary decade in "Tiptoe Through the '60s" on Saturday, March 9, at 7:30 pm. Crossings is bringing the concert to Zumbrota's State Theatre. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 the day of the show and can be purchased by calling (507) 732-7616. Doors open at 6:30.

"Tiptoe" features the triumphs, tragedies and trends of the 1960s with over 300 images on two giant screens. Audiences can sing along to songs such as, "Hit the Road Jack," "Surfer Girl," "Blowin' in the Wind," "Hey Jude," and "Hello Dolly." Stories will be shared, and there's even a chance for audience members to become part of the experience by submitting personal stories and song ideas online. Submit your memories or suggestions here!

Prudence Johnson is a true child of the sixties, emerging from the decade freshly graduated from high school and ready to join a hippie commune. However, her life took a different turn. She became a professional singer, recording more than a dozen albums, working in films such as "A River Runs Through It," and "A Prairie Home Companion," touring across the country and the world, and appearing on and off on Garrison Keillor's live weekly radio show. These days, she loves pursuing her passions for history, literature and music as a writer, producer and performer in multi-media shows like "Tiptoe Through the 60s."

Dan Chouinard was born in 1961, too late to remember anything about JFK but in plenty of time to memorize every word of the "Mary Poppins" soundtrack LP. He grew up in Richfield and Lindstrom, learning music along with a houseful of brothers and sisters. He lives in St. Paul and works not only as a pianist and accordionist, but also as the creator and host of live shows for Minnesota Public Radio, the Minnesota Historical Society and many others. When not performing he can be found bicycling interesting places with his tent and accordion.

Dan and Prudence were last seen delighting audiences at the State Theatre for the sold out "Hometown Holiday Show" in December.

Tip Toe Through the 60's!

Prudence Johnson

Dan Chouinard

This activity is made possible in part by a grant provided by the
Minnesota State Arts Board through an appropriation
by the Minnesota State Legislature from the Minnesota arts and
cultural heritage fund with money provided by a vote of the
people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Hometown Holiday Show — December 15

Pianist/accordionist Dan Chouinard and singer Prudence Johnson will headline the Hometown Holiday Show at Zumbrota's State Theatre on Saturday, December 15, at 7:30 pm. This community-wide variety show and sing-along will feature performances by the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School Jazz Band, members of the Rochester Male Chorus, Heroes Choir, Zumbrota Dance Studio students, The Plaids, and other local musicians. Attendees will be greeted by carolers and may be surprised by a visit from Santa Claus.

This concert is a joint production between Crossings and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to raise funds for improvements to the historic State Theatre. The theatre is an intimate venue whose vintage atmosphere is praised by audiences and performers alike. Planned renovations include weatherizing the exterior, restoration of interior finishes, upgrades in sound and lighting equipment, seating improvements, and an eventual addition to the building for handicapped accessible restrooms, a larger lobby and dressing rooms.

Chouinard turns up regularly in Zumbrota playing a supporting role for performers like Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Ann Reed and others. Both he and Johnson are regular contributors to Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion radio show and had a part in the making of the film A Prairie Home Companion by Robert Altman. Johnson is a seasoned jazz and folk vocalist and inductee into the MN Rock and Country Hall of Fame. She also appeared in Robert Redford’s film, A River Runs Through It. Johnson will join Chouinard in performing traditional holiday music as well as some Swedish/Scandinavian, French, and Italian songs.

Chouinard has hosted similar community-based holiday shows in Lanesboro every year since 2007, drawing on local talent to fill most of the show's roster of musicians and storytellers and always featuring a performer friend from the Twin Cities as a special guest. He regularly creates special programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He recently dubbed Crossings “my favorite SE Minnesota haunt.”

Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Student tickets for ages 18 and under are $5. To reserve tickets, call 507-732-7616 or stop in to Crossings at 320 East Avenue in Zumbrota. For more information, visit www.crossingsatcarnegie.com