Saint Mary’s University honors Kabaras with Heritage Award April 14

Betty Kabara receives the Heritage Award from Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary's University.

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University recognized Betty and the late Dr. Jon ’48 Kabara Saturday, April 14, with the university’s first Heritage Award, presented during Saint Mary’s annual Benefactor Recognition Dinner in Winona.

The Heritage Award recognizes special individuals whose exceptional philanthropy has significantly transformed the university during its first century of excellence in education and whose gracious gifts help to dynamically position the university to boldly launch its second century.

The Kabaras, of Galena, Ill., founded the Kabara Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies in 2005 at Saint Mary’s to ignite and nurture the entrepreneurial spirit in students across the university and to foster a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of entrepreneurship in our society. Dr. Jon Kabara, a 1948 alumnus, dedicated his life to medical research. Regarded as an expert in the field of dietary fats and oils, Dr. Kabara served as a professor at the University of Detroit and later Michigan State University for more than 30 years. In 1969, he helped establish the first affiliated school of osteopathic medicine at Michigan State. An expert in the field of dietary fats and oils, Dr. Kabara has been awarded more than 16 U.S. and foreign patents and is credited with more than 200 publications, including eight books.

 Though Dr. Kabara passed away on March 24, 2011, Betty has furthered her husband’s legacy through her continued support of Saint Mary’s and the Kabara Institute.

The Kabara Institute, along with Saint Mary’s Business Department, sponsors business idea contests, business plan competitions, elevator pitch competitions and Entrepreneurship Week, which features guest speakers, symposiums, and round-table discussions.

Saint Mary's commencement ceremonies scheduled for May 12

WINONA, Minn. — On Saturday, May 12, the Winona campus of Saint Mary’s University will host two commencement ceremonies to mark the end of the academic year.

The Winona campus undergraduate commencement will begin at 11 a.m. in the gymnasium. Student perspectives will be offered by this year’s Outstanding Male and Female Seniors Michael Mockler, son of John and Caroline Mockler of Dubuque, Iowa, and Regina Quandt, daughter of Dan and Cathy Quandt of Minneapolis, Minn.

The Winona campus Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs commencement will begin at 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. Along with the conferring of degrees, student perspectives will be offered by Cynthia Mueller, M.A. in Literacy Education, of Buffalo, Minn.; and Dr. Paul Rosenblum, M.A. in Pastoral Ministries of Charleston, S.C. Additionally, Dr. Rosenblum will be presented with an Outstanding Graduate Final Paper Award.

Receptions on the plaza will follow both ceremonies. In case of inclement weather, the receptions will be held in Gostomski Fieldhouse.

Prior to the ceremonies, a Baccalaureate Mass will take place in Saint Thomas More Chapel at 8:30 a.m.

The Saint Mary’s Nairobi campus will host its commencement ceremony on April 28. The Twin Cities campus will conduct three summer commencement ceremonies on June 3.

Saint Mary’s announces next Page Series season

WINONA, Minn. — The 26th season of the Saint Mary’s University Page Series is once again filled with music, dance, theatre, and family-friendly offerings from around the world!

You don’t have to travel far for world-class performances. Season subscriptions go on sale May 15. Individual tickets go on sale Aug. 21.

As part of the yearlong celebration of Saint Mary’s University Centennial, the Page Series is pleased to include artists with connections to Saint Mary’s and to Winona in this year’s programming.

Purchase tickets to three or more events to receive a 10 percent discount for new subscribers; returning 2011-12 subscribers receive 25 percent off the total order. Subscribers also have exchange privileges and guaranteed seating choice.

To order, go online to www.pagetheatre.org or call the box office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Summer box office hours, May 16-July 29, are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 The 2012-2013 Page Series 

• Thursday, Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m. 
Tibetan Monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery
Sacred dance, music and sand mandala painting
Tickets: $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and students 
The Monks of Drepung Loseling Monastery in India have toured North America for more than 20 years to support their monastery and to preserve and demonstrate their Tibetan cultural traditions. Their performance features multi-phonic singing, wherein the monks simultaneously intone three notes of a chord. They also utilize traditional instruments (such as 10-foot long dung-chen horns, drums, bells, cymbals and gyaling trumpets), wear rich brocade costumes and perform masked dances, such as the “Dance of the Sacred Snow Lion” and “Dance of the Skeleton Lords.” In addition, the monks will create elaborate sand mandala paintings, using colored sands and the traditional chakpur (metal funnel). Before the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy, the mandalas were created in private, sacred sites; the Dalai Lama, considered the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, suggested that the mandalas be created publicly as a way of healing. Several lecture and informal conversations opportunities will also be a part of their five-day residency.

• Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6:30 p.m. 
“Bunnicula” with TheatreworksUSA 
A Bunny-Tale of Mystery 
Tickets: $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students
 Lock up your lettuce! Protect your parsley! Rescue your rutabaga! A floppy-eared bunny with mysterious habits is staking out its place in TheatreworksUSA’s spine-tingling new musical, co-written by Tony-nominated playwright Charles Busch and based on the best-selling books by James & Deborah Howe, “Bunnicula!” Chester the cat and Harold the dog get along like ... well ... cats and dogs, even though underneath their furry exteriors, they’re really the best of pals. But one dark and stormy night, the Monroe family comes home from the movies with an orphaned rabbit they found under their seats. He’s a very strange baby rabbit who has sharp fangs instead of buckteeth, and who sleeps all day and prowls around his cage all night. Meanwhile, all the vegetables in the house are drained of their color and turn white. Could this possibly be a coincidence, or could Bunnicula be a vampire? Chester thinks so, and he’ll stop at nothing until he vanquishes the new arrival, even if it means the end of his friendship with Harold. Will Harold and Chester remain friends? Will Bunnicula find his mother before it’s too late? Will the nocturnal assault on all that is good and green continue? Find out in TheatreworksUSA’s “Bunnicula.”

 
 • Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. 
Simone Perrin and Dan Chouinard 
Sweet singing, accordion playing 
Tickets: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students 
Simone Perrin is a Minneapolis-based theater artist, accordionista and chanteuse. She's also an artist and composer. She has appeared on “A Prairie Home Companion” and premiered two shows at the 2006 Minnesota Fringe Festival, her one–woman show, “Tall Tale of a Broken Heart,” and “In Hopes of Claudia” with Kevin Kling. She grew up on the banks of the mighty Mississippi in Winona, where she learned that singing for your supper is OK, houseboats are the best way to enjoy a lazy river, and family is the most important. But … as it goes with the learning, those revelations didn’t occur until she went away. After school in Ohio and years in New York, she came back to the Midwest. Settling in the Twin Cities, she has collaborated with storyteller Kevin Kling on numerous projects, as well as performed with everyone from Prudence Johnson to Dan Chouinard to The Brass Messengers. Perrin is inviting musician friend Dan Chouinard to join her for an evening of new songs, stories and fun.

 
 • Thursday, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m. 
The Accidental Hero World War II 
Czech-American story 
Tickets: $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students 
Where do heroes come from? Lightning strikes and destiny awaits. A farm boy thinks he’s “only” fighting in World War II. Then a risky assignment miraculously brings him face-to-face with his long-lost tribe. Improbable coincidence? Fate? When you run away from your identity, it often finds you anyway. Laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving, this unforgettable one-man show has wowed audiences across the country. The Czechs called him “liberator,” but they liberated him.  A unique mix of narration with multi-media enhancements provides a way to tell the story of a grandfather’s role in World War II, unknown to all until the grandson dug into the past. The show includes WWII film footage shot with a home movie camera of the liberation of a Czech town. Actor/creator Patrick Dewane is an alumnus of Saint Mary’s University.

 • Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, 7:30 p.m. 
The Hornheads w/John Paulson’s Big Band Project
 Jazz and more jazz 
Tickets: $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and students 
The Hornheads, an extraordinarily talented group of horn players, has been gathering international acclaim from artists and critics alike, since 1991. On tour with Prince and the New Power Generation from 1991-1994, the Hornheads performed for more than 2 million concert-goers in 20 countries. Q Magazine, London, described them as “a peerless horn section ... playing in bare brilliant syncopation, punching with a staccato precision beyond the grasp of science or Synclavier. Prince splashes their insouciant versatility all over the set list.” Performing on more than 60 CD projects, the Hornheads have recorded with national and international artists such as Prince, Chaka Kahn, The Jonas Brothers, Mavis Staples, Phil Upchurch, Ricky Peterson, Jimmy Jam, Mandy Moore, Pedro Abrunhosa, Yumi Matsutoya, Babyface, Illya Kuryaki and the Valderramas, France Gal, Tevin Campbell, Rosie Gaines, Larry Graham, Sétimo Céu, Carmen Electra, Gegé Telesforo and Ben Jor. Opening this special evening of jazz will be John Paulson’s Big Band Project. Long-time SMU jazz faculty member Paulson has assembled a big band that will perform a number of his original charts. It promises to be a full-length evening of jazz and more jazz.

 
 • Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2012, 6:30 p.m. 
“The Gruffalo” by Tall Stories 
One scary forest monster 
Tickets: $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students 
Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this magical, musical adaptation of the Blue Peter award-winning picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when he comes face to face with the very creature he imagined? Guaranteed songs, laughs and scary fun for children ages 3 and older, and their adults … Let your imagination run wild! Tall Stories, from London, England, was founded in 1996 by joint artistic directors Olivia Jacobs and Toby Mitchell. The company has grown to become a highly acclaimed, internationally touring, not-for-profit organization. They present old, new and timeless stories in fresh and exciting ways and their productions tour to theatres, community venues and schools in the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. Tall Stories aims to tell stories in a physical, visual style, and their performances link original music with movement and a lot of laughs.

• Saturday, March 16, 2013, 7:30 p.m. 
Eileen Ivers 
Irish-American Celtic music 
Tickets: $22 for adults, $18 for seniors and students 

The daughter of Irish immigrants, Eileen Ivers grew up in the culturally diverse neighborhood of Bronx, New York. Rooted in traditional Irish music scene since the age of 8, Eileen proceeded to win nine All-Ireland Fiddle Championships, as well as numerous other awards. In 1999, she established Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul, a compelling mix of African and Latin percussion and bass, traditional Irish instruments, and soulful American vocals. Ivers' recording credits include more than 80 contemporary and traditional recordings, as well as numerous film scores. She is the founding member of Cherish the Ladies and an original musical star of “Riverdance.” She has appeared with London Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony at The Kennedy Center, the Boston Pops, as well as The Chieftains, Sting, Hall and Oates, Randy Brecker, Patti Smith, Paula Cole, Al Di Meola and Steve Gadd. A Grammy winner, her music has been heard on numerous movie soundtracks including “Gangs of New York,” and she has performed for Presidents and royalty worldwide. In short, Eileen Ivers has established herself as the pre-eminent exponent of the Irish fiddle in the world today.

 ‘Off The Page’ 

 “Off The Page” events, feature individually priced events that take place in venues around town. Tickets go on sale Tuesday, Aug. 21. This year’s “Off the Page” performances take place at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum.

• Thursday, Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m. 
Vanessa Trouble
 Jazz with a holiday twist 
Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students 
Vanessa Trouble has been singing and producing shows with numerous artists for over a decade. Residing in New York City, she has honed her vocal and performance skills all over the country and abroad, fronting various jazz ensembles in New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta, New Orleans, London, Paris, Ireland, Norway and Asia. Vanessa attended Saint Mary’s University, but graduated from Carleton College before making her way to the New York City jazz scene. She performs constantly in New York, including standing engagements at Pierre’s in Bridgehampton, N.Y., and at Opia Lounge in Manhattan. Past engagements have included such New York-area jazz showcases as Tavern on the Green, The Bubble Lounge, The Screening Room, Café Deville, Torch, The Grand Havana Room, Cibar, Metronome, and The Mansfield Hotel “M” Bar. This intimate evening will feature Vanessa singing holiday songs with a jazz beat, backed up by some of the region’s best musicians. Her holiday-themed recording will be available.

 • Thursday, March 7, 7:30 p.m. 
Alison Scott 
Dynamite vocals 
Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students 
The strongest new voice to come out of the Minneapolis music scene in years, Alison Scott delivers a unique sound, which combines soulful vocals and brilliant lyrics with a keen sense of creativity and passion. With a gorgeous voice that combines the confident swagger of Cassandra Wilson, the electrifying emotion of Aretha, and the sweeping emotion of Eva Cassidy, Scott’s brilliant songwriting paints pictures that dance in your head long after she’s left the stage. A true multi-talented performer, Scott’s voice can soar high one minute and be seductive and fragile the next. She’s also a keyboard talent, whose beautiful harmonies mesh with her skintight backing band. Along with local superstar and triple platinum songwriter, Kevin Bowe on guitar, Alison’s band includes veteran keyboardist James Tyler O’Neill, rock solid bassist Steve Price, and drum sensation Pete Anderson. Together, they fuse contemporary soul with undercurrents of ’60s Brit-pop, silky jazz, and full-throttle rock. Scott has opened for several national acts such as Bon Jovi, Chris Isaak, Marc Cohn, Boz Scaggs, and Nanci Griffith. Her latest CD release, “Chinese Whispers,” has been picked up for national distribution and is creating a lot of buzz around the Midwest. It was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Saint Mary’s is a fiscal year 2012 recipient of an Institutional Presenter Support grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is funded, in part, by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

* PLEASE NOTE: All tickets (individual & subscription) are subject to a $1 processing fee.

* Student price includes ages 4 and older. $10 student rush tickets may be available for some events 20 minutes before curtain.

Twenty books donated to SMU De La Salle Language Institute through World Book Night

WINONA, Minn. — As a part of World Book Night April 23, Nancy Wiltgen, senior development director at Saint Mary’s University, presented 20 free copies of “The Glass Castle” by Jeannette Walls to students at SMU’s De La Salle Language Institute. Wiltgen was just one of 25,000 volunteers who gave away a half a million free books throughout 6,000 towns and cities across America on World Book Night April 23. Wiltgen was inspired to get involved in this program after working with an international student last year. The student told Wiltgen that she was interested in reading a good book in English that was not a textbook. “The Glass Castle” is one of Wiltgen’s favorites. For more information, go to www.worldbooknight.org.

MCA to host free concert Monday at the library

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present an informal music concert, Monday, April 30, at 5:15 p.m., in the Children’s Room of the Winona Public Library, 151 West 5th St. This concert is free and open to the public. MCA’s Winona Area Youth Singers and small instrumental ensemble groups will perform. Students will feature folk, classical and multicultural pieces. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts exists to provide quality arts education and performance by nurturing and encouraging artistic expression in children and adults. The MCA provides recreational to pre-professional performing opportunities, and its visual arts curriculum and programming are designed to provide physical and aesthetic benefits, heightened self-respect, discipline and confidence. For more information about the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts upcoming classes, performances and programs, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

Saint Mary’s organ students to present recital/hymn-sing

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Saint Mary's junior Jordan Ranstrom of Warren, Minn., prepares for his performance on the Kilgen organ in Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels.

WINONA, Minn. — Five organ students from Saint Mary’s University will present a recital/hymn-sing on Friday, April 27, at 12:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Saint Mary of the Angels, located at Vila & Wabasha streets. Students Joshua Korver, Jacob Carlson, Jordan Ranstrom, Nathan Maskal and Gregory Bim-Merle will be featured on selections spanning traditional to contemporary periods of organ repertoire – from G. F. Handel to Marcel Dupré. The students will also lead the audience in several familiar hymns. Father Andrew Beerman, S.T.L., Rector of Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary, will give the invocation and benediction. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact A. Eric Heukeshoven at (507) 457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Saint Mary’s choirs to perform April 28

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Patrick O'Shea, will present their Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels in Winona. The concert will also feature the Saint Mary’s Chamber Orchestra and organist Eric Heukeshoven. The performance will include works by Purcell, Bruckner, Egil Hovland, Stephen Hatfield, and Stephen Paulus.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

SMU Jazz Workshop Combos to present ‘Final Exam’ April 26 at Acoustic Café

WINONA, Minn. — Two Saint Mary’s University jazz workshop combos, directed by Dr. John Paulson and A. Eric Heukeshoven, will present a free performance Thursday, April 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Acoustic Café, 77 Lafayette St. This event will feature student musicians who have been playing together all semester, and it will serve as their “final exam.” The “Heavy Metal Jazz Combo” directed by Paulson, and Heukeshoven’s “Fabulous 5 + 1” group will play well-known jazz standards by composers like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington, plus original jazz works by Paulson and Heukeshoven.

Dance Repertory Company presents ‘Le Corsaire’ April 27-28

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University 2011-2012 performance season concludes with the Dance Repertory Company in “Le Corsaire” Friday and Saturday, April 27-28, at the SMU’s Page Theatre.

For close to four decades, the Dance Repertory Company has delighted the Winona community with quality dance productions featuring local dancers in classical and contemporary works.

The classical full-length ballet “Le Corsaire” is loosely based on a poem by Lord Byron. It follows Medora, a beautiful slave girl, and Conrad, a dashing pirate, as they journey through a tapestry of captive maidens, rich sultans, swashbuckling abductions, and dramatic rescues; all culminating in a happy ending. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa to music by Adolfe Adam, “Le Corsaire” continues to delight audiences more than 150 years after its premiere.

Under the artistic direction of Tammy Schmidt, The DRC’s production of “Le Corsaire” features dancers who currently train at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts and Saint Mary’s University, as well as community members.

Tickets to the production — set for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28 — cost $10 for adults and $5 for students and senior citizens and are available on line at www.pagetheatre.org or by calling the SMU Performance Center at (507) 457-1715 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Dance Repertory Company is the pre-professional performance group of the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts. Company members participate in rehearsals, technique classes and stage performances.

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 from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about The Dance Repertory Company or other arts programming at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

SMU honors retirees, faculty and staff for years of service

Brother William Mann, president of Saint Mary’s University, congratulates two long-time Saint Mary’s employees retiring this year, including, Kathleen Flanagan, Department of Theatre and Dance, 31 years, left, and Ann Smith, Computer Science Department, 17 years. Also retiring from Saint Mary’s this year are: Greg Gaut, History Department, 17 years, John Paulson, Music Department, 30 years; and Pat Fleming, University Advancement, 42 years. This group was recognized at an employee service event Thursday, April 12. Employees with 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 35-year anniversaries were also recognized.

Saint Mary’s Conservatory presents music division spring concert April 23

WINONA, Minn.— The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts will present a Music Division Spring Concert, Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at Valéncia Arts Center Recital Hall, 1164 West 10th St.

The concert will feature the Winona Area Youth Singers (WAYS), Flutistry (the MCA Adult Flute Choir), and instrumental lesson students from MCA.

Admission is $10 at the door for adults (cash and checks only please). Financial-need based admission waivers are available. Admission is free for children and students ages 2-21.

WAYS members are students in grades four through eight from Winona and the surrounding areas. WAYS is dedicated to providing quality, artistic and educational vocal music experiences for all young people, regardless of their financial circumstances. WAYS was offered tuition-free to all students for the 2011-12 academic year. Lindsy O’Shea directs WAYS. The choir’s assistant director is Jessica Ingvalson and the accompanist is Camie Schneider.

Flutistry, the MCA Flute Choir, is in the midst of a successful inaugural season. The choir performs for many community outreach events and benefits throughout Southeastern Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Recent performances have included the Fantasy of Trees, a Women in Business luncheon and a Quilted Christmas. Upcoming events include a performance at the Upper Midwest Flute Association Flute Choir Concert on April 21 and a benefit performance for Project FINE at Signature’s Lounge on June 10. Amanda Moburg directs Flutistry.

Private lesson instrumental students also performing in the concert range in ages from 7 to 18. Students will present clarinet, flute, piano works. MCA Music Division Instructors featuring students in the concert include Amanda Moburg and Markiese Russell.

MCA Music Division Spring Concert performers include: Ryan Ortega, Miranda Ruben, Erin Walters and Samantha Wirkus; Flutistry members Jessica Bouska, Heidi Bryant, Carly Eggert, Janet Heukeshoven, Elsbeth Krumholz, Mandy Moburg and Bob Ogren; and WAYS members Emma Bucknam, Mia Herrick, Caidan Hoarn, Jessica Kohner, Mackaylee Kohner, Raquela McManimon, Carol Miller, Taylor Sanchez, Vivienne Warner, Lucy Wilfahrt and Emily Wobig. Additionally, this performance will feature Dr. Janet Heukeshoven on piccolo in a piece she has arranged for flute choir titled, “La Chasse.”

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 from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

For more information about MCA’s Music division or other arts programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org, e-mail mca@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500. The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Saint Mary’s hosts Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology

Winona, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Biology Department will host the 39th annual Undergraduate Research Symposium in Biology on Friday, April 20, in the Adducci Science Center.

Students from Saint Mary’s Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics departments and students from colleges and universities in the tri-state region will present the results of their undergraduate research projects. Registration is free and begins at 8 a.m. Presentations begin at 8:20 a.m.

The symposium presents all attendees the opportunity to experience the process of open collegial assessment of experimental findings, the opportunity to encounter discoveries from a variety of scientific disciplines, and an excellent environment to develop personal contacts and acquaintances.

Dan Keyler, professor of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Graduate School, will present the R.V. Kowles Lecture at 1:45 p.m. in Figliulo Recital Hall, located in the SMU Performance Center. Professor Keyler is a noted expert in the field of envenomations, actively publishing and presenting lectures on venomous snake bites. He serves as the director of Research for Animal Venom Research International and as a consultant to several groups including the Minnesota Poison Control System and the United States Armed Forces. The title of his presentation is “Toxicology & Snakes: Passion and a Career.”

The public is invited to attend the lecture, as well as the student presentations, free of charge. Morning refreshments will be provided.

Student History Research Symposium is April 21 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Seniors from five area universities will present the results of their historical research at the Student History Research Symposium on Saturday, April 21, at Saint Mary’s University. The event — free and open to the public — is sponsored by the history departments of Winona State University, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Viterbo University, and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. This year’s symposium will also feature a panel of seniors from Cotter High School.

In addition to the student presenters, Dr. J. Vincent Lowery, assistant professor of Humanistic Studies and History at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay, will speak on “Looking for the Port City Prophet: An Historian’s Tale of Research and Revisionism.”

Saint Mary’s and Winona State have co-sponsored a student research symposium for 10 years, with UW-La Crosse, Viterbo, and UW-Eau Claire joining in recent years. Each school asks senior history majors — and at Winona State, law and society majors — to write a senior thesis based on their original research of a historical question of their own choosing. In this way, the students actually do the work of historians, and in the process deepen their research, writing and speaking skills.

All symposium sessions will be held on the third and fourth floors of Saint Mary’s Hall. The symposium opens at 9 a.m. in Salvi Lecture Hall (Room 332) with a short welcoming ceremony and coffee. Students will present their research in concurrent panels of three or four students each. The first panel session starts at 9:15 a.m., the second at 10:45 a.m. Dr. Lowery’s talk will start around noon and will be accompanied by a complimentary lunch.

Saint Mary’s invites nonprofits to submit ‘to-do’ lists for ‘Spruce Up Winona Day’

WINONA, Minn. — In recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day,” Saint Mary’s University’s Volunteer Mentors group is inviting Winona nonprofit agencies to submit requests for service.

Do you need someone to help with your spring cleaning, to rake leaves, to do some painting, or to help with construction? Saint Mary’s University student volunteers will be available to volunteer from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 21, to help local individuals, groups, churches and organizations in recognition of “Spruce Up Winona Day.”

Saint Mary’s will supply the workers, if you supply the materials needed (paint, brushes, rakes, tools, etc.). Requests must be made by Saturday, April 14, to Chris McClead at (507) 457-7268 or cmcclead@smumn.edu.

Next Page Series production a retelling of ‘Peter & the Wolf’

WINONA, Minn. — For the final Saint Mary’s University Page Series production of the season, the Pushcart Players will bring the classic tale of “Peter & The Wolf” to life Tuesday, April 17.

The show, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Page Theatre, is an adaption of the traditional Russian folktale set to music by Sergei Prokofiev. While providing a charming introduction to the world of music and musical instruments, this enchanting tale is all about the adventure of growing up. Danger becomes reality and creative innovation becomes essential as young Peter meets the challenge of survival in the outside world.

This captivating tale, enriched by glorious music and visual effects, will win the hearts of all who view it, while offering a special moment in time for family audiences to share.

Pushcart Players is a dynamic ensemble of professional theatre artists, based in Verona, N.J., well known for tackling difficult issues and bringing them to life in an innovative, lively and accessible way. Recent credits include highly successful performance tours of the former Soviet Union and the Czech Republic, several performances at The White House, and both public and peer recognition through numerous awards for outstanding work in children's theatre. Pushcart is now in its 38th season of producing theatre and arts-in-education programming for young viewers. All productions are accompanied by comprehensive study guides for parents and group leaders; and meet and greet opportunities with the cast follow performances.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the SMU Box Office, (507) 457-1715, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.

Gathering for Peter

A Gathering for Peter is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 14, at the Winona Public Library. Meet the instruments that act as important characters in “Peter and the Wolf.” Area musicians will play selections of the Prokofiev score to be featured during the Page Series performance April 17. Musicians include: Janet Heukeshoven, flute; Kelsey Engesser, clarinet; Jen Welch, bassoon; and Tove Wiggs, violin. Participants can win tickets to the April 17 performance.

Paulson goes out on high note with jazz concert April 13 at SMU

WINONA, Minn. — Dr. John Paulson, directing his final SMU jazz ensemble and jazz combo concert, will go out on a high note 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13, in Page Theatre. Alumni and friends will join Paulson and SMU jazz students on stage for a special evening of jazz, camaraderie, and celebration.

Paulson has been the music industry program director and director of jazz studies at the university for the past 30 years. Several area alumni will appear with the 18-piece jazz ensemble and Jazz Combo I, which has just returned from a successful tour of Germany. Noted alumni who are slated to perform include guitarists Justin Bell ’99 and Andrew Lund ’85; saxophonists, Ryan Ballanger ’10 and Bob Fisher ’97; and trombonist Brian Zirngible ’98.

The Jazz Ensemble will be playing a wide range of jazz including Chick Corea’s “La Fiesta,” arranged by Michael Philip Mossman; Sammy Nestico’s “Basie Straight Ahead” from Count Basie’s book; the famous ballad “ ’Round Midnight,” arranged by Mike Tomaro and featuring Markeise Russell of Chicagoland on alto sax; and Gordon Goodwin's rowdy tune “The Jazz Police.” Tenor saxophonist Ben Scott of Rochester and trumpeter Tyler Ringeisen will team up as soloists on Duke Jordon’s “Jordu” and Eric Richard’s arrangement of Joe Henderson’s “Recorda Me.”

The 12-piece “Little Big Band,” aka Jazz Combo I, will pull tunes from the repertoire of pieces they performed on their week-long trip to Germany over spring break. Various alumni will sit in on their set, as well as with the jazz ensemble.

Dr. Paulson’s retirement plans include teaching saxophone, jazz improvisation and various other courses as an adjunct instructor, as well as focusing on his own groups and compositions. The year 2012-13 will mark the debut of the John Paulson Big Band with a concert, funded by a $5,000 grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Nov. 17, 2012 at the Winona Art Center. The John Paulson Big Band will also be featured with the Twin Cities-based Hornheads as part of the Page Series on Feb. 14, 2013. More information can be found at www.paulsonjazz.com and www.pagetheatre.org.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for seniors and students and are available at the Box Office, (507) 457-1715 Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online at www.pagetheatre.org.