MCA offers free stage combat workshop April 26

WINONA, MN — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is sponsoring a free stage combat workshop titled, “On the Edge of a Noodle: Safety in Stage Combat,” on Monday, April 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Valéncia Arts Center, 1164 West 10th St.

This workshop focuses on acting and safety challenges that arise when theatrical violence is required during a scene. Using pool noodles, students will explore action and reaction, safety and the appearance of danger in the context of a “West Side Story” rumble/knife fight. The class will end with a presentation of choreographed stage combat routines.

This workshop, taught by instructor Mike Speck, is open for anyone age 15 and older; younger students are welcome by invitation only, and observers are also welcome.

To register, e-mail mca@smumn.edu with the names and ages of those attending the workshop and a contact phone and e-mail address. Parent/guardian signatures are required for students under the age of 18.

For more information about this and other MCA programming, visit www.mnconservatoryforthearts.org or call (507) 453-5500.

SMU to offer training for boards July 14

WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University is offering the interactive workshop “Creating and Sustaining an Effective Board for your Organization” Saturday, July 14, at the Winona campus.

Boards of all sizes, for-profit and not-for-profit, could benefit from a lesson in governance and implementation of legal and moral accountability. Participants will learn what it means to be a board member, how to recruit the best board members, ways to organize and support the board, skills to ensure effective board meetings, and how to improve boards through evaluation.

The event, sponsored by the Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development program, will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Salvi Lecture Hall, located in Saint Mary’s Hall.

Presenting will be Simone Joyaux, ACFRE, of Joyaux Associates in Rhode Island and a faculty member in SMU’s Philanthropy and Development program. Joyaux is recognized internationally in the philanthropic sector. She is an expert in fund development, board and organizational development and strategic planning. Her book, “Strategic Fund Development — Building Profitable Relationships that Last” is a standard in the profession. Her newest book, being co-authored with Tom Ahern, focuses on relationship building and fundraising communications. Joyaux had presented around the world, including the International Fundraising Congress in the Netherlands.

The cost is $100 for an executive director and one board member, plus an additional $35 for each additional board member. An on-site lunch will be provided. Registration and payment is due June 28.

Register online at www.smumn.edu/phildev. Click on “board governance workshop.” For more information, call Deborah Ward, (507) 457-1977.

Conservatory announces summer schedule

WINONA, Minn. — The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts at the Valéncia Arts Center will offer summer programming June 4 – Aug. 4.

Community classes and camps are offered for anyone ages 4 through adults and include:

Dance Day Camp - Dance Me a Story

June 11-15; 1 to 4 p.m.; Ages 4-8; tuition, $100
Includes ballet, jazz, creative movement, and performing in a final showcase

Dance Day Camp - Dance The Day Away

June 18-22; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Ages 9-12; tuition, $150
Includes ballet, jazz, modern, choreography, theory courses, and performing in a final showcase

Teen/Adult Workshops

June 4, 11, 18, and 25; tuition varies
Class offerings will include: dance fitness, piyo, and clogging

Intermediate/Advanced Workshops

June 11-22; tuition varies
Class offerings will include: ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop

Boys Workshops

July 23-26; 11 a.m. to noon; Ages 8-16; tuition, $40.
Study with visiting guest artists Allen Fields and Tony Smith

Theatre Day Camp – “The Pied Piper”

July 30-Aug. 4; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for children entering grades one through nine; tuition, $150.
Includes: acting, voice, movement and performing in “The Pied Piper”
Study with professional actors from Gilmore Creek Summer Theatre and Missoula Children’s Theatre

"Summer dance and theatre camps are a great extracurricular activity for youth, helping them build self-esteem, creating a daily venue for movement and exercise, and offering a great place to meet new friends," said Christine Martin, managing director of MCA.

The Conservatory summer dance classes also offer excellent opportunities for adults. All adult classes are held during the evenings. Additionally, workshops in ballet/pointe, tap, jazz, modern, and hip hop for intermediate and advanced teens and college-aged students are available.

Tuition for summer classes varies depending on class length and level. Dance Technique for Boys can be registered for at no charge through MCA’s tuition free boys programs.

Registration for summer classes, workshops and camps is currently being accepted at the Valéncia Arts Center, located at Vila and Howard streets, Winona.

For more information and registration materials, visit www.smumn.edu/mca, e-mail dance@smumn.edu or call (507) 453-5500.

The Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts is an affiliate program of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.

McCullough to co-present workshop in Minneapolis

WINONA, Minn. - Ken McCullough, local writer and translator, will participate in “The Art of Making Truth: A Memoir Festival” at the Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, on Jan. 12-13.
Read more.McCullough will present a workshop with Cambodian poet U Sam Oeur, titled “One Life, Two Witnesses: Translating Across Cultures,” and assist Oeur in a panel workshop, “Who am I? For Whom am I Writing? Memoir in Context.”

Oeur's memoir, “Crossing Three Wildernesses,” was co-written with McCullough, and nominated for both the Kiriyama Prize and a Minnesota Book Award in 2006. McCullough works as assistant director of Academic Advising and director of the PASS program, at Saint Mary's University of Minnesota.