Prairie Winds Concert Band – April 28, 2024

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association is pleased to present a Sunday afternoon performance of “Space – A Musical Odyssey” by Prairie Winds Concert Band. This concert band is made up of approximately 60 musicians from around the Willmar area.

The theme of the concert is “space” and features music from Out of This World and several other recognizable theme songs from space movies. As a special treat, Dawson’s very own musician, Chris Lehne, will be featured on the piano in one of the pieces titled Open Space.

According to Director Brock Duncan, “there are some tongue and cheek selections that audiences will recognize, in addition to some classic jazz standards that have a space tie-in as well.” Duncan is an accomplished musician currently in his 33^rd year as the band director at Benson High School. He has a personal connection to the Dawson area as his wife, Anne (Torstenson), is a DBHS graduate.

Event sponsors for this concert are Ralph & Sue Gerbig. Coffee from Gnometown Grounds will be served in the lobby. Admission to the 3pm concert on Sunday, April 28 is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are currently available online or at the door or call 320-312-2311 to leave a message at the box office.

The Twins of Franklin – Indie/Folk Duo – January 20th, 2024

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association announces its return to the Madison Mercantile stage for the next event in the 2023-2024 performing arts season. Dawson-Boyd Arts Association is pleased to present The Twins of Franklin on Saturday, January 20 at 7:00pm. The community space created by Kris Shelstad at Madison Mercantile continues to host a variety of area events including film screenings, concerts, plays and more.

According to executive director Tracy Hanson, Dawson-Boyd Arts Association strives to present a wide variety of performances each season that appeal to audience members throughout the region. “Bringing talented and unique performing artists to our communities while creating memorable audience experiences is important and the space at Madison Mercantile is the ideal setting for this particular performance,” says Hanson. “Collaboration is key to ensuring our communities are afforded high-quality arts events,” says Shelstad of Madison Mercantile.

The Twins of Franklin are a Minneapolis-based indie/folk duo made up of Becky Shaheen and Laura Lou. With the help of their bandmate, they put on a live performance of original songs that contain traditional folk elements with spouts of dance, pop and even anthem rock revolving around their powerful vocals.

Event sponsor is Odden & Zimbelman TV & Appliance & Sleep Center. Madison Mercantile, located at 601 1^st Street in Madison, will have light food and beverages available for purchase prior to the show and during intermission. Doors open at 6:15 pm. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are currently available online at dawsonboydartspresents.org or at the door or by calling the box office at 320-312-2311. Seating is limited.

Sing Me A Country Song Great Country – Duets, Hits and More! – November 11, 2023

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association presents Bobby Vandell and Colleen Raye performing their popular show entitled Sing Me A Country Song – Great Country Duets, Hits and More at Memorial Auditorium in Dawson on Saturday, November 11 at 7:00pm.

Enjoy the great country duets and hits through the years with Bobby and Colleen (familiar to many as Patsy Cline in a previous DBAA event). These two talented performers have a perfect vocal blend and natural rapport with the audience. You’ll hear songs from Johnny and June, Lady Antebellum, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Crystal Gayle, as well Kenny and Dolly, Waylon and Willie, Hank Williams, Allison Kraus and more.

This evening’s event includes a visual art exhibit in the lobby prior to the concert featuring J Menden Silver with her handmade silver jewelry of traditional designs and methods. Coffee will be served in the lobby beginning at 6pm. Let the evening wind down with pie, coffee and socializing immediately following the concert. Why cut a good time short – come join us afterwards.

Event sponsors are Farmers for Dawson, Johnson Memorial Health Services, and Gary & Ingrid Larson. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are currently available online at dawsonboydartspresents.org or by calling the box office at 320-312-2311. Concert tickets will also be available at the door.

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association presents the TheaterWorksUSA production of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical – October 26, 2023

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association is pleased to present a live children’s theater experience for area students on Thursday, October 26 at Memorial Auditorium in Dawson.

Students from Dawson-Boyd’s Stevens Elementary, along with students from neighboring elementary schools including Appleton-Milan, Madison-Marietta-Nassau, Lakeview, Canby, Ortonville, Ramsey, Bert Raney and Minneota will experience The TheaterWorksUSA’s production of Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical.

Students will follow along as Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog start an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics! Their fishy father Flippy is overjoyed that his kids will learn to unleash their creativity, but when the frogs’ constant bickering and outrageous imaginations send their comics comically off the rails, Flippy flips out! Will the club survive? Will the frogs ever get along? And will creativity finally save the day? All will be answered in this madcap musical based on Dav Pilkey’s irreverently hilarious book series.

Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical has a book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila, music by Brad Alexander, and direction and choreography by Marlo Hunter.

TheaterWorksUSA consistently brings high quality, fun productions to Memorial Auditorium. Combining their musical talent with a familiar character, Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical is sure to entertain audiences while educating students about conflict resolution. For more information on this production visit: twusa.org. Dawson-Boyd Arts Association can be reached at 320.312.2311 or by visiting dawsonboydarts.org. Event sponsor for this performance is Madison Dental Clinic – Brandon Ulstad DDS.

Ensō Daiko – Japanese Taiko Drumming – October 12, 2023

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association presents an energetic performance of Japanese Taiko Drumming featuring Ensō Daiko at Memorial Auditorium in Dawson on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00pm.

This energetic performance combines music, dance, culture and pure athleticism. Taiko is the Japanese work for drum and refers to the modern style of playing these drums. Wadaiko (in Japan) and kumi daiko (in North America) is movement infused, heart-pounding, dynamic group drumming. Think of it as a high energy performance art that combines music, dance, martial arts, athletics and culture.

Ensō Daiko’s time in Dawson will include an afternoon student performance for grades 3-12 as well as an exclusive drumming workshop for Dawson-Boyd High School’s Junior High and Senior High Bands. This activity is funded in part with a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council made possible by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Event sponsor for this event is AGP. Coffee from Marc’s on Main will be served in the lobby. Admission to the evening public performance is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are currently available online at dawsonboydartspresents.org or at the door or by calling the box office at 320-312-2311.