A wonderful thing happened this week; the dog tracked mud all over the kitchen floor.
Beneath the snow and ice, the ground outside is thawing. There are still cold, snowy days ahead, but spring is undeniable. Soon, we will have puddles and green and delicate little wildflowers.
But first, we’ll have a muddy mess. That’s how beautiful things often start. Animals shed their coats or skins or eggs and look awkward and disheveled. Learning to dance requires a lot of clumsiness and stepped-on toes. For a while, one of my favorite essays was a hundred scraps of paper waiting to find their order. We have to start somewhere. We have to move through some chaos. Embrace the mess; it’s the only way forward.
Embrace the mess; it’s the only way forward.
We have a wonderful weekend of art and events ahead. Don’t forget to get outside and enjoy what’s left of this wintery season.
Friday
Learn about the history of the Mankato Makerspace and the importance of pursuing creativity at any age! VINE Adult Community Center will host “Creative Expression Through the Years” from 11 a.m. to noon with success stories and project examples from the Makerspace. Register here to join in! Then, from 3-6 p.m., head to the Mankato Makerspace for another Glass Torchwork class. The cost is $90, and this opportunity is great for beginners and learners!
There has been a murder! The Merely Players Community Theatre is delivering mystery, intrigue and laughs with Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web, beginning at 1 p.m. Tickets are available here. It’s your last weekend to catch the annual Juried Exhibit at the 410 Project in Mankato! Gallery hours are 2-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Unwind with Chankaska Creek unWINEd series featuring Amanda B. Perry performing from 6-8:45 p.m., or catch Strange Daze with Rebel Queens and The Issue at The What’s Up Lounge in Mankato. Doors are at 8:30 p.m., and the cover is $10.
Saturday
The Deep Valley Book Festival is here! Hop on Zoom and join in the panels and discussions from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Check out the author directory, and review the schedule to see what you’d like to attend. Become a Festival Friend by 9 a.m. March 5th to qualify for their drawings!
It’s Bock Fest at the August Schell Brewing Co. in New Ulm! Enjoy beer, brats and live music beside a warm fire! Tickets to this 21+ event are $10. The first keg is tapped at 11 a.m., head on over!
Drummer’s Garden Center invites you to come and check out their new plants of 2022! Register here, and stop by the greenhouse from 10-11:30 a.m. to get an insider look at their brand-new selection. Garden supplies move fast these days, so shop their fresh selection! Then, stick around: there will be FREE yoga in the greenhouse from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This Spring Awakening session led by Sarah Dickhudt of Sun Moon Yoga is perfect for beginners.
Winter’s almost over; enjoy the last of it! Head to Veterans Memorial Park in St. Peter from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Snow Day in the Park! This FREE family-friendly event will have everything you need to enjoy a winter’s day: snow, Frisbee golf, bonfires, snowshoeing, boot skating and snow art. Or, head to Minneopa State Park from 1-2 p.m. for Maple Sap Tapping! Meet at the picnic shelter on the Waterfalls side of the park for a demonstration of what it takes to tap a tree, collect sap and boil it into syrup.
Ryan Acker and Friend Dog will be at NaKato Bar & Grill beginning at 8 p.m., and you can catch Hicktown Mafia at the Blue Moon Bar and Grill in Kasota starting at 9 p.m. Head to the Wine Café for a Winter Dance Party with Given Names and Silver Summer, presented by Precious Metals. Boogie down, dress code is 80’s Haute Couture.
Sunday
Catch some local theatre! Agatha Christie’s Spider’s Web will be showing at 2:30 p.m. at the Merely Players Community Theatre. Tickets are available here. The Mankato Ballet Company will be at Mankato West High School to perform Swan Lake beginning at 5 p.m. Tickets are available here.
Join in some local games. BINGO is back at Prairie Saloon and Grill put on by the Kasota Fire Department, and the Dork Den will host a FREE to play Board Game Night beginning at 6 p.m. Register here to play.
Added Value: Spring Refresh
It’s not too early to start planning your spring. You can check out 6 Healthy Habits for Spring or simply start listing your priorities and setting some manageable, measurable goals for the season. Personally, I’m looking forward to some spring cleaning, planning out the garden and getting back outside as much as possible.
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Weekend High Notes is a regular feature by Molly Butler. Molly covers weekend events, live music, and culture in the Greater Mankato Area. Suggestions are welcome using the MankatoLIFE contact form.
