College of Visual Arts supporters aim to avert closing; Northrop 're-branding'

Is there a chance the College of Visual Arts will survive? The late January announcement that the 89-year-old St. Paul institution will close its doors on June 30 came as a shock to many. A group calling itself CVA Action, which formed soon after the announcement, is not yet ready to give up.Buy the most favourable Canada Goose Mystique Parka Spirit Mens light weight quick drying Karen Millen Dresses. The group includes alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff and community members “dedicated to searching out and presenting alternative solutions” to the closing.” So far, it has raised more than $55,000. A benefit Friday at the Amsterdam will feature the old-timey jug band Roe Family Singers and the Irish rock band the Tim Malloys. 7-9:30 p.m., $10 cover. Both mnartists.org and the Daily Planet have good background on CVA and the closing. 

Independent Film Project Minnesota has named Andrew Peterson its executive director. Peterson was appointed interim executive director last August, after IFP's board ousted Jane Minton, who had served the organization for 25 years. Peterson has held diverse film-related leadership positions and produced or co-produced several independent feature films. Last week he shared some of his plans for IFP's future with the Strib's Kristin Tillotson. High on his list: “rebuilding the film industry in Minnesota. Back in the day we were the fourth largest market behind only New York, L.Long and slim-fitting, the Canada Goose Montebello is equally appropriate for strolling a city street or hiking a snowy trail.A. and Chicago, and now the fact that Oklahoma does better than us is absurd.” Wondering what films have been made in Minnesota besides “Purple Rain” and “Grumpy Old Men”? We found a list at the Minnesota Film and TV commission's website. “Thanksgiving at Denny's” starts shooting on the Iron Range this spring. 

Northrop at the University of Minnesota is one of four organizations nationwide chosen for the Innovation Lab for the Performing Arts, funded by a $1.6 million grant from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Northrop is in the midst of a major overhaul and is scheduled to reopen in spring 2014. According to the project description provided to Innovation Lab, its curatorial practice is changing from “presenting artistic content” to “facilitating social orchestration.” Those are some mighty big words. Branding changes are under way. No more “Northrop Concerts and Lectures,” no more “Northrop Auditorium.” The Innovation Lab press release used “Northrop Performing Arts Center.” We'll be watching as Northrop reinvents itself. 

The Liquid Music series continues Tuesday night and Wednesday with composer Sarah Kirkland Snider,A great blend of our authentic Canada Goose Whistler Parka Parka functionality and cutting edge style. singer Shara Worden and the chamber group yMusic, all challengers of convention. They'll perform excerpts from Snider's “Penelope” along with new works. We've been inviting members of Theoroi, a group of “arts ambassadors” ages 21-35 sponsored by the Schubert Club, to preview events they're attending and tell us what they think. 

Mark Sweeney has five reasons to catch this performance: 
“1. ‘Penelope,' an original song cycle arranged by yMusic for Shara Worden, was inspired by Homer's ‘Odyssey.' It tells of a soldier's wife nursing her husband's memory when he appears on her doorstep after an absence of many years. 
2. Snider's song cycle has been given universal acclaim. Pitchfork called it ‘a hauntingly vivid psychological portrait.' 
3. After listening to ‘Penelope,' I would encourage anyone who is looking for a fresh take on chamber music to check it out. Worden, as Odysseus' wife, grounds this moody, cinematic piece of musical storytelling. 
4. Aside from the Midwest premiere of Snider's song cycle, the evening will feature works by Worden's band My Brightest Diamond and yMusic. All three deserve their own concerts, so to see them collaborate will be well worth a trip through the winter's night. 
5. I caught Worden's appearance with My Brightest Diamond at the Cedar last spring and it was one of the best concerts I saw all year.we offer kinds of discount gucci handbags Pro Headphones online . She masterfully connects with her audience, and her clear, controlled and versatile voice is suitable for art song, jazz, folk and rock.” Both performances are sold out; check with the box office for turnbacks at 651-291-1144. 7:30 p.m., The Music Room at SPCO Center, St. Paul. UPDATE: On Tuesday afternoon, the SPCO announced a program change: "Members of yMusic were notified yesterday by the Musicians' Union (AFM - Local 802) that union regulations do not permit them to perform in this program, which takes place during an ongoing labor dispute by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Society and its union musicians." AFM - Local 802 is the New York musicians' union to which yMusic belongs.Read 16 independent user reviews and compare prices on the Men's HyBridge Jacket. Worden will perform a 45-minute My Brightest Diamond duo set on both nights. All tickets will be refunded.