Newsletter December 2023

In This Issue

Must-See Musical Theater: All Is Calm
Art of the Lakes: Year In Review
Regional Maker's Showcase: Call for Entries
Upcoming Events and Classes

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Must-See Musical Theater:
​All Is Calm
​
December 13, 7:00 pm
Battle Lake High School 

"A BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL RECOUNTING OF A WORLD WAR I CEASE-FIRE OF GIFTS, POETRY, AND MELODY.”
— THE NEW YORK TIMES

The Western Front, Christmas, 1914.
Out of the violence a silence, then a song. A German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing Stille Nacht. Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie, music, peace. 

Join us for a wonderful performance by the Andria Theatre actors in this remarkable true story, told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. In the midst of an eight-show run in Alexandria, this production comes to Battle Lake for one night only: Wednesday, December 13, 2023. 

Playwright Peter Rothstein comments, "The heroes of this story are the lowest of the ranks — the young, the hungry, the cold, and the optimistic — those who acted with great courage to put down their guns, overcoming a fear that placed a gun in their hands in the first place. Their story puts a human face on war, and that’s the story I hope to tell."

"​The music ranges from trench songs to patriotic and sentimental tunes, as well as Christmas music from the participating countries. The text is taken from a wide range of sources including letters, journals, official war documents, poetry, grave stone inscriptions — even an old radio broadcast."

Make this unique experience a part of your holiday this year!

all is calm tickets

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Art of the Lakes: Year in Review

What do Swedish pancakes, a milk-carton boat race, and singing soldiers have in common? They're all first-time-ever creative offerings from Art of the Lakes in 2023.

Of course, this year AOTL continued its tradition of bringing the Visual Arts to life in our community. Perennial favorites such as the Studio Tour, Art & Craft Affair, Prairie Lakes Plein Air Festival, visual arts workshops and our stellar gallery drew even more participation than ever.

But as we spread our wings to embrace a bigger vision of "art," 2023 was also year of firsts.

A brand new Culinary Arts series highlighted Swedish Pancakes and Crepes, Shrubs, Charcuterie, Appetizers, Desserts and Danish Doughball classes, crafted in the kitchen of our new Creative Arts Center.

We launched our exploration of the Theatrical Arts with Quad Squad's hilarious improvisation, James Wedgwood's vocal ventriloquism, and the remarkable All Is Calm musical play.

And, we expanded AOTL's Community Connections with our first-ever Milk-Carton Boat Race, Public Kite Decorating event, Member Appreciation Dinner at Beach Bum's, and Parent & Me classes for young people.

Some of our experiments were more successful than others. But it's fair to say that 2023 was our most ambitious yet as we explored and celebrated the creative energy all around us.

What will 2024 bring? Watch this space!

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Regional Makers Showcase:
​Call for Entries

Art of the Lakes Gallery
January 12 - February 11, 2024

Art of the Lakes is excited to be hosting an exhibition of work capturing the amazing talents of our local and regional residents. We encourage creative people 18 years and older who reside in Battle Lake and the surrounding Lakes Region to apply. You need not be an AOTL member to participate.

​Makers work in all sorts of materials and create all kinds of things, so don’t count yourself out. Are you a painter, photographer, sculptor, potter, sewer, quilter, woodworker or something else? We’re opening our doors this winter so we can showcase your talent in our gallery in Battle Lake. Work can be for sale, or not.

If you use your skills to make something you think is pretty cool, this Showcase is for you!

Info & Registration

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Upcoming Events and Classes

Dec 12     AOTL Member Holiday Party (Gallery)
Dec 12     Delectable Danish Doughballs
Dec 13     All Is Calm
Jan 6        Regional Makers Showcase application deadline
Jan 14      Sourdough 101
Jan 20     Intermediate Zentangle

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Got AOTL news? Please send stories and images to Tom Kuder, [email protected]