'Hometown Holiday' brings local, national talent to stage

Pianist and accordionist Dan Chouinard and songstress Prudence Johnson headline a performance also featuring a multitude of local performers in a show to fund renovations at Zumbrota's State Theatre.

The “Hometown Holiday Show” happens at the State Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 15.

This communitywide variety show and sing-along will feature the Zumbrota-Mazeppa High School jazz band, Rochester Male Chorus members, Heroes Choir, Zumbrota Dance Studio students, the Plaids and other local musicians.

The concert is a joint production between Crossings at Carnegie and the Zumbrota Area Arts Council to raise funds for improvements to the State Theatre.

Planned renovations include weatherizing the exterior, restoration of interior finishes, upgrades in sound and lighting equipment, seating improvements, an eventual addition to the building for handicapped accessible restrooms, a larger lobby and dressing rooms.

Chouinard turns up regularly in Zumbrota, playing a supporting role for performers including Peter Ostroushko, Ann Reed and others.

Both he and Johnson are regular contributors to Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show and had a part in the making of the film “A Prairie Home Companion” by Robert Altman.

Chouinard regularly creates special programs which blend storytelling, interview and music, many of these for Minnesota Public Radio. He recently dubbed Crossings “my favorite southest Minn. haunt.”

Johnson will join Chouinard in performing traditional holiday music as well as some Swedish/Scandinavian, French, and Italian songs.

She is a seasoned jazz and folk vocalist and inductee into the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame. She also appeared in Robert Redford’s film “A River Runs Through It.”

Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Student tickets for ages 18 and under are $5. To reserve tickets, call 507-732-7616 or stop in to Crossings at 320 East Avenue in Zumbrota. For more information, visit www.crossingsatcarnegie.com.

At a glance…

What: “Hometown Holiday Show”

When: 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 15

Where: Zumbrota State Theatre, 88 E. Fourth St., Zumbrota

Cost: $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $5 for ages 18 and under

More info: 507-732-7616 or www.crossingsatcarnegie.com

Tags: arts and entertainment, minnesota, zumbrota