ArtBlast Returns to Rosemount, MN

ArtBlast Returns to Rosemount June 24-30

ArtBlast is week-long celebration of the arts, sponsored by the Rosemount Area Arts Council (RAAC). It is designed to provide Rosemount and the surrounding communities with the opportunity to experience many kinds of art. ArtBlast includes daily and nightly entertainment, performing arts, visual arts, arts and crafts activities, art exhibits, a photo contest, and a melodrama in the park by the Front Porch Players. All Events are FREE (except Let's Play! A Play in a Day) Events take place at the Steeple Center, Rosemount Central Park, and other locations in the community. There are over 20 events scheduled between June 24-30. For a complete schedule, visit RosemountArts.com/artblast-2024.

During ArtBlast, visual arts are on display at the Steeple Center and at the Robert Trail Library. The Steeple Center features the artwork of Doris Loes. Also on display, will be the Photo Contest entrees. An open house and reception will be held from 6:30 – 8:30 pm on Monday, June 24. The photo contest judge will give a presentation at 7 pm. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorites for the people’s Choice Awards during the week. Also at the Steeple Center will be A Quilt and Fiber Art Show. It will take place from Thursday, June 27 - Saturday, June 29. Viewing hours are Thursday and Friday from 9 am - 9 pm, and on Saturday from 9 am - 4 pm.

Do you have a young aspiring thespian? ETC (Education Theater Community) is bringing, “Let’s Play! A Play in a Day,” to the Steeple Center on Tuesday, June 25. In this day-long workshop, under the guidance of an ETC Teaching Artist, students work collaboratively to create their very own Play in a Day! They will develop story, setting, characters, dialogue and staging around our theme. Throughout the creative process of the day, they will play games and participate in activities to hone their theater skills. By the end of the class, they will have a play all of their own to perform for family and friends. Let's play! Open to 3rd - 6th graders. Registration is required and there is a limit of 25 students. The cost is $25.

The evenings in Rosemount Central Park will be filled with FREE music and other entertainment all week long. Everything is family friendly. Events include, "Westwind Swing Band" on Monday; Ethnic dancers - "Wild Goose Chase Cloggers" and "Ballet Folklorico Mexico Azteca" on Tuesday; "Apple Valley High R&B Band" and a melodrama called, "The Great Book Club Caper" or "Book 'Em Bernie" on Wednesday; "Alligations" playing 50s and 60s music on Thursday; and "Salsa del Soul" on Friday. On Saturday, June 29, the annual Bluegrass Americana Festival returns to Central Park, featuring “Bonnie Drunken Lad,” “Blue Hazard,” and “Timbre Junction.” ArtBlast concludes on Sunday with the popular “John Philip Sousa Band.” The band plays the music the audience loves to hear, doing it with sincerity and a sense of great fun.

Tuesday evening at the Steeple Center will feature two 20-minute plays by the Second Act Players. The plays are Old Folks Rock : "Favorite Cousins" and "Opus 88: Themes, Variations, and Shuffleboard."

ArtBlast has something for writers, too. A workshop called “Jumpstart Your Creativity” will be presented by Mary Potter Kenyon. It will be held on Saturday, June 29 at the Robert Trail Library. The class is free but registration on the Dakota County Library website is required. Register

There is so much more happening during ArtBlast, including a children’s activities and classes, Paw Print Art, and Yoga in the Park. For more information and times visit RosemountArts.com/artblast-2023.

Questions can be directed to RosemountArts@gmail.com.