Zephyr gala-goers will be transported by art and riverboat and trolley

Stillwater Gazette September 9, 2020  The Zephyr Theatre’s 2020 fundraising gala Sept. 25 is labeled Let the Art Move You, and gala-goers will be moved. That’s guaranteed.

The progressive event will start at The Zephyr and then move around town. Gala-goers will hop on and off the Stillwater Trolley at three other downtown venues, where a variety of food, drink, and entertainment will be waiting.

Moving in groups of only 20 people, to keep everyone at a safe distance during the evening, gala guests will see some fancy footwork during staged theatrics at the Lumberjack Bar and a dance demo at Matchstick Restaurant.

In turn, each small group will then board the Andiamo Showboat, which will add its own movement to the evening. A private cruise on the St. Croix River will last about 25 minutes.

“Stillwater River Boats has generously donated the Andiamo for our fundraising event,” said Jessica Thienes, The Zephyr’s development director. “We really wanted to move our guests through artistic experiences, and a river cruise on a Stillwater icon with live music is a lovely way to tie art and community together.”

The Andiamo, a double paddlewheel, was among the first boats in Stillwater River Boats’ fleet. The 41-year-old company, founded by brothers Dick and Donnie Anderson and still family owned, now has six boats docked south of Stillwater, according to Lauren Crepeau, the boat company’s event coordinator.

“We are pleased to highlight Stillwater River Boats as a featured partner for our upcoming gala,” Thienes said. “We’re honored that this longtime Stillwater company is showing its support for The Zephyr.”

Let the Art Move You, The Zephyr’s 2020 fundraising gala, will be held Sept. 25 at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. The gala has six time slots, every half-hour beginning at 4 p.m. Each time slot is limited to 20 guests and will last approximately three hours. Tickets are $75. When purchasing tickets, please select a time slot. stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org.

Concerts

“Broadway on the Roof!,” Sept. 11-13

An open-air musical review features Broadway talent Jen Burleigh-Bentz and powerhouse singer Randy Schmeling. The event includes a four-course meal and wine pairings on the rooftop of the Water Street Inn overlooking the St. Croix River in downtown Stillwater.

“Broadway on the Roof! will be presented at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 and 12 and 2 p.m. Sept. 13 on the rooftop at the Water Street Inn, 101 Water Street S., Stillwater. Tickets are $75 per person, $260 for a table of four. Seating limited. Social distancing observed. For reservations, email rooftop@stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org.

Mario Carboni & Norm Hamlet With Mark Wayne, Sept. 12

Mario Carboni started playing keyboards when he was 9 and is now known as the Honky-Tonk Rebel. Norm Hamlet, a steel guitarist, performed with Merle Haggard for 49 years. With Mark Wayne, a singer and steel guitarist, the threesome fill the air with country music..

This performance is sponsored by Midwest Country Music Organization, BOB Total Country 105.5, 106.1, 107.5, Stillwater Motors, and MedLegalMD.

Mario Carboni & Norm Hamlet With Mark Wayne will perform at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 on the outdoor stage at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. Tickets are $25. Purchase tickets online until 3 p.m. Sept. 12 at stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org. Walk-up ticket sales begin at 4 p.m. Sept. 12. Seating provided. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside.

Phil Thompson presents “Elton & Billy: The Hits,” Sept. 19 

Pop pianist and vocalist Phil Thompson returns to The Zephyr to perform a night full of Elton’s and Billy’s biggest hits, including “Crocodile Rock,” “Movin’ Out,” “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me,” “My Life,” “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and, of course, ”Piano Man.”

Thompson will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 19 on the outdoor stage at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. Tickets are $25. Purchase tickets online until 4 p.m. Sept. 19 at stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org. Walk-up ticket sales begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 19. Seating provided. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside.

Girls Night Out, Oct. 3

Twin Cities-based singers Erica Hanson, Jen Urbach, and Allison Hutner are Girls Night Out. Their show is “Tribute to the Superstar Women of Country.” Their goal is to celebrate the ladies who paved the way in country music, as well as those who came after them.”

Girls Night Out will perform from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 on the outdoor stage at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. Tickets are $20. Purchase tickets online until 4 p.m. Oct. 3 at stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org. Walk-up ticket sales begin at 5 p.m. Oct. 3. Seating provided. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside.

Dance

“The Cafe, a Dance Cabaret,” Sept. 18

Twin Cities-based Collide Theatrical Dance Company invites you to “The Cafe,” where love is the key ingredient in every brew. Follow the journey of more than a dozen characters as they navigate the pitfalls and pinnacles of modern-day relationships. The story is told entirely through music and dance, from theater jazz and ballet to tap and hip-hop.

“The Cafe, a Dance Cabaret” will be presented at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 on the outdoor stage at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. Tickets are $25; $15 for students (younger than 18). Purchase tickets online until 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org. Walk-up ticket sales begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 18. Seating provided. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside.

Anda Flamenco Company, Sept. 27

Anda Flamenco Company has brought the purity of authentic Spanish flamenco to Twin Cities audiences since 2002. Now, after spending months behind closed doors, the troupe is ready to release all its pent-up energy in “La FlamenCo Vida,” a colorful, passionate, and vibrant toast to the Spanish flamenco life.

Anda Flamenco Company will present “La FlamenCo Vida” at 4 p.m. Sept. 27 on the outdoor stage at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. Walk-up reservations start at 3 p.m. Please pay what you can. Seating provided. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside. stillwaterzephyrtheatre.org

Event

Restaurant expo, Sept. 20

The Zephyr Theatre is all about entertainment. On Sept. 20, when the theatre hosts an outdoor restaurant expo, the entertainment will be all about food and drink.

This first-time event for the theatre “is a great way to create a relationship with multiple Stillwater restaurants while providing a fun community-minded event,” said Jessica Thienes, the Zephyr’s development director. “Let’s celebrate all the incredible food and beverage options in our area.”

Event-goers will get to sample food and drink from featured restaurants, still to be named. They also will get to witness a “Chopped”-style cooking competition, starring area chefs, and the final heat in the Bartender Olympics — both projected for easy viewing on a large outdoor screen.

“We also are using this event as an opportunity to officially announce our partnerships with Lift Bridge Brewing Co. and Tattersall Distillery,” Thienes said. Both companies have committed to an ongoing relationship with The Zephyr.

The restaurant expo starts at 4 p.m. Sept. 20 in the parking lot at The Zephyr Theatre, 601 Main St. N., Stillwater. General admission is $10. Social distancing observed. Masks required inside, recommended outside.