Friday, January 22, 2010

Saint Mary’s hosts event centered around ‘The Hobbit’

WINONA, Minn. — Fans of “The Hobbit” are invited for an afternoon of fun at the Winona Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 6, beginning at 12:30 p.m. when Saint Mary’s University will host a “Hobbit-nista Gathering.”

A variety of events are planned:

• Cookies and punch will be served, and Saint Mary’s theatre arts students will present dramatic readings from “The Hobbit.”

• Students 18 years old and younger are invited to bring along their best original artwork, depicting a scene from J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Prizes to be awarded (by random drawing) include gift cards to Mugby Junction, the Book Shelf and Barnes & Noble. Juror’s choices will be on display at the SMU Page Theatre lobby the night of the Théâtre Sans Fil performance of “The Hobbit” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9.

• Those who come early to the Hobbit-nista Gathering will be eligible for free ticket drawings to see the Page Series Théâtre Sans Fil performance. Using large-scale puppets, dramatic scenery and lighting, the story of Bilbo and Gandalf will be presented live on stage. Théâtre Sans Fil has been dazzling crowds throughout the world for more than 20 years.

This event is funded by the SELCO Arts and Cultural Library Legacy Fund. Support for the performance of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders. Support for the school matinee of “The Hobbit” by Théâtre Sans Fil is provided in part by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest. Additional support is provided by the Winona Community Foundation and Target.

The 2009-2010 Page Series is presented by Saint Mary’s University School of the Arts.