Purple Door Youth Theater is back with its twelfth show, It’s a Wonderful Life!

This holiday classic is presented by a cast and crew of 19 student performers and technicians. Widely considered one of the most inspirational and beloved stories in American film, It’s a Wonderful Life, translates beautifully to the Guild stage in this imaginative 1940’s style radio-on-stage production by Tony “Sparx” Palermo. This adaptation is designed as a live theater production with all the pizzazz and delight of golden era live radio shows, including students as live sound effects artists.

The Northfield Arts Guild Theater kicks off its 62nd Season with Ira Levine’s comedic thriller, Deathtrap. Directed by Susan Carlson, Deathtrap is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end. 

Comfortably ensconced in his charming Connecticut home, Sidney Bruhl, a successful writer of Broadway thrillers, is struggling to overcome a dry spell which has resulted in a string of failures and a shortage of funds. A possible break in his fortunes occurs when he receives a script from a student in the seminar he has been conducting at a nearby college—a thriller that Sidney recognizes immediately as a potential Broadway smash. Sidney’s plan, devised with his wife’s help, is to offer collaboration to the student for co-credit. Or is it? Deathtrap provides twists and turns of devilish cleverness, and offers hilariously sudden shocks in such abundance that audiences will be spellbound until the very last moment. “If you care to assassinate yourself with laughter, try Deathtrap.” —TIME Magazine. 

Deathtrap is the first show many of these performers and designers have worked on since the 2020 shutdown. There are many things to look forward to when returning to live theater-- just the experience of being in front of a live audience is exciting. Director Susan Carlson says her favorite thing about live theater is the audience. “Every performance is a little different depending on how people are feeling,” says Carlson, “the sad thing is, you can’t capture it, you can just remember it.” 

"The History of the 1877 Archer House: A Program with Susan Hvistendahl" held Sept. 9 at the Northfield Public Library will premiere at 6 pm on Friday, Sept. 24, on Northfield Public Broadcasting channel 187. The program will be rerun and available on demand at npb.ci.northfield.mn.us. The program will also premiere at the same time onhttps://youtu.be/GxXiQC9pNc4

Auditions for Bright Star are coming soon to the Northfield Arts Guild Theater! Auditions will be held November 7 and 8 at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater (411 3rd St. W). Please visit our website for more information and to sign up for an audition time slot. Bright Star is directed by Mishia Edwards and rehearsals will begin January 6, 2022.

Inspired by a true story and featuring the Tony®-nominated score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell, Broadway’s Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, Bright Star is as refreshingly genuine as it is daringly hopeful.

Purple Door Youth Theater is back in full swing!

Student auditions for the holiday classic: It’s a Wonderful Life are October 4 and 5 at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater from 4:00 to 5:30pm.

Most roles are for Middle & High School students, with a few roles for younger kids (min grade 3), as well.

Widely considered one of the most inspirational and beloved stories in American film, It’s a Wonderful Life, translates beautifully to the Guild stage in this imaginative 1940’s style radio-on-stage production by Tony “Sparx” Palermo. This adaptation is designed as a live theater production with all the pizzazz and delight of golden era live radio shows, including students as live sound effects artists.

A great deal of normalcy is expected to return to NORTHFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS this fall, which is music to the

Enjoy the return of live orchestra music from the Cannon Valley Regional Orchestra! CVRO will present “Serenade-- Farewell to Summer,” at 7:00 pm, Thursday, September 30, at the Odd Fellows Park Pavilion, 1011 Forest Ave, Northfield. 

CVYO is a youth organization that provides music enrichment for string students with one year experience up to high school seniors.  We have 3 orchestras according to ability level.  We have 40-50 students involved from Northfield and surrounding communities.  Rehearsals start Tuesday, Sept. 14 for 10 weeks.  Audition is required for proper orchestra placement, either in person or by video.  Contact us at info@cvyomn.org and see our website cvyomn.org

While the Israeli bombardment of Gaza last month has ended, the current status is merely a lull in active hostilities toward its beleaguered people.

To illustrate the desperate situation in Gaza, Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel will show the movie, “Gaza: Still Alive,” in an online event at 6 p.m., June 22, 2021. Deya’ Leonard Dressner will host a discussion after the one-hour movie. Go to njpmn.org and scroll down to “Upcoming Event” for the registration link

“Gaza: Still Alive” reveals the mental health struggles among Palestinians in the impoverished Gaza Strip after a decade of isolation from the world and amid ongoing war and trauma. It is the story of Gazans’ immense invisible suffering as seen through the eyes of ordinary civilians and the psychologists tasked with supporting them.

Local author and historian Susan Hvistendahl is presenting highlights from Volume 1 of her "Historic Happenings" series of books at FiftyNorth senior center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway in Northfield, at 1 pm on June 17. She will take note of Northfield personalities, places and events such as John North, Laura Baker, Maggie Lee, Wayne Eddy, Marilyn Sellars, Sid and Dan Freeman, Laura MacKenzie, the Archer House, the Grand, the Lyceum, Eisenhower at Laird Stadium, the 1876 bank raid and the beloved popcorn wagon, run by FiftyNorth. The talk is free and open to the public and there will be a signing of all her local history books, cash or check only, following the presentation.

No corner of the world has been untouched by the global coronavirus pandemic. And nothing more clearly demonstrates the ongoing Nakba (Arabic for “catastrophe”) for the Palestinian people than Covid 19.

Every May 15, Palestinians and their supporters commemorate the Nakba, events during which Zionist forces violently drove nearly a million Palestinians from their homes throughout 1947 to 1949.

“Personal Stories of the Nakba (The Catastrophe)” will be 1 p.m., Saturday, May 15, 2021. This NJP-produced video features three Palestinians sharing family stories from that time. Normally held in person in Bridge Square in downtown Northfield, the commemoration presented by Northfielders for Justice in Palestine/Israel will be held online this year because of coronavirus concerns. Click here to register.

Northfield, MN (March 19, 2021)-

Mayor Rhonda Pownell revealed six Mayor for a Day Essay Contest winners during the State of the City Address, which premiered March 15 on the City of Northfield YouTube channel and Northfield Public Broadcasting. City Administrator Ben Martig introduced the students during the program. Mayor Rhonda Pownell and Mayor Pro Tem Jessica Peterson White selected the winning essays based on creativity and originality.

This year’s essay question focuses on leadership traits. The students were asked, if you were Mayor for a Day, what three leadership character traits would be the most important to have to be a great leader for the City of Northfield. Please give an example of how a leader that you have learned about in history has led with the three character traits you selected. 

The winners are:

Northfield Reads is focusing on Indigenous People this year.  The last event of the year will be on Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, via zoom.

Sue Garwood, director of the Rice County Historical Society, and the Reverend Canon Robert Two Bulls, Missioner for the Department of Indian Work and Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Church will talk about Indigenous people in our area in the past and present.  Adults and students are encouraged to attend.    Participants need to register on the Northfield Public Library website, mynpl.org, to receive a zoom link.  Click on "events", "virtual events," and then click on the April 13 event to register.  Questions?  Contact Corinne Smith at  f.corinne.smith@gmail.com

Northfield authors Joy Riggs and Susan Hvistendahl will be participating in the Cabin Fever virtual edition of the Deep Valley Book Festival on March 6-7. Riggs will be involved in two live and one pre-recorded panel discussion. Riggs is the author of "Crackerjack Bands and Hometown Boosters." Hvistendahl's books are "Milestones and Memories of the St. Olaf Band" with co-author Jeffrey Sauve and three Historic Happenings books about Northfield, St. Olaf and Carleton. This free family-oriented festival is for book lovers of all ages. For further information and to get links to events, go to www.deepvalleybookfestival.com