THE LIST

Comedy show

- Tonight at Spirit Lake Casino: The 49 Laughs Comedy Show featuring four comedians from Indian country will perform at 7 tonight at Spirit Lake Casino, St. Michael, N.D. Audiences get a "strong, clean and always outstanding show," according to its website. The group has performed casinos, conferences, colleges, clubs, universities and schools across the country. Tickets: (800) Win UBET, ext. 253.

'Forever Plaid'

- Tonight through Sunday in Fargo: "Forever Plaid," a musical featuring three men from Grand Forks, will open at 7:30 tonight and run through Sunday in North Dakota State University Festival Concert Hall, Fargo. The show is about four eager young male singers of the 1950s (killed on their way to their first big concert) who have been miraculously revived to perform the show that never was. Among the featured tunes: "Catch a Falling Star," "Magic Moments," "Heart and Soul." The musical quartet will include Chase Burkhart and Tony Peterson, Grand Forks, and Evan Montgomery, Manvel, N.D. Tickets: Available at tickets.ndsu.nodak.edu; (701) 231.7969. Info: www.ndsu.edu/finearts .

READ Dogs

- Saturday at Grand Forks library: Want to encourage your young reluctant reader? Make an appointment for your child to read to the READ program dogs from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Grand Forks Public Library. In addition to being man's best friend, these dogs are good, patient, nonjudgmental listeners. For an appointment: Call (701) 772-8116.

Scandinavia

- Opening on Saturday: "Scandinavian Masters," an exhibit and sale of works by Carl Larsson and Norwegian, Finnish, Swedish and Danish heritage motifs by Jane Johnson-Schnoor, will open Saturday at Velkommen, downtown Grand Forks. The exhibit will run through Jan. 31. Info: (701) 775-8482.

'How Blubber Works'

- Sunday at the Library: Dakota Science will be at Grand Forks Public Library at 2 p.m. Sunday for a program and crafts for children. Laura Munski's topic will be "How Blubber Works," and Bonnie Cameron will be on hand to tell a story. Info: (701) 772-8116.

Soundfest

- Sunday in Pekin N.D.: Soundfest 2011, an afternoon and evening of music and food, will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Pekin City Auditorium, organized by the Nelson County Arts Council and sponsored by Nelson County Farmers Union. Five bands will take the stage in succession: The Old Tyme Kings, Country Cousins, the Radio Stars Trio, The Diers and the North River Ramblers. Hot dogs and pulled pork sandwiches with all the fixings, beer and nonalcoholic beverages, popcorn and bars are included in the admission price. Tickets: Adults, $15; students, $8; children younger than 6, free.

'Steel Magnolias'

- Opening dates changed: Saarens Productions will present "Steel Magnolias," directed by Steve Saari, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20-22 and 2 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Wild Rose Theatre, Bemidji. The dates have been moved back because of a scheduling conflict. The play, produced on Broadway in 2005, is set in Truvy's beauty salon in fictional Chinquapin parish, Louisiana. Cast: Sarah Einerson, Juli Kaiser, Emily Quanrud, Julie Quanrud, Vicki Stenerson, Vicki Wangberg. Assistant directors: DeeJay Arens, Betty Arens. Set/props: Dwayne Johnson, Cheryl Winnett. Tickets: Adults, $10; 65 and older, $8; 12 and younger, $5. For reservations, call (218) 556-1777.

Quilt retreat

- Jan. 14-16 at Park River, N.D.: "Quilting with the Stars" is the theme of the 14th annual Blessed are the Piecemakers Quilt Retreat planned for Jan. 14-16 at the Park River Bible Camp near Park River, N.D. Quilter's Eden and Quilt S'More quilt shops will be vendors on hand for the weekend, teaching classes, offering material, sewing machine threads, needles and other supplies. Lona Daley Getz will teach classes. Arrival time: From 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 14 at the Chapel Complex. Sewing will be in the chapel all weekend. Supper will be available starting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 14. Info: (701) 284-6795; (800) 269-2465.

MLK 'Dream'

- Jan. 15 at Grand Forks library: Grand Forks area AmeriCorps VISTA participants will show the Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech (recorded in 1963 during the historic March on Washington) at 1 p.m. Jan. 15 at Grand Forks Public Library. Matsimela Changa "MC" Diop, director of multicultural student services at UND will speak and lead a discussion about King. This event is for children in preschool through grade 5. Info: (701) 772-8116.

'Jack Frost'

- Opening on Jan. 18: East Grand Forks Campbell Library will present its "Jack Frost" art exhibit, art by local middle school and high school students, from Jan. 18 through Feb. 19. The exhibit's opening and reception will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18 with the artists, their teachers, a local author and musician. Info: (218) 773-9121; http://library.egf.mn .

Plastic Musik

- Jan. 19 in Crookston: Plastic Musik, a nontraditional percussion-based music ensemble, will perform at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 in Kiehle Auditorium at the University of Minnesota at Crookston. Based out of Las Vegas, Plastic Musik is a unique performance group that utilizes traditional percussion techniques and all-plastic instruments known as "Boomwhackers" ( www.whackymusic.com ) to produce an energetic stage show, and surprising musicality, a news release said. They play classical favorites, Motown classics, hip-hop hits, '80s movie themes and original pieces. Info: www.plasticmusik.com . Tickets: UMC students, free; non-UMC students, $3; adults, $5.

Poetry contest

- Feb. 19 deadline: East Grand Forks Campbell Library is seeking submissions for the 2011 Poetry Contest, sponsored by Monarch Travel of East Grand Forks. Each author will be limited to three entries, and entries must be postmarked by Feb. 19. See full entry guidelines at the library or http://library.egf.mn . Winners will be announced Feb. 28 at the opening of the "Northern Exposures" photography exhibit. Info: (218) 773-9121.

Medora Musical

- Jan. 22 auditions in Grand Forks: Auditions for the Medora Musical will be at 1 p.m. Jan. 22 at UND Burtness Theatre, Grand Forks. A series of auditions will be held for the outdoor variety show set in the Medora (N.D.) Burning Hills Amphitheatre for three months this summer. The show is looking for 12 singer/dancers, six musicians, a host and several variety and comedy acts. Persons auditioning should bring an 8-by-10 photo and a typed performance resume that includes contact information. Technicians should send resumes to StageWest Entertainment. Call (612) 333-3302 for audition information. Do not call the audition venue. Audition schedule: 1 p.m. Jan. 22, UND Burtness Theatre, Grand Forks; 1 p.m. Jan. 23, Hvidsten Hall of Music, Concordia College, Moorhead; 1 p.m. Jan. 29, Williston (N.D.) State College; 1 p.m. Jan. 30 Lynne Center, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Bismarck; 6 p.m. Jan. 31 Plymouth Playhouse, Plymouth, Minn.; Feb. 5-7, United Professional Theatre Auditions, Playhouse on the Square, Memphis, Tenn.

Family Sunday

- Jan. 30 at the WAG: "Botero or Bust," an international blockbuster family event, will be from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 at Winnipeg Art Gallery in conjunction with the exhibit by Columbian artist Fernando Botero. Reduced all-day family admission: $20, includes to adults and four children younger than 18.

'Close Encounters'

- New exhibit: More than 30 indigenous artists from around the world imagine the future and propose intriguing possibilities for the next 500 years in "Close Encounters," an exhibit that will run Jan. 22 to May 11. Organized by Plug In Institute for Contemporary Art, Urban Shaman Contemporary Aboriginal Art and Winnipeg Art Gallery, this exhibit will take place at several locations throughout Winnipeg. Info: wag.ca. Current exhibits at WAG: "The Baroque World of Fernando Botero," "Eva Stubbs: The Rough Ideal," "Nunavik North of 60 degrees."

Photo contest

- Feb. 10 deadline: East Grand Forks Campbell Library is seeking photographers for its annual "Northern Exposures" photography contest. All entries must be original work of the artist, and entries must be submitted at the library by 8 p.m. Feb. 10. For full guidelines go to the library or check out http://library.egf.mn (activities/contests). "Northern Exposures" will be juried for prizes and will open at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 28 and be on exhibit at the library until April 2. Info: (218) 773-9121.