What: Let’s Talk About Sand, a free public performance and community discussion

What:  Let’s Talk About Sand, a free public performance and community discussion

Where/ When: Zumbrota Public Library, Zumbrota, MN February 24, 4pm

                        Cannon Falls Public Library, Cannon Falls, MN Feb. 24, 6:30pm

                        Commonweal Theatre, Lanesboro, MN Feb. 25, 7pm

                        Decorah Public Library, Decorah, Iowa, Feb. 26 6:30pm

                        Spring Valley Public Library, Spring Valley, MN, Feb. 27 6:30pm

                        Chatfield Public Library, Chatfield, MN, Feb. 28 6:30pm

Cost: none

Performance Tour Encourages Discussion about Frac-Sand Mining

        The Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative of Wykoff in collaboration with Heart of the Beast Puppet Theatre of Minneapolis presents a public tour of “Let’s Talk About Sand,” a performance event encouraging discussion about the frac-sand mining industry.  The tour takes place in public venues throughout southeastern Minnesota the last week in February.  All events are free and open to the public.

            Let’s Talk About Sand features a fun, 15-min performance of “What the Frack?”, “What the Frack?” is done as a “Cantastoria,” a performance style using hand-painted imagery and live music.  The show is both informational and poetic, and includes time for audience input.  Performers are Spring Valley/Wykoff residents  and Heart of the Beast veterans.

            Let’s Talk About Sand also includes a screening of excerpts from the documentary The Price of Sand, by Jim Tittle (http://www.thepriceofsand.com/).  Focusing on community actions in the Mississippi River Valley in eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, regions contending with recent frac-sand mining ventures, The Price of Sand exposes many of the human and environmental issues the industry raises.

            The event winds up with an open forum discussion during which participants will be invited to express views on or ask questions about the issues raised in the performance and the film.  This is a family-friendly event lasting 60-90 minutes.

For more information, please contact your local venue.  The Dreamery Rural Arts Initiative is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding arts experiences in rural Fillmore County.  Visit the website at www. dreameryruralartsinitiative.org.

Contact:  Eva Barr

   17289 County Rd.8

   Wykoff, MN 55990

   507-352-4255     

   etcsbarr@gmail.com