Hello friends and supporters of the Picnic Operetta and Mixed Precipitation!

Thanks to all who attended A Midsummer Swig.

Thank for your support of our summer project. We had an excellent time!  It was fun to share the tastes and flavors of summer on a beautiful evening. We’re so thankful to have your support as we continue our work–presenting opera and celebrating urban agriculture.

Our name, Mixed Precipitation, comes from my personal experience as a year round biker.  I found that whenever I heard the words ‘mixed precipitation’ in the forecast it meant the worst biking weather imaginable—slush, rain, sleet, snow and ice–precipitation that exists between solid, liquid and gaseous forms.    My aversion turned to affection as I began thinking of how I was consistently drawn to performance work that exists between multiple forms of expression.  With the involvement of our team of collaborators, we have made a tradition presenting theatrical work that encourages multiple forms of human interaction (singing, dancing, dining and celebrating the urban landscape!)

And it is your support that makes this possible!

In the future you can expect work of a similar nature.  Recently proposed projects have included Wagner’s The Ring Cycle presented in melodramatic installments for Vikings tailgaters and William Schumann’s A Mighty Casey (an oratorio based on Casey at the Bat) presented outside Target Field.

We’d love to hear your ideas!

We are just a week away from announcing our summer schedule.

We’ll be kicking off our season with the premiere of Tales of Hoffmann: A Picnic Operetta at the Eat Street Community Garden on August 21st at 4:00 where some of the local mediums will assist so you can get your psychic reading.

In the meantime, please support those who donated to our solstice benefit: Bradstreet Crafthouse, Local D’Lish,Linden Hills Co-op, Seward Co-op and Codespace!

Also, on July 27th, our chef, Nick Schneider is serving his signature TAVOLA FRESCA, a monthly garden dinner experience.  I think you’d all enjoy this lovely evening.  See his web-site for information about how to RSVP.

http://www.latavolafresca.com/

Enjoy this lovely mix of rain, sun and humidity!

As a dog owner, I know firsthand the joy of bringing my furry friend along for car rides, whether it’s a quick trip to the park or a longer road adventure. But I’m also all too familiar with the aftermath—fur-covered seats, scratches on the upholstery, and sometimes, that unmistakable pet odor. That’s why I’ve come to see dog car seat covers as essential. These practical accessories are a must for anyone who wants to protect their vehicle while ensuring their pet’s comfort and safety.
The Benefits of Using Dog Car Seat Covers

From my experience, dog car seat covers offer a range of benefits that make them indispensable. First and foremost, they act as a protective shield between your dog and your car’s interior, keeping fur, dirt, and moisture off the seats. This is a lifesaver if your dog, like mine, tends to shed a lot or loves to roll around in the dirt. These covers also help prevent scratches and tears from your pet’s claws, which can be costly and challenging to fix.

In addition to protecting your car, I’ve found that dog car seat covers also make rides more comfortable and safe for my pet. Many covers are padded, providing a cushy spot for your dog to relax during the drive. Some even have built-in harness attachments, which I appreciate for the added security they offer, especially during sudden stops or in case of an accident.
Examples of Damage Caused by Pets in Cars

Before I started using a seat cover, my car suffered from the usual pet-related wear and tear. I’ve dealt with deep scratches on the seats, fur that seemed impossible to remove, and that lingering smell from wet or dirty dogs. And let’s not forget the occasional accident—whether it’s vomit or something else—that can leave lasting stains and odors. Over time, these damages not only made my car less pleasant to drive but also affected its resale value.
Different Types of Dog Car Seat Covers I’ve Tried

There are several types of dog car seat covers out there, and I’ve experimented with a few to find what works best for me and my dog:

Bench Seat Covers: These cover the entire back seat and are perfect for larger dogs or when I’m traveling with more than one pet. They offer full protection for the seat area where my dog usually sits.

Hammock-Style Covers: These are a favorite of mine because they attach to the front and rear headrests, creating a hammock-like space. Not only does this protect the back seat, but it also prevents my dog from slipping into the footwell—a big plus during bumpy rides.

Bucket Seat Covers: Ideal for smaller dogs or when I want to keep my pet up front with me. These cover the front passenger seat or individual rear seats, providing a snug fit.

Cargo Liners: If you’ve got an SUV and your dog prefers riding in the back, a cargo liner is the way to go. It covers the entire cargo area, protecting it from dirt, fur, and scratches.

Why I Think Investing in a Good dog car seat Cover Is Worth It

I’ve learned that investing in a quality dog car seat cover is one of the best ways to protect your vehicle from pet-related damage while keeping your dog comfortable and safe. When choosing a cover, I always consider durability, ease of cleaning, and the specific needs of my dog. Regularly cleaning the cover and checking it for wear and tear has also helped extend its lifespan.

In conclusion, I believe dog car seat covers are an essential accessory for any pet owner who loves to travel with their furry companion. They offer peace of mind, knowing that your vehicle stays protected and your dog remains comfortable and secure. Whether you’re planning a long road trip or just a quick drive to the vet, a dog car seat cover is a smart investment that pays off for both you and your pet.

As the weather warms, we’ve set our sites on the summer.  We’re anxious to bring back the picnic operetta, this year with TALL TALES of HOFFMANN, our vision of Jacques Offenbachs 1851 masterpiece of impossible love, sinister villains and the poet’s search for inspiration.

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve received the St. Louis Park Arts and Culture Grant, our first grant of 2010.  With this money will be able to host weekday school performances in September!  And we’re holding auditions this weekend!

And I wrote an article about site specific performance for Minnesota Playlist.  READ IT HERE.

After our successful opening weekend, we’ll wrap up the run of this promenade evening.

Three more performances remain.

Decay, delusions and self-stimulation… 5 creators explore the symbolist movement, the decadent movement and the inner directed impulse.

Join us!

Thursday March 11th at 7:30

Friday March 12th at 7:30

Saturday March 13th at 7:30

Our final performance will be capped off with a party, featuring jazz with Maria Benson and DJ Tell It To My Heart!

Beer and wine and desserts provided.  Donations appreciated!

PRESS RELEASE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Scotty Reynolds 612.619.2112

mixedprecipitation@gmail.com

WHAT: Mpls Autotelic: An Evening of Symbolism and Decadence

WHO: Mixed Precipitation and Nightpath Theatre presents the work of directors Terry Hempleman, Maggie Scanlan, performance artists Jennifer Arave, choreographer April Sellers and singer Erik Pearson, currated by Scotty Reynolds

WHEN: Thursday through Saturday March 4, 5 and 6 and March 11, 12 and 13 at 7:30.

WHERE: Interact Center / Colonial Warehouse Building, 212 3^rd Avenue North.  Please enter through the Inside Out Gallery on North 2^nd Street; the performance will unfold throughout the building from there.  Promenade style will require audience movement through various configurations in the Colonial Warehouse.

TICKETS and INFORMATION: Please call 612.619.2112 for reservations.  The building is 100% accessible. Seating is very limited, please call ahead for reservations. Visit www.mixedprecipitation.wordpress.com for additional information.

(Minneapolis, MN) Five creators join forces to bring you a traveling evening of live performance!  In this evening of drama, dance, music and short form performance we examine the symbolist arts and the decadent movement–literary movements driven by the artists desire to explore the self, the conscious world and darkness beneath our reality.  Autotelic (au·to·te·lic) is an adjective used to describe the “inner-directed” and “self motivated” process of creation.

Our line-up includes Sage Award winning Choreographer April Sellers and many fresh names in the world of performance.

Director Maggie Scanlan takes on Madame Rachilde’s The Crystal Spider and Paul Margriette’s Pierrot: Assasin of His Wife.  Actor Terry Hempleman returns to the directors chair with Wallace Steven’s Carlos Among the Candles and Jennifer Arave creates an original solo titled Expect the Unexpected: A Study in Entropy and April Sellers creates a duet with dancer Kay Krischt, titled Acceptable Doses.  Eric Pearson will perform a cycle of songs by Claude Debussey and Francis Poulenc.

Mixed Precipitation is new performance group committed to exploring text, space and dramatic form.  The company was founded in 2009 by Scotty Reynolds with an eye to create events of distinctive social interaction with a commitment to building relationships among independent artists and communities.   Previous projects have included MPLS Pinter Studies and Orpheus and Eurydice: A Picnic Operetta. Maggie Scanlan’s Nightpath Theatre has presented work for the European cannon, including The Balcony by Jean Genet and The Devils by John Whiting.  Her 2008 production of How I Learned to Drive was named in Lavender Magazine’s top 10 of 2008.

MPLS PINTER STUDIES

Performance Calendar

Presented at the Interact Center / Colonial Warehouse Building

Thursday, March  4^th 7:30

Friday, March 5^th 7:30

Saturday, March 6^th 7:30

Thursday March 11^th 7:30

Friday March 12^th 7:30

Saturday March 13^th 7:30

Tickets:  612.619.2112

$10–$20 Suggested Donation

Wow!   We had so much fun a the Art Shanties.

Here’s an awesome video from Mark Bimson!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B82-8TUR9q0]

And some photos by Ty Sassaman!

We got the crowd pumped up for the Olympics and pumped up for our performances in February!

We’re bringing the fun to BOTH sides of the river next month.  There will be a chance to cheer on the opera, a chance to cheer on your favorite figure skaters and a chance to compete in our figure skating trivia competition!

TONYA and NANCY: The Opera

Performance Calendar

Tuesday February 23^rd at 6:30 and 8:30 at the Bedlam Theatre  (1501 South 6th Street, Minneapolis)

Figure skating broadcast, demonstrations and trivia occur between performances

Thursday, February 25^th at 6:30 and 8:30  at Camp Bar (490 Robert Street North, St. Paul)

Figure skating broadcast, demonstrations and figure skating trivia occur between performances–There’s even a Medal Ceremony!

Thanks to Ty Sassaman and Mark Bimson for taking photos and Video of our performance at the Art Shanties!

That’s right, Mixed Precipitation and the Dead Composers Society are teaming up to present TONYA and NANCY: THE OPERA.

Music by Abigail Al-Doory Cross, Libretto by Elizabeth Searle

The events of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics and the knee clubbing scandle come to life as Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan become duelling American singing divas!

We’ll be previewing the show with brief interludes at the Art Shanties.  Here is a link to directions (it’s about 15 minutes from downtown Mpls).

Look for us Saturday January 30th at 11:30 and 12:30 and Sunday January 31st at 1:30 and 2:30.

Thanks to Julie Kesti and her partners at the Art Swap Shanty for offering to be our hosts!  Bring some art to share as well, and you can swap it for a fresh piece for your home.  To read about their awesome art sharing project, check out their blog.

Meredith Cain-Nielsen returns to take on the role of tough girl Tonya Harding.  She’ll contend with Leah Reddy as the prim Nancy Kerrigan.

Lauren Drasler, Jacob LaSota, Kitten Stoekler and Jason Vogen are featured in the cast.

Mike Meyer is our music director.  Scotty Reynolds is directing.

Thanks to Ty Sassman for these great photos.

The picnic operetta will take it’s final bow this Saturday, October 17th at the Mill City Farmers’ Market (in the shadow of the Guthrie Theatre, stepping distance from the Mississippi River)

Thanks for your support of the Orpheus and Eurydice: A Picnic Operetta!

We have wrapped up our community garden tour, and we are planting
seeds for next season!  Please let us know if you’d like to be
involved.

We will be closing the curtain on Orpheus and Eurydice with an
informal performance at the Mill City Farmer’s Market  at 11:30.
We’ll be in the train station, near the food demo area).

We’ll be serving a few small courses and dishing up some musical
delights with Roland Hawkins II, Meredith Cain-Nielsen and others from
our fabulous company.  As usual the food will be prepared by Nick
Schneider of Cafe Brenda.  Tell your friends and come say hello!

(you can also see a food demo by Tim McKee and dance with the Wild
Goose Chase Cloggers)

This opera was the project of a small, emerging performance company,
Mixed Precipitation.  Our mission is to explore text, space and
dramatic form.  With this project we sought to bring ancient myth and
a cornucopia of musical styles to bring classical traditions to the
dirt and grim and sweat of urban farms and gardens.

We hope that “picnic operetta” created opportunities for music to come
alive in beautiful natural settings, we hope that these important
gardens and sites of urban agriculture can grow relationships and
stories as well as flowers and vegetables.

(if you have pictures from a performance, I would love to share them
with the cast)

For directions to the Mill City Farmers’ Market, check their web-site.

www.millcityfarmersmarket.org

Have a lovely fall!

–Scotty Reynolds (for all)

www.mixedprecipitation.wordpress.com

612.619.2112

Due to  snow spoilage of the APPLE CROP at the WOMEN’S ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE, there will be no Apple Festival.

BUMMER!

We very glad to be invited to performance the opera one last time—this time in the Apple Orchard at the Women’s Environmental Institute in North Branch, MN.

October 17th at 1:00

We’re keeping our voices warm for this special performance among their heirloom orchard.

On October 17th, the days activities will include apple picking, apple pressing–and a picnic operetta!

Please tell your friends about this great opportunity to enjoy the harvest and experience the musical delight!

Here are some directions:

WEI is located approximately 70 miles from the Twin Cities between North Branch and Almelund, MN.  From the Twin Cities, take 35W north to the Cambridge/North Branch exit.  Turn right (east) at the light, traveling through North Branch on Hwy 95, all the way to the town of Almelund (approximately 11 miles.)  Turn left (north) off of Hwy 95 at Almelund onto Hwy 12 going towards Wild River State Park.  After about two miles you’ll come to a stop sign near the park entrance.  Turn left there on to Hwy 81 until it takes a sharp left.  Do not turn left at the stop sign.  Keep going straight on River Road (now a dirt road) that runs along side Wild River State Park.  Drive for about two more miles past Nelson Road.  You’ll see the Amador Hill Orchard Barn, an old Swedish log barn on your left.  WEI is the next driveway on your left after the barn.  Look for the WEI sign.

Please call if you need any more information: 612.619.2112

We have concluded the community garden tour of the picnic operetta 2009!  With a thrilling final performance on September 27th, as the wind blew the away the summer to herald the fall, Orpheus and Eurydice were re-united in St. Paul.

Many thanks to the Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation for their financial support, as well as our garden hosts, Gardening Matters, our advisory committee, the Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts (our fiscal agent), the Bedlam Theatre and our amazing and generous audiences.

And of course, thanks to the cast and crew for embarking on this totally unique journey!  We’re already laying the groundwork for next year!