Homestead Pickin' Parlor Welcomes Famed Guitarist to Richfield

The Richfield business is hosting workshops and a concert with guitarist Steve Kaufman this week.

Guitarist Steve Kaufman—the world’s first three-time winner of the National Flatpicking Guitar Championships—will offer various workshops May 3-6 at Richfield’s Homestead Pickin’ Parlor: May 3: Mandolin Rhythm Workshop This three-hour session begins at 7 p.m. Kaufman will go over chords from basic to intermediate forms and show attendees how they move along the fretboard. Chops, timing and notes will be covered. Some basic knowledge of the Mandolin is helpful, but not required, and interest in the Mandolin is recommended.  Cost: $50 (limited to 20 students) May 4: Mandolin Lead Workshop This three-hour session begins at 10 p.m. Kaufman will cover fingerings, new songs and how to most efficiently learn them. Students will also learn how to …

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GALLERY: Richfield SEC Students Turn Into Artists

Richfield South Education Center students get their hands dirty with a local artist.

For months, more than 100 students in multiple Intermediate District 287 programs at *South Education Center (SEC) in Richfield have been working with Prior Lake artist Anne Krocak to build the school's Accessible Art Garden. After receiving a grant through the Minnesota State Arts Board, Krocak and *Sun Transtion, Intersect and Phase programs teacher Karen Bendtsen have piloted the project, getting participation from a variety of students and faculty. "It's been amazing to see kids connect [with art in this setting], when they otherwise maybe wouldn't have had the opportunity," Krocak told Patch. "It's exciting to see." Students participating in the art project come from a variety of backgrounds and district programs. Some may be part of …

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Last Chance

LAST CHANCE: 'Little Shop of Horrors' Ends Sunday

Get a glimpse of Richfield High School thespians in action.

Richfield High School's presentation of "Little Shop of Horrors" will come to an end Sunday. The sci-fi comedy opened to audiences Thursday evening in the Richfield High School Auditorium. The cast's final performances are Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $8. See our sneak peek of the show here. Sign up for the Richfield Patch newsletter!

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Richfield High's Spring Musical Opens Thursday Night

Richfield High School actors and actresses will premiere their rendition of "Little Shop of Horrors" Thursday evening. See a sneak peek of the cast as they rehearsed for the big opening night.

The Man Behind Miss Richfield 1981

Russ King discusses how he came to be Miss Richfield 1981.

PatchTube

VIDEO: Famed Richfield Pianist Helps Carry On a Tradition

Jeanne Arland Peterson joins her former sidekick's grandson for a rendition of "Danny Boy."

Long-time Richfield resident and famed pianist Jeanne Arland Peterson was staple performer at the North Minneapolis Acension Church St. Patrick's Day shindig in the 1960s. At her side was singer and north side boy, Jim Cassidy. According to the YouTube summary, Arland and Cassidy always performed a couple standard numbers and, of course, an arrangement of Frederic Weatherly's "Danny Boy." Muscial talent has trickled down through the generations in Peterson and Cassidy's family. All of Peterson's children and two of her grandchildren have followed in her musical path, while Cassidy's four sons have performed together as the Cassidy Brothers for more than two decades. Jack Cassidy, Jim Cassidy's grandson, is preparing to release his first EP…

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VIDEO: Richfield High School to Present 'Little Shop of Horrors'

High school thespians prepare for the annual spring musical.

Richfield High School actors and actresses are hard at work in rehearsals for their annual spring musical. This year's choice was "Little Shop of Horrors," a sort of sci-fi comedy about a giant flower that eats people and grows bigger and bigger as time goes on. Like any good play, there is also a love story plot between Audrey, played by senior Hannah Olson, and Seymour Krelborn, played by junior Siesse Jordan. The musical will open Thursday, April 19 at 7 p.m. in the Richfield High School Auditorium. Additional performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, with a final performance at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Tickets are $8 at the door.

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Richfield Dog Lover Shows Her Appreciation in Print

Local resident Kay Elliott will host a book signing April 11.

Dogs have often been called a man’s best friend. And in the case of Richfield resident Kay Elliott, her best friends—past and present—have inspired her to pay tribute to them in the children’s book “Sundogs: Journey to the Great Windmill.” “I’m kind of on the edge of being the crazy dog lady,” Elliott joked Monday.  “But I really believe that you get the right dog at the right time in your life. Sometimes they chose you.” “Sundogs” includes all six of Elliott’s canine companions, from childhood to present. Each pup has a distinct color and represents the “gifts” they’ve each contributed to her life. The book follows the dogs’ journey to the Great Windmill, which will eventually send them to earth where they find their forever homes, …

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Miss Richfield 1981 Announces New Show Dates

Miss Richfield 1981, the creation of Russ King, a former journalist and native, will begin a series of shows at the end of March. The title of the new act is "2012: We'll All Be Dead By Christmas."

Miss Richfield 1981

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Last Chance

Last Chance: Richfield Middle School's 'Romeo & Juliet' Performance

There's just one more performance of the classic love story.

Editor's Note: "Last Chance" is a new feature that aims to help remind readers of deadlines they don't want to miss! The Richfield Middle School is gearing up for its final performance of William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" at 7 p.m. Thursday night and the entire community is welcome to come. Admission is completely free, however, donations will be gladly accepted. Do you know about an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the comments below and we’ll consider including it in our next Last Chance feature. Also, consider posting your own events and announcements on Richfield Patch. Sign up for the Richfield Patch newsletter!

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