Loosely Bound is showing at MCBA

A little late, but still in time for the weekend, here are some events of interest you may want to check out in the coming days. If you attend these or any other local events and want to tell other Observer readers about it, please click on “comment” below and share your observations with us. As with last week, I end this listing with a reminder of one of our local indoor garden spots you may want to visit if you’re craving a little time in some green surroundings. Bring your own coffee or tea and meet a friend for a little garden vacation in the heart of the city.

Art Exhibitions & Openings

Minnesota Center for Book Arts will host an opening reception this Saturday, March 4, 6-9 p.m., for Loosely Bound, a group exhibition showcasing work from members of the artist co-op based at the center, including a variety of prints, fine press works, and artists’ books. The artists will be at the reception Saturday, which will also include food, music, and a printing demonstration. On display through May 6; open Tue. 10-9, Wed.-Sat., 10-5. MCBA at Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/215-2520. www.mnbookarts.org

Rosalux Gallery, across the lobby from MCBA in the Open Book building, will also have an opening reception on Saturday, 7-11 p.m., for Dreams and Revelations, new sculptures by Lucy Grantz paired with paintings by David Malcolm Scott. Rosalux shows always pair two artists whose work complements each other in some way. Through March 30; open Tue.-Thu., 12-8, Fri.-Sun., 12-5. Rosalux Gallery, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis. www.rosaluxgallery.com

Premier Gallery presents Elemental, paintings by Dieterich Spahn. Spahn’s primary work is in stained glass, and the influence of that background is revealed in the way he uses line and segmentation in these paintings. Through April 10; open Mon.-Fri. 8-5.Premier Gallery, 141 S. Seventh St., Minneapolis, 612/338-4541. www.premiergallery.com, www.dieterichspahn.com

Community Events

The 11th Annual International Women's Day Celebration this Saturday, March 4, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., features speakers, panels and workshops, performances, film, and displays and information tables from more than 60 co-sponsoring organizations. Keynote speaker is Naomi Tutu, daughter of South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Free and open to the public. Contact Mary Hunt, 612/341-3302, ext. 107, mhunt@mnadvocates.org Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota www.mnadvocates.org/International_Women_s_Day.html

The University of St. Thomas will be hosting a fund-raiser for hurricane relief this Saturday, March 4, 8 p.m. Getting Back On Track!, featuring T. Mychael Rambo, includes performances by OVation, the small ensemble of One Voice Mixed Chorus, Anda Flamenco Company and School, Geoff Jones (touring member of the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Sounds of Blackness), the Mu Community Taiko Group, and a variety of other local artists. Silent auction of fine art preceeds the show, 7 p.m. $20 Adults, $15 Seniors/Students; advance reservations recommended. Brady Education Center at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul (intersection of Cretin and Grand Avenues), 952/252-0037.

Music

Bass John Bitterman and Contralto Lisa Drew of The Rose Ensemble, with Sonja Thompson on piano, perform a variety of songs, from early music to show tunes. Sunday, March 5, 3 p.m. $10 at the door. Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul, 651/523-2197. www.roseensemble.com www.hamline.edu/events/calendar/index.html

The School of Music, at the University of Minnesota and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra present a Contemporary Composers Festival featuring composer Elliot Carter, March 7-12. Welcome Event on Tuesday, March 7, 7 p.m. features a documentary about Carter at the SPCO Center, 408 St. Peter St., St. Paul. Other events include free concerts (reservations needed) and a symposium; events at SPCO and on campus. Some events are filled, call for availability, 651/291-1144. www.contemporarycomposers.umn.edu/

Readings and Talks

Our own local Amazon Cooperative Bookstore presents a reading and performance of an excerpt from the play Tallgrass Gothic this Friday, March 3, 7 p.m. The full play will be staged by Emigrant Theater March 17-31 (www.emigranttheater.org). Playwright Melanie Marnich will also be present. www.amazonbookstorecoop.com

Diaspora Flow presents NYC poet Bushra Rehman, co-editor of Colonize This! Come enjoy an intimate evening with this amazing Pakistani-American poet as she shares her poems and stories that range from hilarious to sharply illuminating. Diaspora Flow is an arts organization nurturing the artistic expression of people of color. Saturday, March 4, 6 p.m. $5. Center for Independent Artists, 4127 Bloomington Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/724-8392 www.c4ia.org www.diasporaflow.org

World renowned physicist and best-selling author Michio Kaku will discuss his book Parallel Worlds on Monday, March 6, 7 p.m. University of Minnesota Bookstore 300 Washington Ave. S.E. Minneapolis, 612/625-6564. www.bookstore.umn.edu/genref/authors.html

Gardening

Tangletown gardening seminars take place every weekend through March. This weekend the topic is The Ferns and Their Allies. Find out what a diverse array of these shade-loving plants are available for your garden. Sat.-Sun, March 4 & 5, 9 a.m. Free, reservations required. Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612/822-4769 www.tangletowngardens.com

For another respite from the grayness outside, consider a visit to the Cowles Conservatory in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, across Vineland Place from the Walker Art Center. Admission is free, and it’s open year round, Sun. 10-5, Tue.-Sat. 10-8. www.minneapolisparks.org/default.asp?PageID=4&parkid=270