NYM event to feature a variety of musical acts

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The Cultural Center in New York Mills will host a Longest Night of the Year celebration on Thursday night. The night will include a variety of musical acts and a time to celebrate the official start to winter. 

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is pleased to invite everyone to the 15th annual Longest Night Music Festival to be held on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Cultural Center Gallery. 

The Longest Night is a celebratory live music event that brings together an eclectic group of beloved local and regional musical artists to each play a short set. The spirit of the event is to share in merrymaking and music-making on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year. 

This year’s line-up currently includes Dave Virnala (NY Mills), Kevin Mastel (NY Mills), Day Gun (Michael Dagen, Hewitt), Amanda Standalone (Sabin), Crystal Cavalier and Nicholas Schizzano (Fergus Falls/Ottertail), Skarlett Woods (Brainerd, Minn.), Ben Ranson (Sandstone, Minn.), and Dan Whitehead and Sarah Munson (Ottertail). Poet Elizabeth Gade (Ely, Minn.) will share readings from her collection of poetry throughout the evening.

These musicians will deliver an array of styles, sounds, and vibes sure to please a variety of musical preferences. In between acts, there is time to converse with your neighbors and take a moment to enjoy some connections amidst a busy holiday season.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to view the “Belonging” exhibit in the Gallery, which features 170 portraits of area residents taken by Photographer and Storyteller John Noltner last month. It is a stunning show and creates a lovely backdrop for an evening of celebrating local connections.

The music begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. Concert is free to attend and ALL are welcome to this annual night of gratitude, community connections, and local live music. Light refreshments and cash bar available. 

The 2023 Longest Night Music Festival is supported by Lake Region Electric Cooperative’s (LREC) Operation Round Up (ORU) Program. Thanks to LREC and all who support Operation Round Up! 

For more information, please call the Cultural Center at 385-3339 or visit the Center’s website at www.kulcher.org.