The Bavarian Musikmeisters, a 35-member band, perform on July 14 at Faribault’s Central Park.
CONCERTS AND SUMMER pair like music and dancing, paint and a brush, rain and an umbrella.
All defined a recent performance by the Bavarian Musikmeisters at Faribault’s Thursday evening summer Concerts in the Park series in Central Park. To an appreciative audience ranging from youth to elders and all ages in between, the Twin Cities based group presented traditional German band music. Waltzes. Polkas. The Schottische. Edelweiss crooned.
It’s always fun to photograph dogs.
For 130 years, my community has hosted these free summer concerts. I’ve attended sporadically, more often now that I’m an empty nester. I typically bring my camera because, if I didn’t, I would regret leaving it home. There are always optimal photo ops both on and off stage. I challenge myself to discover new ways of photographing familiar scenes.
Rain chased a few concert-goers home, but not many.
This is my favorite photo of the evening, a portrait of a concert-goer in an old-style rain cap. I lover her sweet smile, the character lines in her face…
On this evening, I photographed between raindrops and showers, cognizant of protecting my Canon DSLR. Umbrellas popped and some folks scurried under the shelter of a tree when clouds showered rain.
Faribault artist Dana Hanson creates a portrait of Bob Dylan. She’s painting Minnesota Music Hall of Fame members Prince, Judy Garland and Dylan.
Using a photo as her guide, Dana works on her Dylan portrait.
One artist slid her art under a picnic table to protect it from the rain.
En plein air artists, protected under a tree, continued creating in the rain. They are part of the concert series artgo! group, started last summer. It’s a wonderful addition, this mixing of art and music.
When the sun re-emerged, concert-goers refocused on the music of lederhosen clad men and of women dressed in festive dirndls and blouses.
At one point, musicians directed the crowd to lock arms and sway to the music.
Later a couple danced solo in each other’s arms.
Music brings so much joy and togetherness. Smiles prevail. Feet tap a rhythm. Parents wrap kids in their laps.
In typical Minnesota fashion, though, people groused about the unseasonably cool weather, cold enough for one man to pull on his ear flapper cap.
Others wrapped themselves in fleece throws.
Dogs warmed owners’ laps.
This pin belongs to Lis, pictured several photos above in the fuchsia jacket. Oma is the German word for grandma.
And one woman, especially, warmed my heart after I photographed a World’s Greatest Oma button pinned to her colorful bag. Lis’ fuchsia lips curved into a smile as she shared in a still detectable German accent that she has 21 grandchildren. She came to the U.S. 61 years ago after marrying an American serviceman.
En plein air artist Irina Mikhaylova uses pastels to capture the other artists at work during the concert. I especially like how she’s sketched her right hand into the drawing.
These are the moments that delight me—these connections, this meeting new people. And all because music brought us here. Together on a July summer evening in southeastern Minnesota.
This Faribault resident and novice watercolor artist set up in the southeast corner of Central Park, far from the crowd so he could work undisturbed. I didn’t notice him until the concert nearly concluded, just as he wanted, not to be noticed.
FYI: The next Concerts in the Park concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21, features the Owatonna Community Band.
On July 28, Red Bank ReUnion/Orphan Brigade Band will perform Civil War era music in Faribault’s Central Park as part of the Northfield-based Vintage Band Festival. That fest features 30 bands giving 100 concerts in four days in outdoor and indoor settings. While most concerts will occur in Northfield, some are also planned for Faribault, Owatonna, Nerstrand, Cannon Falls and Red Wing. Click here for more information.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
“People watching”……..the most fascinating pasttime…………………..
Yup.
Your camera captured a great deal of moments that other people would have missed. I absolutely adore events like this . Thanks for sharing yours with us today.
You are welcome. I’m always scanning, seeking out the details.
What a great way to utilize your towns park! Concerts, artists painting and people enjoying the simple things in life, what a relaxing atmosphere.
While you folks were experiencing unseasonably cool weather, we were having hot weather and breaking records! It was 88 degrees in Fairbanks and almost everyone was complaining of the heat and trying to escape it. Most homes here have no air conditioning thus people will flock to the big box stores which do have air conditioning to escape the temperatures. Fans and window air conditioners were sold out at stores and were demanding top dollar on the private/resale market. Hummm think of gouging or scalping for those wishing to buy.
I hope you managed to stay cool. We are now sweeping into a heat wave.
Looks like a great afternoon. I haven’t seen a rain cap like that in years. That puppy is cute
It was actually an evening event.
Your comment on the rain cap is precisely why it drew my attention.
Summer is just a time to highlight the arts isn’t it. So many festivals, music in the parks and tons of fun things to do. Rochester also has concerts in the park on Sunday nights. Rick and I have attended several of these concerts. Our favorites….Jefferson Starship & America
Oh, wow, you get some big name bands in Rochester. I remember you blogging about one of these concerts several years ago. Or maybe emailing me about going?
I loved how your photos captured so many emotions. Dana is quite a talented artist painting Dylan And the rain cap lady reminds me of a time long gone and my mother in law;) Music does draw people together.
Dana is definitely talented. She uses her artistic talents also in the Fareway bakery located across the street from the park.
I also thought of family (Mom and Grandma) when I saw the rain cap.
Great candid photos; especially like the rain cap. Red Wing has concerts in the part Wednesday evenings. One of these days life will slow down enough to wander down to Central Park and check it out.
Thank you, Dan. Yes, wander and photograph.