Teens a-croonin’.

The 2nd annual Connecting Generations – One Love, One World, One Night – will bring inter-generational artistry to the Mabel Tainter. A cache of wildly talented folks have created an event where experienced artists guide emerging artists for the sake of education, art, and an unforgettable experience for all. Blues and jazz performer Patrick Pesek-Herriges says, “This is a big community-building and growth experience for everybody. Personally, for me, it is a wonderful feeling to watch these young people grow and learn.” Patrick goes on to say, “The older, more experienced artists pick up a lot of energy from the youth, who have enormous enthusiasm and flexibility.” Last year’s show was a huge success, and this year’s show looks to build on that with promising artists and musicians such as Kenzie Joy, who will team up with some of the area’s finest veteran performers, including Jay Collins, Sue Orfield, Pesek-Herriges, and more. Family groups are a focus of this year’s show. The Barnyard Banshees of Elk Mound will do a set of traditional Irish tunes, and violinist Olivia has prepared a high energy solo. The Herrigae will present new original songs. Randy Sinz and his sons will bring classic country songs to life and “Janelle’s Irish Dancers” of Eau Claire add another bit of international flair to the show. Extensively published poet and editor Thomas Smith of River Falls will read original poems and ecstatic poetry of the Middle East. This is a rare opportunity. Local, community building entertainment and inter-generational-ness doesn’t get much better than this.

Connecting Generations 2010 • Nov. 20 • Mabel Tainter Theater, 205 Main St., Menomonie • 7:30pm • $18 adults, $16 students/seniors, $12 children • all ages • 235-0001 • www.mabeltainter.com