Artsminded: Seasonal affective disorder got you down?

• Phyllis Goldin

Phyllis Goldin

Talk about it

Are you in limbo between the momentum of the election and the upcoming holidays? Did Halloween leave you with a freaking sugar high? Is seasonal time change hard to bear?

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions you got a glimpse of the voids artists sometimes endure in between fertile creative periods.

Here are some suggestions for weathering emotional and artistic famines.

1) Liberate your scarves and mittens from mothballs and head for a concert, gallery opening or barn dance.

2) Choose music or silence to brighten your spirit or quiet anxiety

3) Take a stroll in the sunshine or through the lighting section of a store

4) A full spectrum lamp may help with seasonal affective depression

5) Keep active physically and mentally

6) Take up that instrument or art form you’ve longed for

7) Take friends on surprise dates

8) Limit screen time in favor of reading

9) Get an extra hour of sleep and a short daytime nap

10) A bit of dark chocolate soothes the savage beast.

It’s our great good fortune to live in the cultural richness of River Falls and surrounding region. This column is only one of several ways to find out what’s doing. Try St. Croix Splash

or River Falls Cab

To access the ‘What We Need is Here’ e-newsletter contact The Phipps

Kudos to UWRF University Theatre for a riveting production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolfe.” This auspicious start to the 2012-13 season beckons theatregoers to reserve seats in advance — call 715-425-3114.

Nourishing arts events and opportunities:

--Continuing through Nov. 25: UWRF Faculty and Student Exhibitions at The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust, Hudson. More Phipps’ offerings at The Phipps.

--Wednesday, Nov. 7, 5-7 p.m.: UWRF BFA Exhibition reception features Nate Filipiak and Andy Rineck and Wednesday, Nov. 14, 5-7 p.m., the work of Michelle Carlson and Andrew Schultz.

--Thursday, Nov. 8, 3:30 p.m.: Poetry Reading features faculty members Joseph Rein and Nicole Johns at UWRF Chalmer Davee Library, Breezeway.

--Thursday, Nov. 8, 7 p.m., film: “Bride and Prejudice” at River Falls Public Library.

--Friday, Nov. 9, 4-8 p.m.: Gallery reception for Wearable Art Show at Gallery 120, 120 N. Main. Sponsored by Global M.A.D.E. and Interior Concepts. Runway show at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 23 precedes the Riverdazzle parade.

--Fridays and Saturdays, Nov.9,10,16,17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays, November 11,18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Holidays at Blue Ridge features fine art, functional wares, harvest and savory fare at 246 Carlson Lane. For more information call 715-821-8289 or visit: Blue Ridge Growers

--Friday, Nov. 9, 5- 8 p.m.: Holiday Treasures Art Exhibit at Orange Dragon Art Gallery, 122 Orange St., Prescott. Continues through Jan. 4.

--Saturday evening, Nov. 10: Soup supper event with local performers to benefit the River Falls Free Clinic at River Falls High School. For more information visit: Free Clinic or call 612-819-6451.

--Saturday, Nov. 10, 5-9 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Hammond Arts Alliance hosts “Connect” with eight artists exhibiting at Foster Art Vault (basement of Associated Bank) downtown Hammond. Fizz Kizer and Jonathan Earl perform at Hammond Hotel on Saturday 8-11p.m. Contact Paulette at 715-796-8869 or Paulette

--Saturday, Nov. 10, 5-9 p.m.: Gallery reception at Kelley Gallery, 512 Second St., Hudson.

--Sunday, Nov. 11, 1-3 p.m.: Opening reception, “Kaleidoscope Us: All Community Art Show” at the library.

The following concerts are at UWRF Abbott Concert Hall, Kleinpell Fine Arts Building and free unless otherwise noted:

--Sunday, Nov.11, 2 p.m.: St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra, Boutwells Landing, Oak Park Heights, Minn.

--3 p.m., St. Croix Valley Music Teacher Association Concert

--7:30 p.m., Student Recital; Hilary Buelow, mezzo-soprano

--Tuesday, Nov. 13, 11 a.m. to noon, Taiko Drumming workshop, University Center. Registration $5 at Information desk

--Tuesday, Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m., UW-RF Brass and Trombone

--Wednesday, Nov.14, 7:30 p.m., Wyman series presents Mu Daiko Taiko Drumming

--Thursday, Nov. 15, 3 p.m., Music Student Convocation

--7:30 p.m., St. Croix Valley Symphony Orchestra Concert. Tickets at door.

--Saturday, Nov. 17, 3 p.m., Student Recital: Cory Westgard, bass-baritone

--Saturday, Nov.10, 7 p.m., Community Barn Dance with Barn Cats, River Falls Academy Gym, Adults $5.00, $2.50 age 12 and under. For more information visit: River Falls Cab

--Sunday, Nov. 18, 1:30 p.m., “Once Upon a Land: An Afternoon of Celtic Story, Music and Song” at the library.

--Gina Citoli will soon release a “Cabaret of Consciousness” audio book and a new show for children “Green it Up.” Visit City of Light

for more information.

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