FEE: Free

Jack Norton

Sunday, April 12, 2026 | 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

Travel back in time with Emmy Award winning songwriter Jack Norton for a concert of vaudeville blues, old-time country, and vintage Americana folk music. Oddball ukulele legend Tiny Tim hailed Norton as “the greatest entertainer I have ever seen!” The Minneapolis Star Tribune called Jack “one of the most entertaining acoustic musicians in the Midwest.” His performances are an authentic throwback to a simpler time and bygone era.

FEE: Thanks to support from the Lake Region Arts Council, all concerts are Pay What You Can, open to all, and no tickets are required.

Zach Thomas

Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7-9 PM

After debuting in New York Mills at Pickletoberfest 2025, ZACH IS BACK at the Cultural Center for a full ORIGINALS show! Hailing from the small town of Wendell, Minnesota, Zach Thomas is a musician whose powerful voice and honest lyrics resonate with fans across genres. A 2023 Midwest Country Music Organization “Male Vocalist of the Year” nominee, Zach’s passion for music is evident in every performance. With a spirit that can’t be tamed and a talent that won’t be held back, Zach Thomas is a name you won’t forget.

Learn more: www.zachthomaslive.com/

2026 Winter/Spring Concert Series

Enjoy original live music in a unique listening-room setting at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. This Winter/Spring Concert Series features a wide range of music styles in the Cultural Center’s gallery space, surrounded by visual art and excellent acoustics. Thanks to support from the Lake Region Arts Council, all concerts are Pay What You Can, open to all, and no tickets are required.

Concerts run February–May 2026, with performances by Caitlin Robertson & Wildrose Fox, Jordan Messerole, Aaron Simmons, Zach Thomas, Clayton Ryan Duo, and more, plus special collaborations with New York Mills schools and Niijii Radio. Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7:00 p.m.), with general admission seating. Light refreshments and a cash bar are available at most events.

FEE: Free

We’ve Got You Covered | Rick Kagigebi & Eliza Klarer

A celebration of the appliquéd mural blankets created during their apprenticeship year.

Thursday, April 23, 2026, 2:30 - 6 PM

Hosted by Gizhiigin Arts Incubator | 701 E Jefferson Ave, Mahnomen, MN

• 2:30 PM Regional Arts Networking | snacks and beverages

• 3-4 PM McKnight Fellowship Info Session

• 4-6 PM Artist Reception

Indigenous Foods catered by Chef Edward Rodriguez

FEE: Free & Open to the Public

Closing Reception: 2026 6A High School Art Competition Exhibition

Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
Location: LRAC Main Gallery, Historic River Inn Building, 133 S. Mill St., Fergus Falls, MN
Category: Visual Arts / Reception

Join Lake Region Arts Council for the Closing Reception of the 2026 6A High School Art Competition Exhibition, featuring artwork by student artists from across the Minnesota State High School League Section 6A South.

This free, public event offers an opportunity to meet the student artists and their teachers, view the exhibition, and celebrate their creative achievements. Awards—including Best in Show, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place—will be announced during the reception.

Participating schools include Brandon-Evansville, Battle Lake, Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Parkers Prairie, West Central Area, Morris, Osakis, and Underwood.

FEE: Free

Annual Poetry Night

April 30, 2026, 7 - 9 PM

Celebrate National Poetry Month at this long-running community poetry gathering in Evansville. Poetry Night welcomes readers and listeners of all ages and backgrounds for an evening of shared poems, original writing, and spoken word in a respectful and appreciative atmosphere.

Participants may read for about five minutes during the first round, with additional time in a second round as schedule allows. The evening also includes a short break with homemade treats and hot tea. This year’s emcee is Pastor Irv Arnquist.

Readers are encouraged to preregister (Please use the Learn More button to register), though walk-ins are also welcome. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated.

FEE: Thanks to support from the Lake Region Arts Council, all concerts are Pay What You Can, open to all, and no tickets are required.

Clayton Ryan Duo

Thursday, April 30, 2026, 7-9 PM

Minnesota’s  Clayton Ryan is made of a different kind of soil. With no streaming presence, label backing, or financial support, he has honed his powerful, homegrown voice in his own Midwestern way, building a fanbase one by one from stages and honkytonks across the country. Despite his flyover-state upbringing, the singer and songwriter has grown strong roots in the music industry, and his work as a writer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist in LA and Nashville has put his songs in TV and movies including NASCAR, Walker, NFL Sunday Night Football, and The Outdoor Channel, and landed the electric performer on stages with artists including John Morgan, John Michael Montgomery, Jo Dee Messina, Collin Raye,  Flatland Cavalry, and Liam St John. ​

Learn more: www.claytonryan.com/

2026 Winter/Spring Concert Series

Enjoy original live music in a unique listening-room setting at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center. This Winter/Spring Concert Series features a wide range of music styles in the Cultural Center’s gallery space, surrounded by visual art and excellent acoustics. Thanks to support from the Lake Region Arts Council, all concerts are Pay What You Can, open to all, and no tickets are required.

Concerts run February–May 2026, with performances by Caitlin Robertson & Wildrose Fox, Jordan Messerole, Aaron Simmons, Zach Thomas, Clayton Ryan Duo, and more, plus special collaborations with New York Mills schools and Niijii Radio. Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. (doors at 7:00 p.m.), with general admission seating. Light refreshments and a cash bar are available at most events.

FEE: Free

Celebrating Cultures

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Join us for the 6th Annual Celebrating Cultures, a vibrant, family-friendly event that brings together community members of all backgrounds for an evening of art, music, food, and cultural exchange! This community gathering is co-hosted by the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center and Niijii Radio, White Earth.

Whether you’ve attended in years past or this is your first time, you’ll enjoy a beautiful, welcoming celebration of cultures in New York Mills.

FEE: Free

2026 Fish House Festival + Art Market

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Family Activities 12:00–4:00 PM)
Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, New York Mills, MN

Celebrate art, community, and summertime fun at the 12th Annual Fish House Festival + Art Market, held in conjunction with Lund Mania festivities in New York Mills.

This lively annual event transforms Main Avenue into a pedestrian-only celebration of art + fishing + community, featuring artists painting in the street, an outdoor art market, family activities, live music, food, gallery exhibits, and more.

Festival Highlights Include:

• 10:00 AM–4:00 PM: Art & artists on Main Avenue and inside the gallery

• Outdoor art market featuring artists, makers, and bakers

• Lund Boats Historical Exhibit in the gallery

• 12:00–4:00 PM: Family-friendly activities indoors and out

• Scribbletastic Fun-O-Matic Command Post

• Free Art in Your Park kids art activities upstairs

• New York Mills Public Library Used Book Sale

• 1:00 PM: Youth Decoy Painting (limited space; $5 per decoy; best for ages 10+; pre-registration encouraged)

• 1:00–3:00 PM: Gallery Reception

• 1:00–3:00 PM: Live Music on the Library Patio

• 6:30 PM: Fish House Festival Raffle Drawing

Youth Decoy Painting Registration: Call 218-385-3339 to reserve a spot.

Following the Fish House Festival, attendees are invited to continue the fun with Lund Mania activities nearby, including food vendors, a parade, fishing tournament results, and a street dance.

Please Note: Main Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic and open to pedestrians only from 7:00 AM–4:00 PM.

This event will take place rain or shine. Indoor accommodations will be used if needed.