It's all about the arts at the Encore! this weekend

Enjoy two full days of entertainment at the Encore! Performing Arts Center and Gallery in Cloquet. After a full weekend of performances of the County Seat Theater's award-winning production of "Sweet," a new stage is now being set for the Arrowhead Art Club Show and Sale on Saturday and two performances by the Emmy award-winning vocal group Tonic Sol-fa on Sunday.

"It is a crazy busy week here at the theater," said CST general manager Joel Soukkala, adding that they are busy building a set during day and rehearsing in the evenings for the Carlton High School production of "Arsenic and Old Lace," to be staged April 12-14.

"The set needs to be built and masked by Thursday so we can start setting up for the art show on Friday," he added. "It's going to be an exhausting week, but this week is about all the arts and is going to be quite enjoyable for those attending."

Arrowhead Art Club Show and Sale

Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Arrowhead Art Club Show and Sale, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 6, will feature several area artists displaying original works of art including prints, cards and more. "This is the first time this event has been held at the Encore," Soukkala said. "We are hoping that we have a great success this year so we can offer it again in the future. We are able to feature only a few pieces in our gallery during our theater productions, so it will be fun to see the theater covered in art."

In conjunction with the art show, there will be a few lunch options provided by The Magnolia Café of Carlton. You can also support the County Seat Theater by purchasing some scrumptious sweets created by the cast and crew of "Sweet," who are raising funds to travel to the Region V One Act Festival in Aberdeen, S.D. at the end of the month. They also have a silent auction fundraiser going on. The event is free and open to the public.

Tonic Sol-fa

Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

On Sunday, April 7, the Encore! is thrilled to bring its audiences the rich and wonderful a cappella song stylings of Tonic Sol-fa, the most in-demand vocal group in the Midwest. The Emmy and Grammy award-winning Midwest Music Hall of Fame inductees have sold two million CDs worldwide. With lush harmonies, live and vocal percussion, they truly bring a cappella to new heights.

"The group has performed at the theater the past two years to sell-out crowds," Soukkala said. "I was excited when they said they were willing to do two shows."

Each of the two shows will feature different songs.

"If you attend the 2 p.m. show and feel like you need more, you can come back for the 7 p.m. show and be entertained all over again, and the guys are even giving a $2 added discount if you attend both shows," he said.

"We truly enjoy coming back to the Encore Performing Arts Center," said Tonic Sol-fa's Jared Dove. "Cloquet has been very supportive, and there has always been a good attendance, which is why we're adding the second show." Tickets for the show range from $18 to $22. There is a discount if you reserve your seats early.

Call the box office at 218-878-0071 or go to http://www.countyseattheater.com with questions or to purchase tickets.