Once Upon A River
With Dan Chouinard and many more!
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After a six-year hiatus, the beloved “Once Upon a River” program returns to St. Croix Falls on April 6, 2025, bigger and more inspiring than ever! Pianist and composer Dan Chouinard originally produced “Once Upon a River” 15 years ago as an Earth Day tribute. It was so popular; it was performed every year for a decade along with a wide range of performers. This cherished event brings together renowned musicians, storytellers, and conservationists to celebrate the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the St. Croix River through music and spoken word.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon featuring acclaimed performers with deep roots in the watershed. The concert marks the launch of Earth Day month celebrations throughout the St. Croix watershed. Come early and visit exhibits created by community conservation partners. Location: St. Croix Falls Performing Arts Center, St. Croix Falls, WI Date: Sunday, April 6, 2025 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Pre-Concert Exhibits: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Presented by: North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area & Festival Theatre |
Featured Performers
Dan Chouinard, Pianist, Composer/Arranger, Co-Producer
For nearly four decades, Dan Chouinard has been a pre-eminent pianist, accordionist, and community song leader in the Twin Cities. He has written hit shows for public radio, concert halls, and theater stages. Growing up in Lindstrom, MN, and graduating from Chisago High School, he has strong ties to the St. Croix River. Dan was original producer of "Once Upon a River" in St. Croix Falls 15 years ago and has taken the show to Marine-on-St. Croix and the Phipps in Hudson, WI to sold-out audiences. www.danchouinard.com
For nearly four decades, Dan Chouinard has been a pre-eminent pianist, accordionist, and community song leader in the Twin Cities. He has written hit shows for public radio, concert halls, and theater stages. Growing up in Lindstrom, MN, and graduating from Chisago High School, he has strong ties to the St. Croix River. Dan was original producer of "Once Upon a River" in St. Croix Falls 15 years ago and has taken the show to Marine-on-St. Croix and the Phipps in Hudson, WI to sold-out audiences. www.danchouinard.com
Barbara McAfee, St. Croix Falls Singer/Songwriter
Barbara is an extraordinary voice coach, author, keynote speaker, and singer/songwriter. She has produced eight CDs of original music and founded the Morning Star Singers, a hospice choir in the Twin Cities. Growing up in Stillwater, MN, and now living in St. Croix Falls, WI, she is deeply connected to the St. Croix River. www.barbaramcafee.com
Barbara is an extraordinary voice coach, author, keynote speaker, and singer/songwriter. She has produced eight CDs of original music and founded the Morning Star Singers, a hospice choir in the Twin Cities. Growing up in Stillwater, MN, and now living in St. Croix Falls, WI, she is deeply connected to the St. Croix River. www.barbaramcafee.com
Prudence Johnson, Singer/Songwriter
Prudence Johnson's silky voice has graced venues from honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall and the silver screen, appearing in A River Runs Through It and A Prairie Home Companion. She grew up in Moose Lake, MN, in the St. Croix watershed, and once ran a bed and breakfast in Taylors Falls. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudence_Johnson
Prudence Johnson's silky voice has graced venues from honky-tonks to Carnegie Hall and the silver screen, appearing in A River Runs Through It and A Prairie Home Companion. She grew up in Moose Lake, MN, in the St. Croix watershed, and once ran a bed and breakfast in Taylors Falls. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prudence_Johnson
Unexpected Company Chorale - Performers
Unexpected Company Chorale is the premier choral organization in the Chisago Lakes Area. Known for exceptional concerts, this marks their debut with "Once Upon a River.” In the past 3 years the chorale has nearly doubled in size and has greatly expanded its educational offerings for adults and youth in the region. www.UCChorale.org
Unexpected Company Chorale is the premier choral organization in the Chisago Lakes Area. Known for exceptional concerts, this marks their debut with "Once Upon a River.” In the past 3 years the chorale has nearly doubled in size and has greatly expanded its educational offerings for adults and youth in the region. www.UCChorale.org
River City Quartet - Performers
The River City Quartet has entertained audiences in the Twin Cities since 2016, including performances at The Fitzgerald, Festival Theatre, and The Minnesota History Center. Tenor Bob Dowma, lead John Chouinard, bass Jim Foy, and baritone Rick Anderson return to Once Upon a River, where they performed from 2016–2020.
The River City Quartet has entertained audiences in the Twin Cities since 2016, including performances at The Fitzgerald, Festival Theatre, and The Minnesota History Center. Tenor Bob Dowma, lead John Chouinard, bass Jim Foy, and baritone Rick Anderson return to Once Upon a River, where they performed from 2016–2020.
Sharon Day, Executive Director, Indigenous People’s Task Force - Singer/Songwriter/Poet/Storyteller
Sharon M. Day, a Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, and M’dewin, is an artist, musician, and writer. Known for leading Nibi Walks—prayer ceremonies for water—she has led Nibi Walks for the St. Croix River and three of its tributaries, the Kettle, Willow, and Kinni Rivers. She currently works a 40 acre farm near Center City, MN. indigenouspeoplestf.org
Sharon M. Day, a Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe, and M’dewin, is an artist, musician, and writer. Known for leading Nibi Walks—prayer ceremonies for water—she has led Nibi Walks for the St. Croix River and three of its tributaries, the Kettle, Willow, and Kinni Rivers. She currently works a 40 acre farm near Center City, MN. indigenouspeoplestf.org
Laurie Allmann
Essayist and poet
Laurie Allmann is the Artist-in-Residence for North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area. She is an essayist and poet whose writing is inspired by the natural world. Her work has found expression in public radio commentary for MPR and KFAI, in song lyrics, video documentary, plays, and monologues designed for live performance. She received a Minnesota Book Award for her creative nonfiction book, Far From Tame: Reflections from the Heart of a Continent, and her recent book of poetry, An Hour From Now, was awarded a MIPA Gold Medal from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. She has been a course instructor for the Loft Literary Center and is a founding co-editor of Agate online magazine.
https://mnwritersdirectory.org/allmann-laurie/
https://northwoodsandwaters.org/artist-residency/
Essayist and poet
Laurie Allmann is the Artist-in-Residence for North Woods and Waters of the St. Croix Heritage Area. She is an essayist and poet whose writing is inspired by the natural world. Her work has found expression in public radio commentary for MPR and KFAI, in song lyrics, video documentary, plays, and monologues designed for live performance. She received a Minnesota Book Award for her creative nonfiction book, Far From Tame: Reflections from the Heart of a Continent, and her recent book of poetry, An Hour From Now, was awarded a MIPA Gold Medal from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. She has been a course instructor for the Loft Literary Center and is a founding co-editor of Agate online magazine.
https://mnwritersdirectory.org/allmann-laurie/
https://northwoodsandwaters.org/artist-residency/