Arts briefs: 'Comin' to Amerika' relives lives of Swedish settlers

Organizers are urging parents not to wait until the last minute to sign up kids for a two-day program in July re-enacting the lives of Swedish immigrants in the mid-1800s.

"Comin' to Amerika" is offered by the Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia. The dates are Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23.

Participants dress as immigrants and work together to build a better life for their families as they settle into their new life in America.

Preregistration is required. For information, visit www.GammelgardenMuseum.org or call Barb Swanson at 651-464-4922 or the museum at 651-433-5053.

The St. Croix County Historical Society's special Father's Day tour at the Octagon House Museum is free to dads accompanied by a child of any age.

The house is at 1004 3rd St., Hudson, Wis., and the tours are Sunday, June 21, from noon to 4 p.m. Complimentary refreshments will be served in the anteroom of the Carriage House.

This year's decor explores changes from the 1850s to the 1950s in music, communications, fashion and more.

Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer kicks off its 2015 Music @Franconia series this weekend.

The Earthen Amphitheater, on Saturday, June 27, from 1-7 p.m., offers Black Market Brass and the Brass Messengers, plus soul group the Undergroove.

This summerlong concert series features some of the region's best musicians.

Concerts are free, with guided tours of the exhibition during breaks. Food and drink are available for purchase. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

The Carpenter Nature Center's Wisconsin campus offers a free bird walk this week.

The center's Jennifer Vieth and St. Croix Valley Bird Club members will explore the trails and bird life.

Trails are unpaved; wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. The group will meet at 300 East Cove Road, Hudson, Wis.

For information contact Jennifer@CarpenterNatureCenter.org.

A tour of nine north metro gardens is coming up next month.

The Fairview Lakes Auxiliary Garden Tour is on Sunday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets include a map with a garden description plus discounts at two local vendors.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at Fairview Medical Center Gift Shop in Wyoming; the Yellow Bus in Forest Lake; and Fairview Lakes clinics in Hugo, Lino Lakes, Chisago, North Branch, Rush City and Pine City. Order tickets at gardentour2015.zapevent.com.

Auditions are in July for the Amateur Talent Show at the Historic Courthouse in Stillwater.

The show is part of an Ice Cream Social presented by the Washington County Parks.

Choose from two audition dates at the courthouse, 101 W. Pine St.: Tuesday, July 7, or Wednesday, July 8.

The show will be held Thursday, July 16, on the courthouse grounds.

For audition applications and event details, see www.co.washington.mn.us/hc. The e-mail address is historiccourthouse@co.washington.mn.us; or call 651-275-7075.