Ken Waldman, “Alaska’s Fiddling Poet,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Mitchell Auditorium as part of the 2006-2007 Performing Arts Series at The College of St. Scholastica.

Waldman, who is called a “rugged techno-savvy Walt Whitman for the 21st century” (Tucson Weekly), combines Appalachian fiddling, poems and vivid stories about life in Alaska, his home for more than 20 years.

Joining him will be popular Twin Cities-based musicians Pop Wagner and Eric Lind. Wagner, AKA the “Renaissance Cowboy,” has made frequent appearances on “A Prairie Home Companion” and performed on a Peabody award-winning episode.

A prolific writer and composer, Waldman has had more than 400 poems and stories published in national journals. Six of his poetry collections have also been published and include “Nome Poems” which contains a death-defying account of how he survived a 1996 plane crash. Waldman has released six music CDs, one a double collection with 55 original and traditional tunes.

A former college professor, Waldman has been a guest writer at over 80 colleges and universities and is a popular visiting artist who has conducted workshops in 150 schools in 30 states. He received his bachelor’s degree in business from Duke University and a master’s in creative writing from University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

For more information see www.kenwaldman.com. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and students, and $10 for age 12 and younger. For tickets call (218) 723-7000 or (800) 447-5444, ext. 7000, or order online at www.css.edu/mitchell.xml.

This performance is presented with assistance from The College of St. Scholastica, Clear Channel Communications, Northland News Center, Franklin Foods, and Century 21.

Remaining performance of the 2006-2007 Mitchell Performing Arts Series:

Friday, May 4, 7:30 p.m. Robert Trentham: “In Thinking of America” Robert Trentham presents the songs that comforted a divided nation during the Civil War. Coupled with speeches and commentary from the 1860s, “In Thinking of America” offers a glimpse into the past with songs such as “Dixie’s Land,” “Steal Away,” “Just Before the Battle Mother” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” www.geocities.com/rdtrentham

The College of St. Scholastica is regularly recognized as one of the finest colleges in the Midwest. The 2007 “America's Best Colleges” survey by U.S. News & World Report magazine ranks St. Scholastica in the top tier of Midwestern universities. The Washington Post has rated St. Scholastica as one of the nation’s 100 “hidden gems” among U.S. colleges and universities.