NEW ULM — The New Ulm Public LIbrary will host a performance of Elisa Korenne’s “Madams, Matrons, and Madwomen: Extraordinary Women in American History” on Saturday, June 5 at 4:30 p.m.

The concert features extraordinary women including Victoria Woodhull, the 19th century proponent of free love and the first woman to run for president; the Hormel Girls musical group; and many others. The performance highlights Minnesotans Maria Blaisdell (the infamous Minnesota Blizzard); Sister Lumberjack (nun, character, and one of the first people to sell health insurance); and Rachel Caloff (mail order bride who settled in Minnesota).

On Saturday, June 5 at 6:15 p.m., New Ulm Public Library will host Korenne’s workshop, titled “Making Local History Come Alive through Character Writing.” Korenne will teach attendees how to create engaging and lifelike characters in their family or local history writing. Korenne writes intimately introspective songs and prose about the pathways of fringe figures in history. What binds these disparate life journeys is a profound and poetic sensitivity for the human condition: “My work is about cultivating empathy and opening minds and hearts,” Korenne says.

Both programs will be presented virtually through Zoom, so registration is encouraged to attend. These free public programs are made possible by a grant provided by the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative and funded with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Call 507-359-8331 for more information.”