A host of performers will take part in an Aug. 19 benefit at the Guthrie Theater for the Minnesota town of Roseau (pronounced ROSE-oh), which was devastated by floods this past June.

The evening — which will begin with a silent auction — will include performances from folk singer Ann Reed, jazz singer Debbie Duncan, prominent Minnesota vocalists Maria Jette, Molly Sue MacDonald and Janis Hardy, the latter a Roseau native. Other entertainers for the benefit concert include Elizabeth Comeaux, Dan Dressen, Bradley Greenwald, Joan Griffith, Maria Jette, Peter Ostroushko, Anita Ruth and Vern Sutton. Veteran director Gary Gisselman will present over 15 different acts, and the master of ceremonies is WCCO-AM personality Tim Russell.

The silent auction, scheduled for 6:30 PM in the Guthrie lobby, will include an all-terrain vehicle, professional sports packages, timeshare property in New Mexico as well as artwork and numerous golf packages. Tickets to the "Celebrate Roseau!" concert are now available by calling the Guthrie Theater box office at (612) 377-2224 or by going on-line to www.guthrietheater.org. Tickets are priced at $25, $35 and $50.

Ninety-nine percent of the homes and over 100 businesses were destroyed by floods this past June in the small community of Roseau. Monetary donations can be sent to Northwestern Minnesota Foundation (NMF)/Roseau Flood Recovery c/o Jack Almquist, CPA; Graves, McKenna, Lundeen & Almquist, PPPL, 6800 France Ave. South — Suite 555, Minneapolis, MN 55435-2071.

The Guthrie Theater is located at 725 Vineland Place in Minneapolis, MN. —By Andrew Gans