Rhubarb Sisters
About
Lanesboro Arts is proud to present The Rhubarb Sisters in a production of parodies - "Rhubarb Rhupeats: The Daily Rhutine" - at the St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro on Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m. The Sisters will revisit their special blend of songs from year's past, with those tangy rhubarb lyrics, in a performance that will welcome new member Jennifer Peterson.
The Rhubarb Sisters hail from Lanesboro, the "Rhubarb Capital of Minnesota." Since 2006, they have enjoyed entertaining audiences throughout southeastern Minnesota and spreading their rhubarb message of hope and good cheer. They have found that rhubarb can make its way into almost any familiar song. Just like the rhubarb they name themselves after, they are all about finding happiness in your own backyard.
Are these girls really sisters? Not biologically, but they are "sisters" united in their love of rhubarb and belief in simplicity and the comforts of home-living. They love to ask audiences "who here has rhubarb in their freezers?" Responses almost always include memories of mothers and grandmothers serving up rhubarb in younger days. Rhubarb means happiness, and happiness means home where good memories are created.
For the group, the basic message is that rhubarb is a humble thing. It's just back by the garage. But just because it’s humble, doesn't mean it isn't useful. In the Midwest, we make the most of what we have and rhubarb blends with anything. Additionally, you can hardly find Rhubarb in stores. It's inherently noncommercial and so are the Rhubarb Sisters, who travel far and wide in their vintage-style dresses and aprons, singing about the wonders of rhubarb.
Current members of The Rhubarb Sisters are Jennifer Peterson, Julie Kiehne, Valerie Peterson Wilson and Beth Hennessy, all from the Lanesboro area of southeastern Minnesota. In addition to their ongoing commitment to Lanesboro's annual Rhubarb Festival, The Rhubarb Sisters have performed for community groups in Southeastern Minnesota, at Duluth's CHUM Rhubarb Festival, on Lanesboro's Over the Back Fence live radio show, and at the Whalan Stand Still Parade. The Rhubarb Sisters were featured on A Prairie Home Companion when it was broadcast live from Lanesboro, as well as on KSMQ's Off-90 show.