When you go to a concert and a party breaks out… Photos by Lil De Laat Lifetime Spousal Companion Lil ( a patient woman indeed) and I are what you might call Dogwood veterans, During their 2 plus decades the entertainment gem of the Near North has been delivering a diversity of delightful performances. Many have been truly memorable with an abundance of talented musicians, dynamic dancers, and a variety of other entertainment genres. But I don’t recall a show being as much fun as Saturday when a return engagement from the B2Wins had the main stage transformed into party central. Walter and Wagner Caldas, the two talented beyond belief Brazilian born musicians took hold of the Dogwood crowd early and never let go. There were audience members dancing in their seats, the aisles and even, for a few daring souls, on stage. It was an epic demonstration of a captivating interactive experience with the audience doing its part with backup vocals and dialogues with the artists to go with the occasional bursts of boogie time.This was indeed a mirthful multi media event performed by a pair of gifted musicians who are committed to spreading a positive message of the need for kindness. Being the class act they are, the B2Wins ended their show with a great deal of praise for their Dogwood experience and most importantly the Dogwood staff. This was the second Main Stage appearance of the B2Wins and if there was ever an act that deserved yet another visit they are certainly it. Given the lineup in the lobby afterwards to meet and greet and score some swag, I would venture a guess that many of the 250+ who attended this one will be looking for another round of fun and frolic. I know of two for certain. -Ken De Laat, N3
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2024 Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts at Meijer Gardens Lineup
The personnel at N3 World Headquarters and Sourdough Sanctuary are huge fans of outdoor music. Tuesday Blues in Rockford and Music in the Park in Howard City, Wednesday Summer Concert Series in Sparta, Thursdays at Vet’s Park in Fremont and occasional Friday market time tunes in Newaygo. And of course, Meijer Gardens where the biggest names will be taking to the stage. Here is the lineup with a link to ticket info at the end. Gate and show start times vary. Information and lineup subject to change. All shows take place rain or shine. Weather delays are possible. Orville Peck with Durand Jones and Debbii Dawson, Wednesday, June 5: $57 presale | $60 member | $62 public Greensky Bluegrass, Sunday, June 9: $68 presale | $71 member | $73 public Tower of Power, Wednesday, June 12: $59 presale | $62 member | $64 public O.A.R., Thursday, June 20: $82 presale | $85 member | $87 public Little Feat + Los Lobos, Friday, June 21: $75 presale | $78 member | $80 public Black Pumas with Abraham Alexander, Sunday, June 23: $80 presale | $83 member | $85 public Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with Devon Gilfillian, Monday, June 24: $75 presale | $78 member | $80 public Bonnie Raitt with James Hunter, Wednesday, June 26: $99 presale | $102 member | $104 public Mat Kearney with Donovan Frankenreiter, Sunday, June 30: $54 presale | $57 member | $59 public My Morning Jacket, Monday, July 1: $77 presale | $80 member | $82 public Amos Lee with Mikaela Davis, Wednesday, July 3: $65 presale | $68 member | $70 public Old Crow Medicine Show with Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, Wednesday, July 10: $67 presale | $70 member | $72 public Bruce Hornsby with Grand Rapids Symphony, Thursday, July 11: $67 presale | $70 member | $72 public The Temptations + The Four Tops, Friday, July 12: $79 presale | $82 member | $84 public Jason Mraz, Wednesday, July 17: $95 presale | $98 member | $100 public The Wallflowers, Thursday, July 18: $45 presale | $48 member | $50 public Warren Haynes with Grand Rapids Symphony, Monday, July 22: $70 presale | $73 member | $75 public Charley Crockett, Wednesday, July 24: $60 presale | $63 member | $65 public Il Divo, Thursday, July 25: $69 presale | $72 member | $74 public Boyz II Men, Sunday, July 28: $130 presale | $133 member | $135 public Black Violin with Grand Rapids Symphony, Thursday, August 1: $65 presale | $68 member | $70 public Gin Blossoms + Toad the Wet Sprocket + Vertical Horizon, Monday, August 5: $78 presale | $81 member | $83 public Kansas, Thursday, August 8: $79 presale | $82 member | $84 public Andrew Bird + Amadou & Mariam, Friday, August 9: $63 presale | $66 member | $68 public Five For Fighting, Sunday, August 11: $53 presale | $56 member | $58 public Blues Traveler + Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Wednesday, August 14: $75 presale | $78 member | $80 public Grace Potter, Sunday, August 18: $55 presale | $58 member | $60 public Fitz and The Tantrums, Thursday, August 22: $55 presale | $58 member | $60 public Leslie Odom, Jr., Thursday, August 29: $70 presale | $73 member | $75 public Sierra Ferrell with Meredith Axelrod, Friday, September 6: $50 presale | $53 member | $55 public Michael Franti & Spearhead, Sunday, September 8: $65 presale | $68 member | $70 public Buena Vista Social Orchestra, Sunday, September 15: $50 presale | $53 member | $55 public Keb' Mo' + Shawn Colvin, Monday, September 16: $60 presale | $63 member | $65 public To help members and the public prepare for buying tickets, Meijer Gardens has created an Insider's Guide to Buying Tickets to aid in making the ticket purchasing experience easy and hassle-free. The Insider’s Guide is available at: MeijerGardens.org/concerts Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company performing on April 20
Photos by Scott Rasmussen A few years back, LSC Lil and I took our youngest granddaughter to the ballet at the Dogwood. Watching her 3 year old eyes glued to the stage was like magic. If you are well acquainted with a young person who perhaps knows the story of Snow White and maybe seems to have a bit of an interest in movement as an art form? Take them to see the GR Junior Ballet performance coming to the Dogwood. At the very least they will find it fascinating…but beware. There very likely may be a search for dance lessons in your future. Here’s the skinny on the show. Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company's “Snow White”, one of the most famous stories of all time, will come to life on Saturday, April 20, 3:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center! This rich and immersive fantasy production is choreographed by Attila Mosolygo. The storyline of “Snow White”, a Brothers Grimm favorite, includes a magic mirror – “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” - a malicious queen, a charming little princess, a group of seven adorable dwarfs, and of course the handsome prince. Our story ends with the wedding celebration of Snow White and the Prince who live happily ever after. This program is funded in part by a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Celebrating its 52nd anniversary this season, the Grand Rapids Ballet remains committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. Grand Rapids Ballet is Michigan’s only professional ballet company and has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support. We are so pleased to have the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company perform at the Dogwood Center! Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $10 for youth 18 and under and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line at www.dogwoodcenter.com or click here! For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Party time at the Wessling
Unless you have gone so far off the grid that you haven’t even gotten a recent notice about your warranty expiring it’s likely you have heard about the impending eclipse. Turns out our friends over at the S.F. Wessling Observatory are all in for the event and are inviting folks to join in the fun. Here’s the skinny on the event courtesy of Dark Skies Astronomers member John Armstrong: We wanted to share some details for our very first public open house of the season at the S. F. Wessling Observatory! It's actually a *daytime* event, as we'll be gathering there in the afternoon on Mon April 8 to celebrate a major event taking place... Viewing the upcoming Solar Eclipse! From our location at the observatory, we'll see the Moon start taking out a small chuck of the Sun's edge around 1:55pm (known as "first contact"). The greatest eclipsing of the Sun by the Moon (called "occultation") will be about 3:11pm. And finally, the Moon exits the Sun's disc at around 4:24pm (called "fourth contact"). The observatory's public "solar eclipse party" event begins at 1:00pm, and wraps up around 4:30pm. From our W. MI location in Fremont, the Moon should cover about 90-95% of the Sun's disc at maximum. AND, as a bonus... We "may" be able to spot a few planets as darkness increases - - Jupiter to the left of the Sun, and Venus, Saturn, and "maybe" Mars to the right! Here are a few extra details... We'll have our usual admission - $5 for adults, $2 for students, and age 5 and under FREE. This includes a COMPLIMENTARY pair of ISO-certified "solar glasses" for *SAFELY* viewing the eclipse! The Newaygo County Conservation District should also have solar viewing glasses available for $2.00, if you want to grab a pair ahead of time. WARNING DO NOT look directly at the Sun with your eyes, or through camera lenses, binoculars, or a telescope without proper filters!! Doing so may cause PERMANENT damage to your eyesight!! Please use ISO-certified solar viewing glasses (provided at sign-in). Please stop at the Science Building *FIRST* to sign in, and get your FREE solar glasses. Parking at the observatory will be at and around the farmhouse. We hope to have a few volunteers directing folks where to park. (We had quite the attendance at the last solar eclipse party, so you're welcome to come early for a parking spot. But please know that we will not start letting people through until 1:00pm - Thanks!). You're welcome to bring folding or camping chairs with you if you have them (It may still be a bit chilly, so remember to dress accordingly for that day's weather). Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome, but PLEASE respect the observatory grounds and property (trash containers will be available). The observatory will have several filter-equipped and special hydrogen-alpha (Ha) solar telescopes set up for safely viewing the eclipse. We hope to have a video feed set up in Science Building Lab-B to enhance our viewing, and see the eclipse from other locations. So that's about it, folks! All of us here at the S. F. Wessling Observatory look forward to viewing the upcoming solar eclipse with all of you on Monday, April 8 at 1:00pm! Until then... Clear Skies! An interview with the artists
The high energy entertainment group B2Wins, perform at the Dogwood Center on Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.! The duo captivate audiences worldwide with its unique renditions of crowd favorites and engaging, uplifting live show that targets the masses. Led by charismatic Twin brothers from Brazil, they combine a plethora of genres into a feel good performance that is equal parts rock concert, dance party, jam session and vacation for the soul. Growing up in the violent, impoverished slums of Rio De Janeiro, the Twins began playing classical music on violins their father handmade. They used music as an escape from their reality and began teaching others in their neighborhood to do the same. After being featured on National Public Radio, the Twins were invited to the US on full ride music scholarships in 2008. N3 caught up with the 2 talented performers to pose a few questions. Music has been a large part of your lives including as an escape from what was going on around you in younger years. Has the relationship with music changed or evolved since those days? Music has been at the center of our lives since we were kids. It always served as an escape but that doesn't mean what we were escaping was always bad. Music has the power to take you places, a power that nothing on earth has the ability to do. Our relationship with music has absolutely changed, because now we have that power and we want to use it to make people happy. To help audiences unplug from the day to day, and enjoy the simple things in life. To be happy Describe what it feels like to perform? Performing is MAGICAL! We still to this day get such a charge out of performing. The responsibility to have an audience in front of us and deliver is one we never get tired of. We rely on the energy of the crowd so the more they are into the show, the more we give. It's an exchange that is just so organic and beautiful because WE feel and YOU feel it. We love it and are so blessed to call this our "jobs" How would you describe your show to a novice? Our show is nothing but an excuse to have fun. We use a wide range of music and our interpretation of it to take you on a ride of emotions. It's a blend of the songs, genres and styles we enjoy so we don't stay in one lane. But the songs are just the tools, the feeling during and after the show we want you to go away with is pure joy, regardless of what style of music, your age, gender, ethnicity. We all are one with music You played the Dogwood last year and wowed an appreciative crowd. What can the fans you made during your last appearance expect this time around? We had a blast last time at the Dogwood! For new fans, we can't wait to have you at the show. You're gonna love us ;) and for friends who saw us last time, you know....ITS A PARTY! We're bringing plenty of new surprises your way Anything to add? Maybe why folks should come to the show? We realize you may not know who we are, but we promise if you take a chance and come see this performance you won't regret it! Tickets are $25 and seating is reserved. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont or click here! The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885. Comedy makes its LionHeart return
Story and photo by Megan Wirts I can look you right in the hairy eyeball and tell you that Escanaba in Da Moonlight is a must see show. LionHeart Productions is reprising this uproariously funny comedy written by Michigan native, Jeff Daniels. Under the direction of Mike Gesler, this hilarious show about a deer camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will leave any “fudge-sucking flatlander” cracking up. The cast is full of familiar faces from LionHeart’s 2019 production of Escanaba along with a couple of new faces. Reprising their roles are Jamie Evans, as Reuben Soady, who is about to become the oldest Soady to never bag a buck at the age of 35. Devon Conley as Remnar Soady, Reuben’s younger brother and much better shot. Jim Jenkins as absolutely hilarious Jimmer Negamanee, the wackadoodle local that was abducted by aliens and hasn’t been quite right ever since. Along with Caitlin Sjaarda-Voyt as Wolf Moon Dance. I cannot wait to see them all back as these fantastically funny folks. Joining the cast we have Ron Jenkins, a LionHeart staple, as the patriarch, Albert Soady and Joe Bowman, taking over the role his father played in 2019, as ranger Tom T. Treado. Both are sure to have the crowd cracking up! This show is full of Michigan references and yooper culture that many of us here in Newaygo County can relate to. The characters are our uncles, neighbors and cousins and is an ode to life in the north or near north. Go see this show and laugh until your stomach hurts! It’s worth it! Opening this week at the Grant Fine Arts Center with five chances to see the show! Tickets are available at: https://grantfac.booktix.net Thursday: March 21 at 7pm Friday: March 22 at 7pm Saturday: March 23 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday: March 24 at 2pm Adults – $15 Students and Seniors – $10 Join us for some great comedy at the Dogwood! The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) performs on the Dogwood Main Stage on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. RSC is a touring American comedy troupe that performs fast-paced, seemingly improvisational condensations of huge topics. Known as the “Bad Boys of Abridgment,” the RSC has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway, the Kennedy Center, and Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, as well as touring internationally. The Reduced Shakespeare Company is heard frequently on both NPR and the BBC. The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) answers the fundamental questions: Which is the least funny nationality? Which is the funniest? Why did the former try to exterminate the latter? How do critics describe everything in a way to make it sound unfunny? (“First of all, the premise is weak. No one would ever believe that a baseball team would actually have a first baseman named “Who.”) Why, in fact, did the chicken cross the road? Tickets to The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) are far more affordable than tickets to an amusement park, but you’ll come away with the same feeling of nausea and motion sickness. From cavemen telling “Rock Rock” jokes to Will Smith upset at Chris Rock’s jokes and everything in-between, the bad boys of abridgement leave no joke untold as they deconstruct the entire history of comedy in 90 rollicking minutes. From the high-brow to the low, The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Moliere (Is Moliere funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner. Tickets are $30 and seating is reserved. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont or just click here! The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885. FADL’s very cool Live @ the Library Series has been bringing a wide variety of events to the ever-popular downtown information emporium. This week a trio of intriguing opportunities await those of us who love to be entertained while we learn. The first one sounds like a doozy. Any fan of true crime (including those who might still be closeted about their ongoing intrigue with it) should find this in their interest wheelhouse. Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 p.m. Tobin Buhk Presents Blood & Lipstick: Inside the Minds of Michigan's Most Lethal Women Meet the women who covered the pages of Michigan history with blood spatter. These felonious females include the infamous Michigan Borgia, who used strychnine to lop off an entire branch of her family tree; three sirens who lured a rich lawyer to his death; an heiress whose obsession with an earthy mechanic turned deadly; and many others. Angry wives, jilted lovers, and sociopathic serial killers all gather in this presentation that will surprise, shock, and stun even the most ardent true crime fan. This presentation will draw from Tobin Buhk's forthcoming book, Killer Women of Michigan. Buhk has been described as ‘a connoisseur of crime, a gourmet of the ghastly, an aficionado of the atrocious, a fanatic of the felonious and a maven of misdeeds.’. The second salvo in the series goes off on Thursday and if you enjoy those Victorian era films and TV shows and have pondered the multi layered wardrobes worn by the ladies at the time, well… Wendy Batchelder Presents: The Victorian Lady Thursday, March 21st at 7:00 p.m. Experience firsthand what it took for women in the late 1800s to get dressed, layer by layer! Watch as each vintage or reproduction piece is added, and how and why each layer is worn. Beautiful antique fashions, items, and wedding gowns will be displayed for guests to examine at the end of the program. Questions and interaction are welcome as we enjoy a fascinating peek into the lives of Victorian women. All ages welcome. Wrapping up a busy week is an autobiographically based writing workshop. A chance to put those memories in a format that can be easily referenced rather than sitting sporadically about in our hippocampus with occasional random eruptions. Who knows, perhaps a book awaits? Sherwood De Visser Writing Workshop: Intro to Telling Your Life Story Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00-12:00 p.m. Everyone has a story. Everyone has told their stories. But most everyone has not written their stories. Sherwood De Visser's aim in this memoir writing workshop is to get you over the first hurdle to whatever is stopping you from getting your life stories down on paper, and even to print. He is the author of the memoir, Raspberry Wars: My Boyhood through Berries, Bullying, and Bravery, which he successfully presented at the Fremont Area District Library. Nicely done FADL. A great Mid March mix as we tumble toward Spring. Allissa Conley and human Tanner Fowler are two of the presenters at the Farmer Education Day. (photos courtesy of Newaygo Conservation District) A day for education and resources will be offered for farmers, growers and producers on Friday, April 5 from 8:30-2pm. The free event will be held at the Stone Lodge behind Trillium Springs, 4465 W 48th St, Fremont, 49412. The Newaygo Conservation District and the Newaygo Farm Bureau will host the event, which includes lunch and an optional tour of Kropscott Farm Environmental Center. The program qualifies as MAEAP Phase 1 educational session. A wide variety of presenters and topics will be included. Conservation District programs and updates will be provided by Tanner Fowler (MAEAP Technician), Allissa Conley (Produce Safety Technician) and Kelly Bishop (District Conservationist). Rod Denning, District Forester, will discuss the various Forestry Programs available. He will also provide updates on the health of our local forests, which are undergoing stress due to a variety of invasive infestations. Grazing Management will be presented by Kable Thurlow, a Beef and Grazing Educator at MSU, and “Making the Most of Your Manure” will be handled by Tess Van Gorder, a Farm Bureau Conservation & Regulatory Specialist. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) will introduce themselves to the local Farmer, Grower & Producer community and provide updates on their activities of interest. NCEC members will discuss the initiation of a “Farm to Stable” Network, whose mission is to engage small scale farmers & growers in a community led collaboration to identify and meet their needs toward sustainable practices. Registration by April 1st is requested to help plan for lunch, but walk-ins are also welcomed. To register contact Jennifer Marfio: jmarfio@ctyfb.com, 231-796-1119, or scan the QR Code. Left - Right. Erin Mitchell Burns plays Sister Augusta. Jeanne Bock plays Sister Philomena. Jack Millard plays Father Chenille. Patty Miesen-Bieber plays Mother Superior. Wyatt Karnes, plays Paul and Sister Paula and Cardinal Redding. Plus Father Paul. Landon Edwards plays Groundskeeper George and Father George. Charlotte Karnes plays Sister Mary Catherine. Missing in the picture is Layla Empie who plays Sally and Sister Mary Mary. Stage Door Players will be presenting their latest offering beginning this Friday when Drinking Habits hits the White Cloud theater for two weekends of fun and frolic. The plot line has a bit of everything but suffice to say the laughs will come early and often in this farcical romp. Plan on making a visit to The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing convent where you will encounter mistaken identities, nuns spying on nuns, “priests” spying on priests, long lost love, long lost families, and redemption. What: Drinking Habits, Director: Ted Mitchell Assistant Director: Carianne Smith Stage Manager: Mary Armstrong Powles Assistant Stage Manager: Anna Sears Lights and Sound: Bobby Smith and John Smith Costumes: Laureen Paulsen-Deater Where: Stage Door Theater, 1147 Wilcox, downtown White Cloud When: March 8 March 9, 15, and 16 Doors open 6:30 pm How Much?: A bargain at just $12... unless you’re a senior or student ($10) |
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