 NCCA-Artsplace appreciates our donors, artists, class participants, volunteers and community members! And…we want to say "Thank You" for making NCCA-Artsplace a place where everyone can enjoy the arts! Community members are invited to the NCCA-Artsplace "Thank You Party" on Thursday, October 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Join in and experience the "Newaygo County Creates" exhibit, demonstrating artists, great food, and fantastic people! 2024 is again a strong year for NCCA-Artsplace with our portfolio of program offerings and community engagement with the arts. Our programs provide vibrancy, enjoyment, challenge, skill learning, and social engagement for a wide spectrum of residents of Newaygo County. Thank you for being a part of NCCA-Artsplace! Your support and involvement helps us fulfill our mission to promote lifelong involvement in the arts. Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 10, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. for the "NCCA-Artsplace Thank You Party". The event is free to attend, and a courtesy call to 231.924.4022 for your attendance is appreciated. Surround yourself with art and let us say "Thank you" in person! We hope you will join us! NCCA-Artsplace is located at 13 East Main Street in downtown Fremont. Call 231.924.4022 to register your attendance.
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Photos by Courtney Schwartz Fremont’s Harvest Festival has become one of the must-go events in our area for a number of reasons, however beyond the doings and the parade there is an ancillary activity that draws a bevy of folks to the county’s biggest city. Hay art. The creativity employed in transforming these bundles of dried grasses into images is impressive to say the least. We asked Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Membership Director Courtney Schwartz if we could share the photos she shot of these eclectic designs with our readers and she kindly gave us permission. If they pique your interest, take a tour of the town to get an up close look.  "It's Showtime" CBD Store's Beetlejuice grabs an early seat for the parade 19th annual event features parade, coirnhole, Hocus Pocus, kids activities and a beer tent with a side of Braunschweiger Blues Band to boot It all kind of starts when you begin to see the hay bales appearing in front of local businesses with a few dropped off at Vet’s Park. As the days go by those bales begin to transform into innovative creations that give new meaning to the phrase ‘making hay’. These prolific productions are like the welcoming committee for that end of the season community soiree known as the Fremont Harvest Festival, 3 days of family friendly fun filling the downtown area. And as we have said many times before, nobody puts on a parade in these parts like Fremont and this is one of their best. The March down Main begins at 6pm so secure your spot before the action (and candy tossing) begins. The Empowerment Network will be doing face painting in the park from 5-7pm. Following the parade Veteran’s Park also hosts the Pedal Pull.a chance for the young wannabe farmers to haul with a tractor scaled to their size and running on leg power. Cornhole competitions have become a popular mainstay at such events and this one is no different. On Friday at 5pm cornhole contenders to the title will take up their beanbags and vie for honors. And it’s not just fun to compete but also to witness the thrill of victory and agony of defeat played out in a cornhole setting. And who out there doesn’t love the classic Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus”? Well at 7:30pm Friday there will be a Hocus Pocus Party In the Park! Popcorn, s'mores, and treats for the kiddos will be part of the fun and there may even be a special appearance from the Sanderson Sisters themselves! Kids are encouraged to dress up! Bring your blankets and make yourselves comfy for this amazing kick-off to the SPOOKY season! Saturday begins with the Harvest Hike and 5K run at 8am which is also when the Farmer’s Market opens. After maybe getting in a few steps toward your daily goal, meander through the market and score some of the local harvest. From there you can head to the park for the flea market running from 9am-4pm. Meanwhile the festival swings into action at 11am-1pm with the Apple/Pumpkin Bake Off in the pavilion and Kids games, Pony rides, and face painting from 11am-3pm. Food trucks (gotta love some of our local eateries on wheels) are part of the scene around the park each day beginning 4pm Friday and Saturday and 10am Saturday. The comes the pièce de résistance when Brew Works hosts the very nearly world renown Braunschweiger Blues Band for a 6-10pm fitting finish to a community celebration such as this. If you are not familiar with the BBB and wish to experience their unique manner of delivering musical favorites a piece of advice, Get there early. The 3B’s have a faithful following of folks from Fremont and beyond who find the time between the band's appearances to be far too long.
  Michigan's Myron Elkins performs at the Dogwood Center on Saturday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. Elkins and his band will get your energy going with their blend of gritty rock, country and blues music. If you are a Yellowstone fan, you may already have heard Myron Elkins music. In December 2023, Yellowstone (Season 5, Episode 6) had one of the show’s strong soundtracks. One musician was a young up-and-comer’s voice that caught the ear of many. That new talent was Myron Elkins. Raised just north of Kalamazoo, the 22-year-old Elkins worked professionally as a welder following high school graduation with his sights set on a trade for his career until a relative signed him up for a local battle of the bands. He finished a runner-up, and his liife began to change. In the three years since, that experience has led to a massive transformation. He decided to pursue music full time and moved to Nashville, where he laid down his debut album, Factories, Farms & Amphetamines, with producer Dave Cobb. Two songs from the album — “Factories, Farms & Amphetamines” and “Wrong Side of the River” — made it into the Yellowstone episode. Both tunes were cut into the background of various scenes of Dutton cowboys at work wrangling and branding cattle. The young singer is now one of Americana music’s fastest rising stars. Elkins’ debut album is a brutally honest collection of songs featuring sharp observations informed by his working-class upbringing. With his storytelling prowess and gritty mix of classic rock, country, and the blues, Myron Elkins is poised to become a generational defining talent. Join us for a great night at the Dogwood! Tickets are $20.00 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, or on-line by clicking here! For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.
Photos by Marianne Boerigter
Have some fun this fall and shoot away….with your camera or phone! Newaygo County is prime country for that perfect fall photo. Take your best shots and enter the NCCA-Artsplace Fall Photography Contest. The contest is an annual community event that anyone can enter and showcases the fall beauty of our area. Entry deadline is Tuesday, October 1, by 5:00 p.m. This free competition is for all ages and all levels of skill. All entries must have a fall or harvest theme. Participants may submit up to two entries. Each entry must be an 8”x10” unframed photograph. All entries will be on display October 4 through November 2 in the corridor gallery at NCCA-Artsplace. First, second and third place awards will be announced at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4 and posted at www.ncca-artsplace.org and @NCCA-Artsplace on Facebook. Registration forms for the competition are available at NCCA-Artsplace, 13 East Main Street, downtown Fremont or call 231.924.4022. The guidelines and forms may also found by clicking here. Go ahead…take your best shot!
A Tripleheader from Fremont Area District Library at This month's Live @ the Library
One of the coolest ongoing programs around is the Live @ the Library series the folks at the FADL have been serving up to a grateful community. Authors, artists, historians, story tellers, musicians and more have delivered on helping to educate, entertain and enlighten attendees. This month the library tosses out a threesome of events and each seems destined to provide some lively post session dialogue. Political Lincoln: Honest Abe on Campaigns & Elections on Thursday, Sep. 5th at 7:00 p.m. For ages 12-adults. Mr. Lincoln describes his many interesting campaign and election experiences over a long and eventful career, during a time of political intrigue and tumult when the very destiny of our nation was at stake. Mr. Lincoln is portrayed by Kevin Wood, a professional Lincoln presenter who bears a remarkable resemblance to "the Great Emancipator" and who is extremely knowledgeable about his life and times. Pamela VandenBerg Presents: Becker vs. Carter on Tuesday, Sep. 17th at 7:00 p.m. How Isabelle Becker and Carrie Carter Redefined Education in Newaygo County. Learn about the story of two local women who competed for Newaygo County Commissioner of Schools in 1903, and again in 1915. These trailblazing women not only won this elected position but substantially improved education in local schools, all before the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment giving all women the right to vote! Pamela VandenBerg is a local historian who specializes in Women's History and began her career as both a volunteer and employee of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. Charlie McLravy Presents: The Pink Pony on Monday, Sep. 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Charlie McLravy is the author of the highly acclaimed five (soon to be six) book Burr Lafayette legal thriller series. The Pink Pony, the first book in the series, recently won first prize in the Global Book Awards. It takes place on Mackinac Island and all of the books in the series are pure Michigan. Books will be available for purchase at this event.   The Michigan Irish Music Festival, presented by Family Financial Credit Union, is excited for a stellar 25th Anniversary celebration. Join the festivities September 12-15th at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, Michigan! Festival Pass & Single Day tickets are available now! Prices increase on September 1st, so buy early and save. Ticket sales are sponsored by Barry's Greenhouses. Children 12 & under are free, but still need a ticket code. All tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. The Festival Pass grants entry to festival grounds at Heritage Landing for the festival on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, in addition to the Pub Preview Party, which takes place on Thursday evening. Why wait for the weekend? Pre-game the Michigan Irish Music Festival on Thursday night at our Pub Preview Party! Enjoy one stage with four amazing bands. Tasty food from two vendors, the Pub bar, and the opportunity to grab exclusive artist merchandise and the official 2024 t-shirt will all be available Thursday night! Full festival offerings will be available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Irish Culture is a significant part of the full festival experience! Michigan Irish Music Festival is proud to present a wide array of cultural offerings, with sessions around music like “Learn to Play the Tin Whistle” and “Folklore & Hip Hop”. Touch on history with offerings such as “Celtic Mythology” and “The Irish in the American Civil War”. Information about modern Ireland can be found at sessions like “Ireland’s Young Voices in Poetry” and “Music of the Derry Girls”. Attend Children’s Storytime hosted by Hackley Public Library or Design Your Personal Coat of Arms. Cuisine and libations are covered in Irish Food & Drink demonstrations by Culinary Institute of Michigan and Craft Beer & Cocktail Tasting classes presented by Pigeon Hill Brewing Company*, Wonderland Distilling Company*, Five Farms Irish Cream*. *Denotes a ticketed event. Tickets can be purchased at https://michiganirish.saffire.com/p/tickets. Since its inception, the Michigan Irish Music Festival has been entirely led by volunteers with no paid staff. Enlisting just shy of 1300 volunteers each year, the board, team leaders, managers, and shift volunteers are all driven by a passion to enhance our community, host a premier Irish music festival, and be part of a high functioning, enthusiastic team. To join this group, please visit https://michiganirish.org/volunteer. Additionally, as a part of their ongoing mission, the festival gives back to the local community. Since tracking began in 2008, Michigan Irish Music Festival has donated approximately $400,000 and over 20,000 pounds of non-perishable items to local organizations working to mitigate hunger in our area. This is done in memory of the Gorta Mór, or Great Famine, that plagued Ireland in the mid-1800s. Donations welcome! Visit www.michiganirish.org for more information on preferred donations for 2024. Along with presenting sponsor Family Financial Credit Union, other major sponsors of the festival include G&L Chili Dogs, Langlois Home Furnishings, The Mart Dock, and Budweiser. Complete festival information including stage and entertainment schedules can be found at www.michiganirish.org. Stay tuned to the website and Michigan Irish Music Festival social media pages for additional updates.    Downtown Hesperia- Photo by Jennifer Sherburn HesperiArt Initiative seeking proposals for community enhancement
The Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with a dedicated group of community leaders, invites artists, designers, and creative individuals to submit proposals for public art installations that will enhance the cultural and aesthetic value of our community. The HesperiART Initiative aims to enhance the vibrancy in our community, encouraging community engagement and beautification of public spaces. We seek innovative and visually appealing art pieces that reflect the spirit and history of Hesperia. Before the end of 2026, we hope to commission 6 art installations, including but not limited to, sculptures, murals, mosaics, and interactive installations. The selected works will be installed in various public locations throughout the Village, such as parks and building facades. **Project #1 Scope:** We seek to install a mural in downtown Hesperia, near the White River. This mural will be permanently installed on a brick wall after completion. The mural should be no larger than 8 feet wide and 5 feet tall. **Eligibility:** This RFP is open to all professional artists and designers, both individual and collaborative teams, with experience in creating and installing public art. Prior experience is preferred. **Proposal Requirements:** 1. **Artist Statement:** A brief biography and description of the artist's experience and connection to Hesperia. 2. **Project Description:** A detailed description of the proposed artwork, including conceptual approach, materials, dimensions, and installation requirements. 3. **Visuals:** Sketches, renderings, or photographs of the proposed artwork. 4. **Budget:** A detailed budget breakdown covering all aspects of the project, including materials, fabrication, and installation, not to exceed $2,500. 5. **Timeline:** A proposed timeline for the project from concept to completion. Award notifications are expected in Q4 2024. 6. **References:** Contact information for at least two professional references familiar with the artist’s work. **Selection Criteria:** Proposals will be evaluated based on artistic merit, originality, feasibility, community engagement, and alignment with the goals of the Hesperia Public Art Initiative. Selected artists will be awarded a commission contract to execute their proposed projects. **Submission Deadline:** All proposals must be submitted by September 20th, 2024. Late submissions will not be considered. **Submission Process:** Proposals should be submitted electronically to [email protected] **Contact Information:** For inquiries or additional information, please contact Julie Burrell at [email protected] or the Hesperia Area Chamber of Commerce at [email protected]  The Swingtooth Quartet will perform in the Dogwood Center's Black Box on Friday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. Join us and you will experience great live music at the Dogwood! Local guitar duo, Lee and David Middleman, known for their hand-built instruments, Swingtooth Guitars, and featured in past West Michigan Luthier concerts, make up a portion of the quartet. They are joined by Chris Cudworth on bass, and Pat Eickenroth on percussion, both sought after participants in several eclectic groups across Michigan. The synergy among the four is part of their own enjoyment in crafting new ways to express their favorite timeless material of early swing, bebop, sultry ballads and lively bossa nova. And vocalist Jody Swanson will be adding a twist to some of the songs by the quartet! Please join us at the Dogwood for a two-hour leap into great music! Tickets are $12.50 and 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.  Saturday Festival features family friendly fun A fun filled day awaits folks attending River Country Chamber’s Annual Grant Festival this Saturday, August 17th, with a bevy of activities for all ages. Now that we are now knee deep into August the wonderful array of outdoor festivals our area is known for will be coming to an end soon. It’s prime time for some outdoor mingling with a chance to run into friends and acquaintances seeking a bit of hometown revelry. We listed some of the highlights adding the generous sponsors who make them possible. You can start the day with a full stomach by hitting up the Pancake Breakfast at the fire station. Coffee and rolls from 7-8am then cakes and sausage from 8-11am. (Consumers Energy) Car buffs take note. The ever popular Auto Show will feature some fine rides decked out in their best for the competition. Starting at 9am with judging at 11:30am, the vehicular venue is on Front St. in front of the Community Center. From classic models to newer rides, you can check out hair dryers, huffers and hot licks while admiring the work that goes into these gas powered beauties. (Grant Tire Wholesalers Plus) Who doesn’t love a parade? A festival without a parade is just so wrong, thus at 12:30pm the caravan of candy tossing will begin and the streets will be lined with locals looking to see what surprises the lineup brings. AND since the primary is over there will be less candidates cruising along the route to shake a few hands and hand out flyers no one reads. One of our favorite events at any time is a BBQ Competition where smoke savoring savants roll out their ribs and slightly charred chicken concoctions for bragging rights and some cold hard cash for the winners. Pitmasters will learn the fate of their meat beginning at 5pm. Side note: A friend who is a certified judge of such events educated me as to how the frequently advertised “fall off the bone” ribs never make the cut since they are considered to be overdone. Ribs should apparently give just a bit of a tug to be considered prize-worthy. Who knew? (Choice One) Did I hear Beer Tent? Yep. Not only can you enjoy an adult beverage or two but there’s entertainment to be had beginning with The Faulkners a local duo who have been making a number of appearances throughout the area from 1:30pm-4pm and followed up with a welcome taste of country classics with the Larsen Brothers 4:30pm-6pm. If you are one of those folks who don’t normally carry cash, you might want to hit up an ATM since cash (and an I.D.) is your only way of scoring a brew. (High Profile) Soap Box Racing is always a hoot and with three divisions it will be interesting to see what these innovative riders come up with. Races begin at 9am and will wrap up around 12:30 pm. (Newaygo Plumbing) Once upon a time this festival included horseshoes but while there are still some ‘shoers’ out there, cornhole has passed it in popularity and now the festival has a Cornhole Tourney on hand. Dozens of competitors seeking to put their tossing skills on display will be looking to be this year's Boss of the Toss. (Wolff Builders) A Golf Simulator will give links lovers a shot at winning long drive and closest to the pin, there will be a Pie Baking Contest (The Depot) , a 5k walk/ run and the obligatory Dunk Tank (Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy), all add to the fun. And, of course, there will be a boatload of activities for the young ones including Gellyball (think paintball without the mess) , a Barrel Train, Face Painting and a Gem Mine. Our Gateway City is pulling out all stops to provide a day of fun and frolic so take your crew to Grant this Saturday, August 17th. For more detailed info visit the River Country Chamber site at: https://www.rivercountrychamber.com/events/details/grant-festival-2024-41231  |
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