Chicago based Melody Angel brings blues to the Dogwood Center Black Box on Friday, February 2 at 7:30 p.m. Melody Angel is a gifted guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist, arranger, and producer. Along the way Angel also has found time to launch a successful theater and film acting career and received international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The Chicago Reader newspaper called her “The Future of the Blues.” The Southside Chicago artist has a forward-looking musical path while integrating the legacy of classic blues. Her music encompasses many 20th century American genres, including Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Folk, and Funk, all layered on a strong bed of Chicago blues. Growing up in Chicago, it was the guitar that obsessed Melody. Money was too tight to ask for an instrument and lessons, so she spent hours each day watching videos of her favorite guitar players, analyzing their styles and dreaming up her own licks. By the time she was 15 and her mother bought her a purple Fender at a local pawnshop, it took mere months with a guitar in her hands before she was winning open mic nights and forming her own band. Angel never got to play with her famous cousin Otis Rush, whose health failed just as she began her career, but she’s proud to carry on his legacy—and the legacy of the women in her family who were powerful soul and gospel singers. Join us for a great night in the Dogwood Black Box! Tickets are $17.50 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont, on-line by clicking here. Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.
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N3 note: If you are unfamiliar with the work of Django Reinhardt we highly recommend seeing this show because you have been missing out on a seriously fine listening experience.
And if you already know about the music? See you there. Michigan-based band, Djangophonique brings their hot club style jazz to the Dogwood Center Black Box on Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m. The award winning band delivers the infectious joy, and expressive freedom that is at the heart of Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche. Djangophonique has been described as “…the cleanest, most genuine manouche jazz that can be heard in Michigan” (Local Spins). Led by guitar player Andrew Brown, a true disciple of the style, the project has cultivated a community of musicians who channel the tenacious agility that the music demands. In 2022 the group released their first studio album, “Introducing Djangophonique,” which featured Tyler Rindo on Clarinet and Jorian Olk-Szost on double-bass and won Best Jazz Album, Traditions Award, as well as earning them Artist Of The Year at the WYCE Jammies. In 2023 guitarist Nicholas Martin joined the ensemble on rhythm guitar and the group began a new chapter with the addition of vocalist Katie Smith, who’s soulful approach channels the mystery and appeal of an unplaceable era. With a second studio album and a full concert schedule in the works for 2024, Djangophonique is poised to forge a connection with an expansive audience through the resonance of their artistry. With respect for the tradition and a fearless creativity that bends the conventions of the style, Djangophonique is keeping the Hot Club revival alive and well. The result is a sound that’s unmistakable to fans of the music, and alluring to the uninitiated—a sound that can bring the lively energy of a Parisian dance hall to the quietest listening room or captivate a buzzing festival audience with the aching nostalgia of a shimmering ballad. Tickets are $17.50 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA- Artsplace in downtown Fremont, on-line by clicking here . Beer and wine will be available at a cash bar. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Search Begins for NBFF’s 2024 Queen’s Court
Ok, it is definitely winter hereabouts since we’ve just been blanketed with a super-sized helping of the white stuff. Oh, and to make things even brighter we’re due for one of those runs of frigid temps when you wonder why you live in a place where the weather makes your face hurt. During these times it’s important to remember that following winter there is indeed a spring and it soon segues into the magical season of warmth, water, outdoor fun, festivals and nothing to shovel. In 6 short (except for February and March)) months the National Baby Festival hits Fremont and the quest has begun for candidates to serve on the event’s Queen’s Court. Interested? Here’s the skinny: The National Baby Food Festival Committee has begun their search for the 2024 Queen’s Court! This year the festival will take place during the week of July 17-20. The NBFF Queen’s Court Committee is looking for individuals who will enjoy representing the festival as a goodwill ambassador around West Michigan. The 2024 Queen’s Court will consist of three very eager and outgoing individuals willing to be involved in various events around Newaygo County as well as during the week of the National Baby Food Festival. A scholarship will be awarded to the Crowned Queen of the court. Interested individuals must be between 16 – 20 years of age and a resident of Newaygo County. Please submit a letter of introduction, along with a current photograph to: NBFF Queen’s Court 7 East Main Street Fremont, MI 49412 Letters of introduction and photograph must be postmarked no later than Friday, February 7, 2024, to be considered in the 2024 NBFF Queen’s Court search. If you have any questions, please contact the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce at (231) 924-0770. Applicants will then be interviewed, and a three-person court will be announced this spring. The 2024 Queen will be crowned during the Festival’s Friday night entertainment on July 19th. Her first official duty will be presiding over the National Baby Food Festival Grand Parade on Saturday, July 22nd. As we swing into what promises to be yet another year of fun and frolic here in our slice of bi-penindular paradise, a busy week awaits. On Tuesday you can take in a bit of local history when longtime Croton resident Dick Gillespie shares stories, photos and more in a look back at the Croton of yesteryear. The presentation starts at 1pm and will be held at the Croton Township Hall. Jake vs. Jayk will make their first appearance in the River Stop Cafe’s Thursday night series. 6:30pm-9pm downtown Newaygo. Rather tap into your creativity than listen to music? Shamrock Pub & Grille in White Cloud is hosting a Paint and Sip Thursday from 6-9pm featuring Highland Cow. On Friday World of Winter kicks off in GR a 2 month celebration of our coldest season. There are winter people and there are those who escape to warmer climes. This ongoing funfest put on by our metro cousin to the south is for those of us who choose to live in the Mitten year round, not retreat south at a little dip of the thermometer. https://worldofwintergr.com! On Saturday the Dogwood brings in John McEuen for a 7:30pm concert. Ever been to Wheatland? Well, the venerable mid Michigan gathering likely got its roots from the efforts of McEuen and his mates from the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. When they released Will The Circle Be Unbroken the album spawned an explosion of new fans to the genre and a proliferation of bluegrass festivals across the country. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/bluegrass-country-rock-legend-coming-to-town Kropscott Farm will be hosting their Winter Workshop Saturday 1-4pm. Free, but pre-registration is required. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/leisure/kropscott-farm-to-host-winter-workshop. Want to learn how to sow your seeds in the winter for your springtime garden planting? On Saturday The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) will host a native plant event at Brooks Township Hall beginning at 11am. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/living-well/native-plant-seeds-wild-ones-chapter-jan-13. John McEuen at the Dogwood on January 13
I first recall hearing the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band when they covered the classic Jerry Jeff Walker creation Mr. Bojangles, a captivating ballad involving a rather remarkable chance meeting behind bars. It took off on the pop charts and the album it came from ‘Uncle Charley and His Dog Teddy’ had a couple other cuts that showcased some of the outstanding string work of John McEuen. Then a couple years later, if memory serves, the band merely changed the course of music when they arrived in Nashville, not exactly a hotbed of long haired musicians in those days. They recorded the groundbreaking ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken’ an absolutely extraordinary collaboration that gave rise to a whole new Bluegrass revival (area folks close to my age might recall the popularity of Cabbage Crik in the mid-late 70’s). The 3 record set has been a personal favorite long enough to have owned incarnations of it in vinyl, 8 track, cassette, CD and once again back to vinyl. Band member John McEuen was the driving force for this meeting of the musical minds when the likes of country music legends like Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Jimmy Martin, Vassar Clements, Roy Acuff, Mother Maybelle Carter and others agreed to participate. I cannot even fathom how those sessions must have gone down. McEuen is renowned for his multi instrumental artistry. He is a true icon who took the music he loved and carried it into the mainstream. And he is coming to the Dogwood. Our Dogwood. In Fremont. Soon. If you are interested in hearing some seriously fine music, mark this one down. It’s already on my calendar and I might even see if I can find that old 8 track . Never know when a possible autograph opportunity might arise. -Ken De Laat Here’s the skinny on the concert: Multi-instrumentalist John McEuen, best known as a member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, will perform on the Dogwood Center Main Stage on Saturday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m. McEuen, a key figure in the history of American folk music, will be performing with The Circle Band. McEuen brings with him 45+ years of worldwide performing with his banjo, fiddle, guitar, and mandolin. Often dubbed ‘the String Wizard’, he weaves stories of his travels and family life, taking the audience through where his musical path has taken him. A founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, McEuen initiated the band’s classic 1972 album Will the Circle Be Unbroken, which brought together icons from bluegrass, country, and West Coast country-rock and holds a place in the Library of Congress as one of America’s most important recordings. His Circle Band includes Les Thompson, a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band; Danny Knicely and Bryan McDowell. Tickets are $20.00 and are available through the Dogwood Center Box Office, NCCA- Artsplace in downtown Fremont, on-line at www.dogwoodcenter.com or make it easy and click here! For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. |
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