For the second year Schindy’s, the hidden gem of a pizza place tucked near Diamond Lake, will be hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner for the community. For free. Yeah, really. From their fb page: “We enjoyed this so much last year we’re doing it again. Everyone is welcome and there is no charge for this meal. We believe in our hearts that no one should be alone on such a blessed day.” Apparently last year there was quite a showing of folks who partook in some good TDay eating while watching the Lions get edged by the Bills. This year it’s the Packers on the schedule. Dinner gets going at noon. The Lions kickoff a half hour later. The Riverstop Cafe where Thursday nights have meant top level musical entertainment will not be hosting a gig on Thursday. The good news is, they’re moving it to Friday where Gina & Jordan will be returning to perform from 6-9:30pm. This talented duo has will not disappoint But if it’s a ‘get in the mood for Christmas’ vibe you’re searching for, head to Webster Park in Hesperia Friday for their Light Up the Park celebration. Carolers, Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Wagon Rides, the always amazing Deater Light Show and the Big Guy himself, S.Claus will be making an appearance with the indomitable Mrs. Claus at his side. This all sounds great but as a bonus, sort of the Christmas cherry atop the sundae, there will be fireworks beginning at 7:30pm. Yes, we said fireworks. Great community event. Also Friday the “Colors of Christmas” display begins showing their seasonal stuff at the Croton Campground. Free, but donations are accepted so don’t be shy about chucking a fiver their way. Well worth it.. On Saturday the NCCA Artsplace is hosting Pottery Place Ornament Painting Day From the Artsplace: “We have a lot of bisque ornaments ready to glaze, so we’re having a $3.00 ornament painting day! Please pre-register to paint your ornaments any time between 10:00 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Saturday, November 25. Ornaments will be ready for pick up on Saturday, December 2.” Sat., November 25 Between 10:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m. All Ages, $3 per ornament. We know nothing about the group Mighty Fine, but understand they have had gigs at the Amble Bar, the Sportsman’s Club, and some other area venues. This Saturday starting at 6pm they’ll be at the Driftwood and no, not on the deck. There you go Near Northians. Much to do and we’re just scratching the season.
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Video: the game winning touchdown (seriously, sorry about the screeching) A Game for the Ages: Lions vs Bears By Alexis Mercer We invited ourselves to the game, really. It was supposed to be a Father’s Day game where my father-in-law took my husband and brother-in-law while his childhood friend Jack Manciu took his son. But as all well-intentioned plans go, that didn’t exactly work out. So earlier this week I got on Stubhub and bought three additional tickets to the Lions and Bears game at Ford Field so that I could go and we would bring our boys. Mike, my father-in-law, Adam, my husband, Jack and his wife Sue would come with us. Of the seven of us, two are Bears fans. Diehard Bears fans. The rest of us? Lifelong Lions fans. I remember sitting around a miniature television with my cousins at my Great Aunt Grace’s house on Thanksgiving Day watching Barry Sanders destroy defenses single-handedly with lateral movements like I still haven’t seen to this day. And that is the last time we even had a glimmer of hope. Yet I still believed. I’m not even that old (my oldest son read this as I was typing and used the phrase “that’s cap” in reference to this sentence, so I guess there’s that…). Some Lions fans were around in 1962: the last time Detroit went 8-2 to start a season. The last NFL Championship games they won were between 1953-1957. That would be prior to the Super Bowl Era. It’s been a long haul. The Bears have fared much better in the Super Bowl Era, having appeared in two Super Bowls, and winning one but not since 1985. Their last playoff appearance was in 2020. We all sported our gear, got in our bus RV, and headed for the game. Having paid more than a monthly mortgage payment for the tickets I was hoping to be entertained. Boy was I ever.
It was not Jared Goff’s day. Nor did the defense seem to be particularly on fire. The first quarter, despite an incredibly loud crowd trying our hardest to interfere with Chicago’s ability to complete 3rd down conversions, the Lions were down 0-7. Adam and Jack were high fiving each other. No one else was interested in looking at them. Second quarter came around and things started looking up. We found our way into the endzone twice, once right before the half, which left the Lions fans happy and relieved. Goff might be throwing interceptions, but we were still finding a way. The third quarter? Maybe Dan Campbell told his team the odd quarters wouldn’t count. Because we certainly didn’t look like we were playing in either one of them. With no points to show for the home team, and 10 additional points for the visitors, some of the fans were getting restless. In particular, the “fan” in front of me, who apparently missed the phone call to join in on the Lions coaching staff with all he knew about what they were doing wrong. When he got up to leave in the 4th quarter with 6 minutes left, I actually stood and cheered for his departure (of course with a “go defense” excuse…but I knew). The faithful fans stayed, even if it was bleak. If we were going to pay that much for a ticket, we at least could see it through until the end. Plus Adam and Jack were in their glory. Fields was back, running the ball like a track star, and their defense was shoving everything down our throats. What wasn’t to love for them. And then…. The interceptions went away. In their place came perfectly thrown balls to the outside routes, allowing the Lions to keep their timeouts and march down the field. With 3:06 left on the clock, Goff launched a beauty deep in the corner of the endzone (right in front of us) to Williams and the place exploded. Could it be? Defense found their groove. Three and out.  With every single person in the stadium on their feet, the place was hushed for the home offense. In fact, one Bears fan down our row screamed 'Go Defense' and I was quite sure he was going to get pummeled by the rest of the Honolulu Blue around him.
Montgomery waltzed his way into the endzone for the touchdown and the place shook. Add in the successful 2 point conversion to LaPorta and it was indescribable how loud the place was. With 29 seconds left to ruin the comeback of the century (can I say that? It’s not proven…but seriously…had to be in contention), we were on our toes. Hutchinson knocked the ball out of Fields’s hand, their lineman kicked it out the endzone for a safety, and it was over. Bears fans wept. Lions fans wept, too, but out of pure bliss. We Lions fans might not see a Super Bowl this year, but after witnessing the team in person today, seeing them refuse to give up, to play with genuine grit until the last seconds ticked off the clock? That was enough to keep me going another 42 years as a true Lions fan.  CBD Store of Michigan saw a steady streqm of customers during Ladies Day Event draws shoppers from near and far Ladies Day looked like a huge success as merchants in downtown Fremont drew in crowds of mostly women who took advantage of the specials offered during the one day event. With the first weekend of hunting season as a backdrop for a focusing on females the stores saw a lot of traffic as shoppers, perhaps looking to get a jump start on Christmas ,lined the main drag and kept downtown registers ringing. “It was much better than imagined,” said Rod Glupker of the CBD of Michigan shop. “I enjoyed walking into the downtown businesses and seeing them packed wall to wall with customers!” Melissa Rich and Alissa Baddis were using the occasion for a “Girls Day” “We both needed to get out and this was a good reason for doing so," said Rich. Both were surprised at the amount of people the event brought downtown. The Grinch was on hand doling out his brand of mischief and added to the festive atmosphere the town took on.  Melissa Rich and Alisa Baddis having a "girls Day" in downtown Fremont  The Grinch being..well... the Grinch
The River Stop Cafe brings in Ruben Resendiz Jr. Thursday 6:30-9:00pm as they continue the popular series that has brought in some quality midweek music. From the Rstpm folks: “If you have not seen Reuben yet in our music series, you absolutely must! He is a fantastic guitar player and vocalist and we don't get to host him often.His musical style involves looping beats and playing freestyle guitar in addition to covering songs by The Beatles, George Strait, Juanes, and the Arctic Monkeys.” I’m in. It’s Apple Cider Day at the Newaygo Library on Friday. From 10:30am to 5:30pm all comers can get a free glass of cider while they search for a bit of pre-holiday reading material. Friday means Open Mike night at Flying Bear Books and Creperie. Good music, good eats, and a good vibe awaits at FBB. 6-9pm. Ladies Day Fremont- Saturday 10am to 3pm. Opening Week of The Hunting Season. When buck poles become celebratory scenes and the avid pursuers of this pastime are either hunting or talking about hunting. A perfect storm for Ladies Day, an event in Fremont involving the shops and eateries that populate the downtown area.Many locations will have snacks and drinks. Some will offer sales and other drawings within their location. CBD Store of Michigan will have 15 minute chair massages for $15 and also a makeup tutorial and sale. A gift basket said to be worth over $1000 is up for grabs and hopefuls need to pick up a punch card from one of the participating businesses. Once they visit all the places on their card they will bring it into the CBD Store of Michigan and the drawing will be at 3pm on the day of the event. Bonus: We’re told you do not need to be present at the time of the drawing and the winner will be contacted after the drawing. We didn’t ask but buck poles are not expected to be part of the event. The Santa Parade will be arriving at our Metro cousin to the south Saturday. Parade starts at 10am and it’s always a good one. I recall shivering outside of Wurzburg’s as a kid and shivering outside Herp’s when my kids were little. Here’s a link. https://www.facebook.com/GRSantaParade  By Coach Stephen Smith Over Veterans Day weekend, American flags waved proudly, servicemen and women were honored, and the wholesome competitive action of quiz bowl prevailed. With such a special occasion on hand, the White Cloud Quiz Bowl teams traversed through brisk autumnal climes and adventured to the 17th Annual Holland Quiz Bowl Invitational. The early, chilly morning transformed into a magnificently sunny fall afternoon as the White Cloud Varsity A (6-2) bounced back into action, winning against John Adams B, IN (175-135) in their opening match. The Indians decisively defeated Saint Joseph A (205-120), a perennial state championship team hailing from Indiana. Continuing to triumph valiantly, the team dispatched St. Joseph B, MI (160-85) and brilliantly crushed Rockford (235-40). The Varsity faltered against Grand Ledge (130-280), the eventual champion of the tournament to round out the morning matches. Battling in the afternoon, the contingent routed St. Joseph A, MI (220-50), won a thriller in the last seconds against John Adams C, IN (155-150), but were outgained by John Adams B (105-230) in a rematch from earlier in the day. While the Varsity engaged in tremendously stiff competition from Class A schools from both Michigan and Indiana, the reigning Class C-D State Champions from White Cloud scored 1,385 total points and remained the highest rated team in their division at the tournament. In the process, the formidable foursome qualified to nationals yet again on the season. The Varsity team was led in scoring by Senior Captain Brian Schaefer with an astonishingly impressive 300 points. Jarrett Warlick flexed his academic knowledge with 125 points, his highest total in a tournament to date. Wyatt Karnes followed up closely with a healthy portion of 115 points, and Samuel Viher tossed in an additional 45 while assisting exponentially on bonus questions. Gaining incredible amounts of experience for the future, the White Cloud Varsity B competed against powerhouse schools scoring 365 total points, which will certainly prepare them for victories in conference play. The quartet lost a few heartbreakers by only 5 points showcasing the team’s grit and fight through difficulty. The squad was led in scoring by Senior Captain Annie Feldpausch with 110 points. Anna Mohr followed behind closely with 70 points, and Charlotte Karnes chipped in with 30 points. Samantha Kukal helped out the team by answering bonus questions. In JV divisional gameplay, the White Cloud JV A (6-2) performed exceptionally, accumulating 530 team points. The JV A group earned a third-place spot in the rankings, winning against White Cloud JV B (60-40), Rockford JV (80-50), Holland JV A (70-65), Culver (90-60), Holland JV B (105-60), Ionia JV B (50-20). The JV A fell to Ionia JV A (60-130) and Kalamazoo Christian JV (15-110), who was the eventual trophy winner for the JV division. Leading the team in scoring was Sophomore Captain Liam Povey with an outstanding 310 points. Tyler Higgins erupted for 120 points. Landon Edwards provided 20 more points, and Zeke Hensley notched 10 points, his first of the season. Jay Fessenden provided support on bonus opportunities. The White Cloud JV B competed as well, scoring 185 total points. Leading the team in scoring was Trysten Tancock with a fantastic 135 points followed by Freshmen Captain Arsyn Balke’s 40 points. Rhoen Wade picked up 10 points and so did Quin Rose, his first as a new player. Kacie Kailing assisted with bonuses and morale. Finally, the White Cloud JV C (4-4) amassed 495 total points as a team, netting victories over Holland JV B (110-55), Rockford (110-70), White Cloud JV B (25-15), and Ionia JV A (85-55). Mason D’Lamater, the team’s captain, exploded with 175 points. Brian Loveless followed quickly with 120 points. Brayden Perdue added another 20 points. Annabelle Bird contributed 10 more, and Leah Vining scored 10, her first points as a player. All in all, contingents enjoyed considerable amounts of success on the day. Coach Stephen Smith and the entire White Cloud Quiz Bowl team would like to thank Coach Emeritus Tony McHattie and assistant coaches Allison McPhall, Arnie Baker, Dallas Dowling, and Tracy Trimm for their unwavering support. Parental assistance with transportation and meal preparation is also much appreciated. The team’s success would not be possible without everyone’s involvement. Up next, the Varsity squad will be back in action Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Kalamazoo Christian for the Swim N’ Win Tournament.
 Need a decidedly cool present for the person on your list who enjoys jotting down a few things here and there? Well, Croton Library is hosting a workshop that will involve making leather bound journals, items destined to make an aspiring writer, a compulsive note taker and/or the occasional doodler ecstatic with their gift. Leather artisan Roxanne Middleton will be providing the guidance Thursday starting at 6pm. Registration is required and space is limited. Stop at the circulation desk to sign up or call 231.652.1615. River Stop Cafe welcomes back The Andrews who will provide some nice string work on what are sure to be some familiar favorites from their cover list. Thursday 6:30-9pm. In the mood for some really fine music that resonates a folk-pop sound with a bit of an edge? Seth Bernard is familiar to those who have followed his musical journey over the years or perhaps attended one of the Earthwork Harvest Gathering Events up near Lake City. Now add in the talented cellist and vocalist Jordan Hamilton and the Dogwood’s Black Box will be dishing up some rich sounds Friday night starting at 7:30pm. The club-like atmosphere at the Box is a perfect venue for kicking back to hear some tunes, perhaps accompanied by a glass of wine or a beer . And by the way among other choices they usually have Two Hearted AND Dirty Bastard on hand. You know, in case you wondered. Jingle Mingle, known to local aficionados of holiday bazaars as “The Big One'', arrives Saturday at the Fremont Middle School. The doors open at 9am and they close around 3pm. That’s 6 hours of exploring the plethora of items and products offered up in a one stop shopping venue. A major dent in your Christmas shopping awaits. And of course it is week 2 of the theatrical phenomena that charmed local audiences last weekend during their first run. Bright Star received a rave review from us last week and local social media has exploded with well deserved praise for the intriguing musical. Our recent article written by a pair who are part of the play is a fun insight into community theater. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/whats-the-thing-about-community-theater The final shows are at the Grant Fine Arts Center: November 10 at 7:00 pm November 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm Tickets are $15 and $10 for seniors, students and veterans.  L-R Ciara Nester, Katrina Higgins, Megan Wirts, Alicia Cole Bright Star participants riff on their roles KD_ Everyone’s bucket list should include being involved with a community theater production, if for no other reason than it is a nearly perfect example of an inclusive experience in the art of collaboration. There are a multitude of moving parts when it comes to putting on a play and it requires a sea of volunteers to make it come to fruition. LionHeart’s recent production of Bright Star has been receiving a lot of well deserved praise since opening this past weekend and with the final shows approaching, here are a couple of takes on the experience from a pair of newer recruits to the local theater community.  Katrina Higgins and Ciara Nester Ciara Nester Working with Lionheart on their production of Bright Star has been an amazing experience. My roommate, Katrina Higgins and I were recruited to work backstage, by the stunning Megan Wirts who plays leading lady Alice Murphy, a week or two before opening night. We had been involved in theater throughout our high school years at Grant High School, so we were thrilled to get involved again. This is our first time working with Lionheart Productions and I’m so glad we chose to do so. From the first night we got there I felt welcomed and appreciated. We weren’t familiar with the show but everyone in the cast and crew made sure we knew what we had to do. The cast has been so helpful and supportive. I’d like to make a special shoutout to Brendan and Ashley Carroll for being overly helpful and always jumping in when the crew needed help. I’d also like to shout out David Hatter for always being appreciative and supportive, even when things don’t go as planned. I’ve always loved theater and working backstage for Bright Star has made me feel at home again. Everyone that is a part of Bright Star has welcomed us like family. As a member of the backstage crew, I have had the privilege of witnessing the tremendous effort that goes into bringing this production to life and the immense satisfaction that comes from being part of a team that creates something truly extraordinary. I want to thank Megan for inviting us to be a part of this team and always being a mentor to Katrina and me. I’m so thankful for the show and the people I’ve met while working backstage. Lionheart truly knows how to create a family on and off the stage. The impact that the show has on the audience and on the cast is very apparent. The show is heart-wrenching yet captivating, and the ending provides a wave of relief that everyone hopes for. The scenes with Jimmy Ray, played by David Hatter, show how a strong male character can still be vulnerable in a time of hardship. It helps showcase how everyone is affected in a time of tragedy. He captures the grief and pain, as well as the youthfulness and love in a way that makes everyone root for him in the end. There are many scenes that pull the audience in and allow them to experience the happiness and the heartbreak that comes from Alice Murphy’s story. Watching the show for the first time was incredible, even whilst working backstage. Everyone in the cast has worked so hard to get where they are today. I am honored to be a part of this wonderful team and thankful that I get to experience this amazing show.  Erica Wagner, a.k.a. Lucy- Photo by Megan Wirts Erica Wagner My name is Erica Wagner, and I have the privilege of performing with LionHeart Productions in Bright Star as the fun and flirty Lucy Grant. I had only lived in Newaygo for a little over a year when I walked into Grant Middle School to audition for Bright Star this Spring. Feeling very much still the new girl in town, I was anxious to walk into this new place, not knowing a soul, and having never auditioned for a musical. Much to my relief, the people I met at auditions were so welcoming to this shy newcomer, and I instantly felt some of my anxieties melting away. I had always dreamed of performing in a musical, and when I received the call asking me to play the part of Lucy, I was over the moon!! Little did I know that this opportunity would be well beyond merely acting, singing, and dancing on stage. I have been challenged to grow in my skills, encouraged to gain confidence in my abilities, and most rewarding of all, I have found a precious new community of friends. These past couple months have been a rollercoaster of emotions, struggles, triumphs, tears, and laughter. Much like my journey with LionHeart, this show will take its viewers through a rollercoaster of emotions. Bright Star has so much to offer: love, laughs, heartache, redemption, toe-tapping melodies, energetic dance scenes, emotional ballads, and heartwarming connection. Bright Star brings the best of historical fiction, comedy, musical, and drama together into one perfectly executed piece of artistic genius. Our cast and crew have worked tirelessly to do it justice. Seeing all of our hard work come together into these performances has brought me so much joy, and as our final shows approach, I am looking forward to the next opportunity I will have to perform with my new LionHeart family.  And now we're about to begin...Photo of Megan Wirts by Katrina Higgins The final shows are at the Grant Fine Arts Center:
November 10 at 7:00 pm November 11 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm Tickets are $15 and $10 for seniors, students and veterans.  Come celebrate the holidays with John Berry's 27th Annual Christmas Tour at the Dogwood Center on Saturday, December 9 at 7:30 p.m.! Grammy-winning John Berry is once again bringing his annual Christmas tour to the Dogwood Center, mixing such Berry classic hits as “Your Love Amazes Me” and “Standing On The Edge Of Goodbye,” and “I Think About It All The Time” with holiday favorites, including his always-standing-ovation performance of “O Holy Night.” John’s enduringly powerful performances draw on a lifetime of making music and living life. Born in South Carolina and raised in Georgia, he began playing guitar at 13, performing shows at age 14 and making records at age 19. “By the time I was 17, I knew that music was what I wanted to do with my life”; and he has done it well ever since. No one moves an audience quite the way this platinum-selling vocalist does, and this year's appearance is sure to be the hottest holiday ticket in town. Join in and get that holiday spirit! For more information, follow John on his website at www.johnberry.com. With John's caring spirit for each of the communities he performs in, audience members are asked to bring non-perishable food items to the Dogwood the evening of the show. Donations will benefit TrueNorth Community Services food programs that serve Newaygo County residents. What a great way to "Help the Arts, Help the Community"! Tickets are $52.50 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. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont.  Megan Wirts and David Hatter making music LionHeart’s latest production proves an impressive performance By Ken De Laat Bright Star held its dress rehearsal last night and from one who was privileged to see this early rendition of the latest LionHeart offering, it proved to be an impressive performance. Filled with musical interludes that range from lighthearted and fun-filled to tearful torch songs and melodious laments, the cast performs each in a manner that reveals their passion for the music. The play delivers a strong opening with the ensemble joining in to provide theatergoers a bit of a taste of the music to come. There is a bluegrass. country/folk feel to the compositions and it proves to work well with the storyline. This is not your typical musical. It’s more of an emotional journey describing the story of Alice Murphy, a successful magazine editor, with a decidedly painful past. The story shifts from post WWII days back to her youth in rural North Carolina, an interesting concept that translates well from the stage. This shifting requires an imaginative set structure and having been consistently impressed with the set designs created by setmaster Mike Gesler this one is no exception. Having the cast members working the set changes is a nice touch that allows for a fluid transition. This is a strong cast filled with LionHeart veterans as well as talented newcomers. Rosie Tomlinson effectively captures the role of Margo while displaying some impressive pipes and Caesar Gonzales as her love interest Billy, compels the audience to root for his success. The scenes with Erica Wagner and Devon Conley are a fun romp. Playing off each other well, they provide ample energy for a frolicking bar scene tune. Jamie Evans brings a sinister touch to his role as the Mayor who is also Jimmy's Dad and Brendan Carroll translates the ambiguity and eventual regret of Alice's father in a believable manner. The musical contributions of Anna Stephans made me want to hear more from her. She tossed out some strong vocals and an ability to deftly communicate her role as Alice’s mother. Well done. David Hatter exudes stage presence in his role as Jimmy Ray and is obviously well acquainted with the art of theater. His scenes with his Father are tightly played and there is some definite electricity between he and Alice, particularly in their duets. And now we come to the lead role of Alice played by Megan Wirts. Ms. Wirts is an absolute gem in this production. Between her canny comedic timing and the musical range of her vocals she literally owns the stage. This is a play that requires a strong performance from its leading lady and Megan delivers big time. Her duets with Hatter, as mentioned above, join two seasoned performers with a pleasing result and the selection she shares with the aforementioned Anna Stephans is a show highlight. The ensemble is enthusiastic and committed to their roles. They have mastered their movements, vocalize well and make quality use of some of the imaginative staging the play displays. The finale is a high energy scene with the result of wrapping the story well. Director Leslye Fries has put together a talented cast and deftly guided the show in a manner that showcases said talent. As we said this is not your average musical. It gives one pause from time to time and requires a bit of reflection both with the dialogue as well as the musical selections. It can provide an emotional roller coaster but is also filled with a message of hope and redemption. And most of all it exemplifies the incredible power of forgiveness. The show opens tonight (Friday, November 3rd) at the Grant Fine Arts Center. Curtain goes up at 7pm. Additional performances are: Saturday November 4th —7:00 p.m. show Sunday November 5th—2:00 p.m. matinee Friday November 10th—7:00 p.m. show Saturday November 11th—2:00 & 7:00 p.m. show Tickets on sale now! https://grantfac.booktix.net/cart.php?action=show_pers...  From Left- Devon Conley, Erica Wagner and Caesar Gonzales  The opener
A 4-Pack of local goings on
For the next 2 weekends theatergoers are in for a treat as LionHeart Productions, (who can boast a lengthy run of wildly popular musicals) delivers their latest offering when Bright Star graces the Grant Fine Arts Center stage. Here’s an interview we did with lead actress Megan Wirts about the play: https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/bright-star-a-few-questions-for-alice The Play opens Friday with the performance beginning at 7pm. Saturday also has a 7pm offering and the Sunday matinee performance begins at 2pm. Next Friday Nov. 10th there will be a 7pm show and Saturday the 11th there will be a matinee at 2pm followed by the final show at 7pm Look for our review in these pages on Friday. I really dig female jazz vocalists. There’s just something about that steamy, smoky sound sprinkled over some judicious musical riffs from the band that seems to feed the soul. Dianna Krall is a favorite for the way she can bring a song home and the mysteriously elusive Heather Rigdon gets a lot of play on my headphones. And of course the classic sounds delivered by Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitgerald and Billie Holiday can never go unmentioned. Thus, when I heard the Dogwood was bringing in jazz vocalist Kristine Koller there was a compelling need to acquaint myself with how she rolls. The introduction involved many of the songs on her 2022 release ‘Get Out of Town’ and I was beyond impressed. Koller doesn’t just cover tunes she blankets them, blending in her own version and delivering the goods with just a trace of attitudinal flair. A definite must see show for aficionados of skillfully performed jazz with a topping of some seriously fine vocals. One hopes we hear a bit of Cole Porter among her selections. Here’s the skinny on the show and how to get tickets. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/dogwood-to-host-jazz-vocalist-kristina-koller Showtime is 7:30pm Friday in the club-like atmosphere of the Black Box. The RiverStop Cafe continues to provide a musical oasis as we head into the season that lies ahead. A season that is known to severely limit any outdoor venues, thus being able to access well played music in an indoor setting is such a bonus. This Thursday's performer is Denny Larsen who will be welcomed back by any who saw his performance at the RStop this past July. Music from 6:30pm-9:30pm. And if it is Friday it must be Open Mike at Flying Bear Books. The weekly gig that gives folks a shot at showing their personal brand of musicianship. Always a good time and FBB is one of the most chill locales in the area. And of course there are those seriously fine crepes. Friday 6-9pm Got something going on? Contact us at info@nearnorthnow.com |
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