LionHeart Productions has had a rather lengthy string of successful musicals. Admittedly I had never heard of Bright Star before LionHeart Productions announced it as their fall production but after learning it was written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell and inspired by their bluegrass album “Love Has Come To You” I was intrigued. Learning that sometime N3 contributor, former standup comedian extraordinaire and tireless hiker Megan Wirts was in the show we reached out to her for a few questions. -Ken DeLaat How long has Bright Star been in rehearsals? We did a couple workshops over the summer, but the bulk of the work started September 5th. Tell us a little about the play and your role ? This is a coming of age story about a young soldier, Billy Cane, who has just come home from WWII and about the secrets that Alice Murphy carries. Their two lives are intersected in ways that surprise them both. I play Alice, a woman who has lived a life that has hurt her and taught her about faith, hope and forgiveness. The story is set in North Carolina in the small town of Zebulon. It begins in the 1940’s and then goes back into Alice’s memories in the early 1920’s when she was a teenager falling in love. When Alice is young, she’s a free spirited stubborn firecracker. She has her eyes set on Jimmy Ray, the mayor's son and when Alice decides she wants something, she goes for it. A jarring tragedy occurs and Alice needs to move forward with her life. In the 1940’s Alice is a strong, fierce woman, who runs a magazine. Being a strong independent woman was not always welcomed in the 1920s or 40s. She’s a woman before her time. Her ability to forgive those that hurt her and to grow into the woman she became is an inspiration. Tell us about the cast.’ I don’t think there are enough words to say how much I love this cast. One of the things I love the most about community theater is the “community” part of it. Some of my favorite LionHeart alums, like David Hatter, Jamie Evans, Devon Conley, Brenden Carroll, Jim Renney, Rosie Tomlinson, Anna Stephens, and many more are part of the cast. Then there are newcomers like Erica Wagner and Caesar Gonzalez that are such a gift to work with. The ensemble is one of the most important and hard working groups in this show and I’m so impressed with the work that every single one of us is putting into this. They all make me want to do better. Every day I am in awe of the talent that is grown right here in Grant. For a small community theater, we are truly blessed with big talent. The storyline seems to be one of love, loss and reunion. What do you find compelling about the character you play? The first song I heard when I started researching this show, was “If You Knew My Story”, the line “Many backs have broken from lesser weight I know, but I was born to carry more than I can hold” hit me like a brick. I looked at my husband and said, “Try to convince me that this song was not written for me to sing”. I connected to Alice on a deep level immediately. It feels like breathing for me to sing this music. I have been through my own personal struggles and to get here, to be able to be in a show like Bright Star and play a character like Alice, is a miracle in itself. Playing Alice has taught me that taking risks, holding on to hope and learning to forgive are worth it. She’s one of my favorite characters that I have ever played. Her strength and perseverance and feistiness are some of the things I love most about her. Putting together a musical is an enormous task. What have been the challenges for the cast and crew and you personally? It is definitely an enormous task! Everyone involved is a volunteer and has put in countless hours bringing this to the stage. The work behind the scenes is what makes a show happen. Our director Leslye Fries, along with Assistant Director Mellissa Hanes, have been doing an incredible job of helping us actors bring Leslye’s vision to life. Without the crew, the ones that set the stage for us actors, our shows would be bland and boring. The sound tech, light guru, set designer, costumer extraordinaires, musicians, choreographers and everyone else that pulls this all together is so important. One of the challenges for me personally has been not allowing myself to hold back and trusting myself. My own health struggles have been something I have been challenged with and I have worked diligently to overcome and adapt to. Three years ago, I was using a walker for mobility and I have pushed myself to be able to not just walk without assistance for short times, but to also dance and move freely and do it in heels! Alice takes us all on an extreme emotional journey and goes from a teenager to a 40 year old woman throughout this show. Digging into that has been a great challenge that I am loving. I think going back and forth between the two timelines can be a bit of a challenge for all of us. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell composed the music. Is there a particular song that stands out for you? Steve Martin and Edie Brickell have created one of my favorite musical soundtracks to date. It’s a blend of bluegrass, americana and contemporary country that will leave you humming the tunes as you leave. The story the music tells is so beautiful and compelling. My favorites range from the high energy Whoa, Mama, to the sweet love song Always Will and the emotional ballad I Had A Vision. You’ve long been a part of LionHeart. What is it that draws you to the stage and what would you say to readers who might consider being involved in community theater? Having a community theater in Grant like LionHeart is one of the best parts of living here. I have loved being on stage my entire life. I grew up singing solos at church and then I joined choir in middle school and that led to being part of the highschool theater program. For people like me, that didn’t leave their small town but still love to perform, having something this close is a gift. As I said before, the “community” part of community theater is what makes it so special. I have met some of my dearest friends through theater and it has helped me to grow a person. I encourage everyone to get involved with community theater in whatever way possible, whether it’s being on the stage, behind the scenes or in the audience. It’s a fulfilling and wonderful way to be part of a community. It’s also fun for the audience to see their highschool teacher, local pastor, next door neighbor or local librarian, up on the stage. Tell us what theatergoers should expect and why they should attend? Theatergoers should expect to laugh, cry and feel a sense of hope after seeing this show. This show is honest, heartfelt and has a beautiful story to tell. I hope that when people leave the theater that they will want to come back for more. Bright Star Showtimes Friday November 3rd—7:00 p.m. show 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...
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Full Cord at Dogwood on October 7
Full Cord will perform in the Dogwood Center's Black Box on Saturday, October 7 at 7:30 p.m. When it comes to movers and shakers in the bluegrass world, Full Cord is a super- group on the rise. After winning the prestigious 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition in Colorado, the Michigan-based group followed that with another much-coveted honor when the International Bluegrass Music Association named Full Cord its “Momentum Award Band of the Year.” While mandolinist Brian Oberlin notes the band’s music “is new and fresh to the ears of seasoned bluegrass fans,” the bluegrass traditions in Full Cord have deep roots. The group’s members – Oberlin, guitarist Eric Langejans, bassist Todd Kirchner and fiddler Grant Flick – boast decades of musical artistry, with experience in popular performing bands from Michigan to Oregon. And with the recent addition of award-winning, Colorado-based banjoist Ricky Mier, Full Cord is poised to take the next step in its journey as a bluegrass powerhouse. Full Cord’s songwriting has reached a new “tipping point,” manager Katie Kirchner suggests, enhanced by the group’s vast repertoire and robust experience in numerous band projects over the years. And Oberlin insists the band is “just hitting its stride”. 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. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Date Night at Flying Bear Books
Looking for a unique date night experience with your honey? Well, Flying Bear Books who have been tossing out a wide variety of intriguing entertainment options of late.are delivering what they have called “A Sensual Date Night” this Saturday, Sept. 30 featuring as entertainment “The Secret Bellydancers”. Being curious as we are we caught up with Lisa (Lanae) Lohman who is the founder of TSB. “I took my first belly dance lesson in 2005 to get ready for my 2006 Halloween costume. I started The Secret Bellydancers with friends to perform at my Halloween party. It was an evolution into fire dancing until I found other ladies that wanted to commit to regular performances as a group. I own a lingerie store in Muskegon, where we practice so the name is a takeoff of Victoria's Secret. We perform usually, at least a couple times a month. We dance at restaurants, bars, private homes, Pride festivals, dances, party venues, luaus, parks, Renaissance festivals, and even campgrounds, libraries and churches in and around west Michigan. The Secret Bellydancers range in residing from Zeeland to Rothbury. Mostly women (but many men have danced with us as well) the dancers are between ages 30-75.. Our most active group members range in age from 37 to 62. We are a colorful 'Contemporary World Fusion Bellydance' group using the traditional veil, sword, tambourine, cane, and finger cymbals called zills. We also dance the more contemporary styles including wings, silk fan veils, candelabra, Bollywood and fusion. Our colorful costumes and unique style demonstrates our joy in dance! The Secret Bellydancers are fun to watch and the audience dance welcomes sharing our joy! “The Secret Bellydancer's performance at Flying Bear will be a colorful, unique dance of femininity and fun. A perfect date night show!” Thank you Ms. Lohman. Here’s the skinny: Flying Bear Books & Creperie historic downtown Newaygo, MI Saturday Sept 30th 6-8pm “ADULTS ONLY” Tickets: $40/couple “tickets includes entry to the closed event at the bookstore and includes Dinner 2 crepes & 4 drinks from our menu as well as a night filled with entertainment!” Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sensual-date-night-for-couples-at-the-bookstore-tickets-715515956487?aff=oddtdtcreator Parade, Braunschweiger & a wealth of portable eateries on tap
“Autumn is the mellower season, and what we lose in flowers we more than gain in fruits.”- Samuel Butler The Harvest Fest arrives in Fremont Thursday for a 3 day run of family friendly Fall fun. Wandering about town or driving around you can take in the Hay Art displays that provide a prelude to the festival. You can cast a vote for your fave by bringing a canned good or three to the Chamber offices downtown until October 7th. These goods will head for a local food pantry. And if you take in any activities in the park make sure you peek at Renae Wallace's work on the wall across the street. Nicely done Ms. Wallace. There’s a food truck rally Thursday from 4-6pm featuring Big Tucks Food Truck, Pork-n-stein, Chick-fil-a, Two Hot Tamales, Lumberjills Concessions, Grand Traverse Pie Company, Baby Suga Cheesesteak, Corrine’s Cakes and Catering, Troy Day. Two Hot Tamales and a visit to the GTPC will likely be our destination and the variety offered up may be enough to cut into the teeming crowds that seem to be drawn to the chicken place. And of course there is the parade beginning at 6pm. As we have often said, few towns anywhere put on a parade like Fremont. And this year they are introducing a very cool initiative that will allow access to the doings for a much broader audience. A Quiet Zone for those who may struggle with loud noises, sirens, honking horns and such. The area will be in front of the library and parade participants will refrain from making loud noises while passing the area. Kudos to the Chamber for making the parade more inclusive. After the parade you can try your hand at axe throwing at Veterans Park from 7-9pm. On Friday from 4-8pm the food trucks are back with a little dinner music provided by Sounds R Us Saturday from 11am-3pm its Kids Hay Day in the Park with a bundle of activities for the young ones including the ever popular autumnal sports known as Pumpkin Bowling, Hay Bale Tossing and Corn Throwing while the Rec Center will be hosting Chalk the Walk as budding artists display their concrete creations. Then comes Saturday night and the arrival of the Beer Tent with music coming from hometown favorites the Braunschweiger Blues Band. Any evening spent with the B3 has a better than above average shot at being a fun one so if you’re the kind of person who enjoys fun… These are just the highlights and a page with all activities is available at https://fremontcommerce.com/harvest-festival Harvest Fest is a worthy celebration of the season and a nod to the rich agricultural heritage the town embraces. And judging from years past, it’s a boatload of fun. Did I mention the beer tent band? Of course the big news this week is the Grand Opening of Smugglers at North Shore as lakeside dining returns to the area. Well, I guess you can grab a cone at the Lakeside Swirl in Fremont and go sit by the lake which would be lakeside dining but if you hunger for something beyond a cone… Anyway here are some of the other goings on here, there, and a bit of a drive Star Party Returns Our friends at Wessling Observatory are holding another of their star parties this Saturday starting at 7:30pm. Planned viewing for the evening will be... - The First Quarter Moon, next to the handle of Sagittarius, the Teapot (The Moon passes the Meridian at 8:47pm, and sets around 12:30am). - Saturn will already be up in the ESE sky - - Jupiter breaks the horizon around 9:30pm. - The Summer Triangle, shining high overhead. - The Milky Way ("The River of Heaven"), still arching its way to the Southern sky. - Various star clusters and Messier objects (galaxies and nebulae). - And, always a visitor favorite - The Constellation Tour for Sept! Fairy Festival Howard Christensen Nature Center always has some very cool family friendly events and they start their season this Saturday when they will hold their Fairy Festival starting at 1pm. It’s the first in a series of good times at HCNC. Here’s how to get tickets so you can channel that inner fairy of yours. https://www.howardchristensen.org/product/fairy-festival/ Rockford Harvest Fest Fri-Sun Our neighbor to the south knows how to do it well. Their Blues Series in the summer is always some of the best music around, their social district is in a bomb setting and the Rockford Brewery dishes up some fine food and really nice beer. This weekend is their Harvest Fest. It’s a family friendly kind of event starting at 11am Friday and running through Sunday at 4pm. Calling All Craft Show Fans We really like the vibe at Dunneback & Girls Farm. A great spot to enjoy a bit of a bite, a pleasant schedule of musical talent that is easy to listen to and special events throughout the seasons not called winter. Saturday they’re holding On The Ridge Craft Show from 9am-4pm and if you’re there from 1-4pm you can catch the musical talents of Everett Domeier who has made appearances throughout the region. https://www.dunnebackgirls.com/ Speaking of Music… Thursday the Riverstop Cafe in Newaygo hosts Reuben Resendiz Jr. from 6:30-9pm. You know summer is careening to an end when the Driftwood Deck gigs come to an end.What better way to say goodbye to those magical musical weekends on the pond than with the Denise Anderson Connection Saturday and Sunday 3-7pm. Sad to see it end but Ms. A & company should be able to give it a good send-off. Love Fleetwood Mac? Well, you’re going to love Kait Rose and her Band of Thorns who will be rocking the Dogwood Main Stage SaturdayD starting at 7:30pm. Here’s an article we did on the show. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/fleetwood-mac-tribute-at-dogwood-on-september-23 Hess Lake’s Smuggler's at North Shore tosses open their doors.
The official opening of Smuggler’s at North Shore could not have asked for a more perfect day. With just 3 days of official summertime remaining the lakeside eatery was blessed with a sunny, mid 70’s afternoon that allowed diners to enjoy the expansive deck and the sparkle off Hess Lake. It was 5 years ago last month that the previous incarnation closed following a fire. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/fire-at-smugglers-cove The property was purchased by the Thompson family and finally a year ago minus a week they broke ground on the new facility that stands on the site that has been home to lakeside dining for generations. Possibly the happiest of all to see the restaurant open their doors are the lake dwellers who have long missed the opportunity to go out to dinner via watercraft. Hours for Smuggler’s at North Shore are Sunday, Monday and Wednesday 11am-10pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am-11pm. They are closed on Tuesdays. The Phone number is 231.237.8286. The aurora borealis made an appearance in Michigan this past Monday, September 18, 2023. Newaygo County resident Jen Selwa spent the day Monday evaluating several sources and locations in preparation for the event to photograph. She decided upon her favorite: a couple of local Newaygo County lakes, since the wind was predicted to be calm and she hoped that the reflection would be captured on camera. Most aurora borealis forecasts can be made a couple of days in advance, but the intensity and length sometimes is harder to predict. Selwa relies on several sources, including a traditional weather forecast for clear or cloudy skies, whether the moon will be in the night sky (the brightness will diminish the aurora), spaceweather.com (there is a free app for your phone as well), and a Facebook group called Michigan Aurora Chasers. A question that Selwa often gets is the best location to view the aurora and most importantly, what time. Her advice is this: "Getting away from artificial light sources is very important. Look for a dark, north facing location such as a field, lake, or on top of a hill above a tree line. The aurora ebbs and flows slowly, so bring a couple lawn chairs, snacks, and patience for the evening show. Using the resources above will help you also become a predictor of the aurora borealis." Another question that Selwa is often asked is whether or not the aurora that appears in her images is what you actually see in person. The human eye views the northern lights generally in faint colors and as shades of grey and white. Our eyes are designed with cones and rods. The cones work mainly during the day and the rods work mainly at night. The light is too faint to be sensed by the color-detecting cone cells. DSLR camera sensors don’t have the same limitation as our eyes. Combined with the long exposure times and high ISO settings of modern cameras, the conclusion is that the camera sensor has a much higher dynamic range of vision in the dark than us. Newer model cell phones are now also capable of picking up the aurora with practice. An exposure time of 10-15 seconds is typical, with a high ISO and a fast lens (low F-stop number). A tripod is mandatory for a DSLR camera and highly recommended for cell phone users.
Jen Selwa has been a resident of Newaygo County for 20 years. A licensed drone pilot, she recently won the 2023 West Michigan Tourist Association Photo Contest Lake/Beach/Lighthouse category with her drone image of Little Sable Lighthouse. Selwa is also a Michigan State Parks Photo Ambassador. Her varied photographic subjects of interest include lighthouses, birds, and astrophotography. You'll often find Selwa in a kayak, quietly paddling with her camera in hand and following her beloved loon families on a Newaygo County lake. She is offering a 2024 Common Loon calendar available for sale through her website, www.jenselwa.com, along with other prints (including the aurora borealis and a gallery dedicated to Newaygo County). Local artist part of ArtPrize The iconic Manistee National Forest is one of many illustrations that Victor Du Bois is featuring in his 2023 ArtPrize exhibit in Grand Rapids, MI. The title of his art entry is "Forever Michigan" and it includes four different collages of line drawings of West Michigan wildlife and culture. A native-born Michigander (resident of Fremont) who has enjoyed the abundant natural resources in Newaygo County, Victor Du Bois is inviting visitors to ArtPrize to be a part of the art. "My large collage style illustrations are on display at Oh, Hello Co. on Monroe Center Street, downtown Grand Rapids until October 1, 2023" states Victor, "Grab a crayon and show me your true colors!" he adds. Art spectators of all ages are invited to color this art that captures everything from woodland creatures to agricultural life in Michigan. Fall Farm Fest September 29
By Sally Wagoner A Fall Farm Festival will be held on Friday, September 29 from 5pm-8pm at Provision Family Farms. Located at 5274 E 6 Mile Rd, White Cloud, 49349, the event is family friendly and free. Fun activities will include apple cider pressing, hayrides, and honey harvest. There will also be live folk music, fresh homemade bread with honey butter, and Stone Soup. What is Stone Soup? Luke and Caitlin Eising invite you to come find out. “We are celebrating our 10th year on the Farm, and we want to share our bounty with community members,” explains Luke, who with his family owns and runs Provision Family Farms. “We are a multi-generational family farm that raises cows, pigs, chickens, sheep & turkeys in a diverse, rotational grazing system that allows them access to fresh grass and forage.” “Rotational grazing means we move our animals every day, giving them fresh pasture” adds Luke. “Moving the animals through the pastures in succession mimics the natural movement of animal herds, and stimulates the grass to grow back thicker and healthier. When more diverse plants and animals are working together, it creates happier and healthier animals, a healthier environment and more nutritious and delicious food.” Provision Family Farms specialize in naturally raised pork, beef, lamb, chicken, turkeys, eggs, honey and fresh ground flour, all sold to the public through an online order, delivery or pick up system. The farm features a 20 acre lake with a floating peat island, multiple pastures for the grazing animals, diverse rolling woods, barn, custom built home with greenhouse, tent sites for campers, and trails that run through the nearby Manistee National Forest. Asked why he and his family farm, Luke explains, “We believe that God provides for us and all people in everything, and this provision is especially clear when he brings food from the earth through our labor,” states Luke. “As farmers we are good stewards of the land. We are kind to our livestock, taking care to support their needs. We feed our animals their natural diet and avoid chemical shortcuts to health and growth. And,” Luke adds, “We love to grow and eat delicious food!” Luke and his family welcome community members to the Fall Farm Festival, or to come visit another time. For more information, visit www.ProvisionFamilyFarms.com. Confirm attending the Fall Festival by going to Facebook page @Provision Family Farms/events. You can contact Luke at (231) 689-0457. Newaygo County Native Gathering Our friend, colleague and occasional collaborator on a number of projects Larry Goiune passed away last winter. He was one of the finest human beings I have known and a remarkable artist and photographer Along with many others he was involved in the initiative that brought the Newaygo County Native Circle Gathering to our area in celebration of the richness of our Native heritage. This Saturday 12pm-7pm and Sunday 1-5pm.The Gathering will be held at Loomis Lodge in Newaygo. This free, family friendly, and always enlightening event is one of our ’can’t miss’ local doings. Stop by. You won’t be disappointed. Art Prize There is nothing quite like Art Prize. Since its inception it has provided an amazing array of incredible creations that take over our metro cousin to the south each year. I still recall a while back when one of my favorite local artists, Lori Hough, had her paper mache giraffes on display. I was at her studio the day they packed the lengthy beasts up for the move to GR. When I think of the logistics I am still a bit stunned they made it there intact. https://www.artprize.org/ Michigan Irish Music Festival
This is my annual favorite as the Hibernian spirit engulfs Heritage Park in Muskegon. As I have said each year by far…and I mean really far…this is the best organized festival I have ever attended and yes, I have been to Wheatland. The music is sublime, the grounds are epic when it comes to people watching, the vibe is way, way upbeat and did I mention the music? There are intriguing learning experiences such as getting the skinny on an Irish wake, tasty diversions such as the Whiskey Snug and the merchants on hand make the Irish Store well worth a walk through or two. I’m getting a cap but one of these years I will take a serious look at the kilts. Friday, Saturday, Sunday in Muskegon. Here’s the link. https://michiganirish.org/ |
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