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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Women’s History Month brings Killer Women, Victorian Ladies & More
The Fremont Area District Library is planning to host many fun and educational events in March for the whole family. These events are, as always, free. Live @ the Library Events Tobin Buhk Presents Blood & Lipstick: Inside the Minds of Michigan’s Most Lethal Women on Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 p.m. 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. Wendy Batchelder Presents: The Victorian Lady on 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. Sherwood De Visser Writing Workshop: Intro to Telling Your Life Story on 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 to a large audience at the Fremont Area District Library. Children’s Events Toddler Storytime, for babies and toddlers up to age 3, is held weekly on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., and Family Storytime for children up to age 5 is held weekly on Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Saturday Storytime, for children up to age 5 will be on March 9th at 11:00 a.m. in the Community Room. On Saturday, March 23rd from 10:00-12:00 p.m. there will be a Drop-In Easter Craft in the Children’s Department. We’ll be showing a Children’s Afternoon Movie on Thursday, March 28th at 4:00 p.m. Check back for details. Snacks will be served, and all are welcome. Tinkering Tuesdays continues this month. You bring the imagination, and we'll provide everything you need! Simple building and art concepts for kids to construct on their own or in a group. Finished creations will be put on display for a week. REGISTRATION REQUIRED - For ages 6-9 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up your child two weeks before each activity, until filled, by calling 231-924-3480 or seeing the front desk. See dates below. Limit of 15 children each week. March 5th: Free play March 12th: Polka dot slime March 19th: Paper airplanes with obstacle course March 26th: Rainbow sketch art Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead also continues this month. This includes the same concepts as Tinkering Tuesdays, but for ages 10-12. REGISTRATION REQUIRED - 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sign up your child two weeks before each activity, until filled, by calling 231-924-3480 or seeing the front desk. See dates below. Limit of 15 children each week. March 6th: Free play March 13th: Polka dot slime March 20th: Paper airplanes with obstacle course March 27th: Rainbow sketch art Even More Events! Fit for Life Exercise is scheduled for March 4th, 8th (Friday), 11th, 13th, 18th, 20th, and 25th from 12:00-1:00 p.m. This is a low-impact exercise class perfect for all adults and levels of fitness. Silent Book Club: Come as you are and read what you want, with no interaction necessary! The first and last minutes can be social if you'd like--the rest of the time is silent reading. Gather by the South fireplace on Sunday, March 10th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Movie Monday on March 11th at 2:00 p.m. Snacks will be provided. We’ll show the new movie The Color Purple (PG-13; 141 min) Homeschool Hangout: Are you a homeschool family looking to hang out with other homeschool families? Join this drop-in event in the library's Community Room on Friday, March 15th between 10:00-11:30 a.m. to socialize, play board games, play with Legos and you are welcome to bring you own activities. We'll provide yummy snacks and drinks but you can bring your own if you like. UFO Club: UFO stands for UnFinished Object. Bring a project to work on while you socialize with other crafters. Gather by the south tables along the parking lot on Sunday, March 24th from 1:00-3:00 p.m. for this drop-in event. Tween Book Club (NEW!): Calling all magnificent Middle Schoolers! This new Tween Book Club, for 6th-8th graders will be munching on free delicious pizza and snacks in the teen area of the library while discussing books. On Tuesday, March 26th from 3:30-5:00, we’ll be discussing our next book. Books are available to check out at the library's front desk. For more info call 231-928-0256 or email tbonk@fremontlibrary.net. New students always welcome. For more information about any of these events, please contact the library at 231-924-3480 or visit www.fremontlibrary.net. Howard Christensen Nature Center (aka HCNC) is a very cool organization who are stewards of some seriously fine acreage. In addition to their wonderful trails that serve to celebrate this appealing slice of Michigan flora and fauna, the organization provides an intriguing array of activities for families. Here are their upcoming events for spring and summer. And consider grabbing a membership to take full advantage of the fun for all ages programming HCNC puts forward. http://www.howardchristensen.org/community-events/ Frankie Moreno, a Las Vegas-based singer/pianist known for his modern take on classic rock and roll, dance music, and adult contemporary pop, performs at the Dogwood Center on Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage. With 17 top-ten albums, an Emmy nomination, and being named Las Vegas “Headliner of the Year” 5 times, Moreno is wowing audiences from coast to coast with his own brand of genre-blurring rock n’ roll. As a child prodigy on the piano and a gifted multi-instrumentalist, Frankie was first introduced to American audiences at the age of 10 on CBS’s Star Search. His performance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars brought him into America’s living rooms again performing his self- penned hit “Tangerine Honey”. He has continued to perform sold-out concerts including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, and Vegas residencies. Frankie has toured the U.S. with Sugarland and Billy Currington. He joined multi-platinum artists Air Supply for their world tour as musical director, and wrote their radio single “Dance with Me”, reaching No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 40. He has performed his original works for his Symphony concerts with the nation’s premier orchestras. Moreno commands audiences around the world with his highly contagious music and playful stage antics. His songs are cleverly crafted and his musicianship is virtuoso. Frankie is an all- around talent who puts his heart and soul into his music. Tickets are $27.50 and seating is reserved. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont or click here! The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. For information, phone 231.924.8885. The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing are in deep financial trouble. How to survive? Make wine, of course! The problem is that Mother Superior abhors anything that has to do with alcoholic drinks. The vintage is such a success that it wins a half-million dollar prize, and the convent doesn’t even know it. Enter two snoopy reporters looking for a scoop. How to spy and get to the truth? Impersonate a nun and a priest! Drinking Habits, Stage Players’ newest offering, has it all: mistaken identities, nuns spying on nuns, “priests” spying on priests, long lost love, long lost families, and redemption. The laughs come often in this farce. The cast includes Erin Burns as Sister Augusta, Jeanne Bock as Sister Philomena, Patty Miesen-Bieber as Mother Superior, Layla Empie as Sally the reporter, and Charlotte Karnes as Sister Mary Catherine. Yes, there are males in the cast as well. They include Wyatt Karnes as Paul the reporter, Landon Edwards as George the groundskeeper, and Jack Millard as Father Chenille. Director Ted Mitchell and assistant director Carianne Smith are putting the cast through their paces to prepare them for what will surely be a wonderful show. It opens March 8 and runs March 9, 15, and 16 at the Stage Door Theater 1147 Wilcox, White Cloud. Doors open at 6:30. 10$ for seniors and students. 12$ for all others. See you there! Please follow Stage Door Players Theater on Facebook for more information and upcoming shows & events. "Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."- Victor Hugo The Grand Rapids Symphony returns to the Dogwood Center on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. for a sure to be incredible performance! Join us and you will experience a world-class orchestra performing for you live at the Dogwood! The evening's performance will be conducted by Assistant Conductor Duo Shen, and will feature the music of Smetana, Strauss, Sibelius, and Dvorak. The Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances each year, touching the lives of some 200,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. Their mission is “to share great music that moves the human soul”…..and that is what they will be doing right here in Newaygo County! Audience members are invited to a post-performance, insightful and informative “Talk Back” session with Assistant Conductor Duo Shen and GRS Director of Education Sarah Stickney in the Main Stage area! This program is funded in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $5 children 18 and under 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. Northern Michigan's Charlie Millard Band performs at the Dogwood Center on Friday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box. The band is a mix of yesterday’s vintage and current musical Americana, with a really cool roots rock vibe. Always playing lots of festivals including Earthwork Harvest Gathering, BlissFest, FarmBlock Fest, Frederik Meijer Gardens, and venues, mainly across the Midwest and Canada, percussionist Will Harris, Jercat Millard on guitars, and Charlie on the keys/organ/Rhodes bass, give you a musical experience that they describe as "being like small movies for the ears." Music has been the driving force in Millard’s life. “Ray Charles, Greg Brown, Bob Dylan and Van Morrison are staples in the house along with a bit of blues,” said Millard, whose skills were honed with help from his guitar-playing father, two piano teachers – one from the classical side and the other steeped in jazz – and a diverse palette of musical influences. 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. 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. 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. |
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