Comedy makes its LionHeart return
Story and photo by Megan Wirts I can look you right in the hairy eyeball and tell you that Escanaba in Da Moonlight is a must see show. LionHeart Productions is reprising this uproariously funny comedy written by Michigan native, Jeff Daniels. Under the direction of Mike Gesler, this hilarious show about a deer camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will leave any “fudge-sucking flatlander” cracking up. The cast is full of familiar faces from LionHeart’s 2019 production of Escanaba along with a couple of new faces. Reprising their roles are Jamie Evans, as Reuben Soady, who is about to become the oldest Soady to never bag a buck at the age of 35. Devon Conley as Remnar Soady, Reuben’s younger brother and much better shot. Jim Jenkins as absolutely hilarious Jimmer Negamanee, the wackadoodle local that was abducted by aliens and hasn’t been quite right ever since. Along with Caitlin Sjaarda-Voyt as Wolf Moon Dance. I cannot wait to see them all back as these fantastically funny folks. Joining the cast we have Ron Jenkins, a LionHeart staple, as the patriarch, Albert Soady and Joe Bowman, taking over the role his father played in 2019, as ranger Tom T. Treado. Both are sure to have the crowd cracking up! This show is full of Michigan references and yooper culture that many of us here in Newaygo County can relate to. The characters are our uncles, neighbors and cousins and is an ode to life in the north or near north. Go see this show and laugh until your stomach hurts! It’s worth it! Opening this week at the Grant Fine Arts Center with five chances to see the show! Tickets are available at: https://grantfac.booktix.net Thursday: March 21 at 7pm Friday: March 22 at 7pm Saturday: March 23 at 2pm and 7pm Sunday: March 24 at 2pm Adults – $15 Students and Seniors – $10
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Join us for some great comedy at the Dogwood! The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) performs on the Dogwood Main Stage on Saturday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. RSC is a touring American comedy troupe that performs fast-paced, seemingly improvisational condensations of huge topics. Known as the “Bad Boys of Abridgment,” the RSC has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway, the Kennedy Center, and Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, as well as touring internationally. The Reduced Shakespeare Company is heard frequently on both NPR and the BBC. The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) answers the fundamental questions: Which is the least funny nationality? Which is the funniest? Why did the former try to exterminate the latter? How do critics describe everything in a way to make it sound unfunny? (“First of all, the premise is weak. No one would ever believe that a baseball team would actually have a first baseman named “Who.”) Why, in fact, did the chicken cross the road? Tickets to The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) are far more affordable than tickets to an amusement park, but you’ll come away with the same feeling of nausea and motion sickness. From cavemen telling “Rock Rock” jokes to Will Smith upset at Chris Rock’s jokes and everything in-between, the bad boys of abridgement leave no joke untold as they deconstruct the entire history of comedy in 90 rollicking minutes. From the high-brow to the low, The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Moliere (Is Moliere funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner. Tickets are $30 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. FADL’s very cool Live @ the Library Series has been bringing a wide variety of events to the ever-popular downtown information emporium. This week a trio of intriguing opportunities await those of us who love to be entertained while we learn. The first one sounds like a doozy. Any fan of true crime (including those who might still be closeted about their ongoing intrigue with it) should find this in their interest wheelhouse. Tuesday, March 19th at 7:00 p.m. Tobin Buhk Presents Blood & Lipstick: Inside the Minds of Michigan's Most Lethal Women 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. Buhk has been described as ‘a connoisseur of crime, a gourmet of the ghastly, an aficionado of the atrocious, a fanatic of the felonious and a maven of misdeeds.’. The second salvo in the series goes off on Thursday and if you enjoy those Victorian era films and TV shows and have pondered the multi layered wardrobes worn by the ladies at the time, well… Wendy Batchelder Presents: The Victorian Lady 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. Wrapping up a busy week is an autobiographically based writing workshop. A chance to put those memories in a format that can be easily referenced rather than sitting sporadically about in our hippocampus with occasional random eruptions. Who knows, perhaps a book awaits? Sherwood De Visser Writing Workshop: Intro to Telling Your Life Story 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 at the Fremont Area District Library. Nicely done FADL. A great Mid March mix as we tumble toward Spring. Allissa Conley and human Tanner Fowler are two of the presenters at the Farmer Education Day. (photos courtesy of Newaygo Conservation District) A day for education and resources will be offered for farmers, growers and producers on Friday, April 5 from 8:30-2pm. The free event will be held at the Stone Lodge behind Trillium Springs, 4465 W 48th St, Fremont, 49412. The Newaygo Conservation District and the Newaygo Farm Bureau will host the event, which includes lunch and an optional tour of Kropscott Farm Environmental Center. The program qualifies as MAEAP Phase 1 educational session. A wide variety of presenters and topics will be included. Conservation District programs and updates will be provided by Tanner Fowler (MAEAP Technician), Allissa Conley (Produce Safety Technician) and Kelly Bishop (District Conservationist). Rod Denning, District Forester, will discuss the various Forestry Programs available. He will also provide updates on the health of our local forests, which are undergoing stress due to a variety of invasive infestations. Grazing Management will be presented by Kable Thurlow, a Beef and Grazing Educator at MSU, and “Making the Most of Your Manure” will be handled by Tess Van Gorder, a Farm Bureau Conservation & Regulatory Specialist. The Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) will introduce themselves to the local Farmer, Grower & Producer community and provide updates on their activities of interest. NCEC members will discuss the initiation of a “Farm to Stable” Network, whose mission is to engage small scale farmers & growers in a community led collaboration to identify and meet their needs toward sustainable practices. Registration by April 1st is requested to help plan for lunch, but walk-ins are also welcomed. To register contact Jennifer Marfio: jmarfio@ctyfb.com, 231-796-1119, or scan the QR Code. 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) 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. |
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