Tag Archives: Saugatuck

Festival is returning, Mason Street prepares for its season

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Several popular summer events have announced that they will return this summer such as Grand Rapids’ Festival of the Arts. Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ Mason Street Warehouse also has announced it summer season.

But first, we start with an event in March.

“Bee” in “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGOs” at the Grand Rapids Public Museum through May 2. (Supplied)

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Artist Sean Kenney of the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s current exhibit “Sean Kenney’s Wild Connections Made with LEGO Bricks” will be the guest speaker during a March 14 GRPM Facebook live presentation.

The 1 p.m. event will feature Kenney sharing his experience as a professional artist working with LEGO bricks, a behind-the-scenes tour of his studio space and will conclude with Kenny answering questions submitted by viewers in real time.

“I look forward to meeting with members of the GRPM community, and sharing my thoughts on the process of how we bring these sculptures to life,” Kenney said.

“Wild Connections,” featuring several LEGO sculptures created by Kenney, will run through May 2.

The 2021Festival of the Arts will feature Plein Air performances June 4 – 6. (Supplied)

Festival of the Arts

In February, Festival of the Arts announced it would return this June with a different format.

Plein Air will take place June 4 – 6 and will feature artists creating landscape portraits as well as musicians performing throughout the city. Participants are encouraged to pick up their favorite food item from one of the many area restaurants and then come to one of the social zones featuring an artist. The regional art show will be virtual.

In the fall, Festival of the Arts will partner with ArtPrize to host a stage at Calder along with the Festival’s artisan market, featuring local artists and their works. The fall event will take place Sept. 17 – 19.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts announces its summer season. (Supplied)

Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Saugatuck Center for the Arts announced there will be live theater this summer at Mason Street Warehouse.

“Last summer’s outdoor concerts and films were a fantastic dress rehearsal for this summer,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “So we converted our parking lot into a flexible, multi-purpose plaza. We’re now able to host theatre, concerts, markets, classes, special events — and still park on it when needed. Guest will have a fresher, much lovelier experience in the reimagined space.”

Stamm noted that the outdoor plaza stage is smaller than the indoor theater stage. This year guests will see original sets, unique lighting design, and bold costumes during all of the shows. Live musicians will accompany the musical productions.

Three productions will be staged at the renovated outdoor plaza with participants encouraged to bring their own chairs. The season starts June 30 with “Shout! The Mod Musical.” “Dixie’s Tupperware Party” is in July and “Just Too Big! Songs from Broadway Blockbusters” is in August. There will be two Cabaret-series shows, “The Big Red Show!” Sept. 4 and The Best Bad Idea Sept. 16.

 

For more information visit sc4a.org.

Hempy Keyboard concerts return in virtual format

Citizen Journalism,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Maestro Robert Nance (supplied)

Each winter, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA) offers a curated selection of intimate piano concerts presented in its lobby. More than just a concert, these world-class musicians perform classical, modern, and jazz works; along with sharing stories and engaging with the audience.

This year the SCA is bringing the Hempy Keyboard Series performances straight to your living room through an exclusive livestream experience filmed from the Bertha Krueger Reid Theater in Saugatuck. After the performance, patrons can participate in a virtual Q&A session with the performers. Unable to watch the live show? A recorded version of the show will remain active for (72) hours after the live performance.

Tickets can be purchased individually or bundled together as part of a special Full Series Pass.

Every VIP package includes e-ticket access to each Hempy Keyboard Series concert plus a unique musical gift created by Maestro Robert Nance. During his Thursday, March 11, 2021 performance, Maestro Nance will debut a composition dedicated to and orchestrated around the names of Full Series Pass holders.

Individual and season passes may be purchased online at www.sc4a.org/hempy-keyboard.

Saugatuck Douglas unveils new tourism website

Entertainment, Local Entertainment

By Adrienne Brown-Reasner
West Michigan Tourist Association

The Saugatuck Douglas Area Convention and Visitor Bureau (SDCVB) is pleased to announce the launch of its new tourism website for the Saugatuck/Douglas/Fennville area, located at www.saugatuck.com. This recently redesigned website remains the best resource for visitors to find inspiring travel-planning information for their next trip to the Art Coast of Michigan but now offers enhanced features and content for a better visitor experience.

Visitors may now easily check for lodging availability and book directly for stays without ever having to leave the site. Website content and visuals have also been enhanced to support various interests with suggested experiences and itineraries that today’s visitors seek— directly tying back these experiences to local businesses.

“We know that our local businesses are always looking for ways to reach consumers, but some may lack the resources to do so,” said SDCVB Interim Executive Director, Lisa Mize. “This redesigned website creates an engaging and robust platform to connect visitors with our local businesses and attractions.”

After months of behind the scenes work on the website, the new site officially launched on July 21, 2020. The SDCVB enlisted Concept A Creative, a creative and brand marketing agency based in Spring Lake, MI, and Aristotle Interactive, an interactive marketing and web design agency based in Little Rock, AK, to develop the new site.

“This was a monumental collaborative effort between the CVB Staff, the Board of Directors, and our creative partners,” said Mike Jones, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Our goal was to provide more compelling and useful content to help potential visitors discover what our area has to offer and to provide them with a streamlined planning experience. I believe we’ve accomplished that with this new website.”

Mason Street Warehouse hosts night of musical favorites

Entertainment,
Some of the performers at Mason Street Warehouse will perform music from some the company’s most popular productions. (Supplied/Mason Street Warehouse)

By Scott Meivogel
Saugatuck Center for the Arts

Tickets on now on sale for “Oh What a Night!”, a special performance from Mason Street Warehouse stage alumni at Saugatuck Center for the Arts.

Enjoy an evening with the stars, under the stars. A fabulous lineup of Mason Street Warehouse alumni performers shares the outdoor stage for this “best of” evening featuring hot songs from 17 years of past MSW productions.

You’ll groove to musical theater hits from Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Cabaret, Beehive, Mamma Mia, Kinky Boots and more. Plus there will be a cash bar as you “put your chair in a square” during this intimate performance that’s part of the Outdoor Concert Series.

Only 80 tickets are available at each performance.

Oh What a Night! features vocalists Kelly Carey, Marya Grandy, Joseph Anthony Byrd, and Ellie Frances plus musicians Tom Vendafreddo, Chris “Red” Blisset and Alex Hamel.

West Michigan packs in ‘Hallo-Fun’ in the last weekend of October

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Henderson Castle hosts a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31.

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

It’s the last weekend to get your Halloween on and the West Michigan Tourist Association has a few suggestions on just how to do that.

 

Round Barn Winery hosts a HalloWine Party on Oct. 27.

For Those ‘Wine-ers: Round Barn Winery in Baroda, which is south of South Haven, will be hosting its HalloWine Party from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The event features all the treats of food and wine along with some rockin’ local bands such as Steve Foresman and the JGJ Band. The HalloWine Party is part of a series that goes for 26 weekends with 68 bands and 108 live performances. Dress in your best Halloween costume and vote for “best costume.” Admission to the event is $5. For more information, visit https://www.drinkmichigan.com/round-up.

 

The Party Ain’t Over Until the Monster Sings: Coldwater is home to the state’s second oldest opera house, Tibbits Opera House, 14 S. Hanchett St. The Tibbits will host its annual sppoktacular film festival, Monsterfest 3, Saturday, Oct. 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. The event will feature B-movie monster classics such as “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” “Monster on the Campus,” and “The Mole People.” The Monsterfest 3 is part of a 10-part month double feature showcasing Hollywood classics and it’s free. For more information, visit tibbits.org.

 

The Whodunnit: Here is a twist for Halloween, head over to Kalamazoo’s Henderson Castle and be part of a murder mystery on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The story goes, there is a towering Castle located in the heart of Scotland. Spend the days walking the Scottish Moors and the evenings in the front of our large and spacious fire place as we’ll assail you with days of valor in a time when Knights walked the land protecting the weak and the innocent. Fair warning: everything is not as it seems.

 

The evening is $142 and includes the dinner game, a three-course dinner with a special Halloween Spirit Drink for each course. Also, the event is Halloween themed so dress in the  costume of your choice or best match your given character. For more information, visit hendersoncastle.com.

 

Saugatuck has a lot of Halloween fun planned for Oct. 27.

The Big Blowout: One area that really knows how to celebrate Halloween is Saugatuck, which hosts two events for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 27. Activities start at 3:30 p.m. with the annual Halloween family and pet parade. Judges will determine the winners and will distribute cash prizes at the end. After the parade, stay for an array of activities that include music, a puppet experience, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more.

 

Hit the Trail: The Lakeshore Museum’s Michigan Heritage Park turns into the Haunted Trail Friday and Saturday, Oct,. 26 and 27, from 7:30 – 10 p.m. The park partners will the Muskegon Civic Theatre with actors telling legends, myths and tales from the 1600s to 1900s as participants walk through 10,000 years of horror. Due to scary elements, this event is recommended for ages 13 and older. Tickets are $15 per person.

 

For more ideas, check out the West Michigan Carefree Travel Guide that is available at the WKTV station, 5261 Clyde Park SW, or visit WMTA.org, There is also still plenty of time to follow the 2018 Lake Michigan Lighthouse Map and Circle Tour, also available at the station.

Creativity Revealed: Exploring Not My Circus, Not My Monkees with Artist Pam Kravetz

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Artist Pam Kravxxxx's work will be at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts Aug. 25 - Oct. 7.
Artist Pam Kravetz’s work will be at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts Aug. 25 – Oct. 7.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts will be hosting a Creativity Revealed featuring Pam Kravetz, the artist and creator of the “Not My Circus, Not My Monkees.” She will be discussing her inspiration and creative process in creating the whimsical exhibit. The event will be held Wednesday, Aug. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and is free to the public. More information can be found at sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857–2399.

Kravetz is a working artist and professional educator based in Cincinnati, Ohio. She uses vibrant colors and whimsical subjects to create a silly mood with a bold statement.

Kravetz says she gains inspiration everyday. “My creativity and art is inspired by the beauty and the chaos of the everyday. From a conversation with a friend, to a cupcake I received on the way to a road trip, to a shade of MAC lipstick. Nothing is too big or too small for me to explore using my art.”

“It’s always a pleasure to see an artist’s journey,” said Kristin Armstrong, Saugatuck Center for the Arts Executive Director. “It’s a special chance to glimpse inside of someone’s thoughts and then see the final project in front of you.”

The exhibit, “Not My Monkees, Not My Circus,” is a site specific art installation which comes to life when the viewer steps inside the gallery. Featuring marionette puppets, pulley systems, and narrative quilts, the exhibit is highly interactive. It will be featured in the SCA exhibition room Aug. 25 through Oct. 7.

Two-time Grammy Nominee Matthew Santos appearing at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts

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Matthew Santos performs at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts Aug. 8.
Matthew Santos performs at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts Aug. 8.

Two-time Grammy nominee Matthew Santos will perform in the “Summer in the Studio” Concert Series at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver Street, on August 8 at 8 p.m. Hailed for his soulful voice and versatile style, Santos is recognized for his talent by critics and music giants alike. Tickets for the show are $15 and are available at sc4a.org or at 269-857-2399.

Santos tours the world with his “One-Man-Band” show, using multiple pedals along with his unique style of beat-boxing and looping to achieve a massive sound to accompany his soulfully crafted songs and renowned voice.  Santos has been recognized for his voice by Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Jay-Z, John Legend, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), and Kimbra.

“If I had one word…it would be captivating. It’s not just talent or skill…there’s something more profound there,” said CBS radio Program Director John Sebastian.

In 2008, Santos achieved international success with this collaboration of the song “Superstar” with Lupe Fiasco. The song was nominated for two Grammy awards. The two then opened for Kanye West’s “Glow in the Dark” tour.

Santos has performed world-wide, with appearances on David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel, and Ellen. He has also performed at Lollapalooza, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Bonaroo and the MTV Video Music Awards.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Matthew to Saugatuck and showcase his talent in our intimate 55-seat performance studio,” said Saugatuck Center for the Arts Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “This show will sell out – grab your tickets while you can!”

The Summer in the Studio Concert Series is sponsored by Carol and Greg Josefowicz. Tickets are available at sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857-2399.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical returns to Mason Street Warehouse

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , ,

The Great American
What’s a girl to do? “The Great American Trail Park Musical” returns to Mason Street Warehouse Aug. 12 – 28.

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical” is returning to Mason Street Warehouse (MSW) Equity Theatre from Aug. 12 – 28.  Back by popular demand, “Trailer Park” debuted on the MSW stage 10 years ago and is the most requested musical in Mason Street’s history. Tickets ($29 – $46) are available online at sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857.2399.

Called “…one of the most laugh-out-load shows in town!” by Broadway.com, the musical takes place in Armadillo Acres, the most exclusive mobile home community in Stark, Florida, where mullets, spray cheese, road kill, hysterical pregnancies and mud flaps reign supreme.

This hilarious comedy follows Pippi, a stripper on the run, who comes between the Dr. Phil-loving, agoraphobic Jeannie and her toll-collector husband, Norbert. Featuring tastefully distasteful songs, witty dialogue, and far-out situations, “The Great American Trailer Park Musical” “is more fun than a chair throwing episode of Jerry Springer set to music!”

Broadway talent is coming to the stage along with MSW “alumni.” Chris Blisset, playing Norbert, comes from New York City and was on the national tour for “Stand by Your Man” twice and was the musical director for this summer’s production of “Million Dollar Quartet.” Alyssa Malger is playing Pickles, and is making her Mason Street Warehouse debut. She performed in the national tour of “Hairspray.” Mary Mossberg, who is playing Betty, was awarded an “Outstanding Individual Performance” award for her role in the musical “What Do Critics Know?” in the New York Musical Theatre Festival and is a proud member of the Actors Equity Association.

“Both Broadway Equity talent and familiar faces are coming back to our stage, and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Executive Director Kristin Armstrong.

The Great American Trailer Park Musical will be at Mason Street Warehouse from Aug. 12 – 28. Tickets are available online, at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts box office, and by phone at 269 857 – 2399.

Mason Street Warehouse is located in the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., Saugatuck.

Mason Street Warehouse Finds Itself in the Middle of the Hilarious Whodunit that is Murder for Two

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Saugatuck Center for the Arts presents "Murder for Two" starting July 22.
Saugatuck Center for the Arts presents “Murder for Two” starting July 22.

Mason Street Warehouse continues its 2016 season at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (400 Culver Street, Saugatuck) with the hilarious whodunit musical Murder for Two. The show opens Friday, July 22 and runs through August 7. Tickets for adults, seniors, and students are available online at sc4a.org, at the SCA box office, or at 269-857-2399.

 

New York Times calls the show, “Ingenious! A snazzy double-act that spins out a comic mystery animated by funny, deftly turned songs.”

 

Murder for Two is the perfect blend of musical comedy and madcap mystery.  Every character is a suspect in this witty and winking homage to old-fashioned murder mysteries.  90 minutes, 13 characters, 4 hands and 1 piano make Murder for Two “a giddy romp” (The Philadelphia Inquirer).  Don’t miss this killer musical that puts the laughter in manslaughter!

 

Mason Street Warehouse brings Actors Equity Union talent to West Michigan every summer, and Equity actors Tom Vendafreddo and Brian Walters bring the double-act of Murder for Two to life.

 

“I saw the show 2 years ago Off Broadway in New York and knew immediately that it would be a great show for Mason Street,” said Artistic Director Kurt Stamm.  “It’s the perfect family evening out because the show is appropriate for ages 8 to 80!”

 

“We’re thrilled to bring Tom and Brian to West Michigan for this wonderful Off-Broadway hit,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “Murder for Two is terrific summer entertainment with these two very talented professionals.”

 

The acclaimed The Great American Trailer Park Musical wraps up MSW’s sizzling summer lineup. For more information and tickets visit sc4a.org or call 269-857-2399. Tickets are selling as fast as the cast is able to find new suspects – grab yours before they’re gone.

 

MSW’s summer season is sponsored by Premiere Sponsor G. Thomas Boylan, plus Great Lakes Manor & Cottages, Edward Jones / George Stoutin, Coldwell Banker / Gregg Smith, Shoreline Realtors / Dan & Sandy Shanahan, Mill Pond Realty / Laura Durham, Holland Doctors of Audiology, Hilliard Lyons / Stephen Kiss, Cunningham Dalman, Coldwell Banker / Mike Bojko, Shoreline Realtors / Jim Sellman, Miller Johnson, Lakeshore Allergy / Julie Hutson, Frattallone Wealth Management Group / Carlton Technologies, and the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs.

 

About the Saugatuck Center for the Arts

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more vibrant lakeshore community in West Michigan and beyond. For more information about the SCA and upcoming events, visit www.sc4a.orgor call 269.857.2399.

WKTV airs Saugatuck Short Film Festival in support of this year’s call for entries

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Last year's Saugatuck xxxxxxxx
Last year’s Saugatuck Short Film Festival will be aired on WKTV this week.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, 400 Culver St., Saugatuck, is calling all filmmakers to submit their short films to the fourth annual Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition.

 

This year marks the fourth year of the Saugatuck Center for the Arts’ (SCA) film competition, where professional and student filmmakers will compete for $2,500 worth of cash prizes for their short films—five minutes or less—that feature some sort of Michigan flavor. Student submissions (high school students and younger) are free, and adults (college and up) are $20 per entry. Video projects by schools, clubs, and religious organizations are encouraged to enter. Registration for Saugatuck Shorts is open now until Oct, 9, and can be completed at sc4a.org.

 

“Over the past three years, the SCA’s Saugatuck Shorts competition has brought in filmmakers from across the state for a wonderful night of engaging entertainment on the big screen,” said SCA Executive Director Kristin Armstrong. “The competition is a great way for students and professionals alike to get their work in front of the community. We are very excited to bring this special competition back!”

 

Saugatuck Shorts is the only film competition in West Michigan that offers a cash prize for film submissions in a juried category and an audience favorite. Similar to ArtPrize, a panel of judges will choose the top ten shorts to be shown on screening night. Of those top ten, a winner from the student and from the adult category will be chosen. The student winner will be awarded $500 and the adult winner, $1,000. On screening night, after the audience has viewed all ten shorts, they will cast their votes for the “Audience Favorite” which will be awarded another $1,000.

 

This year’s competition also marks the second year that the SCA will partner with Wyoming-Kentwood Television (WKTV) to promote Saugatuck Shorts. In addition to the station coming to the event to broadcast it live, WKTV will also feature the top ten juried films on their station.

WKTV will be airing last year’s 3rd Annual Saugatuck Shorts Film Festival Tuesday, April 26, at 9 p.m. and again Saturday, April 30 at 10 p.m. on Comcast, channel 25.

 

WKTV is a community television station located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. SW. WKTV is one of the oldest community television stations in the country that is still in operation, celebrating 40 years in 2014. More information about WKTV can be found here.

WKTV partners with SCA for Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition

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Screen Shot 2015-09-30 at 1.05.24 PMCrave a sliver of the limelight? If you’re a Michigan filmmaker, here’s your chance to win big and have your film aired on Television.

Deadline to enter is October 16.

For the first time, Wyoming Kentwood Community Television and Media (WKTV) is teaming with the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA), at this year’s Third Annual Saugatuck Shorts Film Competition. Professional and student filmmakers are invited to compete for $2,500 in cash prizes for their short films.

Films must be five minutes or less (including creditSCA-Logo-news and fade time) and each film must have a Michigan ‘flavor’ (made in Michigan, filmmaker from Michigan, Michigan mentioned in the script, etc.).

“This is an exciting new partnership for Saugatuck Shorts,” said Kristin Armstrong, Executive Director of the SCA. “WKTV’s mission is to educate the community about how to create video content; through Saugatuck Shorts we are providing the station with an exciting outlet to highlight Michigan video. We couldn’t be happier to work alongside WKTScreen Shot 2015-09-30 at 2.39.32 PMV’s talented professionals and volunteers.”

 

 

 

For individuals entering the competition, another benefit of the WKTV partnership is the chance to be featured on the station. WKTV will broadcast the top ten juried films after they’re announced in late October.

“We thought this would be a great way to celebrate making the top ten,” said WKTV Executive Director, Tom Norton. “We’re giving those ten people just another sliver of limelight to get them excited for the live audience screening on Saugatuck Shorts’ night.”

Arts_Partners_LogosIn addition, there will be a live broadcast of the November 7 event on WKTV. For those living in Wyoming, Kentwood, or Gaines Township, the station’s programming is on Channel 25.

Student submissions (high school students and younger) are free, and adults (college and up) are $15.00 per entry. Video projects by schools, clubs, and religious organizations are eligible to enter. Registration for Saugatuck Shorts has been extended to October 16 and can be completed online.

Registration information and questions regarding Saugatuck Shorts can be found here or by calling 269.857.2399.

WKTV, wWMFVA-Logo-5x5hich celebrated 40 years in 2014, is one of the oldest community television stations in the country still in operation. The station is located at 5261 Clyde Park Ave. in Wyoming, Mich.

The Saugatuck Center for the Arts, located at 400 Culver Street, Saugatuck, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more vibrant lakeshore community in West Michigan and beyond. For more information about the SCA and upcoming events, visit SCA’s website or call 269.857.2399.