Friday, August 29, 2008

Music, music, music

Yes, there's a lot of music around, and now's the time to grab the chance to hear some out in the fresh air, before the air starts getting a little too fresh, if you know what I mean.

Emily Nott and Sarah Denick will be singing and playing at the Richland Farmers' Market on Wednesday, September 3. The Market runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue (that's the post office road), every Wednesday into October. Since September 3 is a first-Wednesday-of-the-month, there's the additional draw of a craft fair along with the Farmers' Market, so it's going to be a fabulous, festive evening.

On Thursday evenings, Clocktower Green, 8860 N. 32nd Street, offers live music in the great outdoors, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. On September 4, the Mossy Mountain Band brings their great bluegrass out here to the countryside.

Remember, folks, it's all free and in the fresh air. Enjoy!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Richland Fest and Horse Trials

For the first time, the festival on the village green in Richland has been timed to coincide with the fabulous Richland Park Horse Trials. So prepare to spend your entire weekend outdoors, shuttling between the two.

Richland Fest starts Friday, August 22, as piano bar entertainer Matt Giraud plays from 4 to 7 p.m., followed by the live dance band Montage. On Saturday, August 23, there are kids' games from noon to 5 p.m.--including a bouncy thing, a dunk tank, a petting zoo, bingo, and a climbing wall. From 5 to 6 p.m., there will be a tumbling exhibition by Greater Kalamazoo World of Gymnastics. From 6 to 7, prepare to be amazed by the magic of Alan Smola. And then, from 7 to 11 p.m., Bottoms Up will provide live dance music. Food from the Blackhawk Bar & Grill and Gull Lake View's East Course Grill will be available for purchase. The event is sponsored by RABA, the Richland Area Business Association.

And don't miss the wonderful Richland Park Horse Trials! World-class riders and their world-class horses come from across the country to compete on a top course right here in Richland. There's nothing more fun and exciting to watch . . . and I justify the event's inclusion here by pointing out that there's a lot of art as well as athleticism to riding. Oh, and the horses are beautiful. The event runs Thursday through Sunday, August 21 - 24, at Richland Park, 8651 N. 30th Street in Richland--just south of M-89. Admission and parking is only $10 each day or $15 for the whole weekend, and the proceeds go to benefit the Cheff Center.

Have a great Richland weekend!

Friday, August 1, 2008

Irish Music and the Wild Life

Outdoors and in, there's plenty of art to enjoy in August!

Start with a free outdoor concert of traditional Irish music by Whiskey Before Breakfast, 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 3, at Kindleberger Park in Parchment. If it happens to rain, the fun will move to Parchment Middle School, 307 N. Riverview.

On Friday, August 8, from 6 to 9 p.m., enjoy the wild life at the opening reception for artists C. J. McAllister and Stephen J. Lawrence. Their work, in oils and watercolor respectively, takes a close-up look at wild animals. The show continues through October 18 at the Little Yellow Frame Shop and Gallery, 8174 N. 32nd Street in Richland.

Make August 8 a complete Richland Art Hop night by visiting the Blue Water Gallery's reception from 6 to 9 p.m. for their Spirit of the Horse show, featuring guest artists Jeri Hollister and Alec Hall and other artists' horse-inspired work. The show runs through September 10 at 8860 N. 32nd Street in Richland.