It's spring, so it must be . . . the Spring Fine Arts Festival!

It's that time again--time to enjoy ALL the arts in colorful profusion at the second annual Spring Fine Arts Festival at Gull Lake High School. Two gala evenings of art are coming: Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $6; students get in for $3--it's a great bargain and a great way to enjoy and support the arts at Gull Lake.

We've got it all:

Feast your eyes on a visual art gallery around the perimeter of the high school cafeteria, featuring 2D and 3D work by art students under the guidance of teachers Carolyn Massey and Randy Walbridge.

Drink in vocal music by ensembles and solo performers under the direction of David Woolf. A special treat: the sweet sound of barbershop harmonies.

Enjoy instrumental music by a variety of ensembles--including Dynamic Pulse Drumline--under the direction of Floy Latham and Michele Chabitch.

Drama and comedy take center stage for the Performing Arts Company's annual One-Act Play Festival. Four very short plays, directed by GLHS seniors, will be produced by Robin Nott, Catherine Kane, and Steve Van Dyke. This year, three of the plays were also written by students.

If your taste runs to rock and blues, enjoy a couple of numbers by a great band from Rick Bengelink's alternative education program.

This is your opportunity to see the amazing work of our own talented young local artists, all in one place at one time. To add to the festive evening, the Performing Arts Foundation will be offering snacks and drinks and congratulatory flowers for sale; every purchase helps the Foundation to support arts education at Gull Lake.

And, take note: This is the first major arts event to take place at the new high school's arena theater. Come see this great new space, filled with lots of art, fun, food, and folks! See you there!

Gull Lake alumni in the news . . .

Hope you spotted a photo of Performing Arts Company alumna Jessica Bard in the Kalamazoo Gazette's Sunday, April 20 supplement on Kalamazoo College. The article is online, but, unfortunately, that particular photo is not. Go back through your recycling pile and check it out: Page 4 of the special section shows K College students volunteering as mentors to bilingual kids in the AMIGOS program at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts, and there's Jessica.

Then move on to the Thursday, April 24 Ticket section of the Gazette and read John Liberty's article about Jordan Lunardini, who is touring with Dave "Biscuit" Miller and his Indianapolis-based blues/funk band, The Mix. You can catch them locally this Saturday, April 26, at 9 p.m. at the Stagecoach Barn, behind the Blackhawk, right here in Richland.

Okay, back to my reading, and I'll let you know what I find.

Gilmore for Kids--at Gull Lake

Do not miss the chance to hear fabulous pianist Alpin Hong playing at Gull Lake High School on Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m.! His program is part of the Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, and this bit of it is intended for kids--but everyone will enjoy this energetic, creative pianist. Kids get in FREE . . . adults pay only $5. How can you miss? It's a great opportunity to hear world-class music, live in Richland, with a little showmanship thrown in. And you never know--you might learn something, too! Details at the Gilmore Festival's website.

Crawlspace sightings!

You can spot improv comedy favorites Crawlspace Eviction in a free performance this weekend, in support of a great cause, the Open Door/Next Door Shelters. Their “Celebration of Partnership” Event will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo on Sunday, April 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. In addition to the comedy performance, they'll have food and drinks and a silent auction to benefit the shelters. Open Door/Next Door provides shelter and many support services for homeless young men and women in Kalamazoo County, and it's a great cause. Learn more and enjoy the comedy show on Sunday!

Crawlspace--which, as you know, includes Gull Lake's Adam Carter--will also perform two shows at the Whole Art Studio, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall, at 8 p.m. May 16 and 17. This one, "Business Casual Sex," promises to be a bit more adult-oriented than the April 20 show. Tickets are $7 for students, $10 for all others.

Arts on parade

Some last-minute pointers for you:

Locally, visual arts are on parade this weekend. Don't forget the "Colors of Life" show of glass art at the Blue Water Gallery, starting tonight, Friday, April 11, with a reception from 5 to 9 p.m., and continuing through May 6. Blue Water is the new gallery at 8860 N. 32nd Street. You'll see lots of Richland and area artists represented.

And one of our greatest local art treasures, Tom Kendall, is having an open house and sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at his studio, Oak Leaf Pottery, 10936 Three Mile Road in Plainwell (the area our family calls generically "the Cresseys" because, even though we now live out this direction, we're always lost and wind up on Cressey Road--check Mapquest for help--it isn't far from Richland at all). Even if you think you don't know Tom's work, you've seen his stunning ceramic vases, sculptures, and tableware in places of honor all over town--and beyond. Check the Oak Leaf Pottery website to jog your memory.

And you only have this weekend and next to see Hollywood Arms at the Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo. Our Lisa Watson is working behind the scenes on this comedy-drama based on the life of Carol Burnett. Shows Fridays and Saturdays, April 11, 12, 18 and 19 at 8 p.m., Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 to $20. Call 343-1313 or check the website.