Many, many May marvels

It's been so mesmerizing to gaze back at the photos from recent arts events that we've been remiss in providing reminders about some great upcoming events. So now you must run, not walk, to the following:

Wednesday, May 21, 6 p.m., Shaw Theatre, Western Michigan University: Marley in May, an evening with John Grogan, author of the bestseller Marley & Me. Tickets are $10 and benefit the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation; check their website for more info.

Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m., Gull Lake High School: GLHS Band concert

Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m., Gull Lake High School: Spring Choral Concert

Thursday, May 22, through Saturday, May 31, Civic Theatre in Kalamazoo: Little Women the Musical continues, with Lisa Watson working behind the scenes. The show goes on at 7:30 on Thursday nights, 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. More info at the Civic's website.

Friday, May 23, and Saturday, May 24, 8 p.m., Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Center: Last chance to see The Playboy of the Western World, the great play by Irish writer J. M. Synge . . . and you can spot Mary Teutsch amongst the cast. Tickets are $20 general admission, $14 seniors, $10 students. More at Whole Art's website.

June 5 - 28, Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Center: Hair, the classic 1968 musical, is back, and this time it's choreographed by Adam Carter. You might want to get your tickets now . . . which you can do via Whole Art's website.

Festival Fotos

The second annual Spring Fine Arts Festival last weekend was a huge success. There was drama, comedy, sculpture, painting, singing of all kinds, music from classical to blues/rock . . . something for everyone--no, lots of things for everyone! And all the proceeds from ticket sales and concession purchases go to the Performing Arts Foundation for use by all the arts at Gull Lake. Thanks to the students for great performances and art pieces, to all the spectators for coming out, and to the expert staff and loyal volunteers working behind the scenes. It was a great night!

Performing Arts Foundation board members were especially thrilled to be presented with this year's "Local Hero" award--including handsome plaques and kind words from Robin Nott--at the Friday night performance. We love to do the work we do for kids because of the great support from Gull Lake schools staff and a wonderfully generous community. Thanks so much for a very special award!

And thanks to photographer Jack Sizer for a visual sampling of the Spring Fine Arts Festival. It was a great event!

Storyteller comes to Gull Lake Community Schools

Nationally-known storyteller Len Cabral came to Gull Lake schools as artist in residence for May 5 through 8, mesmerizing students in all the buildings with his fantastic tales, and giving workshops for storytelling students at the high school. His visit was made possible by grants from the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation, the GLCS Performing Arts Foundation, and the Gull Lake Educational

Association. It was an amazing experience for all the students and teachers. Thank you, arts supporters! And thank you, Jack Sizer, for these wonderful photos!