The return of Combat Corduroy

This week, thanks to spring break, the band Combat Corduroy is complete, and they'll be performing Thursday night, February 26, at Up and Under on Michigan Avenue in Kalamazoo. Jump on the opportunity to hear and see one of the best bands to come from our area in a long time!

Musical Extravaganza at Comstock

If you can believe it, the Center Stage Theatre--previously known to most of us as Comstock Community Theatre--is 35 years old, and it's celebrating with a fabulous musical revue this weekend. Among other Gull Lake luminaries, Mary Jasiak and Lisa Watson will be performing numbers from some of your favorite musicals. The 35th Anniversary Celebration Showcase runs this Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $8 and can be purchased online at the Center Stage Theatre's website or at the door. The show is in the Colt Center at Comstock Community Auditorium, 2107 North 26th Street.

Love Is in the Air!

Valentine's Day is on its way . . . What could be more romantic than a lovely Sunday afternoon spent listening to gorgeous piano music, followed by a fancy tea reception? On Sunday, February 8, pianist Doug Decker will perform at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Richland, on the Village Green in the heart of Richland. A freewill offering will be taken, and the tea afterwards is free. The concert is part of the Village Green Arts series.

Local Heroes

If you've attended any Gull Lake High School or Middle School event in the last--oh, just about ever--from plays to track meets to football games to--well, just about anything--then you've seen Jack and Marcia Sizer. They're always there, taking wonderful photographs, rooting for the kids, and offering support to the adults. Then, as often as not, you'll see them quietly handing kids or parents prints of those photos--priceless keepsakes of great times in their lives. For dozens of Performing Arts Company productions, they've provided photographs for the archives. All of this they do quietly, and usually at their own expense.

On Friday, January 30, at a home performance of PAC's state tour show, Bamboozled!, the Sizers were recognized as true Local Heroes with the Department of Fine Arts' annual award. Robin Nott presented them with a plaque on stage before the show began--and before the Sizers returned to their cameras to continue their wonderful work. Thank you, Marcia and Jack!