"Teens take the stage, learn life lessons . . . "

Hope you caught the article in the Hometown section of Saturday's Kalamazoo Gazette headlined, "Teens take the stage, learn life lessons while acting," by Jane C. Parikh. Quoted and pictured (at least in the paper edition) is Gull Lake's Robin Nott, speaking on the importance of drama and storytelling to teens, and on the great programs at Gull Lake. The print edition also featured photos from Gull Lake's state tour production of Bamboozled! If you missed the article, go here.

Spring catch-up

Wow, one minute it's winter and things are all boring, and the next minute we're springing into action!

First, a catch-up on congratulating Richland photographer Mary Whalen on winning the grand prize at the annual Area Show at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts! The Area Show showcases some of the best art produced in a 14-county region of West Michigan, as selected this year by guest juror Larry Fink. Mary's ambrotype titled "Man" was chosen from more than 600 pieces initially submitted for the show. You can see the show through April 26, and check the Gazette coverage here.

More arts events:

March 20, 21, 27, 28, and April 3 and 4 at 8 p.m.: When Pigs Fly at the Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Center (359 S. Kalamazoo Mall) features Gull Lake alumnus Adam Carter in a fun and funny musical revue. Tickets are $22, seniors $18, students $14.

Sure, maple syrup is an art form! Watch how sap gets boiled down to syrup and have a taste of the fresh stuff at Maple Syrup Open House at Kellogg Forest on Saturday, March 21, from noon to 5 p.m. Cost is $1 per person. Maple syrup and maple candy will also be on sale.

Check out lots of Gull Lake Community Education offerings in the arts realm. There are classes in ballroom dance for all ages, hip hop for pre-teens, teens and adults, sewing for 10- to 12-year-olds, cartoon drawing for all ages, DIY wedding flower design, and more.

All Ears Theatre will hold open auditions for three radio plays on March 23 and 24, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Epic Center. The performances will be recorded at First Baptist Church in Kalamazoo during May, and will be broadcast later on WMUK-FM. No previous experience is needed. For details, go to the Arts Council website.

Metalmorphosis

Pat Ex and Denise Fletcher create amazing works of art from metal, and they're the centerpiece of "Metalmorphosis," the show that runs March 13 through April 4 at the Blue Water Gallery, 8860 N. 32nd Street, at Clocktower Green. Other artists include Amy Culp, Bobbie Peters, Char Short, and Meg Tank, presenting "Green Jewelry: Reuse, recycle, repurpose." There's an artists' reception at the gallery tonight, Friday, March 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PAF meeting March 10

Much ado about many things! Please join us at the regular meeting of the Performing Arts Foundation on Tuesday, March 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue. Among the items for discussion will be a barbershop harmony fundraising event paired with an old-fashioned ice cream social; an open-mike night for poetry, prose, and music at RACC; the Gull Lake Fine Arts Alumni reunion in May; and grant requests. All fun, all good, all mean the arts are hopping in Richland. Hope you'll be there.

Those awesome Gull Lake bands

This news from Kim Ford via the Gull Lake Fine Arts Alumni group on Facebook (which you're encouraged to join, if you partake of the Facebook at all): On Friday the Gull Lake Middle School Band went to Portage for the Middle School District Band Festival. The 7th Grade Band received straight 1s, and the 8th Grade got straight 1s in performance and a 2 in sightreading for an overall 1. This means that all Gull Lake bands received 1s at Festival, and all qualify for State. Congratulations, all! Our bands are indeed awesome.

And, by the way, all Gull Lake Fine Arts alumni--whether you're on Facebook or not--there will be an all-arts-alumni reunion on the afternoon of Sunday, May 3. Mark your calendars now, and watch for more info!

A call to help the arts in Michigan!

Did you read our local friend Tim Putney's Viewpoint in the Gazette on March 3? In it, Tim addresses Governor Granholm's proposal to cut state arts funding entirely--yes, entirely--for 2010, and he discusses the terrible effects this would have on our state and its economy. If you haven't read the whole article (it's short but shocking), please go here now.

And then there IS something you can do! The budget has not yet been passed by the legislature, so supporters of the arts still have a voice. I reprint the last couple of paragraphs of Tim's Viewpoint:

"Rejecting the governor's recommendations to eliminate this funding is possible with your help. Our state Legislature will soon be making some very tough decisions, and they do have the power to restore our funding.

"State Sen. Tom George will be a significant player in this process, and I hope you will choose to contact him at sentgeorge@senate.michigan.gov., in Lansing (866) 305-2120, and in Kalamazoo is (269) 226-0124. Please also contact Gov. Granholm at (517) 373-3400 or fax (517 )335-6863."

We know how important the arts are. Let's not be silent!