Music notes

First note: Don't miss the show choir holiday concert Wednesday, December 15, at 7 p.m. at the Gull Lake Middle School Cafetorium.

Then, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, Gull Lake Band Parents' Association meets in the high school band room.

Last note, but not least: Notified, the wonderful a cappella group that includes Gull Lake's Mary Teutsch, performs at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 18, at Stephie's Coffee House in Dowagiac. Expect some holiday cheer.

Holiday cheer!

Enjoy two wonderful holiday concerts on Saturday, December 11, in the Gull Lake High School Gym! Start off with the Middle School bands at 1 p.m., then stay for the High School bands and vocal choir at 4 p.m. Cheers!

Farewell party at Blue Water Gallery

On Friday, December 10, 6 to 9 p.m., be at the Blue Water Gallery for their reception for their Holiday Small Works Show, plus the photography of Dean Pennala and charcoal drawings by Dave Middleton. We are very sad to say that this is Blue Water's final reception: They'll be open through December 23, then closing after that. We're so sorry to see you go, Blue Water!

Monday night jazz

The Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra will be playing at the Union Cabaret and Grill in downtown Kalamazoo at 7:30 p.m. Monday, December 6. Relax and enjoy!

Good Wassail to You!

It's time to go wassailing in Richland! The snow just makes it more scenic. It happens Thursday, December 2, 5:30 to 8 p.m., all around town.

In more mundane business, it's the last call for arts news, alumni news, and calendar listings for the December-January edition of the PAF newsletter, Footlights. We'll include dates through February and maybe even into March. Please send info to PerformingArtsFoundation@gmail.com by Thursday (December 2) afternoon. Thanks!

Adam Carter Extravaganza Weekend!

It's Gull Lake grad Adam Carter x 2 this Friday and Saturday: As director of "Sick Day" at Fancy Pants Theater, Studio 246 on the Kalamazoo Mall, 8 p.m. (also 7 p.m. Sunday), $10; then as the "a" of the t&a improv comedy team, Farmers Alley Theatre, 10 p.m., $5.

Annie at the Civic

Time to get your tickets for Annie at the Civic Theatre, before they sell out. It runs Nov. 26 to Dec. 12, and you'll have the added pleasure of spotting Gull Lake alumna Mary Teutsch as Grace, Daddy Warbucks' assistant. Go to the Civic's website for tix.

A great weekend for music

You can enjoy traditional Irish music with your fish and chips or Guinness with Whiskey Before Breakfast--featuring Richland fiddler and WMUK host Dave Marlatt--playing Friday, November 12, at the London Grill in Kalamazoo, starting at 7 p.m.

Then on Saturday, November 13, check out the blues band Sneaky Pete, whose drummer, Greg Anson, is a Gull Lake grad. They'll be playing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Old Dog Tavern.

Coyote Trio

Enjoy great acoustic music by the Coyote Trio (which includes our own Robin Nott) at Koffee Klutch in Galesburg, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. There's good food, too!

Poinsettias!

Gull Lake Band Parents are taking orders now (until Nov. 30) for gorgeous poinsettias, to be delivered Saturday, Dec. 11. Go here and order now!

Music miscellany

Enjoy the Ryan Intermediate Fall Vocal Showcase at 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, Nov. 4, at Richland Bible Church . . . then the 4th-grade music program at 7 p.m., Monday, Nov. 8 and Tuesday, Nov. 9, at the Gull Lake Middle School Cafeteria. (Monday night will showcase the students of teachers Howe, Badiner, Curtis, and Wisser; Tuesday night is for the students of Deming, Fournier, Misner, Kenyon, and Fuehr.)

And don't forget the Performing Arts Foundation meeting at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov.9, at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue. All are welcome . . . Just remember that we're meeting at 5 p.m. nowadays, still on the second Tuesday of the month!

Bryan Charles at Kalamazoo Public Library

It's always fun to "Meet the Author," and in this case, the author happens to be 1992 Gull Lake grad Bryan Charles. You can meet and greet him at the Kalamazoo Public Library (Central Branch), Wednesday, November 3, at 7 p.m. Charles's new memoir about his struggling days looking for work and becoming a writer in New York City, There's a Road to Everywhere Except Where You Came From, is officially published today, November 2, and I'll wager there will be an opportunity to buy a copy--and perhaps even to get it signed?--at Wednesday's event. Read a Gazette review by KPL librarian Kevin King here. And get more info about the event at the KPL's website. You might also enjoy picking up a copy of Charles's first book, Grab On to Me Tightly as if I Knew the Way, which is novel but based strongly on the author's adolescence in the Kalamazoo area and thus very recognizable.

Free, free, free!

You pays NO money and you STILL takes yer choice! These two Gull Lake/Richland-related arts events are free.

At the Halloween Hootenanny, Notified, the singing troupe that features our own Mary Teutsch, will open the show, with three more a cappella groups to follow. Bring your chair and blanket to this free outdoor event in Kindleberger Park in Parchment at 7 p.m. Friday, October 22. See also their Facebook and web pages.

Also on Friday, October 22, at 7 p.m., Community Advocates for Persons with Developmental Disabilities, whose CEO/president is Richlander Deb Russell, presents the Sprout Film Festival at the Radisson Hotel downtown. Check out Community Advocates' Facebook page or website for more info.

GLHS Marching Invitational

Get ready for some fantastic music and marching this Saturday, October 9, starting at 1 p.m. at the Gull Lake High School football stadium. It's the 7th annual GLHS Marching Invitational, with 11 bands competing and Gull Lake's own band in an exhibition performance. Admission is $7, $5 for seniors/students, free for kids 4 and under, family rate $20--all to benefit the Gull Lake Band Parents' Association.

Gull Lake behind the scenes of GODSPELL

That favorite off-Broadway musical Godspell opens at the Civic Theatre on Friday, September 24, then runs through Sunday, October 10. You'll enjoy a great show, thanks to the behind-the-scenes work of Gull Lake alumnae Stacy Bartell, props master, and Lisa Watson on the sound board. And a PAF stalwart known to you all is running a follow spot for the first time. Go, enjoy, and applaud! Call 269-343-1313 or go to the Civic's website for tickets.

It's Barbershop Time!

And we don't mean you need a haircut (though you well may). No, it's time to enjoy some great barbershop harmonies with the Mall City Harmonizers, under the direction of Gull Lake's Dave Woolf. They perform this Saturday, September 18, at 7 p.m. at the Dalton Recital Hall on the Western Michigan University Campus. It's the 69th Annual Show for the Barbershop Harmony Society. If you enjoyed--or missed--them at last year's PAF Ice Cream Social, here's your chance!

Join PAF on Facebook and Twitter

We're dipping a toe in! Search for GLCS Performing Arts Foundation on Facebook, and for GullLakePAF on Twitter.

Happy Arts in Education Week!

In July, Congress designated the week beginning the second Sunday of September--that's this week!--as Arts in Education Week. The declaration recognizes that "arts education, comprising a rich array of disciplines including dance, music, theatre, media arts, literature, design, and visual arts, is a core academic subject and an essential element of a complete and balanced education
for all students" and goes on to quote Albert Einstein, "After a certain high
level of technical skill is achieved, science and art tend to coalesce in esthetics, plasticity, and form. The greatest scientists are artists as well."

Not to be outdone, in addition to recognizing Arts in Education Week, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm also proclaimed this Youth Arts Week in Michigan, saying, "The involvement of young people in the arts helps them to understand and respect people of diverse populations and cultures as well as help them to communicate through different forms of expression," and that "education in the arts contributes to the overall education of our students by helping them to develop and explore their own creative problem-solving and critical thinking abilities."

So . . . let's celebrate! You can start by joining us at the regular meeting of the GLCS Performing Arts Foundation, Tuesday, September 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richland Area Community Center!

Seen and heard at the Kalamazoo Scottish Festival

Erica Holcomb, Gull Lake High School Performing Arts Company '05, playing a most intriguing musical instrument, the hurdy-gurdy.

We All Scream for Ice Cream on August 18

Come one, come all, to the second annual Old-Fashioned Ice Cream Social fundraiser for the Performing Arts Foundation! This year, we'll be scooping ice cream during the Richland Farmers' Market, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18, at the Richland Area Community Center. Come into the cool of RACC's kitchen/sunroom area to enjoy delicious Plainwell Ice Cream, hand dipped by your faithful PAF volunteers, and to hear the amazing Leslie Gogel (PAC '02) play her beautiful harp. There may be other surprise musical guests dropping in as well . . . you'll have to be there to hear for yourself! Suggested donation for ice cream is $2 per person or $5 per family. So come out this Wednesday for a great afternoon of fresh fruits and vegetables, gorgeous just-picked flowers, AND ice cream and music!

More on These United States

Update: Check out this recent issue of the New York Times for a review of the most recent album from These United States, "What Lasts." It includes a nice mention of the band's bass player, Gull Lake grad Colin Kellogg.

By the way, the band is on tour right now. Within striking distance of Kalamazoo, you could spot them in Chicago at House of Blues on August 5 and as part of Lollapalooza on August 6.

Richland Art Fair

Okay, this is it! The 38th annual Richland Art Fair happens this Saturday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the village green in the center of Richland. It's an art extravaganza put on yearly by the Gull Lake Area Community Volunteers, who use the proceeds to provide educational, medical, dental, and emergency help to folks within the Gull Lake Community School district.

Be sure to check out special events at many local galleries and stores that day, too, including the Blue Water Gallery and Fabrications.

Happy Fourth of July . . .

. . . and all the nearby dates, too! There's a lot to do, so get your running shoes on.

Friday, July 2, you have a chance to hear Richland lads Jordan Lunardini and Matt Reinhardt with the old gang, Frankie Ballard and Eddie Robinson, at the Stagecoach Barn (8940 N. 32nd Street at M-89/C Avenue), in their Funkberry Jam mode. Starts at 9 p.m., costs $7.

But don't stay out too late if you're planning to run or walk in the Pace for Poverty at 8 a.m. The event, organized by Gull Lake grad Adam Simon and PAF stalwart Jeff Brown, starts by the athletic fields behind Gull Lake Middle School on M-89. If you took my advice about Friday night, you should be done in plenty of time for the 11 a.m. step-off of the Richland 4th of July Parade--note that this year it's on Saturday, July 3. You wouldn't want to miss it, or any of the surrounding fun and food, like the Lions Club chicken barbecue and Richland Presbyterian's pie tent.

Then keep supporting great local music and have fun, too, at the Boiling Pot Music Festival at Arcadia Festival Place downtown, noon to midnight on Saturday and Sunday, July 3 and 4. Cost is $10 each day at the gate, or $15 for both days if you buy in advance.

Happy Second, Third, and Fourth!

Quick catch-up

If you run quickly, you still have an outside chance to see Mary Teutsch in the Farmer's Alley Theatre production of Parade. There are shows at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 25 and 26, and one more at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 27. (At this writing, the evening shows are shown as sold out on the Farmer's Alley website, but give the box office a call at 343-2727. You never know.) As Mark Wedel wrote in the Gazette, "It’s not the usual light musical fare. It’s the true story of a Jewish Yankee who gets lynched for the murder of a girl in 1913 Georgia. With music by Jason Robert Brown and a book by Alfred Uhry ('Driving Miss Daisy'), the 1998 musical lasted on Broadway for a couple of months, though it did win best book and best score Tony Awards." All who are missing the Barn Theatre this summer will also have a chance to see perennial favorite Scott Burkell. Tickets are $25, $23 for students and seniors.

Additional notes of interest from Thursday's Gazette involve rising musical stars from Gull Lake. Check out stories about Colin Kellogg and Ryan Etzcorn!

Almost-summer bonanza

This weekend is a big one for downtown Kalamazoo, with the Art Hop Friday night, the Do-Dah Parade and Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Fair Friday evening and all day Saturday, and the Greek Fest going on throughout. Check out the Richland flavor Saturday night, June 5, at midnight at the Greek Fest, when In Custody will be playing at the Arcadia Creek Festival Place.

Meanwhile, right here in Richland, the colorful artwork of Trish Joseph is at the Little Yellow Frame Shop, and metal artist/blacksmith Holly Fisher's sculptures are at the Blue Water Gallery.

All the while, Wednesday afternoons at the Richland Farmers' Market, held at the Richland Area Community Center from 3:30 to 6:30, usually bring some local music for your toe-tapping enjoyment as you shop.

By the way, the Richland Area Community Center is offering kids' music classes, including a Jumping Beans Kindermusik group and a recorder class. Check out the website for more info.

Festival of the Senses--now with 25% more senses!

Well, at least more arts than ever! This year, the Festival of the senses had added modern dance and a performance by the dynamic original poetry duo Kinetic Affect.

The school's allied fine arts will team up with the Gull Lake Performing Arts Foundation and the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation to present the fourth annual spring student showcase of young artists. Five student-produced one-act plays, a visual art gallery, vocal music ensembles and solos, instrumental music ensembles and solos, two original dance pieces, and six creative writing presentations will offer an evening of wonderful entertainment for our community on Friday and Saturday, May 14 and 15, from 7 to 10 p.m.

This year's dance addition will feature Patricia Palasko's Education For The Arts (EFA) student dance class, presenting two original dance pieces. The works will be choreographed by Palasko especially for the festival. The EFA dance class is offered during the school day at GLHS, drawing students from around the area, and we are very fortunate to have this popular program housed here in our district.

The powerful performance poetry duo Kinetic Affect will present their consciousness-raising work in a community performance on Friday night of the festival only. Kinetic Affect treats the listener to the art of the live spoken word. Kinetic Affect’s residency in the Gull Lake Community Schools has been underwritten by the Gull Lake Performing Arts Foundation, the Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation, and the Gull Lake Teachers Association. Kinetic Affect will be presenting three student concerts, a poetry master class, and their community concert on Friday evening, during their two-day residency at Gull Lake.

The following staff are involved in this year’s festival: Robin Nott and Laura Denick (theatre), Randy Walbridge and Carolyn Massey (visual art), Floy Latham and Michele Chabitch (band), David Woolf (choir), Matt Hawkins (creative writing), and Patricia Palasko (dance). The fine arts staff and students of GLHS wish to thank all who donated to our foundations for continuing to enrich our lives through arts and cultural activity.

Performances will be Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, starting at 7 p.m. All events will be held in the Gull Lake High School performing arts wing and cafeteria. Donations at the door will be accepted for the Performing Arts Foundation.

Thanks to Robin Nott for the scoop!

A Volunteer STAR

Hope you saw this great Gazette article about Benjamin Flaten, who won the Young Adult Volunteer STAR award this year. Ben was a member of the Gull Lake High School Performing Arts Company back in the day. He's had some major obstacles thrown his way since then, but he's accomplishing great work for others. Congratulations on the award, Ben, and thanks for all you do!

Fun with the Gilmore

There was music and fun galore at the Gilmore for Kids program April 20 at Gull Lake High School. Pianist Peter Miyamoto played for families and talked with all the kids afterwards. The Performing Arts Foundation was there to provide the celebratory punch and cookies. Fun night!

Gilmore for Kids at Gull Lake

It's almost time for the Irving S. Gilmore International Keyboard Festival, and you can enjoy a preview right here in Richland, thanks to the Gilmore for Kids program. The wonderful pianist Peter Miyamoto will be doing an in-school program for kids on Tuesday, April 20 . . . and in the evening, he'll do a public performance, "Piano Power," open to and fun for all but especially geared for elementary and middle school students. So round everyone up and come to Gull Lake High School's studio theater at 7 p.m. on April 20. Admission is free for students, and only $5 for adults. Immediately after the show, please join us--the Performing Arts Foundation--for a punch-and-cookies reception. See you there!

Day of Silence Art Show

This Friday, April 16, from 7 to 9 p.m., all are invited to the Richland Area Community Center for the opening reception for a student art exhibit called "Doors." The artwork, literally painted and collaged on full-sized doors, was created by members of the Gull Lake area Gay-Straight Alliance and other students as part of their observance of the National Day of Silence. On that day--which is this Friday--students maintain silence for the school day as a way of drawing attention to name-calling, bullying, and harassment of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students. Students have been working on their art projects at RACC for the last two weeks as part of a workshop created by writer Jacquelyn Taylor and RACC executive director Bonnie Feldkamp. The workshop was funded by a Kalamazoo Community Foundation Changemakers grant. Admission to the exhibit and reception is free, and the punch and cookies will be flowing like . . . well, punch and cookies! Do come out and support these young artists!

P.S. Check the Kalamazoo Gazette's article for more details, here.

Hot off the press

The Kalamazoo Gazette is full of news of Gull Lake grads. First, a reminder to go see Mary Teutsch in the Civic's powerful production of Arthur Miller's play All My Sons can be found in this glowing review. The play is scheduled to continue at the Parish Theatre through April 11. Tickets and info are here.

Then news of two events that we are very sorry to have missed. One Mr. Adam Carter apparently did a star turn as Liza Minelli on April Fool's Day at the Epic Bistro. We can live the moment vicariously through the Gazette's photos. It was all in aid of Fancy Pants Theatre, of which Adam is one of the founders.

And, finally, there was a big story in the April 3 Hometown Gazette about another Performing Arts Company alum, Kaytee Vande Streek. Kaytee helped to stage a fabulous old-school vaudeville show in East Lansing on April 2. At this writing, there's no link on the Gazette's mLive website, but I'll add one if I find one.

Meanwhile, everyone, let me know what you have coming up. We don't want to miss another thing!

Glitter XX

That's right: This year's Glitter Variety Show is the 20th annual edition! Happy birthday, Glitter! You've put some pretty bright Gull Lake High School lights onstage these past many years, and Saturday, March 20, promises to bring out some more. The show is at 7 p.m. at Comstock Auditorium. You'll want to purchase your tickets ahead of time at the high school--$10 for reserved seats, $8 for general admission. For more info, call 352-6862, e-mail glittergulllake@yahoo.com or check out Glitter's Facebook page!

Meanwhile, downtown at Farmers Alley Theatre, Lisa Watson is helping to stage a production of the witty set of six David Ives one-act plays called All in the Timing, now through March 28. Check their website for details and tix. Old hands will remember a hilarious production of the show one summer at Gull Lake, put on by Performing Arts Company alumni and students and won't want to miss this new staging of an old fave.

PAF meeting Tuesday, March 9

Hope you can be there for our regular monthly meeting at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue. Anyone who's interested in promoting arts for kids in our community is most welcome to join us at any meeting. It all happens at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9.

This is also a call for any calendar listings, community arts news, etc., for our spring newsletter. Please send items to us at performingartsfoundation@gmail.com by April 9.

Fancy Pants

Delighted that the old Whole Art Studio space at 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall will continue to host creative performances. Its resurgence as Studio 246 is thanks to Fancy Pants Theater, newly founded by a partnership that includes Gull Lake alumnus Adam Carter. Their first production will be Board Fold: A Tale of Retail by local playwright Adam Pasen, directed by Adam Carter. It's a farce set in a clothing store, and rife with sexual tension, so perhaps not for the kiddies. Adults, you can see the show February 24 - 28 at 8 p.m., tickets $10. The Gazette ran a nice article with all the details. Break a leg, Fancy Pants!

Love That Valentine's Weekend

Lots of options for you--and perhaps your Valentine, too--this weekend!

First, there's a brand new production of Jesus Christ Superstar produced by Center Stage Theatre at Comstock Auditorium--with Gull Lake's own Lisa Watson stage managing. See the show at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, February 11-13, or at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 14. Tickets are $12 ($10 for students and seniors), available at the door or online.

Even if you go on Friday, you could first stop in at the opening reception for Blue Water Gallery's new show . . . see the previous posting about that.

And, finally, you'll want to take your Valentine--whether it's your true love, your neighbor, or a friend of any age--to the My Funny Valentine afternoon at the Richland Area Community Center, 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 14. Lana Hawkins will be singing all the old standards while you enjoy desserts, coffee, and, if you wish, dancing. All ages are welcome. Tickets are $10 and benefit RACC.

PAF meeting Feb. 9 cancelled

Sorry, all--The Performing Arts Foundation won't meet tonight, February 9, because copious snow has led to the closing of evening activities in Gull Lake Schools which leads to the closing of the Richland Area Community Center. We'll let you know if and when the meeting is rescheduled. Meanwhile, stay safe and warm!

We do want to pass on word about the Performing Arts Company's Saturday performance at regional competition. The group will be onstage with Smoking Lesson this Saturday, February 13, at Forest Hills East High School in Ada, Michigan. They go at 9 a.m. (!), but it's always worth sticking around to see the other shows. Admission is free, and the kids always appreciate the support. Break a leg, PAC!

Escape to Blue Water Gallery

The Blue Water Gallery has been closed since Christmas, but it's open again and holding a brand new show, "Winter Escape." There are new works by all of the Blue Water Gallery artists, as well as some artists who are new to the gallery, including Elaine Kauffman, Helen Kleczynski, Barry Nelson, Amy Zane, Fred Zemlick, Dave Middleton, Marian Heibel Richardson, Char Short and Scott Noppen. The show opens officially on Friday, February 12, with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Wine, punch and appetizers will be served. Enjoy your escape!

PAC Tour Show Opens at Home

This is the weekend--your chance to see Gull Lake High School's Performing Arts Company perform their annual state tour show here at home. You can see the drama Black Water in the Cafetorium at (please note!) Gull Lake Middle School on Friday and Saturday, February 5 and 6 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, February 7 at 2 p.m. Admission is $6, $3 for students. Those who saw the show at district competition last weekend--where it won a number of citations for excellence, in addition to the opportunity to move on to regional competition--say that it is a powerful and intense drama.

If you miss this weekend's performances, you have another chance to see the show when PAC takes it to regional competition on Saturday, February 13, at a location to be announced. And, if PAC qualifies there, they will move on to state finals at Midland Center for the Arts in Midland, MI, on Friday and Saturday, February 19 and 20. Admission to the competition performances is free.

Hoot Owls at Cooper's Glen

You can see--and, moreover, hear--the great bluegrass, gospel, and old-timey music of the Hoot Owls at Cooper's Glen Music Festival on Saturday, January 23, at 1 p.m. You'll recognize at least one of those Owls as our own talented Robin Nott. Just head on down to the Radisson Hotel. A day pass for all the music all day and night on Saturday is $30, and that includes evening performances by Joel Mabus and the Dillards. Let the toe-tapping begin!

Spelling Bee update!

News from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, via Ken Holda:

Due to popular demand, the Civic has added four performances to the Spelling Bee schedule. They are:

Sunday, January 31 at 2
Friday, February 5 at 8
Saturday, February 6 at 8
Sunday, February 7 at 2

Each performance, 4 audience members are selected to compete onstage in the spelling bee. Right now, the plan is to select these people about 40 minutes before the show starts. If you want a chance to get onstage, please arrive early and sign up.

Tickets are available from the Civic's website.

Spelling Bee

Hey, it's a new year! Time to revisit grade school and enjoy the fun of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Civic’s Parish Theatre, January 15 through 31. Gull Lake's Mary Teutsch is one of the featured players. The Civic bills this hit musical as one that “will be most enjoyed by the more mature members of the family.” Tickets are available online.