"Summer Bouquet" at Blue Water Gallery

Richland has its own Art Hop on the second Friday of each month. This month, a new show opens at the Blue Water Gallery on Friday, June 12. "Summer Bouquet" features floral and garden pastels by Roseann Maguire. The opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. will offer wine, punch, and appetizers, plus music in the outdoor sculpture garden by local musician Larry Lowis. The Gallery is located at 8860 N. 32nd Street, in the Clocktower Green complex.

Speaking of that pleasant spot, the Clocktower Green Summer Music Series starts on June 18, with live outdoor music every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Clocktower Green. Enjoy!

Young Artists of Gull Lake

Be sure to stop in at the Blue Water Gallery, 8860 N. 32nd Street in the Clocktower Green complex, to see some fabulous artwork by Gull Lake students. The Young Artists of Gull Lake exhibit continues through Friday, June 5. You'll also want to peruse the Mother's Day Extravaganza show through June 6, featuring fiber designs by Lestra Hazel, and jewelry and other great gifts for moms by local artists including Tim Bastianse, Kara Daniel, Jeannette Maxey, and Patti Oakland. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Music, music, music

Yes, there's a lot of music around, and now's the time to grab the chance to hear some out in the fresh air, before the air starts getting a little too fresh, if you know what I mean.

Emily Nott and Sarah Denick will be singing and playing at the Richland Farmers' Market on Wednesday, September 3. The Market runs from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue (that's the post office road), every Wednesday into October. Since September 3 is a first-Wednesday-of-the-month, there's the additional draw of a craft fair along with the Farmers' Market, so it's going to be a fabulous, festive evening.

On Thursday evenings, Clocktower Green, 8860 N. 32nd Street, offers live music in the great outdoors, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. On September 4, the Mossy Mountain Band brings their great bluegrass out here to the countryside.

Remember, folks, it's all free and in the fresh air. Enjoy!

Thursdays at Clocktower Green

The beautiful new Clocktower Green is nearing completion--most of the stores and the restaurant have opened already--and their free Thursday night outdoor concerts are in full swing. Head up to 8860 North 32nd Street (M-43, just north of the village of Richland), sit a while, and enjoy the tunes from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Here's the schedule of upcoming concerts:

July 3 – Mossy Mountain Band
July 10 – North Point Combo
July 17 – Martha Reid Quartet
July 24 – Lana Hawkins & Steve Kamerling
July 31 – Mark Duval & Traci Seuss
August 7 – Swing City
August 14 – Brothers Kalamazov
August 21 – Earlier Braggs Quartet
August 28 – Tim Collins Group

Hair and more

I'm trying to resist the apparently irresistable urge that salons seem to have to name themselves with a hair pun . . . I've made it past the title . . . just barely . . . and I'll try to make it through to the end of the posting with my dignity intact.

And yet I must urge you (adults, that is) to go see the Whole Art Theatre's production of the 1968 musical Hair, which continues Fridays and Saturdays, June 20, 21, 27, and 28 at the Epic Center, 359 S. Kalamazoo Mall. Adam Carter choreographed the show, and they do a great job with all the songs that you had forgotten came from Hair. (Okay, I'm the one who forgot that "Easy to Be Hard" was in there . . . I did remember "Aquarius.") Tickets are $22, seniors $18, students $14. Check the Whole Art's website for more info.

By the way, auditions for the one-woman show Bad Dates are being held June 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. at the Whole Art Theatre at the Epic Center. That show will play at the Whole Art September 11 to 27. More info on that at the website.

The musical Les Miserables is at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, now through July 6. Tickets are $29. Their website has details.

You can catch Richland area musicians playing in Kalamazoo on Saturday, June 21, as part of the worldwide Fete de la Musique. And it's all free! Fractal will be at the Union at 2 p.m. and at Bell's at 6, and the Gull Lake Jazz Orchestra will be playing on the North Kalamazoo Mall at 3 . . . Again, check the website for more and better info.

Speaking of local musicians, you can usually catch Tim Tillbury playing at the Richland Pub, 8253 N. 32nd Street, of a Friday night, starting about 8 p.m.

And a great new venue, the Clocktower Green, has live music outdoors on Thursday nights. Check their website for the calendar of events.

There's more live music from time to time at the Richland Farmers' Market, which has outgrown its original site and is now at the Richland Area Community Center, 9400 East CD Avenue (that's the post office road), from 4 to 8 p.m. every Wednesday. June 25 will feature a visit by a calf from a local farm, but live music will return from time to time--including the wonderful Hoot Owls.

Okay, that should keep you busy for a while, and you've been spared a single hair joke! What a lucky day! Enjoy.

Hoot Owls at Farmers' Market

The new Richland Farmers' Market opens this Wednesday, June 11, and the Hoot Owls will bring their old time - bluegrass - gospel sounds to celebrate. The Market will be open this and every Wednesday through October, from 4 to 8 p.m., and this week the Hoot Owls will start playing around 6. Come on out to hear them--and to buy your fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce! The Market is held at the new Clocktower Green, 8860 North 32nd Street (M-43), just north of the village and south of the Blackhawk.

And if you grow food or flowers you'd like to sell at the Market--or if you know someone who does--click here to download a vendor application.

Meanwhile, come out on Wednesday for great fun, fresh food, and music. Big thanks to the Hoot Owls for donating their talent and time!