Action-packed September calendar

Where to begin? September is picking up speed, so I'll just bring your attention to the Performing Arts Foundation regular meeting this Thursday, September 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Richland Area Community Center--you're all invited--and then give you a little calendar of the many events coming up in September. Please send along further listings for school, community, and arts-related events. And arts alumni, we're especially glad to hear about performances you're involved in, even if they're far away. You never know who will have the opportunity to show up.

Okay, here's your action-packed September:

Thursday 13: PAF meeting, 6:30 p.m. at Richland Area Community Center.

Friday 14 and Saturday 15: Richland Oktoberfest, Richland Village green, admission $5 after 5 p.m. each day. See previous post for more info.

Sunday 16 and Monday 17: Auditions, Whole Art Theatre, for Trevor Stafanick's "The Great Pumpkin Massacre," directed by Tara Sytsma, late-night performances October 19, 20, 26, and 27 at the Whole Art Studio, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall. Whole Art is also looking for volunteer directors for their Late Night Series. Call 345-7529 for info.

Thursday 20 and onward: If you happen to be near Ypsilanti, you can catch former Gull Lake teacher Brian Evely in "Hollywood Nights," a fictionalized version of Carol Burnett's biography. 8 p.m., September 20, 21, 22, 23 and 27, 28, 29, plus a 2 p.m. matinee September 23 at the Riverside Arts Center in Ypsilanti, 76 North Huron. 734-483-7345 for reservations. Tickets are $16, $11 for students and seniors.

Friday 21 and Saturday 22: Crawlspace Eviction, improv comedy, 8 p.m. at the Whole Art Studio, 246 N. Kalamazoo Mall. Their show "Menopause with a Cause" kicks off the troupe's fifth season. Tickets are $7 for students, $10 for adults at the door. Gull Lake Performing Arts Company alumnus Adam Carter is usually part of the hijinks.

Sunday 23 and Monday 24: Auditions for "Bat Boy: The Musical" at Whole Art Theatre main stage at the Epic Center, performances November 15 - December 15. Call 345-7529 for info.

Week of September 24: Music and dance classes for all ages, infant to adult, begin 5-week sessions at Kalamazoo School of Music and Dance studio at Gull Road and Sprinkle. Try your feet at tap, ballet, hip hop, etc. Cost $38-58. Details at their website.

Saturday 29: Auditions for the improvisational comedy troupe Crawlspace Eviction, noon to 5 p.m. at the Whole Art Theatre's Epic Center stage. If you want to get involved in comedic writing, improvised or scripted performance, film/television work, piano accompaniment, or various technical opportunities, head on down and show what you can do.

To do this summer: Make music! Dance!

Gull Lake band members who are now in 5th, 6th, or 7th grades might want to add musical fun to their summer with Summer Band 2007. Classes run June 26 through July 26 and are divided by instrument and years of experience. (Don't worry if you have to miss some classes.)

For students with ONE year of experience (mostly 5th graders going into 6th), join Woodwind 1, or Brass Class 1, 10 to 11 a.m.

For students with TWO years (6th going into 7th), join Woodwind 2 or Brass Class 2, 11 a.m. to noon.

For 7th graders going into 8th grade, try the Jazz Experience, noon to 1 p.m.

All classes meet at Ryan Intermediate School Band Room and cost $35 per student.

To reserve your spot, call Kelly at 269-629-5880, ext. 3005.



Younger children, ages 4 through 6, might enjoy dance classes this summer. This introduction to ballet teaches positions of the feet, traveling movements such as turns and jumps, and good stretching and exercise habits. A 6-week session is offered at two times of day by instructor Sabrina Parshall.

Each 6-week session costs $30 and meets Tuesdays from July 17 to August 21 at Wildermuth Gym.

Session 1: 12:30 - 1:15 p.m.
Session 2: 1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

For more information on Gull Lake's Community Education programs this summer, see your Communicator or visit gulllakecs.org.