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.