Croswell presents “The Cotton Patch Gospel”

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Art-A-Licious

The Cotton Patch GospelA gem of musical theatre, “The Cotton Patch Gospel” is based on Clarence Jordan’s book, “The Cotton Patch Version of Matthew and John,” with the familiar stories transplanted to rural Georgia. Gainesville stands in for Bethlehem, Valdosta for Nazareth and Atlanta for the fateful Jerusalem. “The Cotton Patch Gospel” is a progressive and musically joyous look at the Jesus story through a modern lens; asking the question, what would have happened if Jesus’ arrival had come in the middle of the 20th century in the Southern U.S.

Tom Key and Russell Treyz adapted Jordan’s writings and worked with the late Harry Chapin (“Cats in the Cradle,”  “Taxi”) to create this bluegrass musical full of the powerful drama and the joyous celebrations of the Gospel stories, with enough character and contemporary meaning to lift your spirits and renew your hope. Toe-tapping, sing-a-long songs fill the soundtrack which includes “Somethings Brewin’ in Gainesville,” “Sho Nuff,” “We’re Gonna Love It While It Lasts,” and more. The Cotton Patch Gospel is for everyone who wonders if the peace and love promised by the Gospels is possible in our modern world.

At the Croswell, The Cotton Patch Gospel stars James Swendsen (Adrian) as Jesus, and Mark Hyre (Tecumseh) as Matthew. The ensemble cast also includes from Adrian: Ava Hanley, Ivy Hanley, James Hanley, Johanna Hanley, Olivia Hanley, Josie Miller, Michelle Miller, Barb Vaught and Rick Vaught. From Tecumseh: Margaret Hyre, Charlie Steffens and Marianne Steffens From Clinton: Nathan VanAtta. The bluegrass band for the show, which joins the cast on stage, and mixes up in the action, is led by Music Director David Rains (Adrian) on keyboard and includes Amy Marr (Britton) on fiddle, Nate Bagby and Jeremy Blaska (Tecumseh) on guitar, Chris Livesay (Saline) on bass, and Mark Palms on banjo.

Joyce Cameron of Clinton serves as director “The Cotton Patch Gospel,” with scenic design by Keith Holloway. Costumes are by Michelle Inclan, light design by Tiff Crutchfield, sound design by Tyler Miller and stage management by Cindy Farnham.

Performances for “The Cotton Patch Gospel” are Fridays and Saturdays April 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 7:30pm and Saturday, April 14 and Sunday, April 15 at 2:30 p.m.  Tickets for the show are $28 for adults, $25 for seniors over 60 and students (with ID). Children 12 and under are just $15.

The Croswell is offering special pricing for groups of ten or more patrons, with tickets priced at $22/ticket for groups of 10 to 19, $20/ticket for groups of 20 to 39, and $15/ticket for groups of 40 or more.  For information about tickets, call the Croswell at 517-264-SHOW (7469), stop in to the box office at 129 E. Maumee, Adrian, MI, Mon-Fri, 9-5 pm or visit the website www.croswell.org.

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First edition of Adrian First Fridays is March 2

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Erik Gable

The photography of Charles T. Gabriel Jr. will be on display at the Adrian Public Library during Adrian First Fridays in March.

Live music, free food and wine tastings, and an art walk are in the works for the first installment of Adrian First Fridays, a new monthly arts and cultural event in downtown Adrian.

The First Fridays event, which this month coincides with the city’s annual “Wine About Winter” celebration, begins at 5 p.m. Friday, March 2, with events at various times throughout the evening. It includes live music, free food, wine tastings, and an art walk with stops at about 20 downtown locations featuring about 80 different artists.

An open mic night for poetry and acoustic music will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Adrian Public Library. Students from the Adrian Middle School 5-6 building will kick off the reading for the first half hour, and then the microphone will be opened to the general public at 7 p.m.

Toledo jazz singer Cynthia Kaay Bennett, who has appeared with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, will perform at Sauce Italian Grill & Pub with pianist Kevin Korecki from 8 to 10 p.m.

The participating locations and their offerings are:

— Adrian Public Library: Display of landscapes by Toledo-area photographer Charles T. Gabriel Jr.; exhibit of pieces from Community Clay ceramics classes at Adrian College; artwork from the Plein Air art event at Art-A-Licious. A reception with Gabriel will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., and a poetry reading and open mic night will begin at 6:30 p.m.

— Lenawee Council for Visual Arts Gallery at the Croswell Opera House: “From the Heart” exhibit including oil portraits by Eastern Michigan University professor Margaret Davis. In addition, visitors can sample beers from Cotton Brewing Company, a new Adrian microbrewery.

— Adrian Area Chamber of Commerce: Stained glass by Pat Deere.

— A’lanha Studio Salon: Paintings by Siena Heights University student Sam Reynolds.

— The All Together Bride: Fashions modeled by members of the Adrian High School fashion club, plus punch and appetizers.

— Amedai: Paintings by Siena Heights student Eric Demeter.

— AMVETS: Acrylic painting by Mary Tomell, plus snacks and beverages.

— Bellus Salon and Spa: Pencil drawings by Marjorie Castle, plus finger food and beverages.

— Book Abbey: Work by more than 60 local artists, plus cookies and punch.

— Boutique de Joie: Live music.

— Classic Cabinets and Interiors: “Empty Cups” fundraiser, Starbucks coffee and appetizers.

— Copeland Furniture: Upstairs display by Adrian College art students.

— Get Growing: Artwork by Adrian College student Brenna Toland.

— Ink Fever: Sculpture by Sam Reynolds.

— Joe Ann Steele Insurance Center: Paintings by Celia McWilliams.

— Legacy Printing: Ceramics by Siena Heights staff and students, plus wine and appetizers.

— Maple City Floral: Wildlife photography by Mike Dickie.

— Perry’s Tuxedos: Fashions modeled by members of the Adrian High School fashion club, plus punch and appetizers.

— Persnickety: Prints by Gregg Perez; wine and cheese tasting.

— Sauce Italian Grill & Pub : Photography by Siena Heights student Dawn Wallen; wine tasting; performance by Cynthia Kaay Bennett with Kevin Korecki from 8 to 10 p.m.

— The Tailor’s Shop: Beading and jewelry by C.J. Bauschka.; entertainment by Siena Heights student and keyboard player Larry Trice; wine and cheese tasting.

— WePhoto: Photography by Lad Strayer and Vicki Schmucker; sampling of Peppalo Stone Ground Chocolate by Boulevard Market.

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Proposed budget includes $6.15 million to promote the arts

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Erik Gable

The following statement was released today by ArtServe Michigan:

Moments ago, Governor Snyder released his Fiscal Year 2013 Executive Budget Recommendations calling for $6,150,000 for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).

The recommendation represents an investment of $5 million in state General Fund / General Purpose dollars and $1.15 million in federal dollars from the National Endowment for the Arts. Overall, the recommendation means an increase of $3,582,600 from FY12 to FY13 – nearly quadrupling the state’s investment in arts and culture.

The Governor explains, “This increased funding will help enhance the “Quality of Place” for local communities in Michigan through increased investments in arts and cultural programs.” This recommendation and comment affirm his earlier commitment to increase support for the MCACA as he clearly recognizes the importance of arts and culture to Michigan’s economy, communities and citizens.

It’s amazing to think of how far we’ve come in the last three years. It is almost three years ago, to the day, that Governor Granholm recommended the elimination of the MCACA. The increase represented in today’s budget is no doubt a result of the impact, hard work and dedication of every arts and cultural organization, artist and advocate in Michigan.

Today’s increase certainly validates the work ArtServe has been doing behind the scenes with legislators and administration officials, while conducting the research needed to help make the case for the impact of arts and culture.

Help us keep this momentum going!

Please consider supporting our Public Policy work in Lansing
•    Make a contribution ($10, $25, or whatever you can afford)
•    Become an organizational member of ArtServe

Your support will help ensure that ArtServe is able to continue its work to make the case for arts and culture and keep us at decision making tables in Lansing.

While we should all take a moment to celebrate this news, our work is not yet done. As you know, this is just the first step in the budget process as each house will now review the Governor’s budget and provide their respective recommendations. Know that ArtServe will keep you up to speed as we progress through the budget process.

As always, if you have any questions or comments please feel free to reply to this email or call Mike Latvis directly at 248-379-5897.

MCACA is one of the many organizations that has generously supported Art-A-Licious in our efforts to enhance the arts and cultural scene in Adrian.

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Artists sought for 2012 Art-A-Licious festival

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Erik Gable

Exhibiting artists are being sought for Adrian’s sixth annual Art-A-Licious festival, which takes place Friday and Saturday, Sept. 21 and 22, in downtown Adrian.

Each year, more than 70 artists from across the region exhibit and sell their work at the festival. Members of the Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts and past Art-A-Licious exhibitors do not need to go through a jury process, but for new exhibitors, there are two jury dates: April 27 and July 13.

Art fair hours during the festival are from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Artists must commit to having their booths open and staffed for the entire time.

In the past six years, Art-A-Licious has grown from a handful of artists’ tents on a single city block to more than 70 artists, four blocks and two stages of free live entertainment. Organizers are ramping up their marketing efforts this year and hope to draw the largest crowd yet.

Applications may be emailed to Darlene Southward at scwp@tc3net.com or mailed or delivered to the LCVA Gallery at the Croswell Opera House, 129 E. Maumee St., Adrian, MI 49221.

For complete rules and to download an artist application, go to artalicious.org/application. For more information, contact Darlene Southward at scwp@tc3net.com or 517-486-5656.

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Group plans Adrian First Fridays events in downtown Adrian

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Erik Gable

Adrian First FridaysA group of volunteers is working with City of Adrian staff to create a new monthly event to bring people to downtown Adrian for food, music, art and fun.

Adrian First Fridays will start at 5 p.m. on the first Friday of every month. Plans are for First Fridays to be anchored by two recurring attractions — an open mic night for poetry and acoustic music and an art walk with installations in a dozen or more downtown locations — with additional attractions and events planned for different months depending on the season.

The first Adrian First Fridays event will take place on March 2 and will coincide with the annual Wine About Winter celebration sponsored by downtown businesses and the Downtown Development Authority. In addition to artwork on display throughout downtown, many businesses will be hosting wine tastings and offering other refreshments and appetizers. Live music will be performed at several locations. Artwork and music for the event will be presented by a number of professional and amateur artists, including Lenawee Council for the Visual Arts members and students from Adrian College and Siena Heights University.

“I am really excited about this project,” said Chris Miller, DDA and economic development coordinator for the city of Adrian. “It’s exactly the kind of event that works best when it grows organically from the community as this effort has, and it’s going to be fun. Downtown Adrian is on the move, and this kind of series provides many ways for the community and folks outside of our community to appreciate what remarkable places Adrian and Lenawee County are.”

The theme for April’s installment will be “Forever Young.” In recognition of April being named the Month of the Young Child, that month’s First Friday event will include a variety of family-friendly activities for both the young and the young at heart. For more information about Adrian First Fridays or how to showcase your work at one of our events, go to downtownadrian.org or facebook.com/AdrianFirstFridays or call 517-264-4804.

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First of two Empty Bowls lunches is Monday

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Erik Gable


The first of two Empty Bowls fundraising events to benefit the Salvation Army is coming up on Monday, Jan. 30. The lunch event is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Evans Street Station, 110 S. Evans St., Tecumseh.

Attendees will purchase handmade bowls to be filled with soup and then taken home at the end of the event.

The next lunch will be at First United Methodist Church, 1245 Maple Ave., Adrian, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.

Bowls will be priced at $10, $20 and $30.

For more information, contact Pi Benio at 264-3901 or pbenio@adrian.edu.

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Public classes in wheel throwing and sculptural ceramics offered at Siena Heights

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Art-A-Licious

Ceramics classesTwo six-week non-credit courses in wheel throwing and sculptural ceramics will be offered between Feb. 11 and March 17 at Siena Heights University‘s Studio Angelico.

Classes are open to adults ages 18 and up, are meant for all levels of experience, and are limited in size for more personalized instruction.

Class times with instruction will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and additional open studio times with an instructor will be available on Thursday nights from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $160.

Instructors will include local artists Dennis Swartzlander (wheel throwing) and Cody Sieler (sculptural ceramics). To register or for more information, contact Tim VanBeke at 865-414-5662 or tvanbeke@sienaheights.edu.

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Siena Heights offers visual arts classes for grades 4-6

Posted on January 17, 2012 by Art-A-Licious

Students in grades 4-6 have the opportunity to participate in visual arts classes at Siena Heights University.  These classes will be offered by art teacher Annie Howard and teaching artists enrolled in the SHU arts education course.

The classes will be offered from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 20 and 27 and April 10 and 17.  All classes are free and will be held in Studio 11 of the Siena Heights fine arts building. Class size is limited. For more information contact Joni Warner at 264-7901 or Amy Sturtevant at 264-7890.

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Culver’s calendars raise money for Adrian Symphony

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Erik Gable

CCulver's calendarulver’s of Adrian, 1360 S. Main St., is selling these 2012 calendars to raise money for the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. Each calendar costs $5, and the symphony will receive $4 of the purchase price.

Each month comes with two coupons at the bottom of the page, so in addition to helping the symphony, you should be able to make your money back by around St. Patrick’s Day!

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Report: Arts and culture a $2 billion part of Michigan’s economy

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Erik Gable

If you’re reading this blog, it’s probably because you enjoy events like Art-A-Licious. But did you know that besides being fun, Michigan’s cultural offerings were responsible for more than $2 billion in consumer spending last year?

That’s the conclusion of a report by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. that tracked the role of history, art and culture on Michigan’s travel industry. Sherri Welch of Crain’s Detroit Business sums up the report here, noting that spending on these activities accounted for about 17 percent of leisure and tourism spending in the state.

Besides the money that visitors spend on these activities themselves, events like Art-A-Licious draw customers to businesses in the areas where they take place. One downtown Adrian store told us that 2011′s Art-A-Licious resulted in their single biggest day for sales since Christmas. And we’re committed to improving on this record.

One of our major priorities for the 2012 Art-A-Licious festival is to increase our exposure outside of Adrian and Lenawee County, pulling more visitors — and more money — into our community. We’re working hard on plans to make that happen. We’re grateful for our many financial supporters, as well as for all of the people who have supported Art-A-Licious by volunteering their time or patronizing our artists. With your help, we can make Art-A-Licious bigger and better — and give our community’s economy a boost in the process.

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