|
Jazz It Up this Saturday, February 21: Top MSU Musicians to Perform at Fundraiser for Center for the Arts
 The second annual "Jazz It Up" winter fundraiser for the Ludington Area Center for the Arts, February 21, will feature nationally renowned saxophonist Diego Rivera. Professor Rivera will bring his Michigan State University Jazz Octet I, comprised of MSU's most advanced music students.
The Saturday night event will be held at P.M. Steamers Restaurant in Ludington, from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. The public is invited to the event, which features hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, in addition to the live performance.
"This is a rare treat for music lovers in West Michigan," said event organizer Ted Malt. "Diego Rivera and his jazz ensemble are truly professional-level musicians and we'll enjoy a memorable night of music. We're very fortunate to have them perform here."
Malt, director of bands and jazz ensemble leader at Ludington High School, and a highly accomplished saxophonist himself, arranged for Rivera and the octet to add Ludington to their schedule of performances.
"We had great community support at last year's event and raised more than $16,000," said Center for the Arts interim executive director Terry Murphy. "Everyone thought it was a great mid-winter pick-me-up, so we decided to make it an annual event. We're hoping even more people show up to have a great evening, enjoy the hors d'oeuvres generously donated by P.M. Steamers, and support the Center for the Arts."
Funds will be raised throughout the evening by asking those attending to purchase musical "notes." Several individual sponsors have already come forward to underwrite the cost of bringing the MSU Jazz Octet I up from East Lansing for the event, Murphy said.
|
Film Screening of
"Barn Red"
Saturday, February 28
 Traverse City-based filmmaker, Rich Brauer directed this film which stars Ernest Borgnine
as a farmer who digs in his heels when
a greedy developer makes a play for his land after acquiring adjoining
parcels. It would make sense for Bolini to accept the offer, given his
precarious tax situation, but in his eyes, giving in would be akin to
selling his soul. With the help of Lydia (Kimberly Norris-Guerrero), a
Native American who's worked his land, Bolini fights for the right to
keep his property intact.
|
|
"My Ol' Man: Original Illustrations by Patricia Polacco" continues through February 28.
 A traveling exhibition entitled My Ol' Man will be on display from Friday, February 6 through Saturday, February 28 in the vestibule area of the Center for the Arts.
The exhibition is composed of original artwork developed by artist and author Patricia Polacco for her book My Ol' Man.
The story is about her father who, according to Polacco, "was a traveling salesman, a flimflam man, a dream saver, a wish keeper." Throughout the book, Polacco recalls the many stories and tales her father shared from his wild travels. The exhibition is designed to demonstrate the process the artist used to create the book illustrations. Photographs and sketches, as well as most of the final paintings are included.
Patricia Polacco was born in Lansing, Michigan and was raised in Union City until her parents' divorce. She then moved with her mother and brother to Oakland, California. Despite the great distance, Polacco and her brother returned to Michigan every summer to stay with their father and grandmother. These summer visits inspired Polacco to write the story My Ol' Man. Polacco written and illustrated over 40 children's books and from those books she has received numerous awards for her work.
The My Ol' Man exhibition was organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art. The exhibition and tour are underwritten by the Verizon Foundation's Check Into Literacy program.
|
