A rare combination of singer, songwriter, storyteller, author and social activist, Tommy Sand’s praise comes from the press and fellow musicians as well as major authors and politicians.  Practicing his craft for more than 35 years, Tommy has become an integral part of the Irish folk music revival and a one-of-a-kind North Ireland native, whose music often speaks louder than violence.   

His song-writing, which draws the admiration of Nobel Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney and father of folk music, Pete Seeger, prompts respected US magazine “Sing Out” to regard Sands as “the most powerful songwriter in Ireland, if not the rest of the world.”

The band features Tommy’s children, Moya and Fionan Sands.

Tickets $10. 7:30 p.m. Black Box.

The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and one hour prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.

Act! Sing! Dance!  Perform!  Children ages 5 through 12 will love being introduced to the wonderful world of theater by the staff of Muskegon Civic Theater’s Education Division!  Play fun theater games, learn a dance routine, sing songs, create your own skits, design a special T-shirt costume and perform for you family and friends! 

Limited to the first 50 registrants.  This a FREE workshop but pre-registration is required!  Please contact NCCA - Artsplace at 231.924.4022 to register. 

Participants meet each day from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for Performing Arts.

This program is made available through funding from a Summer Youth Initiative Grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

   Nine-year old “blow you away” blues guitarist Tallan “T-Man” Latz of Wisconsin will light up the stage!  Tallan began playing acoustic guitar at age four, electric guitar at five, and by the time he was eight he played on stage with performers like Jackson Brown, Jonny Lang, and Les Paul.  He has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, the Rachel Ray Show and performed at the infamous Chicago’s House of Blues.

Joining Tallan will be teen-girl group Wait a Sec’!  Newaygo County’s own Sarah Wiseley, Emily Wiseley, and Caitlin Bulk make up the group who recently auditioned for “America’a Got Talent” in Chicago.  Watch for them in June on NBC!  

  Tickets $5.  7:30 p.m. Main Stage.

The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and one hour prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.

The 16-piece Harry Goldson  Big Band will feature the music of clarinetist and band leader Benny Goodman.  The band will cover such hallmark Goodman pieces as “Let’s Dance”, “Don’t Be That Way”, Goodbye, and the 1938 Carnegie Hall concert version of “Sing, Sing, Sing”.    

Along with other Goodman numbers, the band will showcase the theme songs of the most popular bands from the Swing Era:  Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and Duke Ellington.

Tickets $15 adults/$10 children.  7:30 p.m.

The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and one hour prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.

“Goldson maintains an exceptionally high level of musicianship, emerging as an impressive jazz clarinetist with an affinity for Artie Shaw, Buddy DeFranco and Benny Goodman.” - Jack Sohmer, JazzTimes Magazine

 

 

Billy Jonas’ performance is an explosion of energy!  He entertains the whole family with his crazy antics and one-man band approach to all things musical. 

A self-described “industrial repercussionist”, he bangs on buckets and trash barrels and he loves to get the audience involved.  Jonas entertains through original sounds, songs, stories and improvisations. 

It’s the rare performer with equal appeal to adults as well as children, and Billy Jonas is one of them.  His brand of “bangin’ and sangin’” in which whimsical songs are sung to the accompaniment of found, non-traditional percussion instruments, is guaranteed to keep the young ones interested and the adults’ toes tapping.

Jonas has recieved multiple awards for his work, including a First Place/Gold from the American Federation of Independent Musicians, and two Parent’s Choice Gold Awards.  Along with various CDs, Jonas has also released two DVDs for families and young audiences:  Everybody’s in the Band and Bangin’ and Sangin’.  Both works have garnered critical acclaim.

Bring the kids, bring the grandparents.  Everyone becomes part of a performance in this family-oriented program that inspires and delights.

Tickets $15 Adults/$10 Children. 3:00 p.m.  Main Stage.

The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and one hour prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.

 

 

Embark on an inspirational journey through the music of the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s. The Chenille Sister’s  performance “Whatcha Gonna Swing Tonight?” includes re-interpreted tunes Chenille’s - style, like “Bob White”, “Sentimental Journey”, “Low Gravy”, and “Bye, Bye Blues”.  

The Ann Arbor Based trio, comprised of Cheryl Dawdy, Connie Huber and Grace Morand, was formed in 1985 and have been entertaining audiences of all ages over the last twenty plus years.  They are well-known for their heavenly voices, a lot of witty wisdom and a passion for connecting with their audiences.

The trio has recorded twelve CD’s, performed on Garrison Keillor’s radio show “The Prairie Home Companion”, and had an Emmy-award winning PBS Special “The Chenille Sisters Makin’ Rhythm”.  The group has a strong following all over Michigan and always has a strong, witty, entertaining performance.  They have seven commercial CD’s out on the Red House label, including two award- winning children’s CD’s.

Tickets $15. 7:30 p.m. Main Stage.