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The Marx Brothers take on high society!  Two lovers who are both in opera are prevented from being together by the man’s lack of acceptance as an operatic tenor. Pulling several typical Marx Brothers’ stunts, they arrange for the normal tenor to be absent so that the young lover can get his chance. “A Night at the Opera”, a musical comedy, is considered to be the Marx Brothers’ best and most popular film.
Starring Groucho, Chico, and Harpo Marx. Rated G. 96 minutes.
Click here to purchase tickets. $5. 7:30 p.m. Main Stage.

Creolization is a high energy, improvisational, Zydeco-influenced band made up of a revolving roster of West Michigan musicians. Peforming a concert of David Molinari’s original songs – all dressed up in accordian, washboard, and funky Louisiana backbeats – Creolization shakes things up and infuses all of their music with a life and energy that gets bodies out of the chairs and into the aisles!
Click here to purchase tickets. $12.50. Black Box. 7:30 p.m.
Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.

The top 5 finalist of American Idol season 8 is coming to the Dogwood Center August 3!
Matt Giraud, a Kalamazoo native, became an overnight success on American Idol. The singer/songwriter/piano player actually started as a drummer, playing and singing in church in his hometown of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He went on to attend Western Michigan University, and although he didn’t major in music, he auditioned for and was accepted by the famous GOLD COMPANY, which has been Downbeat Magazines #1 Vocal Jazz Ensemble for more than 20 years running. In the meantime he found a piano and taught himself to play what would become his trademark style.
His audition for American Idol came on a whim…a friend was going and asked if he wanted to ride along. That spur of the moment decision turned into national exposure on TV’s highest rate show of the season. Matt received the first ever “judges save” and moved to the finals. His run ended on a high note, with the ever-so-hard to impress Simon Cowell raving about Matt’s rendition of “My Funny Valentine”. He toured with the American Idols Live Tour, which regularly played to 7,500+ fans, and many critics wrote that Matt stole the show in their cities. Matt also made appearences on the Ellen Degeneres show, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, and The Today Show.
Success (and lots of hard work) didn’t end with the Idol Tour. He has been playing to consistently sold out theaters since then, and played in front of over 9,000 fans with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra last summer. His first W. Michigan concert after the Idol Tour drew fans from 13 different states. His duet with Anna Wilson, the Eddie Arnold classic “You Don’t Know Me”, debuted at #1 on the itunes jazz chart, and Jim Brinkman’s “Thank You”, with Matt on vocals, reached #19 nationally on the Adult Contemporary charts. He recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville for the release of Anna Wilson’s “Countrypolitan Duets”, and received a standing ovation, no small feat for a crowd that was largely being exposed to him for the first time. Matt is also in high demand for performances of the National Anthem, and has performed for private functions and fundraisers all over the U.S.
A Matt Giraud concert is a mix of material he is currently writing and recording for his upcoming cd, along with some classics that audiences already know the words to, and sing along with, new songs that have never been recorded other than by fans with cell phone and cameras. Says Matt, “I’ll keep playing and making music as long as I have fans that want to hear me…it’s what I do, and what I love.” Check out this concert at the Dogwood and you’ll know exactly what he’s talking about!
Matt will be accompanied by the Grand Rapids’ own Sweet J!
Click here to purchase tickets. $22.50. Main Stage. 7:30 p.m. Join us for a Birthday Party for Dogwood’s 10th year at the afterglow following the performance!
Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.

Led by Vincent Hayes on vocals and guitar, and fueled by one of the tightest rhythm sections in modern blues, the Vincent Hayes Project has recently been receiving world wide critical acclaim for their debut CD release of original inspired blues titled, “Reclamation”.
Nominated by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN for a prestigious 2011 Blues Music Award for “Best New Artist Debut”, as well as the recipient of three 2011 WYCE Jammie Awards (Best Album, Best Blues Album, Best Group), the West Michigan based ensemble released “Reclamation” in the spring of 2010 on Haye’s own independent label, North 61 Records. By late May the disc had been added to regular rotation on a growing list of over 200 radio stations in ten different countries, including the nationally syndicated program “Blues Deluxe”. In June, “Reclamation” made its own debut on the National Living Blues Top 25 Radio Chart, where it spent two consecutive months during the summer of 2010, and also made the national Roots Radio Chart where it remained on the chart for most of the summer.
Vincent recently appeared on the cover of the March 2012 issue of Blues & Co., France’s most read blues publication, including a full interview.  The group has been busy at work in the studio again with producer/engineer Glenn Brown (Kid Rock, Eminem) at Glenn Brown Productions in East Lansing and are planning to release a new disc in late summer.
Click here to purchase tickets. $12.50. Black Box. General seating. 7:30 p.m.
Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.

The Dogwood Summer Youth Theater will present the sequel to the story of “Anne of Green Gables”, “Anne of Avonlea” which covers the second chapter in the life of Anne Shirley. The play follows Anne from the age of 16 to 18, during the two years that she teaches at Avonlea School.  It includes many of the characters from “Anne of Green Gables”, as well as new ones like Mr. Harrison, Miss Lavendar Lewis, Paul Irving, and the twins Dora and Davy.
This program is funded by a Fremont Area Community Foundation Summer Youth Initiative Grant.
Two shows, Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. Free Admission. Main Stage. 7:30 p.m.

Singer-songwriter Tom Cordle returns to the Dogwood Center on Saturday, August 18th.  Tom calls his unique brand of entertainment “history in song”.  His blend of history and music has made him a perennial favorite at the Dogwood’s Black Box!
This time around, his concert will be a retrospective of the blues.  As he puts it, the history of the blues is the history of America.  Once again, he’ll be joined by several of his talented musician friends.
Tom has written hundreds of songs and recorded more than a dozen CDs of original music.  His CD Kidstuff was adapted for the musical A Day in the Life of Rylee.  He has also opened for Willie Nelson and headlined many concerts himself.
Tom wears several other hats as well.  He is the author of two books, Scattered Thoughts and The Disappearing Cemetery.  One reviewer described the latter as  “a fascinating mix of prose, poetry, history, and commentary.”
Tom is also involved with films, including The Seventh Day which he wrote and directed.  He also wrote the script for the documentary Artists in the Forest.  In addition, he has worked on a number of feature films including My Girl, Matinee and The Work and the Glory.
7:30 p.m. Black Box.  Tickets: $12.50.  Click here to buy tickets now!
Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.

Join in on the fun and kick off the 2012 Baby Food Festival by watching a 1970’s classic! John Travolta solidified his position as the most versatile and magnetic screen presence of the decade in Grease, one of the most successful motion pictures of all time. Recording star Olivia Newton-John made her American film debut as Sandy, Travolta’s painfully naive love interest. Grease was not just a nostalgic look at a simplier decade, peopled with characters of universal appeal, this release is an energetic and exciting homage to the age of rock ‘n roll! The 1978 film is rated PG and runs 110 minutes.
This is a “Help the Arts Help the Community” event. Please bring a nonperishable food item in place of purchasing a ticket. All food items will be donated to Love INC in Newaygo.  Black Box. 7:30 p.m.

This classic family film made a star of 12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor in the title role as spunky Velvet Brown, a girl who’s determined to enter her horse, Pie, in the Grand National Steeplechase. Critic Pauline Kael called it “One of the most likeable movies of all time.” Mickey Rooney costars as a young man who helps Velvet train Pie for the big race. At the last minute, Velvet herself has to ride Pie in the tournament and cuts her hair to pass for a jockey. Anne Revere won an Oscar as Velvet’s mother, as did editor Robert J. Kern, who cut together a terrifically exciting horse race. Donald Crisp and Angela Lansbury are also featured as members of the Brown family. 123 minutes. Rated G.
Click here to purchase tickets. $5. Main Stage.  7:30 p.m.
Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.

Presenting the sequel to the story of “Anne of Green Gables”, “Anne of Avonlea” covers the second chapter in the life of Anne Shirley. The cast will 36 parts played by area youth ages 12 and up.
Performance dates are Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14. Main Stage. Free Admission.

Come and celebrate a great day of drumming and dance at the Dogwood. Two seperate classes will take place along with a performance by West Michigan’s own Dunuya Drum and Dance!
Dunuya Drum and Dance is a global collective presenting music of West Africa and the Diaspora (including Cuba, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Brazil). The fundamental mission of the group is to manifest spirit in community through sacred public performance. Their goal is to create an environment of healing and celebration for people from vast socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and age demographics. Futhermore, the fundamental guiding principle of the group is that art should be accessible, affordable, and available to everyone. The Dogwood shares this vision with Dunuya and we’re looking forward to a great day!
A central attribute of Dunuya shows is the opportunity for audience interaction, be it through singing, dancing, or playing instruments right along with them. As such, their shows reach audience members of all ages, and make for a rare opportunity for families and community to come together. For more information please visit www.carolynkoebel.com.
Performers include Carolyn Koebel, percussion/vocals; Calvin “Shangojinmi” Ruff, percussion/vocals; Josh Dunigan, percussion; Kama Mitchell, dance; and Heather Mitchell, dance.
Drumming Class taught by members of Dunuya! 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Class fee $8*  Register for the class here. This workshop is for hand-drums: djembes and congas, and African dun duns. No drum sets please. This is a class, not a drum circle. Class is limited to 30 participants.
Dance Class taught by members of Dunuya! 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. – Class fee $8*  Register for class here. Class is limited to 30 participants.
*Children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
A performance by Dunuya will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tickets $12.50. Black Box. Purchase your tickets here!
Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event.  For information, phone 231.924.8885.
NCCA-Artsplace hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursdays 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For information, phone 231.924.4022.