Dogwood

Friday, May 3 - RB Stone 7:30 p.m. Black Box
2024-05-03 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Detroit) | Dogwood Center for Performing Arts, 4734 S. Campus Court, Fremont, MI, 49412, United States
RB Stone has been called a Blues Cowboy, a Country Bluesman, an Americana Artist, and a Roots Rocker, he answers “Yes to all!” – Blues Revue Magazine
RB has been down many lonesome and rough roads thru the years, logging over a million miles crisscrossing the USA and touring 33 countries and five continents on the world’s highways, skyways and byways. One thing for sure after 18 albums and over 50,000 records sold, he’s always moving, creating and playing his music. His rich baritone voice and wide vocal range carries a lot of weight with any genre he chooses to sing. His guitar is the driving back beat to his songs, his lyrical wit, sense of humor, honest emotion and memorable melodies are what make the tunes stick in your mind.
Click here for tickets. Tickets are $15.00. General admission, Black Box. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets; to reserve a table, please call the Box Office, 231-924-8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Saturday, April 20 - Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company Presents: Snow White 3:00 p.m. Main Stage
2024-04-20 15:00 - 16:30
Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company’s “Snow White”, one of the most famous stories of all time, will come to life on Saturday, April 20, 3:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center! This rich and immersive fantasy production is choreographed by Attila Mosolygo.
The story line of “Snow White”, a Brothers Grimm favorite, includes a magic mirror – “Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” – a malicious queen, a charming little princess, a group of seven adorable dwarfs, and of course the handsome prince. Our story ends with the wedding celebration of Snow White and the Prince who live happily ever after.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
Celebrating its 52nd anniversary this season, the Grand Rapids Ballet remains committed to lifting the human spirit through the art of dance. Grand Rapids Ballet is Michigan’s only professional ballet company and has a rich history marked by steady growth, a commitment to excellence, and strong community support. We are so pleased to have the Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company perform at the Dogwood Center!
Click here to purchase your tickets! $17.50 Adults, $10.00 Children 18 and under. Main Stage. Reserved Seating. 3:00 p.m. Dogwood Box Office hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and two hours prior to an event. For more information please contact Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885. Tickets may also be purchased at the NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont.

Saturday, April 13 - B2Wins 7:30 p.m. Main Stage
2024-04-13 19:30 - 21:30
Pronounced B-Twins, this high energy entertainment group RETURNS to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique renditions of crowd favorites and engaging, uplifting live show that targets the masses. Led by charismatic Twin brothers from Brazil, they combine a plethora of genres into a feel good performance that is equal parts rock concert, dance party, jam session and vacation for the soul.
Growing up in the violent, impoverished slums of Rio De Janeiro, the Twins began playing classical music on violins their father handmade. They used music as an escape from their reality and began teaching others in their neighborhood to do the same. After being featured on National Public Radio, the Twins were invited to the US on full ride music scholarships in 2008.
After performing over 1,000 shows around the world the past decade, the B2wins continue to cultivate a loyal fan base wherever they perform. From hip-hop heads to jazz aficionados, pop enthusiasts and ravers, rockers to reggae fans, all find common ground together with the B2wins. Using music as the tool, the B2wins are on a mission to make the world smile.
Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $25.00. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

April 1 - 5 - Broadway Bootcamp: Spring Break!
2024-04-01 09:00 - 2024-04-05 11:00
Give your child the gift of a lifetime with Broadway Bootcamp, the ultimate musical theatre experience!
For ages 6 – 12, watch as your child’s confidence soars and their creativity takes center stage. At Broadway Bootcamp, we believe every child has a star inside them waiting to shine. Our program is designed to nurture their talents and help them grow into confident performers. From acting to singing and dancing, your child will learn the essentials of musical theatre and bring famous Broadway scenes and songs to life but the benefits don’t stop there!
By joining Broadway Bootcamp, your child will:
Boost self-esteem: Watch them blossom as they conquer the stage, gaining confidence and self-belief with every performance.
Unleash their creativity: Let their imagination run wild as they explore their unique talents and express themselves through the magic of theatre.
Forge friendships: They’ll join a supportive community of young performers, collaborating, sharing, and growing together.
Learn how to practice: With the goal of learning and performing in just one week, students learn to prioritize practice at home, manage rehearsal time effectively, and work diligently to achieve their performance goals.
Overcome challenges: Our bootcamp will teach them resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles with grace.
Appreciate Theatre Traditions: Through this incredible journey, they’ll cultivate a deep appreciation for the performing arts that will stay with them forever.
Our only requirements we have for our classes is to wear comfortable clothing, closed-toed tennis shoes, and to bring a water bottle. Class sizes are limited, we recommend registering as soon as possible to guarantee your spot!
Give your child the opportunity to shine bright like a Broadway star! Enroll them in Broadway Bootcamp today and witness their transformation into a confident, expressive, and passionate performer. Sign up now and let their dreams take center stage!
The Bootcamp will take place each day, Monday – Friday April 1 – 5, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Friday will include a free performance open to the public; starts at 10:30 a.m. Spots are limited. Workshop price is $40/child for the entire Bootcamp. Click here for tickets.
The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open will open at 8:30 a.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Tuesday, March 26 - Great Decisions - CURTIS SCAPARROTTI 6:00 P.M.
2024-03-26 18:00 - 19:30
Reflecting on 75 Years of NATO
General (ret.) Curtis Scaparrotti, former US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has come under increased scrutiny, not because NATO troops are involved in the conflict, but because of its role in relations between Russia and its neighbors. Does the U.S. still have a role to play in European affairs? General (ret.) Curtis Scaparrotti, the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO will reflect on the organization’s 75 years and offer his insights on what’s ahead.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Saturday, March 23 - The Reduced Shakespeare Company: The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) 7:30 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-23 19:30 - 21:30
Reduced Shakespeare Company Called a “trio of Modern Marx Brothers” by the Boston Herald and “intellectual vaudeville” by the New York Times, The Reduced Shakespeare Company (RSC) is a touring American comedy troupe that performs fast-paced, seemingly improvisational condensations of huge topics. They hold the record for the longest running comedies in the history of London’s West End as three of its shows ran in repertory at the Criterion Theatre in Piccadilly Circus for almost ten years. Known as the “Bad Boys of Abridgment,” the RSC has performed at the White House, Lincoln Center, Off-Broadway, the Kennedy Center, and Montreal’s famed Just For Laughs Festival, as well as touring the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, Singapore, Barbados, Bermuda, Israel, Qatar, and Ireland. The Reduced Shakespeare Company is heard frequently on both NPR and the BBC.
The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) answers the fundamental questions:

Which is the least funny nationality? Which is the funniest? Why did the former try to exterminate the latter?
How do critics describe everything in a way to make it sound unfunny? (“First of all, the premise is weak. No one would ever believe that a baseball team would actually have a first baseman named “Who.”)
Why, in fact, did the chicken cross the road?

Tickets to The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) are far more affordable than tickets to an amusement park, but you’ll come away with the same feeling of nausea and motion sickness. From cavemen telling “Rock Rock” jokes to Will Smith upset at Chris Rock’s jokes and everything in-between, the bad boys of abridgement leave no joke untold as they deconstruct the entire history of comedy in 90 rollicking minutes.
They’ve skewered history, the Bible and the world’s most celebrated playwright. Now, the Reduced Shakespeare Company tackles the subject it was born to reduce. From the high-brow to the low, The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes and Shakespeare and Moliere (Is Moliere funny? Why not?) to Vaudeville and Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show and Anthony Weiner.
Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $30.00. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Tuesday, March 19 - Great Decisions - DEBARCHANA GHOSH 6:00 P.M.
2024-03-19 18:00 - 19:30
Diagnosing and Treating Global Health Disparities
Dr. Debarchana (Debs) Ghosh, Associate Professor, Geography, University of Connecticut.
Looking back at the covid-19 pandemic and other global health emergencies, there are many lessons to take away both domestically and internationally. Of particular importance is understanding the multi-faceted causes of global health disparities and what we might do to improve equitable access to health services worldwide. Dr. Debarchana Ghosh, a professor of geography at the University of Connecticut will offer insights based on her research in the field of global health.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Saturday, March 16 - FHS Theatre Presents: Shrek The Musical 7:00 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-16 19:00 - 21:00
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek….” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairytale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand… and his name is Shrek.
Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $12.00 for adults, $8.00 for children. General admission, Main Stage.

The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 6:30 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended.

Saturday, March 16 – FHS Theatre Presents: Shrek The Musical 12:30 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-16 12:30 - 14:30

Friday, March 15 - FHS Theatre Presents: Shrek The Musical 7:00 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-15 19:00 - 21:00

Tuesday, March 12 - Great Decisions - NEELA BANERJEE 6:00 P.M.
2024-03-12 18:00 - 19:30
Climate Technology and the Roadmap for the Climate Crisis
Neela Banerjee, Deputy Senior Supervising Climate Editor, NPR.
While climate technology will play a central role in limiting and addressing climate change, we still don’t have a comprehensive global framework that will provide a roadmap to achieving net zero. Geopolitical rivalries, political inertia, and policy disagreements threaten to slow down a process that needs to rapidly advance, especially as countries least responsible for the climate crisis become impacted the most. Neela Banerjee, the Deputy Senior Supervising Climate Editor for NPR will discuss how we might challenge our current understanding of the climate crisis and suggest ways citizens might respond.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Friday, March 8 - Frankie Moreno 7:30 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-08 19:30 - 21:30
Frankie Moreno With 17 Top-Ten albums (5 No. 1’s), 117 Top-Ten singles (100 No. 1’s), an Emmy nomination, and being named Las Vegas “Headliner of the Year” 5 times, Frankie Moreno is consistently breaking records and wowing audiences from coast to coast with his own brand of genre-blurring Rock n’ Roll.
Reaching millions of record sales worldwide, Frankie continues to write and release new music. In 2019, he made music history by becoming the only artist to have 6 albums debut at a Top-Ten spot on the Billboard Charts in a 12-month period.
As a child prodigy on the piano and a gifted multi-instrumentalist, Frankie was first introduced to American audiences at the age of 10 on CBS’s Star Search. His performance on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars brought him into America’s living rooms again performing his self-penned hit “Tangerine Honey”. He has continued to perform sold-out concerts including Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, The Hollywood Bowl, and Vegas residencies.
Frankie’s collaboration with world-renowned violinist Joshua Bell, At Home With Friends, reached the No. 1 spot on Billboard. The album included Sting, Josh Groban, Chris Botti, Kristin Chenoweth, and Regina Spektor. Frankie and Josh have since released Musical Gifts, which reached No. 8 on Billboard and featured Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan, Allison Krauss, and Chick Corea.
Frankie toured the U.S. with Sugarland and Billy Currington. He joined multi-platinum artists Air Supply for their world tour as musical director, and wrote their radio single “Dance with Me”, reaching No. 7 on Billboard’s Top 40. He has performed his original works for his Symphony concerts with the nation’s premier orchestras.
Frankie Moreno commands audiences around the world with his highly contagious music and playful stage antics. His songs are cleverly crafted and his musicianship is virtuoso. Frankie is an all-around talent who puts his heart and soul into his music. He is unquestionably a unique artist.
Click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $27.50. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Thursday, March 7 - The Grand Rapids Symphony 7:30 p.m. Main Stage
2024-03-07 19:30 - 21:30
The Grand Rapids Symphony returns to the Dogwood Center on Thursday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. for a sure to be incredible performance! Join us and you will experience a world-class orchestra performing for you live at the Dogwood!
The evening’s performance will be conducted by assistant conductor Duo Shen, and will feature the music of Smetana, Strauss, Sibelius, and Dvorak.
The Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances each year, touching the lives of some 200,000. Nearly half of those who benefit are students, senior citizens and people with disabilities reached through extensive education and community service programs. Their mission is “to share great music that moves the human soul”…..and that is what they will be doing right here in Newaygo County!
Audience members are invited to a post-performance, insightful and informative “Talk Back” session with Assistant Conductor Duo Shen and GRS Director of Education Sarah Stickney in the Main Stage area!
This program is funded in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Tickets are $17.50 for adults, $5 children 18 and under and seating is reserved. Click here to purchase tickets.
The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability at 231-924-8885 if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Tuesday, March 5 - Great Decisions - JANE FERGUSON 6:00 P.M.
2024-03-05 18:00 - 19:30
The Middle East After October 7
Jane Ferguson, foreign correspondent for PBS NewsHour and author of No Ordinary Assignment.
With the Middle East already at a crossroads, the attack on October 7 by Hamas on Israel upended the region and the world. Join us for a conversation with Jane Ferguson, foreign correspondent for PBS NewsHour and author of No Ordinary Assignment. She’ll discuss the latest developments in the conflict, the challenges of potential escalation, and the geopolitical implications for the region. What are the new prospects for peace in the region? What role does the U.S. have to play?
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Tuesday, February 27 - Great Decisions - HIROKO MURAKI-GOTTLIEB 6:00 P.M.
2024-02-27 18:00 - 19:30
The U.N. High Seas Treaty and Protecting our Global Commons
Hiroko Muraki-Gottlieb, Elizabeth Haub School of Law, Pace University.
The high seas, nearly ⅔ of the ocean, belong to all but no one in particular: It is a global common. In June 2023, after more than 20 years of studies and negotiations, nearly 200 countries agreed by consensus to adopt a historic treaty to better conserve and sustainably use the high seas. The Treaty will address the unprecedented and accelerating biological diversity loss and degradation of the ocean due to climate change, pollution, and unsustainable use. It also aims to advance scientific research, globally, and address inequalities in sharing benefits associated with organisms of the high seas. Join environmental lawyer Hiroko Muraki-Gottlieb as she discusses the challenges and opportunities to effectively implement the treaty to ensure the health of the largest biodiversity of the Earth for the current and future generations.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Tuesday, February 20 - Great Decisions - DAN SLATER 6:00 P.M.
2024-02-20 18:00 - 19:30
Understanding Indonesia with Dan Slater
Dr. Dan Slater, James Orin Murfin Professor of Political Science; Director, Center for Emerging Democracies, University of Michigan.
Despite its large size, Indonesia remains virtually unknown to most Americans. But as one of the world’s largest democracies, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, and as an economic driver of ASEAN, why does it fly below the radar? Join us for a timely conversation with Dr. Dan Slater from the University of Michigan as he contextualizes Indonesia and discusses the impacts of their presidential elections happening in February. With democracies in decline worldwide, what does the future hold for Indonesia?
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Tuesday, February 13 - Great Decisions - KYLE SULLIVAN 6:00 P.M.
2024-02-13 18:00 - 19:30
Perspectives on Managing the Challenges and Opportunities in U.S.-China Commercial Relations
Kyle Sullivan, Vice President, Business Advisory Services, US China Business Council.
Join us for an evening with Kyle Sullivan from the US-China Business Council, as he delves into the dynamics of the US-China trade and commercial relationship. This event will offer valuable insights into the trajectory of the US-China relationship in the year ahead, and discuss the latest trade policies, market trends, and impact of geopolitical tensions on US companies that conduct business with China. Mr. Sullivan will also offer views on China’s domestic business environment and the unique challenges and opportunities facing US companies that operate there. Don’t miss this chance to gain a deeper understanding of one of the most consequential bilateral commercial relationships in the world today.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Friday, February 9 - The Charlie Millard Band 7:30 p.m. Black Box
2024-02-09 19:30 - 21:30
The Charlie Millard Band is from Michigan’s northern lower peninsula and has developed a unique sound, voice and thought-provoking lyrics/poetry of their own. Always playing lots of festivals and venues, mainly across the Midwest and Canada, percussionist Will Harris, Jercat Millard on guitars, and Charlie on the keys/organ/Rhodes bass, strive to give you a musical experience, like small movies for the ears.
Click here for tickets. Tickets are $17.50. General admission, Black Box. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets; to reserve a table, please call the Box Office, 231-924-8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Tuesday, February 6 - Great Decisions - KAISER KUO 6:00 P.M.
2024-02-06 18:00 - 19:30
What Makes Chinese Tech Tick?
Kaiser Kuo, host and co-founder of The Sinica Podcast.
“Strategic competition” between the US and China can be seen across many sectors, including the race to develop and refine advanced technology like semiconductors and artificial intelligence. How do the US and China differ in their approaches to innovation and market development? Is there room (or desire) for cooperation within the current dynamic? Join us for an evening with China tech expert Kaiser Kuo, host of the Sinica Podcast, as he explains Chinese innovation strategies and how the U.S. might respond.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 6:00 – 7:15 p.m. in our Black Box. Admission is free!

Friday, February 2 - Melody Angel 7:30 p.m. Black Box
2024-02-02 19:30 - 21:30
Melody Angel is the complete package: gifted guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist, arranger, and producer. Along the way Angel found time to launch a successful theater and film acting career and received international acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival in France. The Chicago Reader newspaper called her “The Future of the Blues.” The Southside Chicago artist is indeed navigating a forward-looking musical path while integrating the legacy of classic blues. Her music encompasses many 20th century American genres, including Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Folk, and Funk, all layered on a strong bed of Chicago blues.
Like many of us, Angel’s life and earning opportunities were upended in 2020 by the Covid pandemic. “Lucky for me I spent most of the year working on my 3rd album, She Black. This album saved my life and my sanity. I have never been prouder of a project. On this album, the truth I shared in the lyrics really healed me. Music is a powerful gift and I’m grateful for it.” On where she sees the direction of the blues, Angel is both optimistic and ready to embrace the future. “I always have hope that the blues will live on. The blues is what all great American musical genres are made from after all. Everything starts with the blues.
Click here for tickets. Tickets are $17.50. General admission, Black Box. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets; to reserve a table, please call the Box Office, 231-924-8885. The Dogwood Center is located one mile east of downtown Fremont. Doors open for seating at 7:00 p.m. Online sales close two hours prior to events, please call the box office for ticket availability if online sales have ended. The Dogwood Center Box Office is open Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.dogwoodcenter.com, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. For more information, phone 231.924.8885.

Friday, February 2 – January Series of Calvin University - PEARL SHANGKUAN 12:30 P.M.
2024-02-02 12:30 - 13:30
PEARL SHANGKUAN
TUNING OUR MINDS, EARS, AND HEARTS TO SING GOD’S GRACE: REFLECTIONS OF A CONDUCTOR
Pearl Shangkuan is a highly sought-after conductor, lecturer, and clinician. She’s led performances, seminars, and workshops on six continents, and she is a beloved professor and the director of choral activities at Calvin University.
She’s conducted multiple performances at Carnegie Hall and other major concert halls throughout the U.S. She’s served on the jury of several international choir competitions and has led conducting master classes for the ACDA national conference, Chorus America conferences, the University of Michigan, the University of Illinois Choral Conducting Symposium, and many other prominent institutions. And, she is the national president-elect of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Pearl will reflect on many of these experiences, and most importantly, the ways God’s grace was abundant throughout her conducting career.
Although she plans to retire from Calvin in the spring of 2024, Pearl will serve as the chorus director Grand Rapids Symphony and editor of Hinshaw Music. Pearl will also collaborate with the Calvin Institute of Christian Music and continue as the music editor of its choral series.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Thursday, February 1 – January Series of Calvin University - TIM DALRYMPLE 12:30 P.M.
2024-02-01 12:30 - 13:30
TIM DALRYMPLE
Timothy Dalrymple is a former national champion gymnast who turned to academia following an accident in college where he broke his neck. He’s studied at Stanford University, Princeton Theological Seminary, and Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, where he made suffering a key theme of his research and teaching in modern Western religious thought.
He was a key player in the launch of patheos.com, an online marketing place of religious ideas, and he pioneered many of the techniques that led Patheos to become the world’s largest platform for multi-religious conversations. In 2013, Dalrymple founded Polymath, a creative agency that services businesses and nonprofits serving the world.
Dalrymple currently serves as Christianity Today’s President and CEO, the flagship evangelical media ministry founded in 1956 by Billy Graham.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Wednesday, January 31 – January Series of Calvin University - ABRAM VAN ENGEN, JOANNE DIAZ AND MARILYN NELSON 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-31 12:30 - 13:30
ABRAM VAN ENGEN, JOANNE DIAZ AND MARILYN NELSON
A LIVE RECORDING OF THE PODCAST, “POETRY FOR ALL” WITH MARILYN NELSON
Marilyn Nelson is a three-time finalist for the National Book Award and one of America’s most celebrated poets. She has written or translated 20 poetry books for adults and children and five chapbooks. Her poems embrace numerous themes about growing up in an African American military family, love, racism, motherhood, marriage, and more.
Her verse memoir, How I Discovered Poetry, was named one of NPR’s Best Books of 2014, and her numerous works have received a combined 20 awards and nominations. Nelson’s many other honors include two NEA creative writing fellowships, the Poetry Foundation’s Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize, the Connecticut Arts Award, and ACLS Contemplative Practices Fellowship, the Department of the Army’s Commander’s Award for Public Service, a Fulbright Teaching Fellowship, a fellowship from the J.S. Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Wallace Stevens Award from The Academy of American Poets, and the Frost Medal.
She is also a professor emerita of English at the University of Connecticut; the former, founder, director, and host of Soul Mountain Retreat; the State of Connecticut’s Poet Laureate from 2001–2006.
Joanne Diaz and Abram Van Engen are podcast co-hosts Poetry for All, where they read a poem, discuss it, see what makes it tick, learn how it works, grow from it, and then read it again. During the January Series, they’ll do a live recording of their show with guest Marilyn Nelson.
Joanne Diaz is an English professor at Illinois Wesleyan University and the author of two poetry collections, The Lessons and My Favorite Tyrants.
She is the recipient of fellowships from the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ragdale Foundation, and the Virginia Center for Creative Arts. Her recent poems have been published in American Poetry Review, Colorado Review, New England Review, Poetry, River Styx, and Waxwing.
Abram Van Engen is a humanities professor and chair of the English Department at Washington University in St. Louis. He is also the executive director of The Carver Project, a non-profit organization of Christian faculty designed to serve and connect university, church, and society.
His writings on religion and literature have been supported by multiple fellowships and awards, including two book prizes for City on a Hill: A History of American Exceptionalism. His next book, Word Made Fresh: An Invitation to Poetry for the Church, will be available in April 2024.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Tuesday, January 30 – January Series of Calvin University - DANIEL BOWMAN JR. 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-30 12:30 - 13:30
DANIEL BOWMAN JR.
NEURODIVERGENT STORYTELLING
Daniel Bowman Jr. is a novelist, poet, and professor, who received an autism diagnosis at age 35 after experiencing crises in his personal and professional life. The diagnosis shed light on his experience in a new, life-giving way.
Bowman shares his experience in On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, & the Gifts of Neurodiversity. In this memoir, he offers insights on autism, relationships, faith, and the gift of neurodiversity through stories of his heartbreaks and triumphs.
Along with being a professor of English at Taylor University, Bowman is also the editor-in-chief of Relief: A Journal of Art & Faith, and the faculty advisor to Students for Education on Neurodiversity (SEND). His work has appeared in several anthologies and publications, including The Adirondack Review, American Poetry Journal, Art House America, Books & Culture, Cha: An Asian Literary Journal, The Cresset, Christianity Today, Image Journal’s Good Letters, The Midwest Quarterly, The Northern Agrarian, The Other Journal, Pyrta, Rio Grande Review, Saint Katherine Review, Seneca Review, and Volume 1 Brooklyn.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Monday, January 29 – January Series of Calvin University - JACOB GOLDSTEIN 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-29 12:30 - 13:30
JACOB GOLDSTEIN
TECHNOLOGY, LUDDITES, AND THE FUTURE OF WORK
Jacob Goldstein is an NPR correspondent and podcast host. His interest in technology and the changing nature of work has led him to stories on UPS, the Luddites, and the history of light. He graduated from Stanford University and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
His current work looks at the big picture of new technologies such as AI and the future of work. In the short term, these new advancements may put people out of work. However, Goldstein looks at the history of technology breakthroughs and social revolts to tell a story of a more optimistic future.
Goldstein currently co-hosts the podcast What’s Your Problem? and is the former host of Planet Money. His work has appeared in New York Times Magazine, This American Life, and Morning Edition. He is also the author of the book, Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Friday, January 26 – January Series of Calvin University - FELICIA WU SONG 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-26 12:30 - 13:30
FELICIA WU SONG
RESTLESS DEVICES: CHRISTIAN FORMATION IN A DIGITAL WORLD
Felicia Wu Song is a cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. She’s trained in history, communication studies, and sociology from Yale, Northwestern, and the University of Virginia.
Her research focuses on the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life. Song has written two books on the topic: Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, presence, and Place in the Digital Age and Virtual Communities: Bowling Alone, Online Together.
Song regularly speaks on digital practices, social media, the digital media industry, parenting in the digital age, and spiritual formation. She’s provided her expertise to a wide range of organizations, including BioLogos, The Vatican, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Trinity Forum, Thinq Culture Summit, National Association of Evangelicals, Notre Dame University, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Asian American Christian Collaborative.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Thursday, January 25 – January Series of Calvin University - TOMMY CALDWELL 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-25 12:30 - 13:30
TOMMY CALDWELL
ROUTE FINDING FOR SUCCESS
Tommy Caldwell is a talented rock climber, with numerous accomplishments in sport, traditional, and free climbing, big wall first ascents, and speed records. He’s known for his creative vision, skill, and fortitude.
He reflects on his most harrowing expedition in the memoir The Push: A Climber’s Journey of Endurance, Risk, and Going Beyond the Limits. During the trip to Kyrgyzstan, Caldwell and three fellow climbers were taken hostage. They survived for six days with no food and little water. They eventually escaped when Caldwell pushed their remaining captor off a cliff and ran 10 miles to a military outpost to find help.
A year after his hostage epic, Caldwell cut off his index finger with a table saw doing home renovations. With resolve, he moved forward with the ethos of no excuses and proceeded to establish the Dawn Wall and climb the 3,000-foot Nose route on Yosemite’s El Capitan in less than two hours.
Today, Caldwell climbs as much as possible and works as an advocate and industry representative to preserve natural spaces and lobby for climate initiatives.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Wednesday, January 24 – January Series of Calvin University - NIALA BOODHOO 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-24 12:30 - 13:30
NIALA BOODHOO
LESSONS I’VE LEARNED FROM LISTENING
Niala Boodhoo ’96 is an Axios journalist and podcast host, as well as guest host for 1A on NPR. She graduated from Calvin University in 1996 and has worked as a journalist for publications such as Reuters, the Associated Press, the Miami Herald, and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Her broadcast career includes being the founding host of Axios Today as well as the founding host and executive producer of The 21st and WBEZ’s The Afternoon Shift. Niala believes it is critical to live outside of an echo chamber and that the human voice is one of the few things that helps us change our minds about something.
Niala is also a past vice president and emerita board member of the Asian American Journalists Association and a current member of the Board of Trustees of Calvin University. She has a master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University, a master’s degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies from Florida International University, and a certificate in spiritual direction from St. Thomas University. A Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator, Niala is also an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Tuesday, January 23 – January Series of Calvin University - LYDIA DUGDALE 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-23 08:00 - 17:00
LYDIA DUGDALE
THE LOST ART OF DYING: ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN FACING OUR MORTALITY
Dr. Lydia Dugdale is an internal medicine primary care doctor and a medical ethicist. She’s also a Columbia University professor and director of the Center for Clinical Medical Ethics. Her scholarship focuses on end-of-life issues, medical ethics, and the doctor-patient relationship.
In her new book, The Lost Art of Dying, Dugdale offers insight and thoughtful guidance on how to die well. She guides readers to recover their sense of finitude, confront fears, accept how bodies age, develop meaningful rituals, and involve communities in end-of-life care.
Dugdale is also the author of Dying in the 21st Century. And she previously worked at Yale University as the associate director of the Program for Biomedical Ethics and founding co-director of the Program for Medicine, Spirituality, and Religion.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.

Monday, January 22 – January Series of Calvin University - KENDALL VANDERSLICE 12:30 P.M.
2024-01-22 12:30 - 13:30
KENDALL VANDERSLICE
TABLE CONVERSATIONS: BUILDING COMMUNITY AS WE EAT
Kendall Vanderslice is a baker, writer, and the founder of the Edible Theology Project, an educational nonprofit connecting the Communion table to the kitchen table. She earned her master’s of theological studies from Duke Divinity School and master’s in gastronomy from Boston University. She has committed her life to the study of food and is a professionally trained baker.
Through her work in food studies and theology, Vanderslice explores the ways God uses the table to restore communities and creation. In her most recent book, By Bread Alone: A Baker’s Reflection on Hunger, Longing, and the Goodness of God, she discusses her faith journey, shares recipes, and dives into the role of bread in church history.
In 2018, Vanderslice was named a James Beard Foundation national scholar for her work bridging food and religion. She is the author of Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God, and her writing appears in Christanity Today, Christian Century, Faith & Leadership, and Religion News Service.
This lecture will be broadcast live at the Dogwood Center from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Admission is free.
For more information on the Calvin University January Series click here.
The Dogwood Center, a remote site for the Calvin University January Series, is supported in part by the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
