June 26 – Cirque Amongus "Circus Day" – 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. -Sold Out

This program has sold out!  Discover the Big Top Within….Cirque Amongus, a one-day Circus Camp will introduce children, ages 6- 12 years old, to a range of circus skills.  There will definitely be an abundance of fun as participants laugh and giggle while they ride unicycles and tiny bikes, walk a tightrope or with stilts, jump rope, do magic tricks, stay atop a rolling barrel, swing on a trapeze, or learn to juggle.
In the morning, students will learn each of the 10 different circus acts.  After lunch, they chose their favorite and spend the afternoon perfecting it and putting together an act with other participants, assisted by Cirque Amongus instructors and volunteers.  At the end of the day, when their families come back, the whole troupe puts on a show with their newly found skills.
The daylong program by Cirque Amongus, a Livonia company that brings all the equipment and instructors for “Circus Day”, will promote teamwork, self-esteem and fun throughout the day.
This program is funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council and MCACA.
Click here to register. This program has sold out!  The cost for the day is $30 per child. Children must be ages 6 – 12 years old to participate and the program will be limited to 50 participants.  It will be a full day of activities between 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  and followed immediately with a performance for the families at pick-up time.  Children will need to bring a sack lunch.  Light snacks will be provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon.  Advanced registration is required.
The Dogwood Center Box Office is open 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.

LionHeart Productions presents The 39 Steps, directed by Ron Jenkins at the Dogwood Center!  Mix a Hitchcock masterpiece with a juicy spy novel, add a dash of Monty Python and you have The 39 Steps, a fast-paced whodunit for anyone who loves the magic of theater!
This two-time Tony and Drama Desk award-winning treat is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters played by the ridiculously talented cast of 4 – Mike Gesler, Anette Deteres, Jim Jenkins and Chris Kuebler – with an on-stage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers and some good old-fashioned romance!
LionHeart Productions is a completely volunteer organization.  LionHeart thanks all of the volunteers involved with this production.  Visit their website at www.lionheartproductions.org or like them on Facebook!
Show dates and times at the Dogwood Center are Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, March 29 at 2:00 p.m.  
Main Stage. Reserved seating.  Click here to purchase your tickets now! LionHeart members…remember to choose your member ticket selection!
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 the Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885.
Tickets may also be purchased at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.. For more information please contact the NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022
The 39 Steps is adapted by Patrick Barlow. From the novel by John Buchan. From the movie of Alfred Hitchcock.  Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited. And an original concept by Nobby Dimon and Simon Corble.  Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Kathy Lamar is back in the Black Box!  LaMar has displayed her vocal talents from Vegas to Shang-hi for the past 30 years and is a favorite performer in the Black Box at the Dogwood.  Kathy has supplied her vocal talents to the likes of Lola Falana, Wayne Newton, Gladys Knight, The Four Tops, and even Todd Rundgren!

She sings a diverse blend of jazz, R&B, soul and pop hits – everything from Bob Marley to Ella Fitzgerald. No matter what she sings, Lamar’s powerful voice wakes up a room.
Accompanying Lamar will be Scott Veenstra (drums), Warren Jones (bass), and Steve Talaga (piano). Veenstra has been drumming for close to 30 years and has played with many musicians, including Quincy Jones, BeBe Winans, Jeanie Bryson and more. Jones appears with both local and national artists on more than 30 CD’s and DVD’s and Talaga has released eight CD’s under his own name, along with playing on several other recordings throughout his career. It’s going to be a great night in the Black Box!
The event sponsor for the evening is the Dogwood’s own Board of Directors.
Click here to purchase tickets! $12.50. Black Box. General admission seating. 7:30 p.m. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of 8 tickets. Please call the Dogwood Box Office to reserve yours today!

Dogwood Box Office Hours are Tuesday-Friday 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 NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information please contact NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022.

The Grand Rapids Symphony and conductor John Varineau return to the Dogwood Center on Wednesday, April 1 for a sure to be incredible performance! Join us and you will experience a world-class orchestra performing for you live at the Dogwood! And, as a special feature…one of the musical selections will include the artwork of Newaygo County youth as a beautiful and inspiring background!  A wonderful evening with a wonderful orchestra!
The evening’s program will include Mendelssohn’s Overture to Midsummer Nights Dream, Goldmarks’ Springtime Overture, selected movements by Massanet featuring the artwork of Newaygo County youth, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9.
The Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony was officially organized in 1930 and is recognized as one of America’s leading regional orchestras. Led by Music Director David Lockington and Associate Conductor John Varineau, the orchestra presents ten concert series with performances designed to capture the imagination of young children and adults alike, featuring a wide range of music and performance styles.  The Grand Rapids Symphony presents more than 400 performances each year, touching the lives of some 170,000. 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!
The evening includes Newaygo County youth artwork as the background for one of the musical selections.  Program sponsors for the performance are Fremont Area Community Foundation and Nestle Nutrition/Gerber Products.
Tickets are on sale now!  Click here to purchase tickets! $17.50 Adults, $5.00 Children 18 and Under. Main Stage. Reserved Seating. 7:30 p.m.
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.

Harpeth Rising returns to the Dogwood Center Friday, April 17!

The group chose to name themselves after a river because water is both dynamic and powerful. These words also describe the music created by the three women – Jordana Greenberg (violin, vocals), Rebecca Reed-Lunn (banjo, vocals) and Maria Di Meglio (cello, vocals). Unapologetic genre-benders, they fuse Folk, Newgrass, Rock and Classical into a sound that is organically unique.

Hallmarks of their music include expansive three-part harmonies, consummate musicianship and a deft, yet soulful lyrical perspective. Harpeth Rising’s roots run deep – from their varied ancestry across Eastern Europe to the musical hotbed of the Mid-South they now call home, they weave together ancient and modern ideas, creating a sound that is both familiar and impossible to categorize.

“We don’t set out to create something different, we just write in a way that is true to ourselves while trying to always expand and explore the new influences in our lives.” says Greenberg. “We’re aware of genre divisions, we’re just not bound by them.”

After meeting at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where all three members earned performance degrees, Harpeth Rising began on a cross-country road trip. Inspired by a summer spent jamming at campsites and attending folk and bluegrass festivals, Greenberg (violin) and Reed-Lunn (banjo) decided to pursue a slightly different path than their classical backgrounds would suggest. They began writing original songs and performing 4 to 5 nights a week, developing their sound and their repertoire. It was with the addition of Di Meglio (cello) that the lineup was complete, and the three women piled into a Prius and began to tour.

Despite the presence of only three string instruments on stage, Harpeth Rising produces a profusion of sound generally created by a much larger ensemble. Di Meglio transitions fluidly between providing the bass line and taking the melodic lead, while Reed-Lunn’s highly original style of claw hammer banjo–learned mainly by watching YouTube–is both surprisingly lyrical and intensely driving. Greenberg takes on the role of concert violinist and accompanist with equal facility, and ensures that a lead guitar is never missed.

From breathtaking energy to intimate connection, their live performances are kinetic events in which their passion and their abilities are equally displayed. Harpeth Rising can create a listening room from a rowdy bar crowd, and can inspire even the weariest of audiences. After only a few months as a band, they embarked on tour of England, which included a performance with The Bath Philharmonia. They were invited to perform at The Cambridge Folk Festival the following summer, and have since played festivals across England and the United States, including The Kerrville Folk Festival, ROMPfest, Blissfest, The Fylde Folk Festival, The Purbeck Folk Festival and dozens more. Building their fan base in the tradition of all wandering minstrels – passionately and by word-of-mouth – they now perform to sold-out audience internationally.

They have released four albums in as many years – Harpeth Rising (2010), Dead Man’s Hand (2011), The End of the World (2012), a collaboration with master wordsmith David Greenberg (Jordana’s father), and Tales From Jackson Bridge, (2013). Their fifth album, Shifted, is set to release in early 2015.

For more on Harpeth Rising, please visit their website by clicking here.

Click here to purchase tickets. $15. Black Box. General admission seating. 7:30 p.m. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets. Call the Dogwood to reserve yours today!

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 the Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885.
Tickets may also be purchased at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. For more information please contact NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022.

“Whether touring as just an acoustic duo or with a full band, we love playing and singing our songs for people. We try to write about the things that move us and hope the realness of the songs carries across to the audience. The greatest compliment we can receive is someone telling us a song touched them or made them weep or that it was their story. Life is rough, and we all want that one song we can rock out or cry along to”. -Cia

“People have asked, why the name ‘Songs of the Fall’? The way we see it, the story of mankind is all about falling–From the original fall of man, the tottering steps we take as a child, to growing up and falling in love, into temptations, and in and out of luck. Life is about the fall and how we keep learning and growing, and those are the things worth singing about”. -Stetson
Stetson Adkisson- vocals, guitar
Stetson, 29, began singing and writing songs in college and played the singer-songwriter circuit throughout the west before teaming up with Cia to start Songs of the Fall. Born and raised in CO, he now lives in Nashville.
Cia Cherryholmes- vocals, banjo, bouzouki
Cia, 28, began playing music at the age of 15, has toured internationally, and has 5 Grammy nominations for her previous works. Originally from L.A., she now resides in Nashville, TN.

“With every temptation there is the chance to overcome, with every heartache is the opportunity for healing and growth, and with every fall we make there is the glorious triumph of getting back up.”- Songs of the Fall

For more on Songs of the Fall, check out their website by clicking here.

Click here to purchase tickets. $12.50. Black Box.  General admission seating. 7:30 p.m. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets. Call the Dogwood to reserve yours today!

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 the Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885.
Tickets may also be purchased at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For more information please contact NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022.

Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Swan Lake”, the timeless story of tragic love and deception will come to life in March at the Dogwood Center!  This production will be staged by GRB Artistic Director, Patricia Barker, after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov.
In the story line of “Swan Lake”, Odette, a beautiful princess, is cursed by the evil sorcerer Van Rothbart to live as a swan forever.  Her spell can only be broken if a prince swears his everlasting love to her.  Tchaikovsky’s magical score and the illustrious Black Swan pas de deux have made “Swan Lake” one of the most enduring, moving and admired classical ballets of all time.
“Swan Lake is a beautiful production with gorgeous sets and ornate costumes.  The poise and grace of our dancers will make this a superb experience for any ballet lover, ” said Artistic Director Patricia Barker.
This program is funded in part by grants from the Fremont Area Community Foundation and The Gerber Foundation.
Celebrating its 43rd 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 perform at the Dogwood Center!
Tickets are available online, at the Dogwood Box Office, or at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont.
Click here to purchase your tickets! $17.50 Adults, $10.00 Children 18 and under. Main Stage. Reserved Seating. 7:30 p.m.
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 annual NCCA West Michigan Luthier concert is back at the Dogwood on February 7!
The ultimate combination of music and visual arts happens at the NCCA’s West Michigan Luthier Concert! Come out and enjoy live performances by West Michigan musicians performing on hand-made instruments from regional luthiers. A stunning photographic exhibit in the lobby gallery accompanies the concert.
Musicians performing include Chester Winowiecki and Adrian Schuster; Bud Greenman, Erik White and Tom Sutherland; Donald Benson; Fred Covertini; Mark Swanson and Jim Spalink; and Keith Caldwell.
Tickets are $12.50. Black Box. 7:30 p.m.  Click here to purchase your tickets!
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.

“Watching for Foxes” is a folk rock band from Grand Rapids.  Influenced by Mumford & Sons, Bear’s Den, The Decemberists, and Ben Howard, “Watching for Foxes” creates a passionate and striking sound that you won’t forget. Their debut EP The Watchmen is driven by diverse acoustic guitar, stirring lyrics and vocals, haunting harmonies, and a heartbeat established by foot-stomping percussion.

The members of “Watching for Foxes are: Joey Frendo, Jared Meeuwenberg, Brandon Hanes, Max Morrison, and Olivia Mainville.

Click here to purchase tickets. $12.50. Black Box. General admission seating. 7:30 p.m. Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets. Call the Dogwood to reserve yours today!
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 the Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885.
Tickets may also be purchased at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For more information please contact  NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022.

Joshua Davis was raised in the folk tradition: the music, the social movements, the land. He writes songs that blend the roots of American music with gritty rock n’ roll and vintage soul. Performing Songwriter Magazine called the result, “Some of the liveliest and most rocking roots music around.
For over 15 years Joshua has made his living sharing his songs, stories and knowledge across the US and Canada at festivals, concert halls, coffeehouses and dives – as a solo act, front man for roots ensemble “Steppin’ In It”, classic swing band “Shout Sister Shout”, songwriter showcase band “The Starlight Six” and frequently as a workshop facilitator, presenter or instructor.
His music is steeped in ragtime blues, sweet jazz and real country but Davis’s broad schooling in the cultural, political and musical roots of American tradition has resulted in more than a simple retelling of universal themes. Dubbed, “the Michigan version of the Great American Songscape” (Chris Reitz, Elderly Instruments), his catalog is a seamless snapshot of American past and present. Joshua has shared stages with a diverse list of luminaries, such as Tim O’Brien, Greg Brown, The Indigo Girls, Leftover Salmon, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Corey Harris, John Gorka, Jeff Daniels, Ellis Paul, The Blind Boys of Alabama, Jimmy LaFave, Ray Bonneville, Arlo Guthrie, Abigail Washburn, Larry McCray, Sunny Wilkinson, Catie Curtis, Bill Kirchen, Peter “Madcat” Ruth, Bernie Leadon, Wayne Hancock, The Verve Pipe, John Hammond, Pete Seeger and Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
His music receives regular airplay across the US and has been heard in at least 180 countries. His records have consistently appeared on major independent and free-format radio charts. Among other honors, “Fool Rooster” earned the album of the year slot from Progressive Torch and Twang, a cult favorite Americana show on WDBM, “Magnolia Belles” won Americana album of the year from WYCE, “Simple Tunes for Troubled Times” was one of Folk Alley’s best albums of 2009 and Shout Sister Shout’s “Hit That Jive” reached #1 on the Roots Music Report jazz chart and was the longest charting jazz album of that year.
For more on Joshua Davis and his music, click here.
Click here to purchase tickets! $15. Black Box. General admission seating. 7:30 p.m.  Tables can be reserved with the purchase of eight tickets. Call the Dogwood to reserve yours today!
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 the Dogwood Box Office at 231.924.8885.
Tickets may also be purchased at NCCA-Artsplace in downtown Fremont. Hours are Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  For more information please contact NCCA-Artsplace at 231.924.4022.