Fall 2011 Events

September

Thursday
September 1
Cartoons at 6:45 pm
Movie at 7:00 pm

Concessions will be available for a nominal fee. Donations to offset movie costs are always welcome.

Tootsie

The HarborLight Movie Series, in conjunction with the Arts Council of White Lake, presents the 1982 comedy Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.

Friday
Sepember 2

7:30 pm

Tickets
$10 Adults
$5 Students (w/ student ID)
on sale now

Drew Nelson

Join us for the fall kick off concert for our First Friday’s concert series with singer/songwriter Drew Nelson from Grand Rapids. This folk-inspired musician is a noted storyteller with strong characters and a growing national fan base. Drew won a Jammie Award in Grand Rapids for Best Regional Folk Album in 2006. "Drew Nelson is one of my favorite new artists. He is an excellent guitarist as well as an accomplished songwriter. His songs sound like the rest of us feel. After so many years at the mercy of the high and mighty his characters are anything but defeated. They are dazed, angry, amazed and climbing." - John Gorka, Red House Records recording artist.

Saturday
September 10

7:00 pm

Tickets $10 in Advance.
on sale now

Checks can be made out to Harvest Ministries. Call 231.828.4863 for information.

Harvest Ministries Welcomes Russ Taff in Concert

Russ Taff was a member of the legendary Christian group the Imperials, with whom he toured extensively and gained recognition as the voice behind award-winning songs and albums. Russ has won a total of five Grammy Awards and nine Dove Awards. He has been hailed by Billboard Magazine as “the single most electrifying voice in Christian music.” Russ was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in June 2008.

Saturday
September 24

7:30 pm

Tickets $15
on sale now

Call 231.739.6269 for information

At the Hop
presented by The West Shore Chorus of Sweet Adeline’s International

Come enjoy a rollicking ride back to the 50s with the West Shore Chorus featuring the fabulous Pioneer District Champions, The Four Man Fishin’ Tackle Choir. The evening will include hilarious humor and fine barbershop harmony, and most certainly fun for the whole family.

October

Thursday
October 6
Cartoons at 6:45 pm
Movie at 7:00 pm

Concessions will be available for a nominal fee. Donations to offset movie costs are always welcome.

Red River

The HarborLight Movie Series, in conjunction with the Arts Council of White Lake, presents the 1948 western Red River starring John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, and Joanne Dru.

Friday
October 7

7:30 pm

Tickets
$10 Adults
$5 Students (w/ student ID)
on sale now

Gasta & the Carl Webb Band

Join us for a unique combination of two favorite West Michigan groups—Gasta and The Carl Webb Band.

Gasta (photo to the right) is an Irish-Celtic-Contemporary duo from Shelby. Featuring Nathan Wright on violin, guitar, piano and mandolin, and Jon Misner on vocals, bodhran, dejumba, irish flute and pennywhistles, these two young musicians are sure to lift your soul but also get your toes tapping. Since forming in 2008, Gasta has been playing regularly around the West Michigan area and have been gaining a large following.

The Carl Webb Band (photo to the left) is the group for a great blend of “American” music—country, rock ‘n’ roll, and blues, with original music mixed in. Originally the band Southern Edge, the band name changed to The Carl Webb Band around 2004. Come for an relaxed evening of classic favorites and great original music.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday
October 14-16

Friday and Saturday
7:30 pm
Sunday matinee
3 pm

General Admission Tickets:
$18 adult
$16 Senior/student
Group Sales: For groups of 10 or more purchasing tickets together, each ticket is discounted $2.
on sale now

Smoke on the Mountain Homecoming
presented by Master Arts Theatre

It's a Saturday evening in October, 1945, and the gospel-singing Sanders Family is back together singing again at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, where Reverend Mervin Oglethorpe is giving his last service. He's been called to preach in Texas and is preparing to ride into the sunset with his wife June, who is eight months pregnant. Tomorrow morning, young Dennis Sanders takes over as Mount Pleasant's pastor. Join the Sanders Family as they send Mervin and June off in style, with hilarious and touching stories and twenty-five toe-tapping Bluegrass Gospel favorites. See this award winning “Smoke” cast present the new, 3rd installment in the Sanders family saga. Join us for hilarious and touching stories and toe-tapping Bluegrass gospel favorites!

Saturday
October 22

Free!

Sponsored by MAISD and the Howmet Playhouse

Up From the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream

The documentary Up From the Bottoms: The Search for the American Dream, tells the story of the massive migration of African Americans from the rural south to the prosperous north during the war years and beyond. Experience the human side of the migration and the character of the people who chose to make this noble journey. The voice of Cicely Tyson guides the movie through the touching, thoughtful, and often funny stories as told by fifteen residents of Muskegon, Michigan.

Friday, Saturday
October 28-29

Friday
8 pm
Saturday
5:30 & 8 pm

General Admission Tickets
$5
on sale now

Locked In: A Haunted Hallowen Happening
presented by the WLYT and the Nuveen Center

What happens when some students accidentally get locked into the Howmet Playhouse on Halloween night and encounter some famous Howmet Playhouse ghosts, as well as a host of other "creatures"? Join us for the White Lake Youth Theatre and Nuveen Center production of Locked In: A Haunted Hallowen Happening to find out the answers. The show will also feature the winners of the Scary Moments Film Shorts Contest.

November

Thursday
November 3
Cartoons at 6:45 pm
Movie at 7:00 pm

Concessions will be available for a nominal fee. Donations to offset movie costs are always welcome.

The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming

The HarborLight Movie Series, in conjunction with the Arts Council of White Lake, presents the 1966 comedy The Russians Are Coming, The Russians Are Coming (yes that is the official title) starring Carl Reiner, Eva Marie Saint and Alan Arkin.

Friday
November 4

7:30 pm

Tickets
$10 Adults
$5 Students (w/ student ID)
on sale now

Neil Jacobs is truly a masterful performer on the 12 string acoustic guitar. With his own captivating style of playing—the St. Louis Riverfront Times describes it "mesmerizing" and the Austin Chronicle describes it "the rockin'est since early Leo Kottke"—Neil covers the world vibe with music diverse as Gypsy, World, Balkan Folk, Jazz, Classical and Modern Fingerstyle, while transforming his 12-string acoustic guitar into his own personal orchestra. Neil draws inspiration from his world travels and experiences, and shares his fascinating stories with his audience.

The Grand Rapids based Folias Flute and Guitar Duo was founded by the husband and wife duo Carmen Maret and Andrew Bergeron in 2002. They have performed in concert halls, clubs and for tango events across North America. The duo’s background in classical concert music performance and composition mixed with their training in tango and jazz make their performances both informed and exciting.

December

Thursday
December 1
Cartoons at 6:45 pm
Movie at 7:00 pm

Concessions will be available for a nominal fee. Donations to offset movie costs are always welcome.

Pocketful of Miracles

The HarborLight Movie Series, in conjunction with the Arts Council of White Lake, presents the 1961 comedy-drama Pocketful of Miracles starring Bette Davis and Glenn Ford.

Sponsorship considerations for this movie also provided by the First United Methodist Church.

Saturday
December 10
Movie at 7:30 pm

Prancer

When a 9-year old girl finds a reindeer with an injured leg, she proves miracles can still happen. A delightful Christmas adventure for the whole family. Part of the Hometown Holiday Weekend festivities.

Sunday
December 18

7:00 pm

Tickets
$10 Adults
$5 Students

Tickets may be purchased Whitehall City Hall.

Doors open at 6:30 pm

Putting Down Roots for the Holidays
Ruth and Max Bloomquist with John King and Dan Seabolt

Playhouse favorites Ruth and Max Bloomquist, joined by Kalamazoo-based Mike Struwin and the Holiday Ramblers, will perform holiday favorites and songs from Struwin's album Forgotten Hymns a unique collection of Afro-American spirituals and Appalachian hymns, dating back to the plantation days of the Deep South. Ruth and Max will be joined by Daniel Seabolt and John "Sky" King; the Ramblers are Josh Bolt on mandolin, Rick Willy on fiddle, Mark Alberts on upright bass, Al Bates on Dobro and banjo, and Mike Struwin on vocals and acoustic guitar.

A portion of the ticket sales will go to local White Lake Giving Tree, an outreach program in the Whitehall and Montague area that provides food, gifts, and other assistance to families and residents in need. Providing support since 1981, the White Lake Giving Tree assisted over 350 families in 2010 and has used the time and talents of hundreds of volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, contact St. James Catholic Church in Montague.

Monday
December 19

Tuesday
December 20

Dance Techniques
6 to 7:30 pm (tap)
7:30 to 9 pm (modern)

Charges

• Stage Combat, $20
• Dance Class, $10 each
• All Three Sessions Together, $30

These classes have limited spots available, so please register in advance by calling Whitehall City Hall at 231-894-4048. Class fees may be paid the evening of the workshop.

Stage Combat and Dance Workshops

Take to the stage and hone your skills with two workshops in stage combat and dance at the Howmet Playhouse, December 19 and 20. Open to ages 14 and up, no experience is required and both workshops are a great opportunity for both adults and students to touch up some skills or learn some new ones!

The Stage Combat Workshop will be offered from 6 to 9 pm on Monday, December 19. The workshop will be taught by Chris Farrar, who has worked with the Howmet Playhouse on various productions as technical director and as fight choreographer. He has led workshops on stage fighting, is now studying Stage Combat in England, and is an experienced fencer and martial artist. Chris will give an introduction and history of 18th century smallsword, followed by learning footwork, hand positions, and techniques. Participants will learn choreography to be performed for the group at the end of the workshop.

The Dance Techniques Workshop will be offered from 6 to 9 pm on Tuesday, December 20. The workshop will feature an introduction to skills in modern dance and tap dance, and will focus on correct warm-up routines for each style along with basic steps and technique. Tap will be taught from 6 to 7:30 pm, and modern from 7:30 to 9 pm. Tap shoes are not required; all participants must wear closed-toe shoes and clothes they can move in. The workshop will be taught by Samantha Shone, a certified NCDTA (North Counties Dance Teacher’s Association) instructor and third place winner for a tap solo in the All-England Dance Championship in 2005.

Friday
December 30

7:30 pm

Tickets
(include concert and
after glow party)
$15 Advance
$20 At The Door

Tickets may be purchased at City Hall or by calling 231.894.4048

Cash or Check Only

(cash bar proceeds divided between Killer Blues and the Playhouse)

Swing into the NewYear
George Cole Quintet

Sponsored by A Finch Nest Bed and Breakfast, the Cocoa Cottage, and the White Swan Inn

On Friday the 30th City Hall will be closed but the Playhouse box office will open at 12 noon for ticket
sales for this event.

Join music fans and New Year's revelers as we Swing into the New Year for an evening of elegant and whimsical jazz with the George Cole Quintet from San Francisco. The night is sure to be a grand way to celebrate the New Year with a cash bar, provided by the non-profit Killer Blues organization, and an afterglow party on the Playhouse stage with the band after the show. The quintet’s style of music, dubbed “Eurocana”, is a celebration of the great American songbook with inspiration from Gypsy Jazz. The band draws inspiration for their original music from the dynamic string-driven swing created by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli in 1930s Paris. The George Cole Quintet creates a unique musical experience that equally enthralls and delights the most discerning and casual music fan. Each member of the group is a virtuoso, yet the music is very accessible, melodic and appealing, making it an enjoyable evening for all who love jazz. The band features George Cole on guitar, the divine vocalist Hale Baskin, violinist Stephan Dudash, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Grant, and upright bassist Christian Bastian. We hope you will break out your party clothes and join us for this great evening!