http://www.doorcountytoday.com Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:24:43 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/players-reading-of-thatcher-s-niedecker-at-scandia/ Fish Creek, (Feb. 21, 2012) – Peninsula Players will present a reading of Kristine Thatcher’s stage portrait of beloved Wisconsin poet Lorine Niedecker Monday, Feb. 27 at Scandia in Sister Bay at 7:00 p.m. Produced as part of Peninsula Players’ new series of play readings, The Play’s the Thing, the reading of “Niedecker” will feature Players actors Thatcher, Cassandra Bissell and Barbara Simpson Fuhrmann as Lorine. Thatcher will also direct the cast that will include Arthur “Doc” Hopper and Dee Hopper. Suggested donation at door is $8, but Scandia residents and staff and their families and students will be admitted free. Fuhrmann spent several seasons in the Players acting company and now serves on the Players board of directors. She originated the role of Eva Ranney in Thatcher’s Door County history play, “Apparitions,” and appeared in the immensely popular “You Can’t Take it With You.” Bissell is currently appearing in The Vibrator Play at Actors Theatre of Louisville and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and has appeared in nearly a dozen Players productions, most recently “Around the World in 80 Days.” Thatcher is currently the Producing Artistic Director at Stormfield Theatre in Lansing, Michigan. Her Peninsula Players directing credits include “The Uneasy Chair,” “Over the Tavern” and “Panic,” while her stage credits include Jo in the 1990 production of “A Few Good Men,” Eliza in “Pygmalion” and Agnes in “Dancing at Lughnasa.” Peninsula Players also commissioned her to write “Apparitions,” a project which investigated the “unique character and history of Door County.” Doc Hopper was Chair of the Theatre Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and he and his wife, Dee, have been active in the Door County theatre scene since moving here. The Play’s the Thing is providing play writing instruction to high school students from Gibraltar and Sevastopol schools, and those students will write plays for a contest to be judged by Players company members. The winner will receive $100 and have their play read publicly. Continuing support will be provided to the students, including free admission to these professional play readings which continue Mondays April 2 and 30 at Björklunden. The Play’s the Thing is funded in part by a grant from the Peninsula Arts Association and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin, as well as generous grants from Ministry Door County Medical Center, Door County Community Foundation Arts Fund and the Raibrook Foundation. Members of the Friends of Lorine Niedecker Society are expected to be in attendance and participate in the post-reading discussion. Scandia is located at 10560 Applewood Rd. in Sister Bay. Entry to the reading will be through the south doors. Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 77 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country. Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:04:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/players-reading-of-thatcher-s-niedecker-at-scandia/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/american-folklore-theatre-announces-2012-season/ FISH CREEK, (Feb. 18, 2012) – Critically acclaimed American Folklore Theatre in Door County has announced its 2012 Summer and Fall Seasons, which will run from June 13 until August 25 at the Amphitheatre in Peninsula State Park and move indoors to Door Community Auditorium and the Gibraltar Town Hall in the fall. This year's world premiere, Victory Farm, is a story of "family, forgiveness, and the fruits of our labor" set in World War II Door County. The music is being created by award-winning composer James Valcq, who is best known for the worldwide success of The Spitfire Grill written with AFT co-founder, Fred Alley. The book and lyrics for Victory Farm were conceived and written by the up and coming writing team of Emilie Coulson and Katie Dahl. The show is in the final phase of AFT's New Works Process, led by Artistic Director Jeffrey Herbst, before heading to the stage on June 13th. Jeff reports, "Emilie and Katie both have deep family roots in Door County and draw their material from actual events that transpired in Door County during World War II. The story is set at Muellers' Bay View Orchard, in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin in 1944. Written with humor and tenderness, Emilie and Katie have carefully crafted a timeless story that is sure to resonate with the wide demographic that is our AFT audience." Victory Farm plays Mondays at 8 p.m., Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., and Saturdays at 6 p.m. starting Wednesday, June 13th at 8:30 p.m. In addition, AFT's longest-running musical comedy returns this summer for its 9th season. Belgians in Heaven follows the hilarious antics of two Wisconsin farmers, an angel, and a talking chicken. Described by the Green Bay Press-Gazette as "a popular laugh-fest with a profound metaphysical heart", Belgians tells the story of two Wisconsin brothers who need a little heavenly assistance to learn how to get along. Created by Doc Heide, Lee Becker and James Kaplan in 1994, and last seen on the AFT stage in 2007, Belgians in Heaven is set in Southern Door County's Belgian-American farming district and explores themes that transcend any specific culture: family reconciliation, the comedy of human foibles, and the meaning of life itself. Heide, Becker, and Kaplan also wrote the hit sci-fi football musical Packer Fans from Outer Space, onstage this summer at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee. Belgians plays Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and Fridays at 8 pm beginning Friday, June 15th. Also this season, Cheeseheads, The Musical will not only be reprised on the summer stage but will also make its debut on the Door Community Auditorium indoor stage this fall. Cheeseheads, The Musical, billed as a "modern day dairy-tale with a lotto heart," revolves around the lives of fellow workers at Schnaybel's Famous Cheese, a family-owned factory set in Sheboygan, WI. Their beloved founder has passed away and there are rumors that the factory may be shut down. With typical Wisconsin good humor, the workers carry on while keeping their fingers crossed that something better will come their way. "Dave Hudson and Paul Libman's wildly popular show literally had people leaping from their seats to state out loud and proud, 'I'm a Cheesehead!' We are pleased to bring this audience favorite back and offer it for the first time to our fall audiences," said Managing Director, Dave Maier. The veteran writing team of Hudson and Libman has also authored Bing! The Cherry Musical, A Cabin with a View, Muskie Love, and Main-Travelled Roads for AFT, and are two-time recipients of the prestigious Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theatre. Cheeseheads, The Musical plays on the summer stage at Peninsula State Park on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. The show will open at the Door Community Auditorium on August 30th and will run through October 14th. Joining Cheeseheads this fall, American Folklore Theatre spices up election season with And If Elected, a musical look back at presidential campaign history. This show, which has been performed during every election year since 1992, features presidential elections' facts, jokes, and songs from 1776 to the present. The Green Bay Press Gazette described it as, "One of the most entertaining history lessons you'll find." Compiled by David Peterson, Fred Alley, and Jeffrey Herbst, And If Elected takes a lighthearted, often satirical, and occasionally poignant look at the complete history of the presidential election, telling stories of mudslinging and muckraking that have surprised and delighted audiences for almost 20 years. The show also unearths the numerous campaign songs that have been used as political tools throughout American history. And If Elected will return to its home at the Gibraltar Town Hall in Fish Creek October 4th through the 14th. This year's acting company will feature AFT veterans Doug Mancheski, Lee Becker, Doc Heide, Jeffrey Herbst, Chase Stoeger, Molly Rhode, Chad Luberger, Pamela Niespodziani, Steve Koehler, Jake Endres, and Karen Mal. Joining them will be newcomers Allie Babich and Trevor Rees. AFT is also pleased to welcome back veteran performer Jon Hegge as he makes his directorial debut for AFT directing Victory Farm. Hegge now makes his home in Minnesota where he is a professional actor. AFT audiences will remember him as a regular face on the summer stage with his wife Laurie Flanigan. General admission tickets for summer shows are $19 for adults, $9 for teens, and $5 for children. Reserved seats are $6 more per ticket. All summer performances take place under the stars in the stunning Amphitheater at Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek. Tickets for Cheeseheads, The Musical at the Door Community Auditorium are reserved and are $26 for adults and $13 for children 12 and under. Tickets for And If Elected are general admission and are $20 for adults and $12 for children 12 and under. Tickets for both the summer and fall season will go on sale April 16th in the AFT box office at the Green Gables shops in north Ephraim, via phone at (920) 854-6117, and online at www.FolkloreTheatre.com. American Folklore Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre organization that produces original musical shows in repertory from June through August. AFT continues its performances into the fall with shows at the Door Community Auditorium and town halls September through October and over the Christmas holiday. American Folklore Theatre is a member of Theatre Wisconsin and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), organizations that promote non-profit theatre groups. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:05:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/american-folklore-theatre-announces-2012-season/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/third-avenue-playhouse-2012-spring-season/ STURGEON BAY, (Feb. 18, 2012) - Third Avenue Playhouse announces it's 2012 Spring Season, including the new Tuesdays at TAP Concert Series featuring local favorites like Katie Dahl, Julian Hagen, Lost Mothra, Marybeth Mattson & Seth Raddatz, Highland Road and many more! Tuesdays at TAP concerts benefit Not For Profit organizations like the Door County Humane Society, the Wellness Center of Door County, the Ridges Sanctuary and others, in a show of community support from the musicians, Third Avenue Playhouse, and of course the audience, without whom there would be no TAP! Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:06:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/third-avenue-playhouse-2012-spring-season/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/birch-creek-announces-2012-summer-concerts/ Concerts begin at 8 p.m. (except July 4th and July 7th at 6:30 p.m.) in the Dutton Concert Barn. Student prelude performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in the courtyard gazebo or in Juniper Hall. Symphony Brian Groner, Conductor June 28 – Great Beginnings Hanson – Symphony No. 2 “Romantic” June 29 – Meet the Masters Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Jodie DeSalvo, piano Dvorak – Symphony No. 7 in d minor June 30 – Meet the Masters Rachmaninoff – Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini Jodie DeSalvo, piano Dvorak – Symphony No. 7 in d minor July 4 – Made In America 5:30pm Pie & Ice Cream Social, 6:30pm Concert Gershwin – Selections from Porgy and Bess Bernstein – Selections from West Side Story Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture July 6 – Red Hot In July Copland – The Red Pony Suite Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite July 7 – Red Hot In July 1:00-3:30pm Free Family Concert Copland – The Red Pony Suite Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite July 7 – Red Hot In July 6:30pm Concert Copland – The Red Pony Suite Stravinsky – The Firebird Suite Tickets: $29 – Adults $10 – Young adults (12-20) & college students $6 – Children (11 & under) Percussion & Steel Band July 12 – United in Rhythm July 13 – Steel on Wheels (tropical shirt night) July 14 – Fire Down Below (hot music from the Caribbean) July 18 – Good Vibes (an evening of intimate Jazz) Post concert night sky viewing with the Door County Astronomy Society July 19 – Island Carnival I July 20 – Comedy and Pops July 21 – 1:00-2:30pm Free Family Concert July 21 – Island Carnival II Big Band Jazz July 25 – Swing Into Summer July 26 – Essentially Ellington, Basie & Miller, Vol. 1 July 27 – Essentially Ellington, Basie & Miller, Vol. 1 July 28 – Swing Into Summer August 1 – Swing City August 2 – The Great American Big Band August 3 – The Great American Big Band August 4 – 1:00 – 3:00pm Free Family Concert August 4 – Swing City August 8 – Legacy of the Big Band August 9 – Essentially Ellington, Basie & Miller, Vol. II August 10 – Essentially Ellington, Basie & Miller, Vol. II August 11 – The Legacy of the Big Band August 15 – A Century of Swing August 16 – Great Songs of the Jazz Age August 17 – Great Songs of the Jazz Age August 18 – 1:00 – 3:00pm Free Family Concert August 18 – A Century of Swing Special Events Thursday, July 19 – 11:30am Special Event: “Hats Off To You” Style Show & Luncheon Horseshoe Bay Golf Club $45 / Information: (920)868-3763 Birch Creek Jazz Ambassadors at Gibraltar Grill, Fish Creek Friday, July 27 – 8:00-10:00pm Wednesday, August 1 – 7:30-9:30pm (10% day open to close) Thursday, Aug. 10 – 7:30-9:30pm Wednesday, Aug. 15 – 7:30-9:30pm (10% day open to close) “10% day open to close” indicates that 10% of Gibraltar Grill’s sales for the day will be donated to the Birch Creek scholarship fund to be awarded to future Jazz applicants. Mon, 20 Feb 2012 12:49:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/birch-creek-announces-2012-summer-concerts/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/sister-bay-new-logo-to-celebrate-100-years/ SISTER BAY, (Feb. 12, 2012) – The Village of Sister Bay celebrates 100 years of history in 2012 and is marking the centennial celebration with a commemorative logo. In the coming months, the Village will celebrate with a weekend of fun activities June 8-9, and historical events throughout the summer. For more information, please visit: www.cometosisterbay.com. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:13:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/sister-bay-new-logo-to-celebrate-100-years/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/74th-nor-door-ice-out-contest/ SISTER BAY, (Feb. 12, 2012) – Quick! The ice has finally formed, and it’s time to wager your guess for when the ice will officially “go out” of Sister Bay. Voting boxes are in businesses around Sister Bay waiting for your votes. In 2011, the Ice Out raft started floating at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. When do you think it will float this year? For 2012, these businesses are offering prizes to the person who guesses the date and time of day closest to when the official Ice Out raft marks the ice leaving the bay. A winner will be chosen from each business’ box: Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant - $25 gift certificate Bay Shore Outdoor Store – 2 hour kayak rental Bhirdo’s Shell - $25 gas card Husby’s Food & Spirits – Large specialty pizza JJ’s La Puerta - $20 gift card Lamperts Yard Inc.– MP3/AM/FM Digital Radio & Hearing Protector On Deck Clothing Company - $30 gift card Passtimes Books – Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson Sister Bay Automotive – Free oil change Sister Bay Bowl - $25 gift card Village Clothier - $25 gift card Yacht Works – Decorative bird & piling sculpture What is the “Ice Out” Contest, you ask? Businesses around northern Door host a voting box – where voters fill out a slip of paper with their name, phone number and the date and time of day they believe the ice will “go out” of the bay in the early spring. A winner is chosen from each host business and that person will receive the prize donated by that host business. Past Ice Out winning dates: 1943– April 22 1944– April 15 1945– March 26 1946– March 17 1947– April 21 1948– April 10 1949– March 31 1950– April 25 1951– April 12 1952– April 20 1953– April 3 1954– April 12 1955– April 12 1956– April 20 1957– April 4 1958– April 6 1959– April 22 1960– April 16 1961– April 15 1962– April 20 1963– April 7 1964– April 13 1965– April 23 1966– March 23 1967– April 5 1968– April 3 1969– April 13 1970– April 13 1971– April 18 1972– May 2 1973– March 30 1974– April 17 1975– April 27 1976– April 14 1977– April 18 1978– April 25 1979– April 25 1980– April 8 1981– March 31 1982– April 20 1983– March 29 1984– April 13 1985– March 31 1986– April 5 1987– April 1 1988– April 12 1989– April 7 1990– April 9 1992– April 21 1993– April 19 1994– April 16 1995– April 10 1996– April 30 1997– April 25 1998– March 30 1999– March 31 2000– March 20 2001– April 9 2002 – No Contest 2011– April 9 The 74th Ice Out Contest is sponsored by the Sister Bay Advancement Association and the Door County Advocate. Sun, 12 Feb 2012 20:03:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/74th-nor-door-ice-out-contest/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/birch-creek-receives-wisconsin-arts-board-grant/ EGG HARBOR, (Feb. 5, 2012) – Birch Creek is pleased to announce that it has received a matching grant of $12,620 from the Wisconsin Arts Board. This is a 2012 Creation and Presentation Program Grant awarded through a competitive process and supports Birch Creek's annual operating expenses. In granting this award, the Arts Board recognizes Birch Creek as an organization with the highest level of quality in its programs, community outreach and administration. Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc. is a summer music school in Egg Harbor for advanced young musicians from across the country. Students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day, and perform alongside them in concerts at night. Birch Creek’s mission is to provide their students with significant performance experience in front of live audiences. When Birch Creek receives an Arts Board grant all of Door County benefits. Since 2002, Birch Creek's Artists in the Schools program has brought nationally-recognized performers and teachers into local schools to provide hands-on workshops for hundreds of Door County music students. Door County music students have attended Birch Creek nearly every year since Birch Creek opened its doors in 1976. During the concert season, Door County residents and visitors alike have numerous opportunities to hear performances by professional musicians of the highest caliber. And, each year Birch Creek has a measurable and documented economic impact of more than $500,000 on the Door County community. Wisconsin Arts Board operates with funds appropriated by the state legislature and a National Endowment for the Arts partnership grant. With this investment of public funds, the Arts Board helps Wisconsin’s nonprofit arts and culture sector generate millions into the local economy. The Arts Board’s Creation and Presentation grant program helps make the arts available to broad audiences, keep ticket prices down and allows non-profits to plan for future sustainability. For more information about Birch Creek: www.birchcreek.org (920) 868-3763 Sun, 05 Feb 2012 09:22:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/birch-creek-receives-wisconsin-arts-board-grant/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/ross-dippel-named-as-interim-artistic-director-by-door-shakespea/ DOOR COUNTY (Jan. 28, 2012) - Ross Dippel has been named by the Door Shakespeare Board of Directors as Interim Artistic Director. Mr. Dippel brings with him many years of classical theatre experience as an actor, director, educator producer, and professional fight choreographer. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse, and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Theatre from the prestigious Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Academy of Classical Acting at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Professional memberships include Actor’s Equity Association and The Society of American Fight Directors. Dippel has an extensive background in education, including serving as an Adjunct Professor of Communications at the College of Menominee Nation in Keshena, Wisconsin; a company member and teacher for the Educational Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. and Assistant Technical Director/Guest Lecturer of Theater Arts at Edgewood College in Madison, Wisconsin. He co-founded the Stone Theatre Company in Seattle, Washington and founded The Acorn Theatre in Baraboo, Wisconsin, both producing works of Shakespeare. He served acting internships at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater and American Players Theatre, performed at The Utah Shakespearean Festival and The Seattle Shakespeare Company, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Olney Theatre and many others. A native of Baraboo, WI, he is deeply connected to Wisconsin Theatre and committed to continuing Door Shakespeare’s reputation for quality productions while strengthening its presence in the community and state. Locally, Dippel is a proud graduate of the 2011 Leadership Door County class, co-founder of The West Side Food Cooperative and a graduate of the Door County Economic Development Corporation’s NexLevel Training. Licensed as an Adjudicator by the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association he served as Interim Forensics Coach for Sturgeon Bay High School. Dippel is a former board member of Isadoora Theatre and directed several of the company’s plays including the highly successful production of the musical CHICAGO and the timely, WAITING FOR LEFTY. He directed and performed in staged readings of THE BOYS IN AUTUMN with the Peninsula Players for The Big Read and the RAY BRADBURY ONE ACTS for the Door County Library’s Door County Reads. Most recently, he performed on stage opposite Mark Moede in TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE at Third Avenue Playhouse. Dippel lives in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin with his wife, Christine Henkel and their enthusiastic daughter, Isabella. Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:06:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/ross-dippel-named-as-interim-artistic-director-by-door-shakespea/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/holiday-music-motel-announces-the-first-annual-love-on-holiday-s/ STURGEON BAY, (Jan. 28, 2012) – The Holiday Music Motel is excited to announce “Love on Holiday: Songs of Love, and Love Gone Away,” its ?rst annual mid-February songwriting event. The week of collaborative songwriting, recording, and performances will commence on February 7, and continue through Valentine?s Day, February 14. “Love On Holiday” will become one of three annual songwriting events hosted by the Holiday Music Motel, alongside the Steel Bridge Songfest “Construction Zone” and the Halloween-themed “Dark Songs.” For “Love On Holiday,” The Holiday Music Motel will once again be hosting songwriters from near and far, who will spend the week collaboratively writing original love songs and documenting these songs in the motel?s in-house recording studio, manned by renowned engineer Billy Triplett (James Brown, Prince, Nirvana, Pearl Jam). The songs will then be debuted in a special show the evening of Friday, February 10, at The Red Room in downtown Sturgeon Bay. The songwriters will also be appearing at the various open mics around town for some impromptu shows throughout the week, which will be announced on the event webpage, as listed below. Con?rmed artists for the event include visiting songwriters Danielle French, Corey Carlson, Meaghan Owens, Charlie Cheney, Vee Sonnets and Anna Sacks, as well as local songwriters pat mAcdonald, melaniejane, Chris Aaron, Rob Atwood, Eliott Goettelman, Troy Therrien, Fred Young, Jamey Clark, Richard Whitney, Landon Capelle, Kory Christopher, Brittany Dauenbauch, Anya Kopischke and Lena MacDonald. The Holiday Music Motel is located at 30 N 1st Ave in downtown Sturgeon Bay at the foot of the historic Michigan Street Bridge. For information or reservations, please call 920.743.5571 or visit www.HolidayMusicMotel.com. Event details and breaking updates pertaining to “Love On Holiday” may be found at www.holidaymusicmotel.com/loveonholiday Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:30:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/holiday-music-motel-announces-the-first-annual-love-on-holiday-s/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/wisconsin-public-television-and-birch-creek-present-jazz-at-birc/ Jazz at Birch Creek Premiere on WPT Join Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc. for the premiere airing of Jazz at Birch Creek, a new 90-minute broadcast concert from WPT featuring Birch Creek student bands and the Birch Creek Academy Jazz Orchestra recorded in August 2011. 8:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 On Wisconsin Public Television February Broadcasts of Jazz at Birch Creekon The Wisconsin Channel In February, Jazz at Birch Creek will air on the Wisconsin Channel, one of WPT's digital channels on the dates and times listed below. The Wisconsin Channel also offers a live simulcast stream of its programming on the Internet. If you do not receive The Wisconsin Channel, the broadcast may be accessed on the Internet by choosing "Wisconsin Channel" under the Wisconsin tab at wpt.org. You may also use the following direct link to view the program on the Internet at the times listed below: http://wpt.org/wisconsinchannel/index.cfm 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 3 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 For more information about Birch Creek's programs visit our website at www.birchcreek.org Sun, 29 Jan 2012 11:13:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/wisconsin-public-television-and-birch-creek-present-jazz-at-birc/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/valentine-s-day-cooking-class-at-coopers-corner/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 24, 2012) - Tuesday February 14th : Cooking Class at Coopers Corner Get interested in starting a long love affair with food this Valentine's Day at Cooper's Corner in Fish Creek. Join Executive Chef, Blake Schar, at this premiere cooking class to explore four purely Italian dishes. Take your sweetheart to visit Italy, where you speak with your hands and cook with your heart, and enjoy a fun night together learning the details on exceptional ingredients, professional techniques, and, of course, tasting your creations. Create your own special evening while sipping wine in our kitchen. Class starts at 6:00 p.m. and includes ingredients, equipment, instruction, recipes, dinner and wine. $40 per person or $75 a couple. Call Jaime at 800 551 5049 by February 10th for more details and to enroll. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:15:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/valentine-s-day-cooking-class-at-coopers-corner/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/jeanne-kuhns-and-lost-mothra-play-north-and-south/ STURGEON BAY/SISTER BAY, (Jan. 23, 2012) - Lost Mothra's, Jeanne Kuhns, George Sawyn, and Pat Palmer perform their brand of progressive original folk and cool covers just for you at two great shows! Singing north and south on the Door Peninsula next weekend! Friday, Jan. 27th at 6:30 pm at Glas Coffee Shop in Sturgeon Bay. Come out for great coffee and food and to gather with great people, come in out of the cold!! Saturday, Jan. 28th, 3-5pm at the Sister Bay Baptist Church. A special concert to benefit Nor Door Adult Day Care, a wonderful service for Door County. Please come out and support this organization! Mon, 23 Jan 2012 09:00:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/jeanne-kuhns-and-lost-mothra-play-north-and-south/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/seth-raddatz-performs-fireside-concert-at-dca/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 23, 2012) - Seth Raddatz will perform a Fireside Concert at the Door Community Auditorium on Saturday, January 28th, 7pm. Performing throughout the county since the age of 13, Seth Raddatz weaves folk-rock and country styles with haunting and heartfelt lyrics, ushering in the new folk generation. Influenced greatly by Neil Young, Conor Oberst, Mason Jennings, and of course, his father Mark Raddatz, his songs reflect a passion for life and the universal hardships that life brings. This fireside concert will feature many of Seth's original songs currently being recorded for his first solo album, due out in 2012, and a selection of favorites. Tickets for the Seth Raddatz Fireside Coffeehouse concert are $14 general, $11 youth, and may be purchased on line at www.dcauditorium.org, by phone at 920.868.2728, or at the box office Monday and Friday from 10 am – 3 pm and the day of the concert from 11 am – 3 pm. Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:23:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/seth-raddatz-performs-fireside-concert-at-dca/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/garnet-rogers-to-perform-at-white-gull-inn/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 19, 2012) – Singer-songwriter Garnet Rogers will be featured in concert Wednesday, February 22, at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. Tickets for the 8 PM concert, the fourth in a series of six scheduled at the inn this winter, are $16.00. Rogers, who last performed at the White Gull in 2009, has a large and loyal North American fan base. For nearly a decade he toured with his older brother, the late folk legend Stan Rogers. Before his tragic death, Stan said of his brother that “no other person can claim to be so much an influence on my music, or so indispensable to what I do as Garnet.” Most recently, Rogers has been performing with Greg Brown to sold-out venues. Hailed by the Boston Globe as a "charismatic performer and singer", Garnet is a man with a powerful physical presence - close to six and a half feet tall - with a voice to match. With his smooth, dark baritone, his incredible range, and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, Garnet is widely considered by fans and critics alike to be one of the finest singers anywhere. His music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. An optimist at heart, Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of the small victories of the everyday. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humor and lightning-quick wit move his audience from tears to laughter and back again. Audience members are encouraged by Rogers to bring non-perishable foods or items of personal care to the concert as donations to Feed My People. An optional pre-concert fixed price dinner will be served at 6 PM: the entrée is Carnitas pork fajitas, Mexican rice, blackened vegetables, and Tres Leches cake for dessert. The final two concerts of the season are the Steel Wheels, on March 28, and Special Consensus on April 11. Tickets, reservations for the optional pre-concert dinner and information on all concerts in the series can be obtained by calling the inn at 920-868-3517. Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:08:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/garnet-rogers-to-perform-at-white-gull-inn/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-seeks-musical-titles-for-baby-wants-candy-impr/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 13, 2012) – Peninsula Players seeks from the community creative and playful submissions of new musical titles they would like to see improvised by the improv troupe Baby Wants Candy Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Door Community Auditorium. Those interested may email their submissions to Alan Kopischke at alan@peninsulaplayers.com, and he will place submissions in a hat to be drawn by Baby Wants Candy that night. They will then improvise that musical on the spot, accompanied by piano. Baby Wants Candy will not see any submissions until they draw one from the hat. Peninsula Players and Door Community Auditorium have partnered to bring Baby Wants Candy, featuring Players favorite Erica Elam, to Door Community Auditorium as part of Fish Creek’s Winter Fest. Baby Wants Candy has performed over 1,700 completely improvised musicals to sold-out crowds from Singapore to Edinburgh. Community members submit titles of musicals that have never been performed before. A brief, improvised performance by Door County students who will have had an improvisation workshop with Baby Wants Candy the day before will open the show. Door Community Auditorium Director Cari Lewis said, “We are so pleased to partner with Peninsula Players to bring a fun event to Door County in the winter and to be able to provide a great opportunity for the students as well.” The Chicago Sun-Times calls Baby Wants Candy “Chicago’s most consistently funny and crowd-pleasing show!” Erica Elam has trained with Second City and performed with Baby Wants Candy for several seasons. Erica has had leading roles at the Players in “Born Yesterday,” “Comic Potential,” “Rumors” and “Panic!” Tickets are available through Door Community Auditorium at (920) 868-2728. Feb. 4 7:30pm Baby Wants Candy at Door Community Auditorium Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 76 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:26:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-seeks-musical-titles-for-baby-wants-candy-impr/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-reading-of-the-heart-is-a-lonely-hunter-at-bjo/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 16, 2012) – Peninsula Players will present a reading of Rebecca Gilman’s stage adaptation of Carson McCullers’ “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” Monday, Jan. 30 at Björklunden at 7 p.m. Produced in coordination with Door County Reads and its exploration of the novel, the reading will feature Players actors Lili-Anne Brown, Anya Kopischke, Osiris Khepera and Alan Kopischke, as well as local actors Mark Moede, Hervy Hodges, Chad Luberger, David Maier, Amy Ensign and Brandon Bogenschütz. Signing actor Robert Schlieffer will portray the pivotal role of the mute John Singer. Players Artistic Director Greg Vinkler and Players Development Director Alan Kopischke are directing the reading. Brown was last seen at the Players in “Little Shop of Horrors” and will appear Off-Broadway this fall in “A Twist of Water.” Khepera was in last season’s “A Few Good Men” and has created a one-man show he will launch in Chicago in February. Anya Kopischke is a Gibraltar High School junior who was last on stage with the Players in “A Little Night Music” and will perform in Door Idol in February and as Erma (Bonnie) in “Anything Goes” at Gibraltar in April. Schlieffer recently played John Singer in the Steppenwolf production of “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” in Chicago. Peninsula Players is fortunate to be able to work with some fine local talent. Moede, Hodges, Luberger and Ensign are all active in the Door County theatre community with such companies as American Folklore Theatre, Door Shakespeare, Isadoora Theatre Company, Third Avenue Playhouse and Theatre M. Bogenschütz is a Gibraltar senior who will play Sir Evelyn Oakleigh in “Anything Goes.” Maier, Managing Director of American Folklore Theatre, and Alan Kopischke both had long professional acting careers prior to their theatre administration careers in Door County. Door County Reads is in its second year, having grown out of the Library/Players partnership to bring The Big Read to Door County for three years. This year’s read focuses on the beautiful novel by Carson McCullers, “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” A full listing of events can be found at www.doorcountyreads.org. Peninsula Players is America’s oldest professional resident summer theater and is unique in the country for its diverse productions, continuing loyalty to a resident company, and its beautiful setting of 16 wooded acres along the cedar-lined shores of Green Bay. In the past 76 years, the theater has become a Door County landmark and its cornerstone arts institution, attracting audience members from throughout Wisconsin and across the country. Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:38:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-reading-of-the-heart-is-a-lonely-hunter-at-bjo/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/singer-songwriters-lou-and-berryman-return-to-white-gull-inn-for/ FISH CREEK, (Dec. 9, 2011) – The singer-songwriter duo Lou and Peter Berryman will be featured in concert Wednesday, January 11, at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. Tickets for the 8 PM concert, the third in a series of six scheduled at the inn this winter, are $16.00. The Berrymans were some of the first folk musicians booked at the White Gull winter concert series, established in 1985, and have returned for a sold out performance each January for the past 26 years. Critics describe their original music as “intelligent and wickedly funny material which is never bawdy or risque but is rich with wordplay and witty images.” Lou and Peter Berryman began their musical partnership in high school in Appleton, Wisconsin, in the nineteen sixties. By the eighties, they had established themselves as a prominent feature of the songwriting subculture of Wisconsin's capital, playing their original material every week for almost ten years in the run-down but trendy music room of Madison's Club de Wash. Gradually expanding their circuit, they began crisscrossing the continent and gaining national attention with appearances on such programs as Public Radio's A Prairie Home Companion and NPR's Weekend Edition. Regular appearances at festivals and folk music clubs all across the country now serve as venues for the songs contained in their twelve recordings and three songbooks, which have been performed by everyone from Garrison Keillor to Peter, Paul and Mary. An optional pre-concert fixed price dinner will be served at 6 PM. The menu consists of pork loin chop stuffed with Italian sausage, fennel garlic mashed potatoes and cranberry walnut pie for dessert. Price of the dinner is $19.95. Tickets for the concert, dinner reservations and information are available by calling the White Gull Inn at 800-624-1987. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:01:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/singer-songwriters-lou-and-berryman-return-to-white-gull-inn-for/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/local-preview-of-new-wisconsin-public-television-birch-creek-con/ EGG HARBOR, (Jan. 9, 2012) – Join Wisconsin Public Television (WPT) and Birch Creek Music Performance Center, Inc. for a preview of Jazz at Birch Creek, a new broadcast concert recorded in August 2011 by WPT at Birch Creek featuring the talents of Birch Creek student bands and its faculty band, the Birch Creek Academy Jazz Orchestra. A reception and screening will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 in Juniper Hall at Birch Creek 3 miles east of Egg Harbor on Hwy E. Several WPT guests will be on hand, and discussion about the making of the program will follow the screening with WPT Producer Deb Piper. There is no charge for this event that is open to the public, however, reservations are required. Call 920-868-3763 to make your reservations today. Donations will benefit the Birch Creek students. If you are unable to attend the preview event, Jazz at Birch Creek will air at 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30 on its “flagship channel” Wisconsin Public Television (WPT). The program will air again at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1; 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2; 3 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3; 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12; and 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 on the Wisconsin Channel, a WPT digital channel. It will be simultaneously streamed on the Web. To view the program on the Web, access it by choosing “Wisconsin Channel” under the Wisconsin tab at wpt.org. Birch Creek Music Performance Center is a summer music school for advanced young musicians from across the country. Students are taught by nationally known performers and educators during the day, and perform alongside them in concerts at night. Birch Creek focuses on providing its students with significant performance experience before live audiences. Several students from Wisconsin will be featured in the program as is faculty member David Bixler, who was born and raised in Racine. For additional information contact Birch Creek at (920)868-3763. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:14:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/local-preview-of-new-wisconsin-public-television-birch-creek-con/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-kevin-mckillip-s-will-rogers-an-american-origi/ FISH CREEK, (Jan. 7, 2011) – Get roped into Kevin McKillip’s “Will Rogers: An American Original” on stage at Third Avenue Playhouse Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 15 at 1 p.m. Will Rogers fashioned the American stand-up comic - Jay Leno, Jon Stewart and David Letterman all emerge from his shadow. Rogers died in plane crash in 1935 at the height of his career. Rogers had a daily syndicated column that ran in 400 newspapers, a national radio show and was the number one male box office draw for three years in a row. Not bad for a humble cowboy from Oklahoma. Rogers embodied the common man. There was little to no malice in his mirth. His observations are timeless and include: "Everyone is ignorant, only in different subjects." "Nothing you can't spell will ever work." "If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?" “Rumor travels faster, but it don’t stay put as long at truth.” “There’s no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.” “We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.” Actor and playwright McKillip researched Rogers’ transcripts, letters, columns and books and will star as the famous humorist/lasso artist. Rogers was in the Guinness Book of World Records for throwing three lassos at once. One went around the horse’s neck, another circled around the rider, and the third flew under the horse, looping all four legs. McKillip explained in an interview with Triblocal.com his fascination with Rogers. “There was no higher-profile man in America, hands downs,” McKillip said. “People don’t remember what a huge star he was. We have to rediscover that. That is part of the reason I first came to this. Additionally, what he wrote and what he said strikes such a relevant chord today. People have suggested that it is not Rogers - that is how contemporary some of his political commentary sounds and that is equally remarkable. “I am reading the words about the man speaking about the state of the economy and political discourse in the late 1930s and it sounds as though it could come off the TV last week. His opinions and his writings and his views could be pulled from today’s headlines. He had incredible insight, and if I can’t be Jon Stewart I can pretend to be Will Rogers.” McKillip is the recipient of a Tyrone Guthrie Award from the Stratford Festival of Canada and his regional theater credits include Milwaukee Repertory, American Players Theatre, Goodman Theatre and Court Theatre. McKillip’s recent Players credits include “A Few Good Men,” “Rumors,” “Is He Dead?” “God of Carnage,” “Noises Off,” “Born Yesterday” and “The Importance of Being Earnest.” Peninsula Players is a non-profit theater and a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers, and employs professional actors for all of its productions. Company members such as McKillip work in regional theaters from Los Angeles to New York, as well as in film, television and radio. McKillip is also a trained professional clown who can breathe and juggle fire, rides a unicycle and is on staff with Big Apple Circus with whom he performs at children’s hospitals. "McKillip manages something rare - a one man show that seems to encapsulate not only its subject but all of America as well.” - SteadstyleChicago.com “Will Rogers: An American Original” by and featuring Kevin McKillip is part of the Peninsula Players Presents, the Players’ new winter programming and tickets can be purchased through Third Avenue Playhouse at www.thirdavenueplayhouse.com or by phoning (920) 743-1760. “Will Rogers: An American Original” will perform Saturday, January 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, January 15 at 1 p.m. Tickets will also be available at the door and range $20 Adult, $18 Seniors, $10 Students. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:37:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/peninsula-players-kevin-mckillip-s-will-rogers-an-american-origi/ http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/guys-on-ice-sets-up-shanty-at-third-avenue-playhouse/ STURGEON BAY, (Jan. 7, 2011) – Third Avenue Playhouse opened its doors on October 26, 2000 with one of American Folklore Theatre's hit shows, Guys on Ice. Now, the two organizations are teaming up again to bring this celebrated show back to the Third Avenue Playhouse stage. Join everyone's favorite ice fishermen as they set up shanty at TAP for just three performances January 9 - 11. Sold-out houses from Wisconsin to Oregon to New York have embarked on this whirlwind ice-fishing tale, gaining wisdom about everything from the attributes of a snowmobile suit to romancing the checkout girl at the local grocery store. With songs such as "The Wishing Hole" and "Fish is the Miracle Food", Guys on Ice isn't just a musical - it's a journey through the secret culture of Northeastern Wisconsin ice fishermen. Anyone who has ever been curious about those little plywood shanties sitting on lake ice and what goes on inside them should find all questions answered with this heartwarming and witty musical comedy. Written by Fred Alley with music by James Kaplan, this charming play tells the story of two ice fishing buddies from Northern Wisconsin who talk and sing about life, love, and the one that got away. From their ice-fishing shanty, long-time pals Lloyd and Marvin keep warm with a mutual appreciation for good bait, cold beer, and the Green Bay Packers. As Marvin anxiously awaits his opportunity to appear on a cable TV fishing show and share secrets of his life on da' lake, Lloyd ponders a recent squabble with his wife concerning plans to spend their anniversary at Lambeau Field. Both pals scramble to protect their cold ones from fellow angler, Ernie the Moocher. AFT favorite, Doug Mancheski, returns as Marvin, a role that has defined his work at AFT. He fits into the role like a pair of comfortable old gloves. He knows - and obviously loves - the material, and takes fresh chances with each production. His Elvis-inspired "I Am the King" is still a highlight. Steve Koehler and Lee Becker will be playing Lloyd and Ernie the Moocher (respectively) for the show's 3-performance run at TAP. Performances are January 9th, 10th & 11th at 7:30 PM. Tickets for Guys on Ice are $20 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Tickets are on sale now at the Third Avenue Playhouse box office, located at 239 N. Third Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, (920) 743-1760. Box office hours are 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday, as well as one hour prior to all performances. Off-hours tickets are also available at the Dancing Bear or Java on Jefferson. For more information about Guys on Ice and other events at TAP, visit www.thirdavenueplayhouse.com. For more information about American Folklore Theatre, visit www.folkloretheatre.com. American Folklore Theatre is a non-profit professional theatre organization that produces original musical shows in repertory from June through August. AFT continues its performances into the fall with shows at the Door Community Auditorium September through October and over the Christmas holidays. American Folklore Theatre is a member of Theatre Wisconsin and the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), organizations that promote non-profit theatre groups. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 08:31:00 MST http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/guys-on-ice-sets-up-shanty-at-third-avenue-playhouse/