-
Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma written in a soft lyrical manner by Joanna Ho and richly illustrated by Teresa Martinez is a joyful celebration of a musical prodigy who went on to become a brilliant cellist and caring artist who could bring people and cultures together through music. His Bach Project during which he performed Bach’s six suites for the cello was presented in 36 locations world-wide. -
Maestro Libor Ondras, music director of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, talks with Judy Wagley about “Espana: From the Old World to the New World,” and exciting program, September 18, at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor.
-
The Gaylord Area Council for the Arts has launched a new platform for keeping northern Michigan connected to the arts. Executive director Lisamarie Tobin, talks with Judy about how “Arts Connect” will serve the region by providing a place where those seeking events, as well as those presenting events—can keep up to date. She also explains how the organization will continue to offer the virtual programs that kept artists’ creative juices flowing during the pandemic time. -
The Color Collector written by Nicholas Solis and illustrated by Renia Metallinou is an engaging picture book that speaks very naturally to a lot of important topics such as diversity, friendship, creativity and storytelling
-
Grand Rapids neighborhoods will soon be featured on the big screen. Branch Out Productions, an African American, women-led company, has started pre-production on its latest film, Block Party, centered in the Martin Luther King Park area.
-
Hope Elizabeth May, Professor of Philosophy at Central Michigan University, and Director of the Cora di Brazza Foundation, talks with Judy Wagley about A multi-faceted project that is in progress this week. It begins with a replica of the Portrait Monument to the Suffrage Pioneers, a statue on display at the Art Reach of Mid Michigan Gallery in Mount Pleasant until August 28, part of the 2021 Art Walk Central.
-
Dear Teacher, A Celebration of People Who Inspire Us written by Paris Rosenthal and illustrated by Holly Hatam is a thoughtful picture book about how much teachers encourage, teach and care for the children in their charge. It is designed to be a book that can be given directly to the child’s teacher. There’s a page that allows the child to identify the teacher being admired and a place for the child to sign it.
-
America the Beautiful written and illustrated by Wendell Minor with poem by Katharine Lee Bates is one of the most visually exciting picture books about America from “sea to shining sea” that has been produced. In the Introduction the author gives the reader background on poet Bates and her 1893 journey from Cape Cod to Pikes Peak ---making diary notes all the way about the beauty she saw.
-
The Ms. Wheelchair America competition has made its return this week, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced its cancellation in 2020. The competition celebrates the advocacy efforts, abilities and accomplishments of 30 women from across the country who use wheelchairs for mobility.
-
Bunheads is written lovingly by Misty Copeland and illustrated gracefully by Setor Fiadzgbey. It is a beautifully swirling narrative about Misty Copeland’s early days as a student of the ballet.
-
The Latino Community Coalition (LCC) is seeking nominations for a Latina women to name a downtown Grand Rapids alleyway after in the fall. The project, called HERencia, is part of the Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. alleyway activation initiative, aimed at creating permanent physical representation for communities in public spaces.
-
LISTEN written by Gabi Snyder and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin is an interesting walk through all the noise of the day and how to understand the difference between hearing and listening.
