Popular Grand Rapids Band comes to St. Johns February 26
The Wilson Collective is excited to announce its third concert of the year on Friday, February 26, featuring the popular Grand Rapids indie-folk band “Olivia Mainville and the Aquatic Troupe.” Opening acts include the Owosso indie-pop band “Great Lakes Feather Company,” and St. Johns’ own Aidan Pope of the alt-country band “The American Automobile,” performing a solo set of songs on the program.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the historical Wilson Center Auditorium in St. Johns.
“Olivia Mainville and the Aquatic Troupe,” known for their energized dynamic performances and their gargantuan musical talent, recently released their acclaimed debut album “Maybe The Saddest Thing” last December. The versatile band identifies as Midwest gypsy swing rock and indie-folk, incorporating different instruments, such as violin, accordion, trumpet, and omnichord, into their carefully constructed songs.
Band members include Mainville, Andy Fettig, Bleu Quick, Libby DeCamp, and Ian Burke. The troupe has been touring Michigan seemingly nonstop with such groups as the popular folk band “Caravan of Thieves.” The Grand Rapids band has performed at the popular Wheatland Festival and Blissfest in Harbor Springs, along with notable venues such as “The Majestic” in Detroit, and “The Ark” in Ann Arbor.
“We are very excited about bringing such a unique band to St. Johns,” says Bill Tennant, one of the supporters of the concert, and a co-founder of the Wilson Collective. “We’re hoping that students and adults alike come out to hear this outstanding group as well as the opening musicians.”
The Owosso band “Great Lakes Feather Company” will open the show with their unique blend of indie-pop, rock, and elements of electronic music. “We’ll be performing a combination of songs from albums and EP’s I have made over the last five years,” says bandleader Miles Winchester. His long-time collaborator and friend, who performs under the title of “Young Linners,” will accompany him. They are part of the bustling Shiawassee music scene and are influenced by synthpop, hip-hop, and 90’s alt-rock with a nostalgic appeal.
Singer-songwriter Pope of the band “The American Automobile,” will perform a set of solo acoustic folk songs. “The songs are completely new,” says Aidan, when talking about his set. “My band is currently in the process of recording them for our first album”. Pope is influenced by artists such as Simon Joyner, Wilco, and Galaxie 500 and is also one of the co-founders of the Wilson Collective.
Admission to the concert is $6 at the door. The Wilson Center Auditorium is located at 101 W. Cass St., near downtown St. Johns and across from the Clinton County Court house.
For more information about The Wilson Collective and/or upcoming concerts and events, please visit the Wilson Center Auditorium web site at: www.wilsoncenterauditorium.org and/or the Wilson Center Auditorium Facebook page
Theatre Department earns awards
Check out the award winners from Regional competition. Excellence awards were earned for lighting design, lighting execution, program design, pit orchestra, acting ensemble, and acting for the role of Molly. They claim it was their best performance of this show to date.
The Regional competition was held at Avondale High School in Auburn Hills last Saturday. Students presented a free performance for the community on Wednesday evening.
Coffee and Conversation with the Superintendent
Take advantage of an informal opportunity to ask questions and hear information from St. Johns Public School Superintendent Dr. Dedrick Martin. Topics to be discussed include the financial health of the district and the district’s Facilities Committee report.
The event will take place on February 29, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at The Wheel Inn 1825 S. US 27 St. Johns, MI 48879.
For more information, please go to http://www.sjredwings.org/facility-committee-/
Helping You to Move Through Your Grief – Beginning March 3
Grief Recovery is a bereavement support group that will start meeting on the 1st, 2nd, and 4th week of March.
The first meeting will be on March 3rd from 7-8 pm at Sparrow Clinton Hospital, 3rd floor Conference Room.
If you choose to, you may bring a friend to help support you during your healing process. We encourage you to utilize and participate in the therapeutic value of this group.
For more information, call Maralyn at 989-224-7963 or Dick at 989-224-7237.
Giant LAFCU letters garner Michigan Innovation Award
LANSING, Mich. – LAFCU has won the 2016 Innovation Award from the Michigan Credit Union League for its 6-foot-tall letters that are part of a marketing campaign aptly titled “Down to the Letter.”
Larger than an average person, the huge blue letters were first introduced in a TV commercial with a team of 12 LAFCU employees constructing them, exemplifying teamwork and LAFCU’s 80-year history of building strength and integrity. The commercial began airing in late September. They are also being placed at numerous events in LAFCU communities, gaining considerable recognition.
“The LAFCU letters have become a fun way to call attention to our name change, our history, our services and our mission,” said LAFCU CEO Robin Frucci. “The letters are our big, friendly ambassadors, and we are thrilled the campaign was chosen by the MCUL to receive the 2016 Innovation Award.”
The mid-Michigan credit union changed its name from Lansing Automakers Federal Credit Union to LAFCU in 2013. The change was necessary because it had replaced its federal charter with a state charter, which prohibits the word “federal” in a credit union’s name.
The LAFCU letters have appeared at several events including Jazz on the Grand in Lansing, Oktoberfest in Owosso, Urban Air in Eaton Rapids, and most recently, the Phil Denny & Friends Christmas Collective in Lansing.
