Dogwood Festival kicks off
Published 8:11 am Saturday, May 12, 2012
When it comes to offering the finest in fine arts, the Dogwood Festival covers all the senses.
Music, art, food and literature.
What more could a fine arts buff ask for?
Widely considered to be one of the area’s best-kept secrets, the Dogwood Festival draws high-profile authors, musicians and chefs to Dowagiac every year.
This year is no exception.
Headliners of the 21st annual festival May 11-20 include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Dave Mason, storyteller Angela Lloyd, artist Hank Feeley, and returning favorites Toast ‘n Jam and the Dogwood Tea.
The Beckwith Theatre will also host a screening of “The Wonder Boys” based on one of Chabon’s novels.
For food lovers, the American Culinary Federation Team USA will perform a live cooking demonstration.
There should be something for just about everyone to enjoy.
For more information, contact the Dogwood Fine Arts Festival by phone at 866-490-2847 or email at mail@dogwoodfinearts.org.
Dogwood Festival
In Dowagiac
May 11-20
MAY 11
Pulitzer Prize Winner Michael Chabon
Where: Performing Arts Center, Dowagiac Middle School, 57028 Riverside Dr.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Pulitzer prize winning author of “The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay”. Two of Chabon’s novels, “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” and “Wonder Boys” have ben made into critically-acclaimed movies.
Cost: Tickets $60, $25, $20
MAY 12
Toast ‘n’ Jam, Music For Kids
Where: Dogwood Festival Headquarters, Huntington Bank Building, 207 Commercial St.
When: 2 p.m.
What: Lake Effect Winds performs a hands-on interactive approach to classical music aimed at children ages 3-12.
Cost: Free
“Wonder Boys” Film Screening
Where: Beckwith Theatre, 100 New York Ave.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Film adaptation of a Michael Chabon novel. Directed by Chris Hanson and featuring Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Toby McGuire, Robert Downey Jr., and Katie Holmes.
Cost: Free
MAY 14
Visual Arts Featuring Artist Hank Feeley
Where: Dale A. Lyons Building Theatre, Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Rd.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Feeley, former CEO of Leo Burnett Co., expresses his lifelong obsession with art through color and texture.
Cost: Free
MAY 15
Story Master Class with Angela Lloyd
Where: Dogwood Festival Headquarters, Huntington Bank Building, 207 Commercial St.
When: 7-9 p.m.
What: Explore your creative side with a workshop on story and character creation, acting, presentation and publication with Lloyd.
Cost: $10
MAY 16
Family Performance with Storyteller Angela Lloyd
Where: Dale A. Lyons Building Theatre, Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Rd.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Lloyd has been featured a tht eNational Storytelling Festival and appears regularly at regional festivals and theatres.
Cost: $6
MAY 17
Youth Fine Arts Night & Scholarship Award
Where: Dowagiac Union High School, 701 W. Prairie Ronde St.
When: 6 p.m.
What: Celebration of young artists showcases and presentation of Dogwood Festival’s student scholarship.
Cost: Free.
MAY 18
ACF Culinary Olympics, Team USA
Where: Performing Arts Center, Dowagiac Middle School, 57028 Riverside Dr.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Team USA presents a live cooking demonstration from stage.
Cost: $50, $25, $20, $10
MAY 19
Dogwood Tea
Where: Mathews Conference Center/East, Southwestern Michigan College, 58900 Cherry Grove Rd.
When: 1 p.m.
What: Flavorful teas and tasty treats.
Cost: $18
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason
Where: Performing Arts Center, Dowagiac Middle School, 57028 Riverside Dr.
When: 7:30 p.m.
What: Co-founder of rock band Traffic, Mason’s best known songs are “Feeling Alright,” “Hole in My Shoe,” “Only You Know and I Know” and “We Just Disagree.”
Cost: $40, $30, $20
MAY 11-20
Up Front Art Walk
Where: Displayed in downtown Dowagiac merchant windows on and adjacent to Front St.
When: All week
What: Juried art show featuring original works from southwest Michigan and northern Indiana artists. Public vote.
Cost: Free
