May 1 - 31 - NCCA Exhibit: "Hot Wheels: Art of the Automobile and Motorcycle". This exhibit includes, painting, photography, sculpture, advertisements, and other memorabilia to capture our love of the automobile and motorcycle. Call 231-924-4022 or visit www.ncca-artsplace.org for further details.

May 10 - NCCA Art Festival and "Hot Wheels: Art of the Automobile and Motorcycle Show". 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Fremont Marketplace, located behind NCCA-Artsplace, downtown Fremont. Call 231-924-4022 or visit www.ncca-artsplace.org for further details.

May 12 - July 5 - NCCA Corridor Gallery Exhibit: Collector’s Prints of the Ducks Unlimited Stamp Series and antique hunting decoys, from the private collection of Kurt Lowdermilk. NCCA-Artsplace, 13 E. Main St, Fremont, 231-924-4022.

June 4 - June 28 West Michigan Potters Guild Exhibit at NCCA-Artsplace. Enjoy the fine examples of ceramic sculpture and functional pottery from the members of the West Michigan Potters Guild. Reception and presentation June 14, 10:00 a.m. - Noon. Contact NCCA-Artsplace 231-924-4022 or visit www.ncca-artsplace.org.

June 4 - July 19 - Tall Pines Quilt Guild Exhibit on display at Dogwood Center for Performing Arts. Enjoy some of the finest quilts by area guild members. NCCA-Artsplace, 231-924-4022.

June 19 - DEADLINE: for The Show - NCCA Regional Art Exhibition. For details and to download an application visit www.ncca-artsplace.org or call 231-924-4022.

Music Scene

May 15 – Fremont Christian School Festival of the Arts. Performances at 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center of the Performing Arts. School Showcase with performances by Choirs and Bands, with Art and Technology Displays in the lobby and Black Box. Free admission.

May 19 – Students of Phyllis Jansma, Piano & Cello Recital at 4:00 p.m. on the Main Stage of the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Free admission and the general public is invited to attend.

May 21 - Fremont High School/Middle School Band and Choir Concert, 7:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts, 231-924-8885.

May 31 – John Berry in Concert, 7:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. "What an awesome vocalist!" He is noted for the intense passion he has brought to such hits as "Your Love Amazes Me" and "Standing on the Edge of Goodbye." Tickets on sale at the Dogwood Center Box Office, open Monday - Friday, from 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or call (231) 924-8885. Single tickets - $30; and VIP tickets are $100 or $150 for two and include a meet and greet dinner at Spanky’s Pizza with John Berry. Concert sponsored by Fremont Public Schools.

June 2 – Students of Thea Hoekman, Piano Recital 7:00 p.m. on the Main Stage of the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Free admission and the general public is invited to attend.

June 7 – Dave Bennett’s Tribute to Benny Goodman – Main Stage – 7:30 p.m. - $15.00. Twenty-year old Michigan clarinetist Dave Bennett is an authentic musical prodigy who brings to life the classic sound and music of Benny Goodman with incredible technique, style, beauty of tone and naturalness. Tickets are available at the door or advanced tickets can be purchased at the Dogwood Center Box Office, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 231-924-8885 to order by credit card.

June 12 – Fremont Chamber Summer Concert Series: The Braunschweiger Blues Band – 7:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park amphitheater. This popular local band will create a fun and entertaining experience for any audience. Enjoy dancing, bring your friends or make new friends, and have lots of fun. Contact Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce for details, 231-924-0770.

June 19 - Fremont Chamber Summer Concert Series: Grand Rapids Accordion Ensemble - 7:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park amphitheater. Need we say more! This group is one of the Summer Concert attendee’s favorites and requested back! A 30+ member ensemble, young and old, from all around Western Michigan play eclectic arrangements of golden oldies, patriotic music, and ethnic music such as polkas, Dixieland and novelty numbers. Contact Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce for details, 231-924-0770.

June 26 - Fremont Summer Concert Series: Missy K & A Mess a Bluegrass – 7:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park amphitheater. New to the summer concert series for 2008, the Missy K & A Mess a Bluegrass is a local band that has performed at the Great Northern Music Hall in Howard City. They are sure to entertain and delight the bluegrass / country music lover. Contact Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce for details, 231-924-0770.

June 27 - Steppin’ Out! with Mary Rademacher and Rick Reuther – Black Box – 7:30 p.m. – $10.00. Great songs and great singers! You will be delighted with "Cabaret," "NYNY," "All That Jazz," "Mack the Knife," and more in a dynamic variety show, weaving humor, trivia, dance, and harmony together. Tickets are available at the door or advanced tickets can be purchased at the Dogwood Center Box Office, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or call 231-924-8885 to order by credit card.

July 3 – Fremont Summer Concert Series: Mandy G & the Sax Family – 7:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Park amphitheater. Mandy Grezeszak has performed across the United States, including performances at two world saxophone conferences. She performs on five different saxophones, from the common alto to the world’s smallest and rarest soprillo. Contact Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce for details, 231-924-0770.

Theatre Spotlight

May 7 & 8 - AUDITIONS: The Dogwood Center’s Summer Youth Theatre presents Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour Lost – Directed by Chelsea Webb. May 7 at 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. or May 8 at 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Students Ages: 7th Grade thru College. Performance Dates begin July 11 and end July 20, 2008. For more information or to reserve a slot call Chelsea Webb at 231-924-6358 or the Dogwood Center at 231-924-8885.

May 8, 9, and 10 - Fremont High Theatre, presents "Rebel Without a Cause", 7:30 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door or from the Dogwood Box Office, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday Adults $10 in advance or $12 at the door; students $5; senior citizens free with Community School Pass.

May 27 - AUDITIONS: The Dogwood Players present CLUE the Musical - Directed by Michael Coon, Book by Peter DePietro. Music by Galen Blum, Wayne Barker and Vinnie Martucci. Lyrics by Tom Chiodo. Performance dates begin July 25 and end August 3, 2008. 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Please bring 16 bars of music with sheet music. For more information or to reserve a slot call 231-924-8885 Walk-ins are welcome!

May 30 and 31 - LionHeart Productions presents "ONE ACTS" : Instructions to the Audience, The Eskimos Have Landed, and Hotel Frankenstein, a series of two one act plays and a monologue will be held at the Grant Fine Arts Center. These are offered in a seminar form to 8th grade through adults. There will be no auditions. No experience necessary and shows will be put on within 45 days of the first rehearsal! This is a great way to see if the theatre "bug" is for you. Open to all area residents. If you have questions please contact Bruce Majeske at 231-834-5238.

June 13 - 14 – Annual Dance Recital of the Louanne Courtright Dance Studio, 7:30 p.m. performances on the Main Stage of the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring dancers from age three through fifty-three, each class will illustrate an aspect of Newaygo County/Fremont life. Always a colorful and entertaining show, this year’s recital promises to pull on the ‘our town’ heart strings. The general public is invited. Tickets are $8 for Adults and $5 for Students. Please contact the Louanne Courtright Dance Studio at 231-924-4288 for more information.

Literary Arts

May 5 and June 2 - Genealogy Chat in the Local History Room at Fremont Area District Library, 6:30 p.m. For more information, please call 928-0253.

May 12 - Wednesday Night Readers will be discussing Pursuit of Happiness by Chris Gardner, 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Area District Library. For more information, please call 928-0253.

May 15 , June 5 & 26 - Writers Group meets 1:00 p.m. at the Fremont Area District Library to discuss writing topics and the writing life, and give critiques and support. The group meets every 3 weeks by the Northeast Fireplace in the library.

June 4 - Wednesday Night Readers will be discussing In the Company of Heroes by Michael Durant, 7:00 p.m. at the Fremont Area District Library. For more information, please call 928-0253.

Etcetera

May 17 - Herb Walks by Amanda Jones, 10:00 a.m. Call Hit the Road Joe cafe, 231-652-6020.

May 17 – NCRESA "2008 Cosmetology Fashion Show" 7:00 p.m. at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts. Fashion Show held by Cosmetology II students. Open to the general public. Donations will be accepted with proceeds going to Newaygo County Care for Cause, a local oncology unit serving breast cancer patients.

May 23 - 25 - Memorial Weekend Festival - Brooks Park Downtown Newaygo, enjoy arts and crafts, bake sale, candle light vigil, chicken BBQ, kids games and more. Newaygo Area Chamber of Commerce, 231-652-3068.