Welcome to Door County's quick and happy read. In addition to this week's front page articles found below, we invite you to enjoy over 600 stories from all past issues of the magazine, contained in our archives. Use the search fields below to find what you're interested in.
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.
Third
Avenue Playhouse is launching a new series called Tuesdays at TAP.
Every Tuesday there will be a concert at TAP to benefit a local
nonprofit. This series starts on February 14th and the featured
nonprofit is United Way of Door County.
The concert starts at 7:30 pm. The artist is Hans Christian. Hans
Christian’s unmistakable cello playing moves the listener with a
haunting beauty, and his use of various ethnic string instruments
expresses a universal musical language that transcends boundaries,
cultures, and generations. This concert is a kick-off toappearances around the world.
On
Saturday, February 11, at 7 p.m., six Door County teens will compete
for the title of 2012 Door County Idol. This highly anticipated annual
event serves as both a vibrant community gathering and as a celebration
of Door County’s abundant homegrown talent.
From dozens of auditioning students, Door County Idol screeners have
chosen six finalists for this year’s competition.
Peninsula
Players will present a reading of Rebecca Gilman’s stage adaptation of
Carson McCullers’ “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter” Monday, January 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.
Door
Community Auditorium’s popular winter event series is well underway and
will continue this weekend with an intimate fireside concert on
Saturday evening by popular local singer-songwriter Seth Raddatz, as
well as a free movie showing on Friday night and a lecture about the
U.S. educational system on Saturday morning.
Seth Raddatz will
play in the DCA fireside lobby at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 28. Door
County audiences may recognize Seth Raddatz as the son of veteran local
folksinger Mark Raddatz, but after writing and performing in Door County
for several years, Seth has developed his own reputation and following
on the peninsula.
The
Peninsula Music Festival will present its annual chamber music series,
February Fest, on Saturday, February 11 and Friday, February 17. The
chamber music series was started to feature PMF orchestra musicians
during the off season to highlight the depth of the talent in the
Festival Orchestra as well as make concerts available to the local
community during a quieter time on the Peninsula. The February Fest is
made possible thanks to sponsorships from Doug Peterson and Joan E.
Mills, Gen Follingstad, and the Peninsula Music Festival Sustaining
Committee.
Jewelry
and home décor are distinctive ways to show off your personality and
appreciate different cultures. The Santa Fe Shop in Fish Creek, Wis.
offers a wide variety of items from around the world. The shop features
several spectacular artists, but carries the largest selection of Sergio
Bustamante jewelry in the United States and Canada.
Internationally
recognized in the world of creative arts and crafts, Bustamante is
especially known for his gold and silver jewelry, as well as his
sculptures. His work encompasses a variety of art forms, including
resin, ceramics and bronze.
On
January 20 and 21, Door Community Auditorium will provide the second
installment of its 2012 lecture, concert, and movie screening series.
After a Friday evening showing of the hit film Super 8, DCA will present
a Saturday morning lecture about academic biblical interpretation and a
Saturday evening concert by well-known local folksinger Katie Dahl.
Katie Dahl will play
as part of DCA’s Coffehouse Concert series at 7 p.m. on Saturday,
January 21, having played to a sellout crowd at the DCA in 2010. Known
for the easy humor of her live performances, the depth and power of her
alto voice, and the poignant candor of her original music, Dahl has
gained a strong reputation in Door County from her solo shows as well as
her work with American Folklore Theatre and Door Shakespeare. She tours nationally on a regular basis and has shared the stage with such respected songwriters as Julie Gold and Dar Williams.
When
it comes to finding a fun and supportive place for impromptu
performances of the latest song, poem, or comedy sketch you've either
just written or had laying in a drawer for thirty years, all roads lead
to Sturgeon Bay. And we're not talking just locals. WRiTERS' NiGHT at
the Holiday Music Motel in downtown Sturgeon Bay is an open mic
opportunity for songwriters, poets, playwrights, storytellers, authors,
comedians, and
so forth. Visitors from all over the country and even the world have
stopped in to participate or just hang out.
The
gathering happens almost every Thursday evening of the year from 7:00 -
9:00 pm in the cozy lobby of this musician-owned lodging establishment,
a charming retro motel reminiscent of the 1950s; in fact, it was a
landmark place to stay in the area back in that day, and has been
totally restored to that look and feel as a friendly "Mom & Pop"
type place.
At
the final concert of the Peninsula Music Festival’s August 2011 season,
Music Director and Conductor Victor Yampolsky announced the new
concertmaster of the Festival Orchestra. Igor Yuzefovich will take over
the duties effective with the 60th Anniversary Season in August of 2012.
The Festival held auditions for the chair over a two-year period of
time seeing five different candidates. Each violinist led the orchestra
for one week of the August season and was also a featured soloist.
On
January 13 and 14, Door Community Auditorium will begin the new year
with a bang, by kicking off its 2012 lecture, concert, and movie
screening series. After a Friday evening showing of Brad Pitt’s hit
movie Moneyball, DCA will present a Saturday morning lecture about the
Supreme Court and a Saturday evening concert by popular local bluegrass
band Highland Road.
Highland Road will kick off DCA’s Coffeehouse Concert series at 7 p.m.
on Saturday, January 14. Highland Road are familiar favorites in the DCA
Coffeehouse series, having played to sold-out houses in both 2009 and
2010.
This winter, the Door Community Auditorium presents a series of events
sure to stimulate the mind, the heart and the funny bone. Comprised of
coffeehouse concerts, free lectures, complimentary film screenings, and the
perennially popular Door County Idol, the Auditorium’s diverse winter lineup brings
a great depth of musical, intellectual, and cultural enrichment to Fish Creek
and Door County. On the Mainstage The winter season consists of three mainstage presentations.On December 30, Wagner-Guthrie
Entertainment presents crooner Steve March Tormé (son of the legendary Mel
Tormé).Steve March Tormé is known
for wowing audiences with his delivery of jazz standards, Broadway favorites,
and original songs. On February 4, DCA partners with Peninsula Players and Fish
Creek Winter Fest to present Baby Wants Candy, an entirely improvised and
hysterical 60-minute musical. And, on February 11, teens from across the Door Peninsula
compete for the title of 2012 Door County Idol.
Suzanne Graff and Jerry Gomis have been the life blood of Door Shakespeare for 13 seasons. The
Board of Directors thanks Suzanne and Jerry for their years of
commitment in developing Door Shakespeare to one of the artistic gems in
Door County. With the departure
of Suzanne and Jerry, the Board is committed to continuing the quality
entertainment that our patrons have come to expect.
Ryan Schabach, an
actor and director for Door Shakespeare and other national theaters, has
agreed to assist the Board with its immediate need of interim artistic
leadership while we engage a search committee to fill these leadership
roles.
Ernest Beutel (right) congratulates his art mentor, Tom Seagard, the newest addition to the Door County Master Artist honor roll.
On
Saturday afternoon, Nov. 12, a crowd of artists and arts supporters
gathered at the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay for the annual Door
County County Art League exhibition and the reception honoring the new
Door County Master Artist. DCAL
president, Marcia Nickols, announced that Tom Seagard is the Door
County Master Artist for 2011. The award was presented to Tom by one of
his students, artist Ernest Beutel.
Get
into the holiday spirit with "All Is Calm", the true story of the way
one young soldier’s courage led to an extraordinary night of
camaraderie, music, and peace.
Performed
by acclaimed Twin Cities vocal ensemble Cantus and Theater Latté Da,
"All Is Calm" tells the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, in which
soldiers on both sides of World War I set down their weapons and entered
into no man’s land to celebrate Christmas together.
As
its 25th anniversary year draws to a close, the Door County Art League
will celebrate its history and traditions with a winter/holiday-themed
exhibit — “Deck the Halls with Art” — Nov. 12 to Dec. 28 at the Miller
Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, WI.
Reflecting
the spirit of the season, “Deck the Halls” will feature 2-D and 3-D art
in a wide range of media from 68 art league members. Over 150 new works
(never before exhibited) will be on display, including oils, pastels,
watercolors, acrylics and multi-media creations. Many items will be
offered for sale.
According
to Marcia Nickols, DCAL vice president, the exhibit will open with a
reception and awards ceremony on Sat., Nov. 12, 2-4 p.m. at the Miller
Art Museum in the Sturgeon Bay public library.
Open auditions for Door County youths ages 15-19 will take place the week of November 14 at Door County high schools.
Gibraltar HS - Monday, November 14 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Sevastopol HS - Tuesday, November 15 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Sturgeon Bay HS - Wednesday, November 16 from 4:00 p.m.-5:15 p.m. Southern Door HS - Thursday, November 17 from 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Oribe ‘Rock’ Vase by John Dietrich of Ellison Bay Pottery.
Ellison
Bay is holding its annual Fall Art Crawl on Saturday, October 22
starting at 10:00 am, running through Sunday, October 23 at 1:00 pm. Nine
Art Galleries and Schools in Ellison Bay host their Fall Art Crawl
featuring guest artists, demonstrations and new work for the Holidays
along with creative and tasty treats along the way. Maps will be available at all the locations. Here's the list:
A
little slice of New York City comes to Fish Creek on October 27 and 28,
when two of the hottest bands from Brooklyn’s thriving roots music
scene play at the Door Community Auditorium.
Thursday, October 27, from 3-5 p.m., Howard Fishman and The Hot Holy
Mess will host a free Songwriting and Improvisational Workshop for high
school music students. Students are instructed to bring instruments and
open minds. Workshop participants will also receive one complimentary
ticket to Fishman and The Hot Holy Mess’ Main Stage performance the
following evening, Friday, October 28.
The Gallery of the Door
County Art League at the Top of the Hill shops in Fish Creek will be
open daily—10 a.m. to 5 p.m.—until the October 16 season closing.
Featuring over 35 DCAL member artists, the exhibits include paintings,
photography, jewelry and pottery. The gallery is coordinated by Penny
Pfister and Sherry Mutchler.
Wednesdays just got WACKY! Door
Shakespeare wants everyone, especially the ‘locals’ to join in the
frivolity of its first-ever Fall season offering, "The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (Abridged)!" by presenting Wacky Wednesday evening
performances, October 5 and 12, at the unheard of low price of just $15
per ticket.
The
second annual showing of "Small Works of Art" will be presented by the
Door County Art League (DCAL) at the Sister Bay Village Hall on Saturday
and Sunday, Oct. 8-9.
According to
DCAL Exhibits Chairperson Pat Olson, "This show features an array of
affordable, creative works of art - perfect for holiday gift-giving. Our
members are offering oils, acrylics, collage, pastels, woodcarvings,
watercolors. All art will be 11"x14" or smaller."
Mary
Gehm will demonstrate how she creates artistic arrangements from
petals, twigs and leaves for her unique note cards and collage art at
the Door County Art League's September 26th meeting, 7:00 p.m., at the
Gibraltar Fire Station on County F. All who attend will have the
opportunity to create their own floral composition with natural
materials provided by Mary.
Legendary
Jazz Artist Rick DellaRatta will be in Sturgeon Bay to donate his time
and talents to raise funds for Door County Renaissance Development
Group. The benefit concert will take place at the Oasis Center of the
Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1756 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, on
Friday, September 30, 2011 at 6:00 PM. Advance ticket prices are $25
and at the door $35. Thanks
to Door County business sponsors: Door County Realty, Welcome Home
Realty, W.E. Construction, Village Green Lodge, Peninsula Vision Care,
Peninsula Jeweler, Spa Verde, and Sandra Stetler - LMT; a limited
number of FREE VIP tickets are available.
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
through the fall each Saturday with provocative topics and lively
sessions. Cast members from the current production of "God of Carnage"
Joe Foust, Maggie Carney, Karen Janes Woditsch and Kevin McKillip will
lead three of the remaining four seminars which are held from 2:30 - 4
p.m. in the rehearsal hall. Seminars are held during the run of the
award-winning rollercoaster-ride comedy playing through Oct. 16 at the
Theatre-in-a-Garden.
One
of the most popular fundraising events of the Peninsula Music Festival
is "Help Program the Season". For the second year in a row, Conductor
Victor Yampolsky has given the Festival audience a chance to pick the
overture that will open the season. The 2011 season opened with Verdi's
Overture to Nabucco. Now it is time for Festival friends to cast their
vote for the overture that will open the 60th season in August 2012.
Since
1935, Peninsula Players has been entertaining and delighting Door
County audiences in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. In conjunction with its fall
season the Players will offer public tours of its stage house and
all-weather audience pavilion. Free backstage tours will begin at 2
p.m. Sundays, Sept. 18, Sept. Sept. 25. and Oct. 2.
"Patrons
have the rare opportunity to go backstage and glimpse into the life of
an actor by visiting the dressing rooms and set of 'God of Carnage,'"
said Audra Baakari Boyle, Players Business Manager.
As
the fall season descends, two natural phenomena occur, the sun sets a
little earlier each day and the Peninsula Players Theatre changes its
curtain times. Peninsula Players Theatre, America's oldest professional
resident summer theater, is located off Highway 42 between Egg Harbor
and Fish Creek along the cedar-lined shores of Door County.
"Many of our
patrons come to the theatre early to enjoy the gardens and to watch the
sun setting over the bay," said Players Business Manager Audra
Baakari-Boyle.
Cottage
Row Framing and Gallery will host a Meet the Artist Opening Reception
featuring Jack Anderson on Saturday, September 17th from 10:00am -
1:00pm. The gallery is located in the big red barn at Orchard Country.
The exhibit will feature new original watercolors, new prints, and new note cards.
On
September 18, American guitar virtuoso Leo Kottke will take the stage
at the Door Community Auditorium in Fish Creek. Famous for his unique
blend of guitar-based jazz, blues, and folk, and for his unparalleled
instrumental sophistication, Kottke will deliver a one-of-a-kind concert
that should not be missed.
Leo
Kottke is a self-styled guitarist with an unconventional picking style
who has continued to innovate and experiment throughout his long and
illustrious career.
"God of Carnage" actors Joe Foust and Kevin McKillip.
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
Sept. 17 with an interactive discussion of the actors' preparation
process for the current production of "God of Carnage."
Players company members Joe Foust and Kevin McKillip will share stories
and methods and take questions in "An Actor Prepares" from 2:30 - 4 p.m.
in the theatre.
"God of Carnage" makes it Wisconsin premiere at Peninsula Players Theatre-in-a-Garden Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Yasmina
Reza's multiple award-winning comedy, "God of Carnage" makes its
Wisconsin premiere at Peninsula Players Theatre-in-a-Garden Wednesday,
Sept. 7, for a six-week run, with 4 p.m. matinees, Sunday, Sept. 11 and
Oct. 9 and 16. "God of Carnage," by Reza and translated by Christopher
Hampton, earned three Tony Awards for Best Play, Best Direction and
Best Actress for Marcia Gay Harden who starred in the Broadway
production with Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and James Gandolfini.
On
Saturday and Sunday, September 3 - 4, from 10 am - 5 pm you are invited
to stroll the grounds at Charlene's Gallery Ten, populated with working
artists, adorned with tents and art work on display.
Meet and
talk with local and regional artists at work in their open-air studios,
creating all manner of art. The 11th Annual Gills Rock ArtFest brings
together a bevy of plein air painters, custom jewelry makers, potters
and even a cairn builder, all at work outdoors.
Eric Lewis and Friends are set to perform at the Fishstock Concert Series on Sunday, September 4 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00.
Door
County's favorite bluegrass performer returns to Fishstock for the final
show of the season! Eric Lewis is a multi-instrumentalist who performs
and records with some of the top Memphis artists.
Kay Allmand and Mark Moede. Photo credit: Suzi Hass.
Door
Shakespeare will present fall performances of The Complete Works of
William Shakespeare (Abridged)! Performances will be held at The
Ephraim Village Hall, September 29 through October 16, Wednesday through
Sunday performances following the Thursday opening. A special Sunday
'Mantinee' will be held on October 9th at 1:30 p.m. so that any men who
want to attend won’t miss out on their favorite football game that
evening!
Jeremy & Jenni Evensen with some "raw materials" used to produce art work & jewelry.
Do
you have any old silverware from Grandma's place that sparkled in
yesteryear but sits idle and tarnished in a fancy case or a cardboard
box? So do Jenni and Jeremy Evensen of Sturgeon Bay. But these young
folks are artists, and they are going to use these worn and tired vintage objects to
produce wonderful pieces of jewelry and art - and you're probably not.
In
fact, JJ Evensen Art, (the JJ of course stands for Jeremy and Jenni)
seeks out just about as much silverware of all ages, qualities, shapes,
condition, and size as they can.
Peninsula
Players Theatre's popular series of free public seminars continues
August 27 with golf stories and jokes as well as behind the scenes
discussion of running a golf course and golf tournaments.
Peninsula State Park Golf Course General Manager Jason Daubner will be
joined by Players actor and avid golfer Tim Monsion in "Bogeys,
Backswings and Birdies, Oh My!" from 2:30 - 4 pm in the theatre.
Chris Irwin and Friends return to the Woodwalk Concert series this Friday, August 26th. Irwin
describes his music as country/bluegrass and indie, as he brings his
original tunes and favorite folk style tunes to the his show.
Known
for his years as an actor and singer at American Folklore Theater
presentations and for concerts with Lewis and Burroughs, he brings his
music home to Door County every summer.
Artist
"Skye" silkscreens John Dylan's lyrics into huge fabric panels in an
art installation she is calling "Shakespeare's in the Alley". This body
of work will frame the stage at the Woodwalk Concert: "Buckets Of Rain:
The Songs of Bob Dylan", Sept 1-3 and and 8-9 at 7:00 pm. You will also
be able to visit this display during normal Woodwalk Gallery hours for
that week.
Skye describes her artistic vision. "I became enamored with Bob Dylan, his life, writing and music, a few
springs ago, after watching the Martin Scorcese film about him, No
Direction Home."
Updated constantly ... What's going on in Door County
Welcome to DoorCountyTravelersJournal.com!
If you are looking for interesting places to visit and things to do, you're in the right place. This online magazine features articles that help you get the most out of your vacation in Wisconsin's magical Door Peninsula. Get useful visitor information and be sure to check out our Kids Edition to find places that children like to go. The opinions and recommendations herein are solely those of our contributing writers. Event information subject to change without notice.
We also publish articles of interest to local residents. Submissions and story ideas are welcome.