The Angel Next Door is a love letter to the theatre where lovers are reunited, misunderstandings are untangled, and a happy ending is (mostly) guaranteed. Now at Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) on the campus of Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan through March 9, 2025 Written by Paul Slade Smith, The Angel Next Door is adapted from Ferenc Molnar’s three-act farce, The Play at the Castle (1924) and MBT is one of the first theatres to produce Smith’s version of the show. All the … [Read more...]
Rochester Community Concert Band presents ‘A Musical Pastiche’
The Rochester Community Concert Band (RCCB) will present their opening concert of the 2024-2025 season titled ‘A Musical Pastiche’ on Tuesday, October 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stoney Creek High School Auditorium, 6755 Sheldon Road, Rochester Hills, MI. Park in the lot on the southwest corner of the high school. The concert is open to the public and admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated. Included in this program, are “Galop” by Dimitri Shostakovich, … [Read more...]
Michigan premiere of ‘A Little More Alive’ at Meadow Brook Theatre
Folk-pop musical runs February 14 – March 10 on the campus of Oakland University In this heartfelt and original folk-pop musical, two estranged brothers reunite at theirchildhood home after their mother’s funeral. An unexpected revelation distorts everymemory they have, and as they uncover secrets that had been hiding in plain sighttheir whole lives, Nate and Jeremy find that no one is exempt from the gray areabetween right and wrong. A Little More Alive runs February 14 through March 10, … [Read more...]
Rochester Community Concert Band presents ‘Musician’s Favorites’
In its third concert of the season, the Rochester Community Concert Band (RCCB), conducted by Paul F. DeRubeis, will present ‘Musician’s Favorites’ on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. in the Stoney Creek High School Auditorium located at 6755 Sheldon Road in Rochester Hills, Mich. The concert is open to the public and admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted and appreciated. The concert will feature Dr. Amanda Ross, Visiting Professor of Trumpet, Oakland University … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Where is the Best Place to See Michigan’s Beautiful Fall Colors?
Dear Crabby, Lately, the weather has been wacky. Are there still places where I can drive to see the leaves changing or have I missed my chance?Thanks!Greta GreeneryDear Greta Greenery, Good news - you’re in luck! Typically, toward the end of September is when the trees start to turn, but the warmer weather has delayed the process a bit. So, while there is still time to catch the color-changing happening around our beautiful state, I wouldn’t wait too long, though. Especially, if you plan … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Are You Ready for Big Ten Football?
Dear Crabby, I can hardly contain my excitement that Big Ten football kicks off this weekend. Are you excited too? Which teams do you think will do well? Thanks! Tony Touchdown Dear Tony Touchdown, Yes. I am pretty happy that college football will now be added back to my weekend viewing. Not only does it get me out of raking the stupid leaves in my yard, but it finally feels like fall in Michigan. All that back-and-forth of ‘will they or won’t play’ was starting to give me a … [Read more...]
Midwest Governors Announce Partnership to Reopen Regional Economy
Today, Governors Gretchen Whitmer (MI), Mike DeWine (OH), Tony Evers (WI), Tim Walz (MN), JB Pritzker (IL), Eric Holcomb (IN), and Andy Beshear (KY) announced that they will work in close coordination to reopen the economy in the Midwest region. The governors said: We are doing everything we can to protect the people of our states and slow the spread of COVID-19, and we are eager to work together to mitigate the economic crisis this virus has caused in our region. Here in the Midwest, … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, When Can I Plant My Garden?
Dear Crabby, With all this Crazy Weather, I was Wondering When I Should Plant My Garden? Sincerely, Iris Shallot Dear Ms. Shallot, Lots of people have been asking that question. While winter was gracious to stick around a bit to keep the snow-lovers going for a few extra weeks, spring is here. It was too hot too soon, but we're finally back to normal. You're right, it was a little crazy. April is usually a good month to get the yard ready, but it was too cold. Then BANG, all that heat, … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, Did you Lose Power from this Big Wind Storm?
Dear Crabby, I know Power Outages are a Pet Peeve of yours, Did you Lose Power Again from this Big Wind Storm? Sincerely, Gusty Day Dear Mr. Day, Of course we did - most of Rochester seemed to have lost power. In fact, I had to drive to a nearby coffee shop and pay way too much for a Cup of Joe just to use their "free" Internet to write my weekly column. Thankfully, your question came in this morning just in time for me to vent - again - about the darn loss of power. Here we are, … [Read more...]
Dear Crabby, What Was Your Favorite Story from 2015?
Dear Crabby, I'm a loyal reader of your column and I was wondering out of all the topics you wrote about this past year, which one was your favorite? Thanks! Dave Devotée Dear Mr. Devotée, First, thanks for reading my column. You have excellent taste in reading material. Of course I think everyone should be reading it because clearly I'm the go-to authority on pretty much everything. My grandkids will tell you that's because I'm older than dirt, but I like to think it's because God … [Read more...]