Midwest Fest started its second year of bringing talented bands from all over to Mount Pleasant, while WMHW 91.5 is hosting “91.5 Rocks the River.”

Midwest Fest

Midwest Fest was started last year by Diamonds in the Rough Promotions. It’s first year brought approximately 500 people to see 34 bands. This year the number of bands has nearly doubled.

Starting Tuesday night and ending Saturday, 62 bands will perform on four different stages throughout Mount Pleasant all located within three blocks downtown.

Corey Densmore, who started DITR Promotions, said this year he is planning Midwest Fest on a much bigger scale.

“We’re bringing in bands from outside the Midwest this summer, last year it was just the Midwest. It’s still a majority Midwest, but some of the headliners are from outside the Midwest,” he said.

Densmore said DITR has brought bands in many genres, hoping to appeal to all markets.

“There’s something for everybody. Each night has a little bit of a theme,” he said.

Densmore said something else can be used as a motivator to come out to watch the shows: They are extremely cheap.

“If you came the whole week, it’s 50 cents a band. It’s 60 bands for $30, so you’re getting a really good deal,” he said. “Even if you come for just one night, you are seeing about 10 bands for around $10 or less.”

Midwest Fest will take place at Rubbles Bar, 112 W. Michigan St., the Broadway Theater, 216 E. Broadway Road, Fifi’s French Press, 203 W. Broadway Road, and an outdoor stage located at the intersection of Main and Michigan downtown.

Visit ditrpromotions.com/midwestfest for more information on times and costs of performances.

91.5 Rock’s the River

WMHW 91.5 is bringing live music and giveaways to Millpond Park, 607 S. Adams St., from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. this Sunday.

Wayne Blanchard, 91.5′s promotions director, said the event started as an idea to have live music playing for those tubing down the river but they decided to change it because of the uncertainty of the weather.

“I still imagine there will be some people tubing,” the LeRoy sophomore said.

Blanchard said “The Color of California” will be performing and “That Mustache Feeling” will also be performing.

He explained “The Color of California” as, “Both an indie and alternative rock band” and “That Mustache Feeling” as a ska band.

Both will be performing in Midwest Fest and Blanchard said he hopes many people coming to Midwest Fest stay an extra night to enjoy the afternoon at the park.

“People can show up and enjoy music 91.5 supports and provides,” he said.

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He can now add “proud donor” to his resumé.

Pyles, along with sponsors including Graff Chevrolet, 4580 E. Pickard Road, are donating $800 of their recent event’s proceeds to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Sixty percent of their donation is going to the society’s Michigan chapter.

Pyles works with area residents who have multiple sclerosis at his gym and helps them with rehabilitative exercises. It was because of this, he said, that he decided to donate.

“Multiple sclerosis is a pretty devastating, crippling disease,” Pyles said. “(The society) is an overlooked organization.”

Pyles decided to donate funds prior to the competition because of a desire to help out the community, he said.

Cathy Zuker, an area resident who has multiple sclerosis, said Pyles has been working with her at his gym for about two years.

“I joined Jason’s gym (to keep my) body flexible,” she said.

Zuker is the co-leader of a support group for multiple sclerosis in Isabella County, and said she estimates more than 100 residents have the disease. Family and friends of multiple sclerosis patients are also affected, she said.

The support group meets once monthly, discusses an array of issues related to the disease and sometimes brings in speakers, Zuker said. The group is close, she said.

“We share phone numbers and call each other between times if we need to,” she said. “I have learned a lot of things (from the meetings) a lot of the time, too.”

Although the money will not directly affect Isabella County’s support group, it will provide funding for support programs, public education, research and other outreach programs through the society.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological disease that affects a person’s central nervous system.

“(Multiple sclerosis) is the most common neurological disease in the world,” said Elana Sullivan, the president of the Michigan chapter of the society.

Symptoms of the disease include to troubles with balance and vision, cognitive memory issues and physical pain, Sullivan said.

“Symptoms are completely different from person to person,” she said.

More than 18,000 people in the state of Michigan have multiple sclerosis, Sullivan said.

Forty percent of every dollar earned in each chapter goes to the national chapter for funding research to find the cause and cure of multiple sclerosis, Sullivan said.

Local and statewide programs include self-help groups, educational programs and direct financial assistance, she said.

Patients facing expensive medications and other bills are reasons why Pyles decided to donate to the society.

“Funding is tough,” he said.

The $800 raised came from the support of sponsors, food sales, the entry fee and other miscellaneous sales, Pyles said.

Residents interested in learning more about the Isabella County multiple sclerosis support group may contact Zuker at (989) 866-2682.

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The festival, which was on hiatus during the 1980s and 1990s, was restarted in 2000, said Lumberjack Festival Committee Member Janice Jenkins.

“We wanted to make sure that it was a an environment that kids had something to do for the weekend with plenty of entertainment for adults,” she said.

Friday night’s highlights include a Surrey Township Fire Department spaghetti dinner at 5 p.m., the Lumberjack Parade at 5:30 p.m., an ice cream social at 7 p.m. and a two-hour street dance from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Stephenson-Wyman Funeral Home parking lot, 165 S. Hall St.

Saturday begins with a Lumberjack Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at the Clare County Senior Center, 101 W. Michigan St., and ends with Lumberjack “After Dark” which includes a beer tent, gambling tent and musical performances from “Jedi Mind Trip” from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Farwell Fairgrounds, 221 S. Webber St.

Sunday highlights include a greased pig contest at noon, a pie eating contest at 2 p.m. and the Sunday Sundae Ice Cream event at 5 p.m. to end the festivities.

Lumberjack Festival Chairwoman Unice Andreas said the greased pig contest is very popular. Adults pay $10 and children pay $2 and receive prizes.

“People love to watch that greased pig contest,” she said. “For the adults, it’s a full grown pig. For the smaller kids, they’re smaller pigs.”

For Village President Steve Grim, the festival is a source of personal and community pride.

“The Lumberjack (Festival) is fairly new and very eventful,” he said. “I am very proud of the community and the people that are working here.”

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Four out of five stars.

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Jena Johnson, a Hastings senior and a museum student staff member, created “Tour Tuesdays” as a 45-to-60 minute program for people of all ages to enjoy during the summer.

“I know when I was a kid, when July rolled around, I was bored and ready to go back to school,” Johnson said. “(“Tour Tuesdays”) gives something for the kids to do, and the parents love it too because it’s educational.”

Johnson proposed the idea for the summer program to William Pretzer, associate professor of history and director of the Museum of Cultural and Natural History. With Pretzer’s guidance, Johnson was able to make her plans a reality.

“It’s great to see that the museum is asserting itself into the community,” said Sharon Tilman, a Counseling Center faculty member.

Tilman participated in Tuesday’s tour because she saw it covered prehistoric Michigan, a topic in which she wanted to learn more.

As part of the natural history, tour participants learned about the fossils, early animals, and primitive humans that make up Michigan’s past. Afterward, an activity was held for children where they had the opportunity to become archaeologists and excavate chocolate chip cookies.

Merritt resident Heidi Minthorn and her son Lincoln came to the museum to learn more about prehistoric Michigan. They have plans to take advantage of all four tours.

“I really want to be a scientist,” Lincoln Minthorn said while waiting for the tour to begin. “I plan on doing all of them.”

Pretzer counted more than 60 people at the event.

“This demonstrates to us that people in the Mount Pleasant community are interested in the types of services we can provide,” he said.

Next week’s tour focuses on Michigan’s cultural history. The tour will cover early Native American lifestyles through the work of the Civilian Conservations Core, established by Franklin Roosevelt.

The Museum of Cultural and Natural History is located in Rowe Hall. Although not required, reservations for “Tour Tuesdays” can be made by calling 774-3829.

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The English instructor and playwright has been writing “Liberating Harriet,” for two years and will unveil her creation Thursday.

Premiering at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium, the play is a dramatic love story about a family born into slavery and their struggle to be free.

“It’s really exciting to see one of my plays come to life,” Luehm said.

Performances will be held Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium. Tickets cost $5 for students and $10 for the general public.

Next month, the production will travel to Harpers Ferry, W. Va. for six days to perform at the Apollo Civic Theatre for the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid.

In the fact-based play, John Brown, an abolitionist, plans on freeing slaves from their owners by organizing a raid at Harpers Ferry.

One slave, Shields, will stop at nothing to free his family and joins Brown in fighting for freedom. This raid lead to the start of the Civil War.

Flint senior Marceil Davis played Shields and said that many people will enjoy the play’s action, romance and comic relief.

“Its got a real good message,” he said. “I think people will laugh, cry and question what they believe.”

When writing the play, Luehm studied history in great detail and said she took ideas from 15 books.

“This is a true story, hardly anything is made up,” she said. “It’s a great story that will keep you engaged and is a piece of history every student should know.”

Croswell junior Sean Hammersburg plays John Brown’s son Owen, and said his character is something of a “naysayer.”

“I’m the loud argumentative one,” he said. “Owen is always trying to convince people to see it his way.”

Davis said the play, which is based on firsthand accounts and historical biographies, offers an alternative look to the “insane John Brown” sometimes found in history books.

“John Brown was a man of faith and was following God,” he said. “He felt God wanted him to do the Harpers Ferry raid, and that was the catalyst for the Civil War and ended slavery.”

Luehm said the cast did an excellent job of bringing her first full-length play to life.

“I don’t feel like I have a single weak link, they’re all phenomenal actors,” she said. “Playwright Arthur Miller said we should write big world changing plays that make a difference, and that’s what this play does.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Central Box Office in the lower level of the Bovee University Center or by calling 989-774-3000 or 888-CMU-0111.

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Sponsored by University Events and 104.3 WCZY, “Music in the Mall” is a free, four-concert music series that begins at 7 p.m. today at Warriner Mall.

“This is one way of us giving back to the community,” said Keith Voeks, assistant director of University Events. “People will bring their picnic basket with wine and cheese. It’s a large enough area where people can dance and move freely.”

Tonight’s concert features the Michigan quartet, “Claudia Schmidt Funket.” Schmidt, who has performed at “Music in the Mall” in the past, plays a mix of jazz, blues and traditional music.

The remaining concerts are July 15, July 22, and July 29 and are all at 7 p.m. The performances will be given by “Harbor Lights,” a 1950s doo-wop style group, “Madcat and Kane and Maxwell Street,” a mix of blues and folk music and the “Alma Percussion Ensemble” from Alma College. All bands except “Harbor Lights” have performed in past for “Music on the Mall.”

Voeks said that the stage had to be enlarged to fit the 20-member “Alma Percussion Ensemble,” which is the most popular performance and has always hosted at least 200 attendees.

“We see locals that range from people with families and kids to grandparents, all we ask is people please (pick) up after themselves,” Voeks said.

Voeks said that because of summer they don’t see many student attendees but they are more then welcome to come.

“I am taking classes this summer and in this city it’s not easy to find free entertainment, so “Music on the Mall” is a good form of entertainment that doesn’t cost a thing,” said Mount Pleasant senior Bethany Conway.

The concerts run approximately one hour and 45 minutes and attendees should bring their own blankets and chairs.

The music will be broadcast live on 104.3 WCZY and the performances will move to Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium in the event of rain.

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Within the next 12 months, the band All Time Low has a serious chance of being added to the list of bands going from “scene” to “mainstream.”

All Time Low’s recent release, “Nothing Personal,” has the makings to send a band flirting with mass popularity over the edge after years of constant touring and constant exposure from the music scene. They were named Alternative Press “Band of the Year” for 2008.

The first song off the album and first single, “Weightless,” is a summer anthem type pop/rock song with a chorus that will no doubt leaving anyone listening singing along before the song is even over. Look for this song to be played constantly on the radio in the coming months and on television.

The album continues with the “Break Your Little Heart” and then “Damned If You Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t),” which will be the band’s second single.

Following is “Lost In Stereo,” which is perhaps the catchiest and fastest song on the record. The chorus is driven by the vocal exchange of lead singer/guitarist Alex Gaskarth singing lines such as “She’s out of control, so beautiful” and “She’s dancing alone, I’m ready to go but she’s.” while the rest of the band bellows “Lost In Stereo, Lost In Stereo.” The song is simple and perfect for summer drives.

The album continues on with solid pop/rock songs “Stella,” “Sick Little Games” and “Hello, Brooklyn.”

After the three regular pop/rock songs, the album takes a slight turn that sees the next few tracks all have different sounds. “Walls” starts with an almost techno introduction and “Too Much” is unlike the band has ever done, sounding more like Hellogoodbye with its electric/highly produced sound. “Keep The Change, You Filthy Animal” and “A Party Song (Walk of Shame)” however takes the band back to their normal sound, but with an edge not seen on their last release “So Wrong It’s Right” and takes them back to the “Put Up or Shut Up EP” days in a way.

While the album will no doubt remembered for the fast-paced and memorable pop/rock songs, the band closes out “Nothing Personal” on a slower note with “Therapy.” The slow paced song is more somber, beginning with the lyrics “My ship went down, in a sea of sound.”

This record will not, nor will this band, blow anyone away with their musical ability. Nor will it probably end up being one of the top 10 records of the year from musical experts. But what this band does (make pop/rock music), they do better than anyone out there right now.

Three out of five stars.

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Now at the age of 41, the Central Michigan University alumnus has done the animating for movies like “Mulan,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and one of this summer’s most highly anticipated movies, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”

Sintay has had superior artistic abilities since his childhood, but it actually wasn’t until he moved into Merrill Hall that he considered it as a career option.

“I could draw better than most of the kids in first grade and second grade – it was just a natural thing for me, but I thought that everybody could do it,” he said. “I wasn’t great by my standards now, but I could draw, and growing up I took it for granted and didn’t pursue it.”

While living in Merrill during the 1980s, he stumbled across the mascot artwork that a fellow resident had sketched to represent the terrace floor. The mascot, known as the “terrace rat,” was not especially well drawn, so the rest of the floor asked Sintay to make improvements.

The resulting image was put on T-shirts for each of the residents and sparked the beginning of an animating career. He went on to design flyers and shirts for fraternities and sororities, and did illustrating work for Central Michigan Life.

The experience eventually landed him a competitive 16-week internship with Disney MGM Studios in Orlando after first being rejected numerous times. Disney would receive about 2,000 portfolios every three months from across the world, he said.

Only 10 to 15 people were selected each period, but Sintay kept getting feedback and worked to improve his technique after each rejection.

“The amount of competition was obviously very huge and it was very daunting,” Sintay said. “I just kept teaching myself anatomy, technique and proportion, and just worked my way toward becoming a really skilled artist.”

The internship wasn’t easy after he landed it, but it was well worth the effort when he was offered a full-time animating job with Disney in Los Angeles. He now lives in California with his wife, Connie, whom he met at CMU one day while returning artwork to the CM Life office.

Sintay said that it has been the opportunity of a lifetime, having worked on a large number of feature films since starting with “Pocahontas” in 1995.

Recently, he has also designed CGI animations for live-action movies like “I Am Legend” and the new “Transformer” movie, which began showing in theatres today.

“Transformers” was a particularly special film for Sintay, who worked under the direction of Michael Bay.

“Michael Bay is a character in himself,” he said. “He really knows what he wants, and he’ll make sure he gets it – even if it means throwing some four-letter words out there.”

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The 22nd annual Dow Bay City River Roar is taking place in the heart of the city on the Saginaw River Friday through Sunday, and will include thousands with F1 ChampBoat racing and music.

“We’re hoping for about 100,000 people. We are going on our 22nd year; the first two years were for profit,” said Dow Bay City River Roar Committee President Elaine Ricoh.

All race ticket profits to charities.

“Our two big ones are the Boys and Girls club of Bay County, and Just For Kids Foundation. We donate to about 10 organizations.”

The concert stage will be rocking again this year as the English rock band Whitesnake will perform at 6 p.m. Friday on the river- front at Veterans Park.

Radio station WILZ 104.5 Program Director Stan Parman expects the concert to bring in a large audience.

“For as long as we have been associated with the River Roar, concerts we have had about 6,000 to 8,000 people,” he said.

Children can attend the Kroger Kids Zone and a Ronald McDonald Magic Show for free on both sides of the river Saturday and Sunday. The event includes coloring and sporting events, inflatable playgrounds, free giveaways and a boat driver autograph session at 12 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on the west side playground.

Attendees can purchase one-day $25 VIP tickets for both Saturday and Sunday. Each ticket includes seating on the east side of the river and grilled food by Damon’s Steakhouse and Grille, 4960 Town Centre, along with six vouchers for soda. In addition to the same seating and free food and drinks, a $75 weekend VIP pass includes one preferred seating pass to the concert, access to the west-side seating and pit area and one invitation to the informal drivers party at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lumberjacks Steakhouse, 605 E. Midland St.

Anyone who shows a 7-Eleven Big Gulp, Coffee or Slurpee cup will be granted free admission to the west side river grandstands on Saturday and Sunday.

Concert tickets cost $25 for general admission and $35 for preferred seating.

All race and concert tickets can be purchased online at riverroar.com or at the event.

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