Thank you Marshall, for another fantastic #FridaysAtTheFountain! We danced, we laughed, and we came together as a community to enjoy a talented array of musicians. The Youngish Professionals Committee would like to give a special thanks to The Fat Animals, Phabies, The Band Cordero, Simply in Time, and Kait Rose & Co., as well as our sponsors for making FATF 2024 possible. If you’d like to see this series keep going, we’re asking our community to donate to the cause. All donations are tax-deductible.
Join us in celebrating the songs of #ShaniaTwain with Kait Rose and an all star cast of professional musicians. Be prepared for a high energy show showcasing Shania’s entire career spanning hit songs.
Kait Rose has been singing, playing guitar, writing songs and performing since 2001. To date, Kait has released seven albums, recorded in Indianapolis, Seattle, Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. She was chosen as one of the top ten artists to watch and listen to in 2019 by Revue Magazine and fronts multiple bands, including the regionally popular Fleetwood Mac Tribute. Kait Rose & Co., Celebrating Shania! will be closing out our #FridaysAtTheFountain series, so be sure to join us, August 9th at 7pm for a rootin’-tootin’ good time!
Simply In Time was formed in early 2022 by Robb Hughes, Eric Nollett, and Steve Boersma out of a ten-piece horn driven band they met in. The original purpose was to create and play their own instrumental versions of some popular music spanning genres from funk to rock to pop and dance for some small venues, open mics, and event background entertainment. When Jake Oakey was introduced to the band, he came with a catalog of original songs that he had written and performed in Colorado. Adding his vocals, guitar skills, and incredible ability to write music changed their goals overnight! Kendra DeVrou joined the band in early 2023 bringing amazing lead and backing vocal layers. From a four-song open mic debut at The Park Theater in July 2022, they have since become a sought-after band for West Michigan venues.
Hailing from West Michigan with groovy bass lines, clever hooks and soaring harmonies, The Band CORDERO has come to play. The group came together in the spring of 2022 to combine their pop-rock sensibility with sassy but sincere songwriting. Runner-up of the Grand Rapids’ local battle of the bands, The Band CORDERO received high praise from Local Spins stating they, “Pulled out all the stops with a high energy and engaging set, ending with a standing ovation.” Their highly anticipated debut single release hot off the press, Falling For You, takes their magnetic synth-pop vibes into your listening space.
Created by multi-disciplinary artist Laura Hobson, Phabies is a universe within her imagination. Their lyric-focused music is a blend of 60’s-era folk and genre-blending pop, alternative, and indie. “Phabies has carved out a unique, artistic and entertaining niche in West Michigan, releasing EPs and singles over the past few years, with their full-length debut album, ‘Fire Seed’” released in 2022 (John Sinkevics, Local Spins). Laura’s voice, “both lyrical and literal, is the shining star of Phabies’ sky of sounds, celestial yet terrestrial, rising from the earth and the core of her being so beautifully” (Eric Mitts, Revue Mag). Their album “Fire Seed” was awarded Critics Choice Album of the Year at the 2023 WYCE Jammies. See you June 28th at the Brooks Memorial Fountain for a live performance from Phabies! #FridaysAtTheFountain
The second show in our #FridaysAtTheFountain concert series features the Phabies, who won Video of the Year, Best Cinematography, and Best Alternative Video at the 2024 Michigan Music Video Awards, held at Marshall’s Franke Center for the Arts. Catch the band performing live next Friday, June 28th from 7 – 9pm! You can also check out the “Pink Christmas Tree” MV:
Thank you to everyone for another great #WolfTreeFilmFestival! Shout out to The Franke, our sponsors, the talented filmmakers, and our YPC crew, and we hope to see you for the next one!
💥Wolf Tree 2024 Winners💥 🏆Best Drama – Tin Can 🏆Best Thriller – Not Him 🏆Best Documentary – Sydney G James: How We See Us 🏆Best Student Film – The Devil Wants a Promotion 🏆Best in Festival – Sydney G James: How We See Us 🏆Audience Choice – Tin Can
Left to Right: Pat Battistini for Best Drama and Audience Choice Award, Tin Can; Juanita Anderson and Demetrio Nasol for Best Documentary and Best in Festival, Sydney G. James: How We See Us; Jordan M. Ketter for Best Student Film, The Devil Wants a Promotion. Not pictured is Sarah Young for Best Thriller, Not Him.
*CW: Some films included in this festival contain mature content that may be inappropriate for young viewers and may be triggering for others. Viewer discretion is advised.
Boogie Bob & Chuck Berry
Directed by Geri Alumit Zeldes
This documentary dives into the remarkable career of Bob Baldori, known as “Boogie Bob” by his peers. Both a musician and attorney, Baldori was a member of the band “The Woolies” and toured with Chuck Berry, the Father of Rock n Roll.
Madina
Directed by Kevin Coval
Madina is an unconventional love story of connection and self actualization, as Madina takes a leap into who she always hoped to be, a writer of culture.
Not Him
Directed by Sarah Young
When her husband turns strange and violent, a wife becomes convinced he is possessed. But will anyone believe her?
Peabrain
Directed by Steve Blackwood
A former soap opera actor contends with his father, an assisted living resident with alcoholic dementia, and reflects on his earlier relationship with him.
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Directed by Vanessa M. H. Powers
Mrs. Clemens is determined to be the perfect wife and mother, keeping her son happy and house sparkling while her husband is away at war. When Tommy has had a bad day, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is just what the doctor ordered!
Sydney G. James: How We See Us
Directed by Juanita Anderson
Visual artist/muralist, Sydney G. James, addresses the status of Black women in society, police brutality, family and community through bold brushstrokes and hues that evoke the complexities of Black reality, joy, pain, and resilience. Inspired by personal experiences, current events and her hometown of Detroit, she invites conversations with family members and fellow artists as she creates a new work on canvas and transforms vacant walls into creative spaces.
The Devil Wants a Promotion
Directed by Jordan M. Ketter
The devil is sick of his life in hell so he comes to the surface to try and be an angel once more.
Tin Can
Directed by Pat Battistini
J.C. came to America as an illegal immigrant when he was just a child. Now, as an adult, he’s still an illegal alien but has managed to persevere and prosper working as a rodeo clown. However, after a series of unfortunate events, J.C. finds himself down on his luck and in search for a new happiness.
What If
Directed by Julian Fellah
Kids share their thoughts on a better society in this heartwarming and sincere film that turns comedic.
🏆 Wolf Tree Best Documentary Award Winner (Perpetual Plastic, 2022) and Marshall local, Eric Ebner, has gone on to win awards at various film festivals including the first prize at the National Geographic Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge. He’s also directed other amazing films such as The Bull, Nuestros Muertos, Opening The Earth: The Potato King and more.
Independent filmmakers – submissions are now open for #WolfTreeFilmFestival2024!
Key Dates
Deadline for Submissions: NOVEMBER 12, 2023
Filmmaker Notification Date: DECEMBER 11, 2023
Wolf Tree Film Festival: JANUARY 20, 2024
The Franke Center for the Arts is gearing up again for the popular community event, The Wolf Tree Film Festival (The Youngish Professionals Committee). The submission site, FilmFreeway.com, is now open for entries.
Everyone is welcome to attend, including cinema fans as well as industry professionals. The Wolf Tree Film Festival is in its 6th year and is set for January 20, 2024 at 7:30pm ET. The festival will once again showcase short films (under 30 minutes) set in the Great Lakes region or that include themes or topics related to the region, as well as the work of filmmakers who reside in or grew up in the Great Lakes region.
This year’s event will again include screenings of each selected film, a meet and greet with the filmmakers and an awards presentation. Selected films will include a variety of genres, including comedy, drama, documentary and others.
Submissions can be submitted at the button below. Deadline for the submissions is November 12th.
Zion Lion is the “baddest band to hit the Kalamazoo music scene”. FATF fans may remember them from last year’s series. Our crowd was up dancing and having a great time! The members are a combination of several bands from the Kalamazoo area that crossed each other’s path along the way and decided to form what we believe to be the right mix of reggae, African zouk, mucosa, zoukous, and some Afro-Latin influences. Mark your calendars for July 7th at 7pm EST as Zion Lion returns to FATF with good vibes and good times!
JULY 7 – ZION LION
Who are the members of the “baddest band to hit the Kalamazoo music scene”? Find out in our interview with Myra Atkinson (lead vocalist & steel pan for Zion Lion), and catch their exciting performance at FATF July 7th!
THE YPC: What kind of music/instruments do you enjoy playing the most? ZL: We love playing reggae and socca. For me it’s the steel pan.
THE YPC: What is your funniest memory about playing a show or being on tour? ZL: We were headed to a festival in Kentucky and one of our former members from Africa asked if we could stop and get Kentucky Fried Chicken.
THE YPC: What are you most excited about for FATF? ZL: Love the ambience of the fountain in the background while performing!
THE YPC: What is your biggest achievement thus far? ZL: Opening up for international reggae acts that we only dreamt of.
THE YPC:If you could make an instrument out of a piece of food, what would it be? ZL: A carrot into a flute.
