Events
APPLE BUTTER MAKING
FESTIVAL
Sept. 24-27
The aroma of apples and spices mixed with the scent of wood fires and falling leaves marks a change of season and the celebration of the annual Apple Butter Making Festival at Sauder Village in Archbold. From Wednesday, Sept. 24 through Saturday, Sept. 27, guests will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy apple-related activities throughout the Historic Village. The week is sure to delight all of your senses with activities including apple butter making, cider pressing, apple cooking demonstrations and hands-on activities. The highlight of the week takes place in the 1910 Homestead where the apple butter is made. Another way to preserve apples was to press them into cider. Throughout the week the 150-year-old wooden press will be put to use to make apple cider. There will be many other apple-related activities taking place as well. Guests can try packing apples in barrels for winter storage and watch apple cooking demonstrations in some of the historic homes. Guests can also enjoy a variety of treats while visiting Sauder Village. On the final day of the event, pie bakers young and old will have a chance to show off their talents in the annual Old-Fashioned Pie Baking Contest. Any traditional pie recipe with an “old-fashioned” flair can be entered and the winners will receive ribbons and prizes. Additional details and registration forms for the contest are available online. Admission: $16 for adults and $10 for students age 6-16. Children 5 and under are free. Senior, military and AAA discounts are also available. Children 16 and under are free every Sunday. Time: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Location: Sauder Village, 22611 Ohio 2, Archbold. Information: 1-800-590-9755, visit www.saudervillage.org.
SAND ARTIST CASTILLO
Sept. 25
The 2014-15 Bluffton University Artist Series opens with a performance by sand artist Joe Castillo on Thursday, Sept. 25, in Yoder Recital Hall. A finalist on “America’s Got Talent,” Castillo has developed a way of telling stories that uses sand art, a light table and music. His experience in advertising, where he spent 20 years, as well as in art led him to become a motivational performing artist. He is a graduate of Florida Bible College and Asbury Theological Seminary. Tickets are available online, at http://tickets.bluffton.edu, or in person at the box office, now located at the Marbeck Center information desk, between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. Admission: $25 adults, $20 senior citizens and non-Bluffton students and $10 for children age 6-13. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Yoder Recital Hall, Bluffton University, 1 University Drive, Bluffton.
REACHING WOMEN
Sept. 27
Reaching Women will have Renee Swope this year as the speaker for its conference titled, “Believe.” The annual event takes place Saturday, Sept. 27 at Winebrenner Seminary. Tickets for the one-day event can be purchased through www.itickets.com. Admission: $40. Time: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Location: Winebrenner Theological Seminary, 950 N. Main St., Findlay. Information: www.reachingwomen.org or 567-525-4993.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE
Oct. 3
Looking for something to do on a Friday night? The National Theatre at The Ritz will host an eclectic selection of artists in an unplugged performance environment. Each Friday Night Live will feature two or three regional entertainers that may include a folk singer, a jazz musician, an aspiring singer/songwriter or some other style of artist who is passionate about the opportunity to showcase their talents. Join them for a glass of wine or cup of coffee in this casual, intimate setting. The Oct. 3 artists include: Bob Lawitzke, a singer-songwriter from Port Clinton. For information about Lawitzke, go to: www.myspace.com/boblawitzke. Also, Two Years Later, a pop rock duo from Columbus. For information about Two Years Later, go to:www.facebook.com/TwoYearsLaterTheBand/info. Paragon, a barbershop quartet from Fostoria. For information, go to lakeplainschorus.com/index.php/chapter-quartets/paragon/. Admission: $10. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The National Theatre at The Ritz, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: 419-448-8544 or www.ritztheatre.org.
LIBERTY CENTER
CELEBRATION
Oct. 5
The board of directors of the Liberty Center of Sandusky County invite the public to join them in celebrating the center’s 20 years of shelter and improving lives at an open house on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Anjulina’s Banquet Hall. Refreshments will be provided. Admission: Free. Time: 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Location: Anjulina’s Banquet Hall, 2270 W. Hayes Ave., Fremont. Information: www.libertycenterfremont.org or Executive Director Margaret Weisz at 419-332-8777.
TIFFIN VICTORIAN TEAS
Oct. 18
Tiffin Historic Trust Victorian- era teas feature a unique program and menu for each event. The teas include homemade delicacies such as fancy sandwiches, pastries, fruit and candy, as well as two kinds of tea. “A Haunting Good Time” is the final tea. Guests are welcome to tour the Victorian-era home containing original belongings of the Grammes and Brown families, including the china table settings used for the teas. Due to limited space, reservations are required. Admission: $20. Members of the Historic Trust are eligible for a discount. Time: 12:30 p.m. Location: Grammes-Brown House, 172 Jefferson St., Tiffin. Information: Nancy Cook at 419-447-0665 or email TiffinHistoric@att.net.
Music
RHYTHM ON THE RIVER ARTS SERIES
Sept. 21
Melody Road will present the next program of the Rhythm on the River Arts Series on Sunday, Sept. 21. The programs are held in the Wright Pavilion. Bob and Mary Fry of Fostoria are the members of Melody Road. They are a husband and wife duo who love to sing together. They write much of their own music, but also do covers by artists such as Martina McBride, Michael W. Smith, Elvis, James Taylor, the Beatles and many more of your favorites. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and join us alongside the Maumee River. Admission: Free. Time: 4 p.m. Location: Wright Pavilion located on the towpath between the canal and the Maumee River at the end of Lincoln Street behind LaRoe’s Restaurant in Grand Rapids.
THREE DOG NIGHT
Sept. 26
Legendary music icons, Three Dog Night, celebrate their fourth decade bringing with them some of the most astonishing statistics in popular music. Between 1969 and 1974, no other group achieved more top 10 hits, moved more records or sold more concert tickets. Their hits wind through the fabric of pop culture today, whether on the radio where they are heard day in and day out, in TV commercials or in major motion pictures, songs like “Mama Told Me (Not to Come),” “Joy to the World,” “Black and White,” “Shambala” and “One” serve to heighten our emotions and crystallize Three Dog Night’s continuing popularity. Admission: $40-$70. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: The Ritz Theatre, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: 419-448-8544 or www.ritztheatre.org.
PAUL BAKER
Sept. 27
Direct from London, performing at the Ritz Theater, Paul Baker is widely known in England for winning the Sir Laurence Olivier Award for his performance in “Taboo.” He has also starred in “Lion King,” “Chicago,” “Starlight Express,” “Lucky Stiff” and “Napoleon.” Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ritz Theater box office at 419-448-8544 or Sister Paulette at 419-447-0435, ext.136. All proceeds will benefit Project Peace, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis. Admission: $20. Time: 7:30 p.m. Location: Ritz Theater, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: 419-448-8544.
JOSHUA BRODBECK
Sept. 28
Trinity United Methodist Church opens the 2014-15 Ronald W. Richards Music Series on Sunday, Sept. 28 with organist Joshua Brodbeck. Brodbeck is a concert organist who began performing at the age of 9. He began his studies at Bluffton University at the age of 12. After graduating high school, he studied at the Capital University Conservayory of Music as well as the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Brodbeck is currently the minister of music and artist-in-residence at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. He is also the organist-in-residence at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Admission: A free will offering will be received to assist with music scholarships for students. Time: 3 p.m. Location: Trinity United Methodist Church, 301 W. Market St., Lima. Information: 419-227-0800.
RHYTHM ON THE RIVER ARTS SERIES
Oct. 5
The last program of the Rhythm on the River Arts Series will be presented on Sunday, Oct. 5. The annual meeting of the Grand Rapids Historical Society, which sponsors the series, will precede the program at 3:45 p.m., and all society members are urged to attend. Immediately following that meeting, the Otsego Show Choir and the Otsego High School Band will perform. The choirs and bands consistently earn superior ratings at Ohio Music Educators’ Association competitions. These two musical organizations are under the direction of Janine Baughman and Richard Dubler. that meeting, the Otsego Show Choir and the Otsego High School Band will perform. The band will perform highlights from its football halftime show. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and join us alongside the Maumee River to support the Otsego musicians. Refreshments will follow the program. Admission: Free. Time: 4 p.m. Location: Wright Pavilion located on the towpath between the canal and the Maumee River at the end of Lincoln Street behind LaRoe’s Restaurant in Grand Rapids.
Theater
‘THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE’
Sept. 18-21
The classic, hilarious comic opera by William S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, also known as “The Slave of Duty,” will open the Toledo Repertoire Theatre’s 82nd season. The show tells the tale about young Frederic, who is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates upon completing his 21st year. He wishes to marry–only to discover that since he was born on Feb. 29, his 21st birthday will not occur for another 63 years. The show is directed by Debra Ross Calabrese. Admission: $20 adults, $18 seniors, $5 students 12 and under, $10 students 13 and above and $17 groups of 10 or more. Time: 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Location: Toledo Repertoire Theatre, 16 10th St., Toledo. Information: 419-243-9277 or www.toledorep.org.
LOCAL TEEN ACTORS TO
HOLD OPEN HOUSE
Sept. 22
The Ritz Teen Thespian Guild will hold an open house on Monday for area students in grades 9-12 who are interested in learning about theatre and the performing arts. RTTG will provide information about the group and announce news about their upcoming fall performance at The Ritz Theatre. Refreshments will be provided. Please enter through the glass doors on Riverside Drive. The Ritz Teen Thespian Guild originated in 2004 (called the Tiffin Area High School Players) as a group of Columbian students who were disheartened when budget cuts cancelled the annual fall play. Until 2007, the all-student group rehearsed and performed at Heidelberg University’s Gundlach Theatre. The teen’s commitment and passion for theatre led Michael Strong, executive director of the Ritz Theatre, to invite them to join the Ritz Players and trideaDANCE as resident artists. The group chose the new name Ritz Teen Thespian Guild and hit the main stage performing Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream (21st Century pop culture version) Since that time, RTTG has presented George Orwell’s “1984” (The Play), “Shakespeare in Shorts,” “The Crucible,” “Auntie Mame,” and “Our Town.” RTTG is run entirely by the students with their own executive committee. This fall, RTTG will present Five Live: An Evening of One-Acts at The Ritz Theatre. Performance dates are Nov. 21-23. Auditions will be held Sept. 29 and 30 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at The Ritz Theatre. Admission: Free. Time: 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. Location: National Theatre at The Ritz, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin. Information: Education Director Dianne Pytel at 419-448-8544 ext. 112 or dianne@ritztheatre.org.
‘THE HALLELUJAH GIRLS’
Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3 and 4
Off Stage Productions opens its 2014-15 season with dinner theatre show “The Hallelujah Girls” a two-act comedy. Hilarity abounds when the feisty females of Eden Falls, Georgia, decide to shake up their lives. The action in this rollicking Southern comedy takes place in SPA-DEE-DAH!, the abandoned church-turned day spa where this group of friends gathers every Friday afternoon. After the loss of a dear friend, the women realize time is precious and if they’re going to change their lives and achieve their dreams they have to get on it now. But Sugar Lee, their high-spirited, determined leader, has her hands full keeping the women motivated. Carlene’s given up on romance, having buried three husbands. Nita’s a nervous wreck from running interference between her problematic son and his probation officer. Mavis’ marriage is so stagnant she’s wondering how she can fake her own death to get out of it. And sweet, simple Crystal entertains them all, singing Christmas carols with her own hilarious lyrics. The comic tension mounts when a sexy ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, a marriage proposal comes from an unlikely suitor and Sugar Lee’s arch rival vows she’ll stop at nothing to steal the spa away from her. By the time the women rally together to overcome these obstacles and launch their new, improved lives, you’ve got a side-splitting, joyful comedy that will make you laugh out loud and shout “Hallelujah.” Admission: Tickets are $25 and include the buffet and show. Reservations for members open at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8 and on Wednesday, Sept 10 for the general public and are open daily. Reservations close at 6 p.m. each day. Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. A buffet-style meal prepared by “Catering at its BEST by Sonya & Diane” will be served starting at 7 p.m. and the show will begin at 8 p.m. The meal will begin at 1 p.m. with a 2 p.m. show on the Sunday matinee. Location: Van Wert County Senior Center, 220 Fox Road, Van Wert. Information: www.offstagetheatre.com or 419-605-6708.
Exhibits
BRANDON KNOTT
Through September
During the month of September, Brandon Knott will be featured at The Gaslight Gallery. Knott recently became a member of the gallery. For Third Thursday, Sept. 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Knott will demonstrate wheel throwing in front of The Gaslight Gallery. Knott is a ceramics artist and teacher. Since 1996 he has operated a studio called It’s Knott Pottery where he creates simple but elegant and functional stoneware pieces. He formulates the glazes and slip that decorate his pottery, and takes pride in his craftsmanship. Knott received his bachelor of science in fine art and his masters in education from Defiance College. He lives with his family in Continental, and teaches at Bryan High School. Knott’s work can be viewed at www.itsknottpottery.com, and his students’ work can be seen at www.bryanart.org. Admission: Free. Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday. Location: The Gaslight Gallery, 117 E. Crawford St., Findlay. Information: www.thegaslightgallery.org.
THE ART OF VIDEO GAMES
Through Sept. 28
Striking visual effects and the creative use of new technology in games take center stage in this interactive traveling exhibition, one of the first to examine video games as an art form. The exhibition features playable games, such as PacMan, Super Mario Brothers and Flower, and renderings and video interviews with key game developers and artists. The Art of Video Games also displays interactive kiosks with an extensive selection of home consoles from the Atari VCS to the PlayStation 3. Admission: Free. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday. Location: Canaday Gallery, Toledo Museum of Art, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: www.toledomuseum.org
FUN & GAMES: THE
PURSUIT OF LEISURE
Through Sept. 21
For centuries, humankind has enjoyed a wealth of leisure diversions. Drawing on works from local and Toledo Museum of Art collections, Fun & Games shows a variety of those activities and pursuits–games, sports, racing, theater, dancing and gossip–depicted by artists over the years. The exhibition includes paintings, ceramics and works of art on paper by such artists as Honore Daumier, James A. M. Whistler, George Wesley Bellows, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Lucas Cranach, Winslow Homer, Albrecht Durer, Marc Chagall and Rembrandt van Rijn. Admission: Free. Hours: 10 a.m.””4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.””9 p.m. Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.””5 p.m. Saturday and noon””5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, Works on Paper Gallery, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: www.toledomuseum.org.
PEOPLE GET READY: 50
YEARS OF CIVIL RIGHTS
Through Sept. 21
After a year of social tumult and congressional debate, the U.S. Civil Rights Act was signed into law on July 2, 1964. In honor of those who fought for the right of all citizens to be treated fairly and equally, this exhibition features works of art that examine slavery, segregation and the civil rights movement in the United States. It includes more than 35 works from the Toledo Museum of Art’s collection by Elizabeth Catlett, David Levinthal, Gordon Parks, Aminah Robinson, W. Eugene Smith, Ernest C. Withers and others who have illuminated and challenged prejudice and bigotry through their photographs, prints and books. Admission: Free. Hours: 10 a.m.””4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m.””9 p.m. Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.””5 p.m. Saturday and noon””5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays. Location: Toledo Museum of Art, Hitchcock Gallery, 2445 Monroe St., Toledo. Information: www.toledomuseum.org.
Ticket Watch
Tickets are now on sale for the following events:
Lorde — Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m., Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, Cleveland. $61.50-$74.90; 216-861-4080, www.ticketmaster.com.
Rise Against with Touché Amore & Radkin — Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica, Cleveland. $42.85; 216-861-4080, www.ticketmaster.com.
Dierks Bentley with Chris Young, Chase Rice & Jon Pardi — Sept. 26, 7 p.m., Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls. $38-$62.60; 330-920-8040, www.ticketmaster.com.
Jason Mraz — Oct. 15, 7:30 p.m., Palace Theatre Columbus, Columbus. $56.20-$89.35; 614-469-9850, www.ticketmaster.com.
Bastille — Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., EJ Thomas Hall, University of Akron, Akron. $36.35-$52.65; 330-972-7570, www.ticketmaster.com.
Montgomery Gentry — Oct. 24, 8 p.m., Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park, Northfield. $58.85-$83.20; 330-920-8040, www.ticketmaster.com.