Bill Joyner's FridayMusings 2.09.22

February 9, 2022 People/Dining/Shopping/Events/Culture All defining Livonia

Livonia has 65 parks, a Junior Athletic League that excels and has for over 64 years, a quality recreation center, an outstanding educational system providing some of the best plays, musicals, choral, and band performances.

As residents, we need to appreciate how our art community enhances Livonia's quality of Livonia Life blending as it does with our concept of a healthy hometown.

As our residents turn out in support of the arts we need our elected officials to join in that appreciation for the arts, spreading the word, sharing performance and audition dates.

Let's be proud that Livonia is the cultural heartbeat of southeast Michigan. In this issue, this typewriter is sharing just a touch of all going on in the Livonia cultural community.

Livonia Community Theatre PRESENTS:

The Downriver Actors Guild Production of...FOREVER PLAID

DESCRIPTION: When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in this goofy, 1950s inspired musical. All the nostalgia and charm of the 1950's delivered in perfect harmony! A heartfelt, funny, and interactive show for all ages.

TICKETS: $15 general admission tickets now available for purchase on TicketLeap (https://livonia-community-theatre.ticketleap.com/forever.../). The remaining tickets will be sold at the door.

APRIL 21 SHOW has limited ticket availability (less than 50 tickets available).

April 21-23, 29-30 (two shows on the 30th).

COVID Protocols: Currently, masks are required for all audience goers regardless of vaccination status.

Cast:

Rob Douglas as FRANKIE

Kyle Harwood as JINX

Brian Haverkate as SMUDGE

Alex Quinlan as SPARKY.

Director/Choreographer:

Kayla Harwood

Music Director:

David Waggoner

Mark your calendar.

Auditions February 18-20.

Performance July 29-31.

Livonia's Shakespeare in the Park.

With the donation of $10,000 from the Hardies Family Trust, all systems are go for the first-ever Livonia parks production of Romeo and Juliet scheduled to take place at the end of July in Stymelski Park.

Auditions are set for February 18, 19, and 20 at the Kirksey Recreation Center. These are drop-in auditions, no appointment is necessary but please come with a Shakespeare monologue of your choice. Auditions are open for those 14-99.

AUDITION NOTICE:

Little Women, A Little Musical

Directed by Paul Bruce who encourages you to audition by first sending Barefoot Productions "a message with your email address and we can provide you the audition form to fill out in advance."

"In the not too distant future I will be directing, music directing, choreographing, and likely sweeping up after a show entitled LITTLE WOMEN, A LITTLE MUSICAL.

"This show is particularly special to me as it is a through-composed version of the show with music and lyrics by yours truly.

"Auditions are scheduled for March 7th and 8th at Barefoot Productions Theater located at 33735 Five Mile Rd, Livonia.

"Doors will open at 6:30 pm with auditions starting at 7:00 pm on both evenings. Performances will take place during the first two weekends of June.

"I hope you will consider auditioning and if there does not appear to be a role for you, perhaps sharing this audition information with anyone you think may be suitable."

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Little Women, A Little Musical with Music and lyrics by Paul Bruce Based on the novel, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.

This version features a cast of 7 with 5 roles for women and 2 roles for men. The roles are as follows:

Women's roles:

Marmee March - Playing age of upper 40s to upper 50s

Meg March - Ages from 18 to 23 during the story

Jo March - Ages from 16 to 21 during the story

Beth March -Ages from 13 to 17 during the story

Amy March - Ages from 12 to 17 during the story

*All women auditioning for the four daughter roles should be at least 16 at the time of auditions. We will audition women from 16 to 30 for any of these roles.

All of the women in this show have a significant quantity of vocal solos and features. We are looking for 5 sopranos with some good low notes!

Men's roles:

Father March, Grandfather Laurence, Aunt March

Playing age upper 40s to 70 as dictated by the specific character. This combination of 3 roles is covered by a single actor and is a tour-de-force for that individual, offering up a variety of character voices and vocal challenges.

Vocal range - baritone/baritenor

Laurie Laurence - Ages from 17 to 22 during the story

*All men auditioning for Laurie should be at least 16 at the time of auditions. We will audition men from 16 to 30 for this role. Vocal range - tenor. All of the men in this show have a significant quantity of vocal solos and features.

All those auditioning for the show should come prepared with a vocal selection of their choosing and their own device for accompaniment. Those asked to remain at the end of the vocal auditions will be taught vocal selections from the show and asked to perform portions of those selections.

All applicants should come dressed for movement. There will be a minimum of reading as the show is through-composed with only brief narration provided by all the characters in between scenes.

Congressional race heats up with Michelle Wooddell joining the race

Southfield resident and Democrat Michelle Wooddell

announced her candidacy for Congress Tuesday. A kitchen-table Democrat, concerned with the everyday issues facing Michiganders, Wooddell is seeking to represent Michigan's newly created 12th Congressional District, including Livonia, Dearborn, Southfield, and Northwest Detroit.

Her priorities include affordable healthcare and college tuition, supporting the police with a focus on stopping crime and providing more aid for mental health issues, supporting troops and their families, and protection of the environment, particularly our water. Wooddell is a small business owner and teacher who grew up in Dearborn, Mich.

Wooddell has worked more than two decades as a community leader. Her company, Nonprofit Spot, LLC, was founded in 2013, helping more than 100 metro Detroit nonprofit organizations with programming, operations, and management. She is a tenured associate professor at Grand Valley State University; prior to 2013, she worked at the Detroit Historical Society for 11 years.

"My whole career has been spent side-by-side collaborating with the organizers, activists and community leaders who work tirelessly on behalf of families living in southeast Michigan. Now, I'd like to take that knowledge and experience to Congress to fight for hardworking families," said Wooddell.

"The families of the 12th district need someone who doesn't demonize their opponents or spend their time shouting about issues on social media or in the press. I'm an ordinary, no-nonsense mom who knows that Congress needs more representatives willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work."

Wooddell is a graduate of Dearborn Public Schools, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University.

Her father worked for Ford Motor Company for more than 30 years and still lives in Dearborn.

Wooddell lives in Southfield, Mich., is married to Victor Wooddell, and the couple have two adopted children, Aleksey and Sasha.

Wooddell's campaign website is

unitedthe12th.com

What is Michelle Wooddell talking about?

For more of Wooddell's issues click here:

Issues (unitethe12th.com)

Climate Change/Our Environment

I believe that humans are affecting the planet in ways that are alarming. America needs to revive our leadership of global efforts to invest in sustainable energy options. Our region is well-positioned to lead the way in this effort; after all, we put the world on wheels and became the Arsenal of Democracy when our country needed us. I believe that the men and women of the 12^th District will once again step up to this immense challenge if we increase our investment and commitment.

Education

As an educator, I understand the value of a strong public schools system, as well as affordable post-secondary options. Specifically, I will fight for:

Increased support for apprenticeships, vocational and technical schools, and community colleges
Community-based, neighborhood preschools
Loan forgiveness for post-college public service

Equality and Voting Rights

America is a democratic republic – but only if we are all equal and can hold our leaders accountable at the ballot box. I will be at the forefront of ensuring that everyone’s rights are protected and that every American is free to work, love, marry and worship in any way that they choose.

Gun Control

The right to bear arms is a right that is enshrined in our constitution and I know that it is important to many Michiganders. But, like all rights, it is subject to adaptation and reflection as circumstances change. I believe in enforcing our current gun laws, passing new sensible gun laws and mandating universal background checks with no loopholes. I also support a ban on assault weapons.

Health Care

I will fight to protect your right to quality, affordable healthcare. Having worked hand-in-hand with numerous health care and social service agencies over the past, I have seen firsthand the challenges that families face. I will fight for:

Increased funding and focus on mental health support
Protections for pre-existing conditions
A public option for individuals and families who choose it

Jobs and the Economy

I am a small business owner who has dealt firsthand with the need to pay my team a fair wage, increase sales, and navigate sometimes confusing government regulations. There are tens of thousands of small and medium-sized businesses in our district, to say nothing of the global firms that call metro Detroit home. My policy priorities in this area are:

Holding corporate leaders accountable for treating their workers fairly and paying them appropriately
Providing help to families that are suffering from a job loss or interruption
Training workers to take on the fulfilling jobs of the future
Working to control inflation through sound fiscal policy

Seniors

Both of my parents live in the 12^th District and I have seen firsthand the challenges that they face in maintaining their mobility and connections to the community as they age. Every senior citizen has the right to live in dignity. In order to make that happen, I will always protect Social Security and Medicare, seeking to shore up long-term funding for these critical programs.

Union Rights

My mother was in a union for nearly two decades and it made a huge difference for our family. I will support the rights of workers to organize and work as an equal partner with their company’s leaders.

Veterans

My grandfather was a WWII airman and an inspiration to our family for his 96 years. I will always vote to support our troops and veterans.

Postal Address

19514 Bainbridge 48152

Cell Phone

734-674-5871

E-mail

rwilliamjoyner@gmail.com