September 11,2020 Your Source for Livonia Happenings
Change begins with each and every one of us. Together let's use our collective voices to change the narrative to one that clearly depicts all the amazing work that happens in our hometown community. Paraphrased from Eric Sheninger in Reflections on Leadership
Let's change the Livonia narrative with vision, transformation, leadership
Community Theatre continues
to make an impact
Livonia Community Theatre (formerly Paul’s Players) was founded in 2011 by Patricia Hutchison, a retired music and drama teacher.

In 2017, the group changed its name to Livonia Community Theater to reflect its deep commitment to the City of Livonia.

LCT Founder Pat Hutchison is retiring from her position as Board President, and the folks at LCT are pleased to announce that Livonia resident Paul Manoian will be taking over as Board President. Paul has an active history in local theater communities in Metro Detroit. He is a professional photographer, and brings a world of technical experience and creative ideas to LCT. 

Stepping in as Business Manager is LCT's very own Katherine O'Donnell. Kat is a native of Livonia and a recent graduate of Western Michigan University with a major in Arts Management.

She grew up in LCT, and has been a major part of our theater community since the very beginning when she attended her first Broadway Bound camp back in 2011. She has worked shows and summer camps ever since: as a high school intern, camp manager, assistant director, and performer. She is a wonderful addition to the LCT team. 

There are some exciting new ideas in the works: First up, another all virtual production, with auditions September 15, 16.

This year with the future of live productions so uncertain, there are plans to offer more virtual events, online classes, and workshops as a way to help folks keep honing their theater skills. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the global arts sector in unprecedented ways.

Museums had to close their doors. Concerts were cancelled. Gig artists who perform on urban streets and in our bars were forced to stay-at-home.

“The Phantom of the Opera” composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has told British lawmakers that the performing arts are “at the point of no return.”

Lloyd Webber spoke about the struggles of staging socially distanced shows and making them profitable, noting that very few shows “hit the jackpot” like “Hamilton,” “Lion King” or “Phantom.”
Here in Livonia we are missing out on the seasonal concerts of our Symphony Orchestra and Civic Chorus. Not to mention the Livonia Community Theatre and Motor City Youth Theatre.

Add to those our Music from the Heart, the Fine Arts Gallery at the Bennett Library. Our dance studios are hurting. The list goes on and on.

Livonia needs to start up conversations about what the art industry in Livonia will be like after the pandemic. Out of this crisis and disruption can come opportunity.

When we come out of this, it won’t be the same. We have to reimagine the entire art sector after the outbreak, including how we fill seats and conduct ticket sales. We need to have informed conversations now.

That is where the conversation about a band shell, amphitheatre, gazebo fits. As Councilman Brandon McCullough says "it can be the start of a community conversation." A conversation Councilwoman Laura Toy and the typewriter started 10 years ago. Let's talk again.
“If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.” 
John F. Kennedy
1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame postphoned due to Covid 19
Every year the date of the annual 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame is circled bright red on the calendar of many Livonia residents. This year was to be no exception--the first Thursday in October. It was until Covid-19 hit and forced the postponement of the induction ceremony until 2021.

For 15 years the Induction Ceremony has been the gathering place for an incredible community of creative thinkers and innovators, the source of so much of what has been given to Livonia since our incorporation as a Township in 1835 and as a City in 1950.

The efforts of those inducted have helped create a sustainable hometown of which we are all proud.

Please join us next year at the 1835 Livonia City Hall of Fame Induction. We will again gather to advance the work and continue the recognition of leaders who have dedicated a portion of their existence to bettering a town they live in or work in.

Check out the listing below of the Hall of Fame Inductees. They helped build a hometown of which we can all be proud.
Support hometown news
Congresswoman Haley Stevens airs first television ad of congressional campaign
Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) released the first television ad of her re-election campaign. “Rebuild” highlights Stevens’ work to pass the bipartisan American Manufacturing Leadership Act, and her focus on rebuilding Michigan’s manufacturing economy. The ad also notes Stevens’ recent endorsement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

Should the Republican candidate Eric Esshaki run a campaign ad we will also run that ad.
Meeting candidates for Livonia Board of Education:
This week, Tammy Bonifield
FridayMusings will continue to share information about the 6 candidates running for the Livonia Board of Education. This is the 5th of 6th candidate profiles. Dan Centers next:

Tammy Bonifield was elected to the Board in November 2012 and re-elected in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Michigan Technological University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Tammy works as an accountant for a Northville firm. Tammy is the treasurer of the Livonia AM Rotary and holds several leadership positions with her sons' Boy Scout troop.

She has two children -- both have graduated from LPS. Tammy has held numerous PTA board positions, and has served on the Elementary Report Card Task Force, District School Improvement Team, and the Taylor-Hoover Transition Team.

Tammy is certified by the Michigan Association of School Boards and has achieved the MASB Master Board Member Award.

She will:

√ Advocate for all LPS students to receive the highest standard of education

√ Ensure a course of fiscal responsiblity, seeking additional costs savings and revenue sources

√ Strive to continuously improve communication and transparency for all LPS stakeholders

√ Represent the community in protecting and upholding the future of our Livonia Public Schools

Yard signs @ Sign-A-Palooza

Louise Weller asks if you are ready for Sign-A-Palooza Saturday morning! There is no charge for the signs but donations gratefully accepted. If you previously received a Biden for President sign and now want a Biden Harris sign, please consider a swap if you don't need 2 signs. See you Saturday. Hubbard south of the Kirksey Recreation Center.

Should the Republicans make available yard signs for their candidates Musings will be happy to share that information as well.
Pohutsky and Darga House Party
Its a VIRTUAL HOUSE PARTY to meet Nancy Darga, Democratic Candidate for Wayne County Board of Commissioners, District 9 (Livonia, Northville, Northville Township). Nancy is dedicated to protecting our parks and open spaces, rebuilding Wayne County's crumbling infrastructure, and helping make Wayne County - and especially Livonia, Northville and Northville Township - the best places in Wayne County to live and work and raise a family! Join us to get to know Nancy and raise some funds for her campaign.