The Bay Area Art Association  Visit page >> The Bay Area Art Association originally formed as a collection of art guilds and is now working to serve the community and encourage local artists through several annual programs. The association offers art scholarships, presents a membership show in the Bonifas gallery each May, and plans artist gatherings to share ideas and promote artistic growth. Volunteers from the Bay Area Art Association organize the juried Waterfront Art Festival in Ludington Park in Escanaba on the first Saturday of August each summer, which attracts 2,000 visitors and over 70 exhibiting artists. The Bay Area Art Association is open to all artists and art enthusiasts. For information or to become a member, call president Janie Paulin at 786-3102. Bay de Noc Choral Society The Bay de Noc Choral Society, under the direction of Ann Wood, performs contemporary and traditional music as well as sacred pieces. The choir presents a Christmas concert and a spring concert along with other community appearances. The choral society is open to all community members. Rehearsals are held Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. For more information call Ann Wood at 786-6910. Bay de Noc Community College Visit Site Ongoing classes in music, drama, writing and art make Bay College a natural partner for the Arts Center. Two Galleries with continuing exhibits and a new Performing Arts Center add to the fun - call (906) 786-3833 for great educational opportunities! Delta Folks This volunteer group works to bring acoustic music performances to Delta County, including local favorites as well as guest musicians from almost anywhere else. The Delta Folks' popular Friday night concert series is offered at the 8th Street Coffeehouse, 720 Ludington St., Escanaba, this season on the second Friday of the month. Most concerts are $5. Members are needed. No musical skills are necessary to join. For more information, contact Kathryn Morski at katmorski@uplogon.com or Jan Berg at (906) 474-6287. Friends of the Escanaba Public Library Visit Site In 1988, a group of library supporters joined together to establish the Friends of the Escanaba Public Library. With a dedicated 15-member board and countless volunteers, the Friends have provided support to the Library in a number of ways. Through contributions from the public in the form of memorial and commemorative gifts, the Friends supplement the Library's regular budget with the purchase of books and special supplies. Every year the Friends provide generous support to the Library's Summer Reading Program and other activities in the Children's Room. Call the Library at 789-7323 for information. International Folk Dancers Most Mondays you're invited to join the International Folk Dancers in the Bonifas Gallery. The group enjoys a variety of line and circle dances from around the world under the leadership of Sue Robishaw. No need for a partner or fancy clothes. Dancing begins at 7 p.m. and continues till 9 during the school year; check the Bonifas calendar for dates. A small donation is accepted to cover the group's few expenses. For more information call Robishaw at (906) 644-2598. Loyal Order of the Oblong Table Writers' Group This group meets Wednesdays at 4 p.m. at the 8th Street Coffeehouse, 8th and Ludington Streets in Escanaba. Led by Bay College Writing Instructor Darby Mitchell, herself a published author, members bring writings to share and critique. In the past, they've also done some collaborative works. Contact Mitchell at (906) 786-2553 for more information, or walk right in on Wednesday. Players de Noc Visit Site As Delta County's community theater company since 1965, Players de Noc boasts a troupe of talented local performers and a strong community following. This volunteer company presents four productions each year in the Bonifas Arts Center's 240-seat theater. Tickets for each production are available at Gust Asp convenience store, 616 Ludington Street in Escanaba. Season tickets are available by calling (906) 789-7468. The Remnants Barbershop Chorus In addition to performing at community events throughout the year, the Remnants host the popular "Harvest of Harmony" concert with guest barbershop groups every October at the Escanaba Junior High Auditorium. Males 18 or older are invited to rehearse at the Gladstone Legion Post on Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. For information call Marc Tall at 786-4798. Menominee Area Arts Council Visit Site The newest affiliate member of the Bonifas Arts Center is the Menominee Area Arts Council. MAAC, which has existed for several decades, experienced a revival beginning last summer. Key is the group's V.I.P. focus: Vision, Initiative, and Partnership. The goal of partnership has resulted in affiliations with Bonifas and the M & M Chamber of Commerce. The group worked with the Chamber on Art for All and will have an exhibit at the Bonifas Arts Center next June. "It's an act of faith to be part of an arts organization at this time," said Mollie Larsen, Bonifas Executive Director. "We're delighted to welcome this organization, and hope to work with them for many years in the future." Monthly meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 4 p.m. at the Spies Public Library. The group uses a Strategic Planning Calendar with 4 categories: 1) Projects, which make MAAC more effective, such as the Art Tour Map; 2) group-generated Activities to benefit the community, such as Art in the Park and the Fish Sculpture; 3) Assistance/Endorsement/Promotion of other art-related groups including joint art exhibits at area libraries; 4) Financial Support, as in donation of art books to libraries. In process is the Nativity Art Exhibit, a display of liturgical art on the first Saturday of Advent, December 5th. Find out more about this volunteer community service organization at their website, http://www.cityofmenominee.org/maac.htm.