A brilliant new partnership between the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center and WNIT Public Television in South Bend will bring performances directly into the living rooms of residents all across the region in a project called “The Mendel Center Presents.”
The two have partnered to produce the new television performance series which will kick off this month with three 30-minute performance segments from this past summer’s Drive-in Live! series during the pandemic.
Upcoming program dates for the three segments include:
- Friday, November 13th – Andrew Fisher Quartet
- Friday, November 20th – Mike Struwin
- Friday, November 27th – Resurrection Blues Band
Each program will air at 8:30 pm on WNIT 34.2 (Comcast 371).
Grace Kelmer, Director of The Mendel Center Mainstage, says, “We are excited to begin this partnership with WNIT. It allows us to connect with more people in our community and beyond and share the transformative experiences of live, local performances in a new way for us.”
Kelmer adds that future programming is in the planning stages between the Mendel Center and production crews at WNIT.
Here is more about the featured artists in these segments:
- Andrew Fisher Quartet: The Andrew Fisher Quartet is a neo-soul jazz group from right here in southwest Michigan. They specialize in blending traditional genres such as soul, funk, R&B, Motown, and more while using the language of improvisation and jazz. Since its inception in 2015, AFQ showcases the unique talents of its members on well-known songs and catalog as well as on original music from their 2019 EP.
- Mike Struwin: Incorporating a myriad of genres, including Alt-Country/Blues & Bluegrass/Roots/Folk/Soul and even Reggae, Mike Struwin has forged a truly unique style all his own. Struwin has a deep fondness for performing live. He has toured throughout the middle of the continent, from Michigan to Colorado, and earned himself the title of “Kalamazoo Acoustic Idol” in 2004. During that time, he shared the stage with musical majors, Greensky Bluegrass, The Wailers, Robert Bradley’s Black Water Surprise and members of Umphrey’s Mcgee and The David Crosby Band.
- Resurrection Blues Band: The Resurrection Blues Band delivers blues with a Feeling. Nothing but soul-making, heart-stealing, butt-shaking blues with a hint of rock and funk. Originals with carefully selected covers and remakes. When you’re down and out, come on over and we’ll play the blues for you.
The Mendel Center raised the curtain on its first Mainstage season performance in the fall of 1992. Since that time, it has presented Mainstage season performances to more than half a million patrons in the 1,559-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre.
The newly renovated Grand Upton Hall, first opened in 1979, is a 13,700-square-foot venue serving the community as the host site for meetings, banquets, trade shows, weddings, and other celebrations.
The 229-seat Hanson Theatre is home to the Lake Michigan College Visual & Performing Arts Departments as well as a variety of Mendel Center and community events.
