Buchanan Michigan Announces 4th Annual Un-Sanctioned Event, featuring National Recording Artist Deborrah Wyndham, on May 26th, Memorial Day Weekend.

Buchanan, Michigan – May 21, 2012 – The City of Buchanan Downtown Development Authority is pleased to announce its Summer kick-off celebration entitled “Un-Sanctioned!” which is scheduled for Saturday, May 26th during the Memorial Day Weekend.   

Past Un-sanctioned events have drawn thousands of visitors meeting and enjoying many fine artists, shop keepers, artisans, musicians, ice cream shops, winemakers, old world taverns, antique dealers, candy stores, galleries and tents within Buchanan’s Downtown National Register Historic District.

Un-Sanctioned will include an entire day of activities consisting food, drink, fine art, crafts, antiques, shopping, and live music by a number of prominent musicians. Un-Sanctioned begins with the opening of the Back Door Café and Hilltop Café at 6:00am, followed by the opening of the Buchanan Farmers’ Market at 8am and a wonderful Homemade Pie Sale starting at 10:00am by members of the First Presbyterian Church. 

Pears Mill will open at 10:00am to 3:00pm and will feature demonstrators in period costumes will be rug hooking and  spinning, and accompanied by live musicians playing the banjo and lap dulcimer. Marge Collins will be rug hooking and Laurel Ellerbrook, spinning. Rex Dillman will be performing on the banjo with Carol Kent on dulcimer.

At 12 Noon there will be a dedication ceremony for the City of Buchanan’s new Historic Marker. 

Offered in connection with Music on Front Street, live music will be featured at the Buchanan Gazebo across from Harger Park.  Appearing at the Gazebo starting at 11:30 am is Eternal Joyful Noise.  McCoy Creek Tavern will feature Shawn Tucker in Sculpture Alley from 1:00pm to 3:00pm.  Dean Antiques will include yet another oasis of live music throughout the day as well, will several live jazz performances during the day. And at 3:00pm, acoustic guitarist Jeff Comfort will open at the Gazebo, later followed by Jan Burda of Shady Grove Fiddle Fest at 4:30pm.

At 7:00pm, national recording artist Deborrah Wyndham will take the Gazebo stage with music from her two most recent CD’s and a musical entre that spans a wide spectrum of musical tastes and styles.  Deborrah Wyndham is gifted pianist and composer and singer-songwriter who has appeared on national television affiliates such as FOX, NBC and ABC, with over 2,700 past performances completed to date.  Don’t miss this performance!

Adding to the excitement, The Union Coffee House will continue to maintain a vibrant local music scene with the opening The Unraveling String Band at 8:30pm!

In addition, the Buchanan Art Center will feature live music throughout the day. 12 - 1:00pm with pianist Judith Gault playing select Broadway Favorites.  From 1:00 - 2:00pm, pianist Diana Jo Toledo will be playing Classical & Sacred music selections.  2 - 3:00pm pianist Sarah Carlson will be playing Light Jazz, Swing, & Broadway.  From 3 - 3:30pm, Ben Toledo will be playing classical selections on both Violin & Piano.  From 3:30 - 4:30pm, pianist Kim Gwin will be playing both Classical & Patriotic music selections.  From  4:30 - 5:00pm, pianist Lydia Hines will be playing Classical music, and from 5 - 6:00pm, Guitarist Jeff Comfort will be playing popular Rock & Roll selections.  At 6:30, the nearby First Presbyterian Church will feature a 1950’s Sock Hop!

Un-Sanctioned is also pleased to announce the participation of a large number of fine artists and artisans who will be exhibiting their works under tents, on sidewalks, and inside a number of shops.  These include: Sara Johnson, Didgeroos; Susan Griffin & Marie Hodge, Fused Glass Jewelry; Daniel Florey, Pottery; Diane Overmeyer, Paintings; Linda Loco, Jewelry and Mixed Media; Kim Pruitt, Painter; Michael Dalton, Pottery; Shylan Howard, Jewelry; Greg Allen, Pottery; Jason Schoppe, Street Art; Levi Smith, Jewelry; John Pohmer & Kathy Murray, Photography; Jan Quinn, Installations; Margaret Bryant, Fiber Arts; George W. Millet, Jr., Watercolor and Ink; Mike Tilly, Rustic Wood Furniture; and Dawn Grofvert, Jewelry and Glass Lamp Work.

Alan Robandt is showing antiques, objects, mirrors, lighting and furniture, and will be hosting renowned singer, musician, entertainer, teacher, doctor of philosophy, and now author, Greta Pope, who will be signing copies of her critically acclaimed new book, Music, Money, & You; Managing the Business.  Almost Home Gallery & Gifts will feature a mix of original art, including paintings, glass, pottery, jewelry and accessories. FRONT Gallery will be featuring classic modern home fashions and art, together with a wine tasting in the evening featuring Buchanan’s own Wyncroft Wines later in the evening. 

SL Consignment Gallery will feature artwork and eclectic vintage & antique home furnishings. Sandy’s Floral Boutique will feature fresh flowers, balloon bouquets and gourmet gift baskets, and Dean Antiques will be showing an interesting collection of antiques.  Thomas Jolly Home & Garden presents English Country and twentieth century designs. West End Studios and Gallery at 999 West Front Street (1 mile west on Front Street) will be representing a unique blend of pottery at Harger Park.  Slocum’s Gifts, Décor & More will be offering a group of gifts for the home or office, and further up front Street, Front Street Framery will be showing collectibles, framed art and gift items.

The Buchanan Art Center will offer all day “Walk thru Raku,” where visitors buy a bowl, glaze it, RAKU fire it, and take it home, plus Gyotaku printmaking from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  With three galleries of art, a fine gift shop, and live music all day long, The Buchanan Art Center will also be exhibiting Sculpture by international artist Tuck Langland, and Photographic Art by Richard Beckermeyer.   

Not to be missed, Red Bud Hardware will feature outdoor Celebrity Chef grilling demonstrations focused upon grilling, and Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve will open its gardens along the scenic St. Joseph River Valley and will also be hosted downtown at the SL Consignment Gallery.

The Buchanan Museum of Fine Art will open “Plein Air Expressionism” the Art of Julie Bowland.  Ms Bowland received her BFA, Magna Cum Laude, from Florida State University and continuing with expressionistic plein air paintings, earned an MFA, Magna Cum Laude, from Arizona State University in Tempe, and continues to direct the VSU Fine Arts Galley as a Professor of Art.  The Buchanan Museum will also be exhibiting works by Internationally known portraiture artist, Harry Ahn,  plus two early twentieth century murals by Edward Buyck (represented in the White House, Vanderbilt and Getty Museum collections).

The Union Coffee House will be hosting Bumwush Art Studios throughout the day and will be offering fresh brewed organic, fair trade coffee & tea from around the world prior to the opening of The Unraveling String Band at 8:30pm.  McCoy Creek Tavern will feature a large selection of artisan craft brews on tap, plus good food and great times.

Sweetie’s Sweet Shop will feature home-made caramel and cheese corn, chocolates, and Chicago style sandwiches. The Sweet Shop will be offering a menu that includes Panini, ice creams and confections. Wheatberry Restaurant & Tavern features award-winning pit barbecue, fresh-caught fish & seafood, prime steaks, free-range poultry & vegetarian fare.

During Un-Sanctioned, visitors can also enjoy local eating establishments: B&W Olde Village Inn, Fernwood Café, Tasty Chen’s, Gary Z’s, Hilltop Café, Milanos Pizza and Sonny’s Restaurant.  And for those wishing to partake of Buchanan’s vast wine country, visitors are encouraged to also tour nearby wineries that include Wyncroft Wines, Round Barn Winery, Lehman’s Orchard Winery, Domaine Berrien Cellars, Tabor Hill Winery, Free Run Cellars, Lemon Creek Winery, Hickory Creek Winery and Founder’s Cellars.

Un-Sanctioned is sponsored by the City of Buchanan Downtown Development Authority and further underwritten by National Public Radio affiliate, WVPE 88.1 FM.  Spend your day Discovering Buchanan and making new friends!  Enjoy an evening with Deborrah Wyndham as well.  Please visit www.Un-Sanctioned.com for further information.

Contact:

Jeffrey Antisdel, Chairman
Promotion and Marketing Committee
City of Buchanan Downtown Development Authority
Telephone:  269.409.8169
 
Web:  www.Un-Sanctioned.com
 
 

Contact Information

Jeffrey Antisdel

DDA marketing & Promotion Committee Chairman

City of Buchanan Downtown Development Authority

Contact via E-mail