The 2018 Muskegon Area Arts and Humanities Festival (ahFest) will celebrate the theme of “Truth”” throughout October. The events are part of the National Arts and Humanities Month and include art exhibits, films, lectures, music and theater.
The Festival brings awareness of the arts and humanities to the community through activities that honor the efforts of artists, historians, and cultural groups working to make the arts and humanities a part of everyday life.
In 2001, ahFest began under the leadership of Richard Charles Ford, an ardent advocate for recognition of the benefits of having an active arts and humanities community in Muskegon County. Since then, the festival has explored a theme each year chosen by committee. The choice of theme is intended to spark creativity in the wider community and inspire us to ask questions and discuss what our lives look like in terms of that particular theme.
For more information, visit www.ahfest.org or contact Sheila Wahamaki, Festival Chair, at sheila.wahamaki@muskegoncc.edu or (231) 777-0323.
This year’s festival offerings cast a wide net through many disciplines in the arts and humanities:
Art
- “Truth: Works by Brenda Beerhorst and Cathy Marashi” @ MCC Overbrook Gallery, 221 S. Quarterline, Rd. – through Oct. 25
- 90th Regional Exhibition, Muskegon Museum of Art, 96 W. Webster Ave. – throughout October
- Armand Merizon: His Life and Art @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 96 W. Webster Ave. -throughout October
- “FantasMenagerie: The Sculpture of Nat Rosales” @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 296 W. Webster Ave. – Opens Thursday, Oct. 18
- ahfest Art Teacher Exhibition @ MAISD North, 630 Harvey St. – throughout October
Education
- “Redeeming the Dream” with Dr. Alveda King @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Thursday, Oct. 4, 7 p.m.
- “Why Not Lying is Not Enough,” lecture by Sherman Clark @ Muskegon Community College, Stevenson Center Room 1100, 221 S. Quarterline, Rd. – Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
- “Philosophy On Tap: Discussion of the book Post-Truth by Lee McIntyre” @ Noble Building Banquet Center, 500 W. Western Ave. – Thursday, Nov. 1, 7-9 pm
Film
- ahfest Film Series presented by Muskegon Community College @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 96 W. Webster Ave.
- Doubt: A Parable – Wednesday, Oct. 3, 6 p.m.
- The Shape of Water – Wednesday, Oct. 10, 6 p.m.
- The Drop – Wednesday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.
- Moonlight – Wednesday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m.
- Ruin Me @ MCC Overbrook Theater, 221 S. Quarterline Rd. – Oct. 31, 6 p.m.
- Brown Bag Film Series: Art21 @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 96 W. Webster Ave. – Thursday, Oct. 11. 12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Literature
- “Banned Books READ-IN: Assert Your Right to Read Freely!” @ Muskegon Community College, Blue and Gold Room, 221 S. Quarterline, Rd. – Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2:30 -3:30 p.m.
- Muskegon Writers’ Series Presents “An Evening With Gary Trudeau” @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Monday, Oct. 22, 7 pm
- Buster Keaton Film Festival @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Saturday, Oct. 6
Music
- West Michigan Symphony Season Opening @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Friday, Sept. 28, 7:30 p.m.
- Art Garfunkel in Close-Up @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Saturday, Sept. 29, 7:30 p.m.
- Dallas String Quartet “DSQ Electric” @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Friday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m.
- Red House Concert Series “House of Hamill with Channing and Quinn” @ Frauenthal Center, Beardsley Theater, 425 W. Western Ave. – Friday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
- The Muskegon Community College Downtown Live Concert Series @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. All events begin at 7 pm
- Wind and Jazz Ensembles with the Truth in Jazz Orchestra “Truth” – Wednesday, Oct. 24
- West Michigan Concert Winds “Fall into Jazz III with Tim Froncek”- Saturday, Oct. 27
- Muskegon Community College Vocal Ensembles “the Music of Autumn” – Sunday, Nov. 4, 3 p.m.
- Julien Labro and the Chanson Experiment @ Muskegon Museum of Art, 96 W. Webster Ave. – Saturday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m.
- West Michigan Symphony “Scheherazade Showcase” @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Friday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m.
Theatre
- Muskegon Civic Theatre presents “Disenchanted” @ Beardsley Theater, 425 W. Western Ave. – Sept. 14-29
- 9th Annual City of the Dead @ Evergreen Cemetery, 391 Irwin Ave. – Oct. 13-14
- Muskegon Civic Theatre’s Penguin Project “Aladdin Jr.” @ Frauenthal Center, 425 W. Western Ave. – Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 21, 3 p.m.
- “Animal Farm” @ Muskegon Community College’s Overbrook Theater, 221 S. Quarterline, Rd., – Oct. 24-27, 7:30 pm, and Oct. 28, 3 pm
Previous AH FEST Annual Themes
2017 Water
2016 Mystery
2015 Myth and Reality
2014 About Time
2013 Faith and Reason
2012 The Future
2011 Home
2010 Self
2009 You & Me
2008 Tradition & Change
2007 Need & Want
2006 Art & Entertainment
2005 Technology & Humanity
2004 Freedom & Privacy
2003 Work & Play
2002 Good & Evil
2001 Friendship & Community