Gopherwood’s Made in Michigan FUNdraiser

March 8, 2015

When Gopherwood Concerts holds a fundraiser, they like the event to have a focus. After the Cadillac nonprofit’s popular four-year run of their "Night of Wine and Chocolate" event, they decided it was time to make that focus more clearly on music, which Gopherwood’s Paul Brown said is really what Gopherwood is all about.

"We changed the name to emphasize that the music and items in our silent auction have Michigan roots," he explained. "And we moved the event from the Wexford County Historical Museum to the Cadillac Elks Lodge. That way, we can accommodate more performers and more patrons."

The silent auction, coordinated by Nancy Brown, is just one half of the event, but it’s an important one. This year’s proceeds are earmarked for two special causes.

As in past years, some of the funds raised will be dedicated to the continued improvement of Gopherwood’s sound and lighting equipment. The rest will be donated to musicians Seth and May Bernard to help cover medical costs for their daughter, who required cranial surgery last year.

"Nancy has put together an incredible group of auction items this year, kindly donated from an ever-growing group of Michigan artists and patrons of the arts," Brown said.

Many musicians who have played at Gopherwood, including Don Julin and Billy Strings, The Crane Wives, Rachael Davis, Roosevelt Diggs, and Luke Winslow King, have donated albums and other items, while local artists like Bruce Loper, Joyce Petrakovitz, Chris Fisher and Mary Beth Acosta have donated artwork, from paintings and pottery to metal work and woodworking.

"And our local band director here in Cadillac, Mike Filkins, has donated his father’s 1968 Kamaka ukulele," Brown said. "It’s been stored since it was bought new in Hawaii and rarely played, so it’s in pristine condition."

Other big-ticket auction items include a four-course dinner for six at the house of the winning bidder from personal chef Mark Fowler and a house concert from past Gopherwood performer Blake Elliott.

"There are many more, but needless to say, we are very excited and thankful for all the wonderful items that have been donated to us!" Brown said.

Each year, Gopherwood president Tiyi Schippers gathers a group of Michigan musicians who donate their time to the event and this year’s roster, Brown confirms, "promises to not disappoint."

"We’ve once again really put together an all-star group," he said. "So far they include Samuel Seth Bernard, Drew Nelson, Frank Youngman, Mary Sue Wilkinson and Roger Brown, Barry Lempe, Tom Schwarz and the group Lake Affect."

The range of musicians is as diverse as the auction offerings, from the moving storytelling and songs of Nelson to Wilkinson and Brown’s Americana mix, from local legend Lake Affect’s neighborly folk music ambiance to northern Michigan favorite Bernard. Bernard comes to the Gopherwood stage fresh from a win at Grand Rapids’ WYCE 16th Annual Jammie Awards, where he snagged Best Pop/Rock Album, an honor that Brown confirmed is well deserved.

"Seth always makes us think about how we all fit into the world around us, and that we are all intertwined," Brown said.

Gopherwood’s own fate has been intertwined with many of northern Michigan’s standout musicians and, as they enter their 31st season of presenting music in Cadillac, Brown said they’re very proud of their longevity and of the quality of entertainment they’ve been able to showcase.

"We’ve had great national acts, including Richie Havens, Eddie from Ohio and Mose Allison," Brown said, "but it’s the Michiganmade acts we are most proud of. And our large crowds are a testament to the quality of their music."

The Made in Michigan FUNdraiser will take place on Saturday, March 14 at 8:00pm at the Cadillac Elks Lodge. Advance tickets can be purchased at Toy Town and After 26 in downtown Cadillac or by calling 231-846-8383.

Gopherwood Concerts is affiliated with, and funded in part by, the Cadillac Arts Council.