What’s happening in our community (updated May 8)

Clay Hill is among the many regular vendors the Bowling Green Farmers Market. The first market of the season is Wednesday (May 8). See information below. (2022 file photo)

Toledo Symphony explores ‘Tragic Destiny,’ May 10

The Toledo Symphony, conducted by Alain Trudel, will present “Tragic Destiny,” Friday, May 10 at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle. Tickets are available by visiting artstoledo.com and start at the low price of $20 for adults and $15 for students.

The program will feature:

“Don Juan” by Richard Strauss. Based on the 1844 poem by Nikolaus Lenau, “Don Juan” is a gripping exploration of love, longing, and ultimately despair. Strauss’s interpretation of this iconic character breaks away from traditional programmatic music, offering a unique and captivating musical experience for audiences. This piece features two main themes, including an energetic and captivating opening flourish and a softer, more introspective melody that is sure to tug at the heartstrings of all who listen.

“Tragic Overture” by Johannes Brahms. Composed in 1880, this piece showcases Brahms’s unparalleled ability to evoke intense emotions through music. Brahms wrote this overture shortly after completing his Academic Festival Overture, and it is said to have been inspired by the idea of tragedy itself. The piece is in three main sections, all in D minor, and features the composer’s masterful development of a single theme into new material. From the opening strong chords to the shifting between major and minor tonalities, Brahms takes the listener on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Adagio from “Spartacus” by Aram Khachaturian. Khachaturian’s music is not only a reflection of his incredible talent, but also of his deep political convictions. Despite being a committed Communist, he faced criticism from the Central Committee for his music being deemed subversive and bourgeois. However, his dedication to the people and the Soviet Government is evident in the emotion and power of his work. The Adagio from “Spartacus” tells the story of the enslaved Spartacus and his escape and rebellion against the Romans. The beautiful and poignant love theme that you will hear in the Adagio captures a moment of temporary peace and respite for Spartacus and his wife, Phrygia.

“Doctor Atomic Symphony” by John Adams. American composer John Adams is renowned for his innovative and captivating musical style, and the Doctor Atomic Symphony is a shining example of his prowess. The symphony offers a mesmerizing blend of scientific and poetic texts, providing a rich and immersive experience for both performers and audiences alike. Adams’ creative process and inspiration behind the Doctor Atomic Symphony are truly fascinating, as he draws from a mix of scientific and poetic texts to convey the emotional and historical weight of the atomic bomb. The symphony embodies the immense power and impact of this moment in history, inviting listeners to reflect on the profound significance of the Manhattan Project and its far-reaching consequences.

Downtown BG Farmers Market begins May 8

The BG Farmers Market presented by Work Leads to Independence begins Wednesday (May 8) in the parking lot on the corner of South Main and Clough streets. 

The market is held each  Wednesday through Oct. 16 from 4-7 p.m.

The market features fresh produce from area farms as well as baked goods, sauces, jams, crafts, activities for kids, and information from local non-profit agencies.

This year the market will feature Power of Produce a program to teach kids about the value of eating fruits and vegetables. Each child will receive a $2 token to purchase vegetables and fruits of their choice.

Owens landscape & turf grass club holds plant sale, May 8

The Owens Community College Landscape and Turfgrass Management Club is hosting the Annual Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. The sale is held in the greenhouse outside the Math/Science Center (7315 Championship Dr., Perrysburg).

All plants available for purchase were grown by students in the Greenhouse Management class and will include more than 50 varieties of 4.5-inch potted Proven Winner annuals as well as a variety of perennials, vegetables, and succulents. There will also be a few pre-made combination planters ready for Mother’s Day.

Prices will vary. Proceeds from the plant sale will help in supporting the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Management Club.

Lucy Long to tell Kiwanis about ‘Apples in the Midwestern Imagination,’ May 9

Lucy M. Long, director of the Center for Food and Culture, will be the guest speaker at the May 9 meeting of the Bowling Green Kiwanis Club. Her topic will be “Apples in the Midwestern Imagination.”

The public is welcome to attend the event, with lunch available for $15 starting at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting starting at noon, in the Slater Family Ice Arena Lounge at BGSU. 

Long directs the independent nonprofit Center for Food and Culture and is retired from teaching classes at BGSU in folklore, popular culture, American studies, ethnic studies, nutrition and tourism. In her research, she focuses on food and music as carriers of meaning and identity, and their role and impact within tourism, heritage and sustainability. 

In 2020, Long ran a virtual oral history on Finding Comfort/Discomfort Through Foodways During the Covid-19 Pandemic, resulting in an online exhibit, virtual symposia, and publications. She is currently completing manuscripts for two books: Interpretation with Food and Apples in the Midwestern Imagination.

Maverick Financial Literacy hosts soccer event, May 11

Maverick Financial Literacy Inc. will host a four-to-a-side soccer competition, Saturday, May 11 from 11  a.m. to 2 p.m. on the BGSU Intramural Fields.

The competition will be preceded by a 30-minute financial literacy class.

Click to register. Must be 18 or older.

According to the company: “Our  mission is rooted in a profound dedication to assisting individuals in attaining a comprehensive understanding of personal finance. From mastering budgeting techniques to cultivating savvy investment strategies, we are committed to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex landscape of financial management.”

Lynne Long’s piano students present ‘Musical Menagerie,’ May 12

“Musical Menagerie” is the theme for the annual recital presented by piano students of Lynne E. Long of Grand Rapids on Sunday, May 12th at 3:00 p.m. at the New Life Community Wesleyan Church, 17679 Woodburn Avenue in Grand Rapids.

Students performing are: Henry Briggs, Holden Briggs, Audrey Day, Sophia Fields, Merida Gerwin, Sophia Gerwin, Isabelle Godosky, Ben Hergert, Miriam Hergert, Connor Hughes, Quinten Maynard, Amelia Richards, Ethan Stahl, Brady Swartz, Jillian Swartz, Aeryn Terry, and AJ White. “Pets Will Play . . . When the Family’s Away”, a narrative suite for piano by Nancy Lau, will be presented, along with several duets.

Seniors Ben Hergert and Ethan Stahl will be honored, along with recognition of students who performed in several Ohio Music Teacher Association events this past year and winners of the annual Achievement Chart contest. Five-year trophies will be awarded to Sophia Gerwin, Quinten Maynard, and Amelia Richards.

A reception will follow the recital.

Take a deep dive into Excel, May 13

The Wood County District Public Library offers a deep dive into the tools, formulas and set up of Microsoft Excel for personal and business uses on Monday, May 13, at 2 p.m. in Meeting Room C at the Bowling Green Library.
This class will cover examples for developing charts, budgets and using pivot tables.
Computer and Microsoft Excel are provided. Registration is required. To register, call (419) 352-5050, email woodref@wcdpl.org or register online at wcdpl.org/events.

Library hosting monthly Chess Nights May through August

The Wood County District Public Library hosts a monthly Chess Night the first Monday of the month, May through August, at 6:30 p.m. in Meeting Room C in Bowling Green.

Dates are May 6, June 3, July 1 and Aug. 5 

Chess Night is a casual, open chess meet-up that welcomes all skill levels. Players will have an opportunity to learn, practice and meet other community members interested in chess.

Some chess boards will be provided (no chess clocks will be available), and bringing your own chess board is welcomed and encouraged. 

Registration is not required. For more information, call (419)

352-5050, email woodref@wcdpl.org or visit wcdpl.org/events.

Tickets on sale for Players’ comedy ‘Life Sucks,’ weekends May 10-19

Tickets are now on sale for the Back Swamp Players production of by Aaron Posner’s comedy “Life Sucks” on state at the Oak Street theater May 10, 11, 17, and 18 at  8 p.m. with Sunday matinees May 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.

Click for tickets.

The cast features Andrew Packard, Story Moosa, Mackenzie Baumhower, Libby Allen Dachik, Jim Dachik, Kevin Caudill, and Diana DePasquale

The play is a modern re-imagining of Chekov’s “Uncle Vanya.” According to Playbill: “The play follows a group of old friends, ex-lovers, estranged in-laws, and lifelong enemies, who gather to grapple with life’s thorniest questions—and each other.”

Wood County Park District April activities

Wood County Park District springs into action with a variety of programs & volunteer opportunities

‘Marisol: A Retrospective’ continues at the Toledo Museum through June 2

“Marisol: A Retrospective,” an exhibit featuring work from throughout the artist’s 60-year career, including “The Party” from the museum’s collection, will be on view through June 2. The cost of admission to “Marisol” is $10.

[RELATED: Toledo Museum’s Marisol retrospective goes beyond the ‘wow’ factor]

According to the museum:  “Marisol’s influence reverberates through the corridors of history, and this retrospective is a testament to her enduring impact. With more than 240 works on display, spanning from her iconic sculptures, drawings, photographs, to intimate self-portraits, the exhibition invites viewers on a journey through her artistic evolution. Each piece offers a profound reflection on a myriad of themes, including politics, gender norms, and ecological and societal concerns, encapsulating the spirit of an era marked by social upheaval and cultural transformation.”

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