Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Behind the Scenes – Summer Events Guide



Michiganders live for summer. We all say we love winter and we pride ourselves on our resolve and ability to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but let’s admit it; we need summer. And this year it feels as though summer has been a long time coming, with a slightly cool, rainy, and long spring. But the calendar doesn’t play tricks and the first official day of summer is this week and so in true Muskegon style we are ready to get out and party. And downtown is the place to do it with Muskegon’s biggest events. See below for a guide to the summer’s biggest events and hit downtownmuskegon.org for a complete list.

Taste of Muskegon – June 20, 21 - a celebration of the area's best restaurants, bakeries, and more serving up their specialties. Come down and sample all the area has to offer for just a few dollars. Restaurants will be selling various items for $1.00 to $5.00 on Sat between 11-8 and Sunday between 11-6! Highlights include the unveiling of the World’s Largest Garlic Bread, prepared by Cole’s Quality Foods on Saturday at 11:00 and the County of Muskegon Sesquicentennial cake cutting where Free piece of birthday cake served to first 2000 patrons also on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. . On Sunday the Muskegon Main Street car show will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Proceeds to benefit Muskegon Main Street and the United Way of the Lakeshore. www.tasteofmuskegon.com.

Muskegon Summer Celebration – – June 26-July 5 - Summer Celebration is a great 11 - day party located on the beautiful shores of Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon. This year’s line up includes Third Eye Blind with Matt Nathanson opening, Muskegon legend Bettye Lavette, Saving Abel, Pop Evil, Burn Halo, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Loverboy, John Legend, Vaughn Anthony, Barenaked Ladies, Needtobreathe, Jason Aldean, Jamey Johnson, Kellie Pickler, Keith Anderson, Jake Owen, Counting Crows, Wild Sweet Orange, Billy Squier, War, Edgar Winter, Heart, Shinedown, Red, Halestorm, and Framing Hanley. Other events taking place as part of Summer Cel include Art in Park (July 3 -5), the Parade (June 27), Fireworks (July 4), Barbecue & Blues (June 26, and 27), the Community Picnic (June 28), and the Senior Social (July 1). Call 231-722-6520 or visit www.summercelebration.com for more information.

Muskegon Bike Time – July 17-19 - America's fastest growing bike event, with over 30,00 motorcycles and 80,000 spectators. Bike Time draws bikes from California, Canada, New York, Florida, and Texas. The word on the street is Muskegon Bike Time is a "Great Time!" Event features include: A "Motorcycle only" Main Street/Steel Horse Alley, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, StarBoyz Extreme stunt Motorcycle Team presented by Babbitt's Power Sports, Mayor's Ride - Cruising for Kids Benefiting Orphans & Widows of Veterans, Dyno Drags & Burnout Pits, Blessing of the Bikes, Sergeant Smash Monster Truck Rides, Miss Bike Time Contest, Food & Beverage Tents, Live Entertainment all weekend, scenic rides and more. Event times: Friday - 12 (noon) till 11:30 pm, Saturday 9:00 am to 11:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am till 8:00 pm. For more information call 317-236-6515 or visit www.muskegonbiketime.com.

Unity Fest – Aug 6-8 - This is the biggest Christian music festival in Michigan. Three stages featuring more than 45 acts play continuously during the three-day, family friendly festival. Plenty of family activities fill the day and evening. A prayer tent and other spiritual events also are part of the celebration. The festival takes place at Heritage Landing on Muskegon Lake in Downtown Muskegon. Main Stage Artists include Mercy Me, Israel & New Breed, Newsboys, Tommee Profitt, Michael Gungor, Fee, Unspoken, Natalie Grant, , Geoff Moore & The Distance, Downhere, and Mark Schultz. For more information call 231-737-2499. www.unitymusicfestival.com.

Moose Fest – August 15 - 107MUS presents the 5th annual country music party for thousands of fans on the lakeshore. This event is held at Heritage Landing, with country music performances all day. Performers for this acoustic country music festival include Darryl Worley, Jasson Michael Carroll, Dean Brody, Justin Moore and Holly Williams. Tickets are free and can be picked up at local businesses. www.107mus.com.

Michigan Irish Festival September 18-20 - This festival features three days of nonstop Irish music and for a third year, a feis, an Irish dance competition, will be scheduled during the day Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena, just a few blocks away from the festival rounds. More than 900 dancers ranging in age from 5 to 50 are expected. The festival also offers children’s music and Irish heritage sessions. Irish vendors and a food and beverage tent add to the fun. The festival takes place at Heritage Landing on Muskegon Lake in downtown Muskegon.231-739-2028. www.michiganirish.org.

Complete events listings at

Downtown Muskegon Events Calendar

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posted by Dan & Sarah @ 8:15 AM 0 Comments

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Behind the Scenes – Downtown Yogis/Yogini


The “MYC” the Muskegon Yoga Center opened across from the “YMCA” in April, which is a nice addition to the hub for health and fitness for the Muskegon area. Barb Badolati has been teaching yoga along the lakeshore for over 15 years and finally has a home in which to offer classes. This is a good thing as classes have been ever growing in demand. Besides her Wellness-Life Coaching practice in the Frauenthal Center, Barb has teamed up with Peter Violino, a certified massage therapist and yoga teacher who offers sessions at both locations.

The Muskegon Yoga Center was the brainchild of Warren Mosley, certified in yoga from the International Sivananda School. Warren, a native Muskegonite recently returned after 20 years career military and 10 years at the DOD (Department of Defense). He began taking yoga classes in the national D.C. area to relieve stress, which helped him also improve mental acuity and focus – necessary for an intense occupation there. He believes that Muskegon is ready to grow into a healthier place, both physically and mentally as it did for him.

MS: What can yoga do for people of Muskegon?

WM: In stressful times and economic uncertainties, people draw strength and comfort in the ability to control their own lives. Muskegon is experiencing a paradigm shift right now. To adjust to the changes occurring, it is important for people to be equipped to take on these challenges. Yoga provides this and much more. Some of the benefits include relaxation, concentration, flexibility, strength, a better diet, calmer mind, immune function, and relief from back, muscle and joint pain.

PV: Yoga has grown to become the most popular physical/mental activity in the United States. 29 million people participated in yoga in 2008 alone. Yoga has been helpful for myself personally to achieve better equilibrium, and I appreciate how my practice connects me to better health and well-being in other aspects of my life.

MS: What are your plans in taking Muskegon to a new level of health?

BB: The Muskegon Yoga Center, also coined as “MYCenter” not only offers a variety of classes which guide students towards a healthier body, but is also a peaceful place to rest and rejuvenate from everyday demands.

PV: We are certified teachers who are qualified to help people with just starting out or well on their way! We are planning to offer specialty programs such as Partner Yoga, YogaKids, Women’s Retreats and Healthy Lifestyle classes. All three of us offer Private Yoga session, and it is a compliment for me to provide massage therapy, which I offer at our smaller location inside the Frauenthal Center, Suite 308.

MS: What has been the progress on the Muskegon Yoga Center?

WM: Since April we have secured a lease, done renovations, and begun teaching classes in the space at 825 W. Western. Things have moved very quickly. The space is great as there is a nice reception area, a large studio space for classes, individual classrooms, shower facilities, all in an ADA accessible space. We are planning to be able to hold a wide variety of classes here geared towards different affinity groups at the Muskegon Yoga Center. For example we are already starting classes geared to cancer patients, golfers, the lunch hour crowd etc. In the past the yoga scene in Muskegon has been scattered. With the Muskegon Yoga Center we are hoping to create a central place for the community to experience the many benefits of yoga and even more than that create a powerful shift of energy in Muskegon.

MS: MS: What makes downtown Muskegon a good place for this endeavor?

PV: While there are a number of great assets, such as the YMCA, the bike trail that distinguish downtown as a healthy location. Also, many yoga centers have been successful in downtowns probably because yoga is an experience that values aesthetics and character - something plentiful in downtown cities. Finally, this central location right off of Seaway and Shoreline Drive is within 10 minutes from North Muskegon, Norton Shores and anything in between.

MS: Well, it sounds like an exciting endeavor and we wish you the best of luck in the pursuit of helping to make Muskegon a healthier and happier place.

PV, BB & WM: We are grateful to you, and everyone along the lakeshore for their interest and support.

Check it out on the web

Muskegon Yoga Center
Balance Massage and Yoga
Alive and Well
Well-BEing Tips
Yoga on Wikipedia

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posted by Dan & Sarah @ 8:18 AM 0 Comments