Manitou Winds premiers Old Art Building’s Song & Story concert series

From staff reports

Leelanau County-based chamber music ensemble Manitou Winds will perform on Friday, Aug. 25, at 7 pm at the Old Art Building in Leland. The organization’s new Song & Story concert series will combine music, poetry, and storytelling.

According to Manitou Winds founder Jason McKinney, the performance will feature an eclectic program of traditional works and original songs bridging Classical, Celtic, and Folk styles, interspersed with inspiring spoken word.

“We’re excited to present the world premiere of my latest work for wind quintet, ‘Is This a Poem?’,” McKinney explained. “This song was completely inspired by the poetry of Izzy Simpson, a second-grader from Leland Public School, where I work. The audience will hear Izzy’s poem and see some of her artwork on display.”

The evening’s narrator Jan Ross will read poetry and stories, including the Scottish legend of the Selkie people, who transform from human to seal, and Seven Unfinished Stories, where she transforms into countless characters (including a shy coffeehouse barista, an enterprising novelist with eyes for the big screen, and a chain-smoking front porch philosopher) as the stories are paired with Peter Schickele’s “Seven Bagatelles.”

For more information, visit OldArtBuilding.com/events/sail-away-summer-manitou-winds.