Michigan Maritime Museum tall ship sails on May 28

The Michigan Maritime Museum opens the sailing season May 28th, 2010 aboard the replica tall ship "Friends Good Will".  Throughout May the single mast sloop was scrubbed clean, checked over and re-rigged for the busy summer ahead.  On Friday, May 28th the museum hosts a "blessing of the fleet" at 4:30 pm, and that evening is the first scheduled sunset sail on Lake Michigan.

Most visitors to the area will notice the sizeable wooden mast along the docks as they cross the drawbridge in South Haven. The Victoria Resort is located three blocks away from the Michigan Maritime Museum and the docks, which makes for an easy walk to your sailing adventure.  Explore your options for afternoon or sunset sail on the Friends Good Will and your lodging options at the Victoria Resort.

Michigan's Foundry Hall welcomes Jamestown Story on May 20

Thursday, May 20th at 7:30 pm South Haven's own Foundry Hall brings an acoustic/pop/alternative one-man-band from Minnesota to the stage.  Jamestown Story, formerly known as And Then I Turned Seven, started is an American acoustic indie rock band from Duluth, Minnesota that formed in 2003. Jamestown Story is now a one-man band consisting of vocalist/guitarist/bassist/drummer Dane Schmidt. The band has toured 35 states in the US since 2005, and has amassed a large worldwide following through Myspace and other social network and music-based sites. The band's best-known songs include "I Miss You" and "Goodbye (I'm Sorry)."  Advance tickets are available on the Foundry Hall website or at the door for a little more.

Southwest Michigan welcomes guitarist David Grier May 18

Bluegrass/New-grass guitarist David Grier performs Tuesday, May 18th at Foundry Hall in downtown South Haven Michigan.

The most award-winning guitarist in recent memory is David Grier. For the past several years, he has been voted by the members of the International Bluegrass Music Association as Best Guitar Player of the Year. He has appeared on two Grammy-winning recordings: "True Life Blues-A Tribute to Bill Monroe" and "The Great Dobro Sessions," and is included in the book, "1,000 Great Guitarists." He was inspired to play guitar by Bill Monroe, whose band included Grier's father, Lamar, in the mid 1960's.

Listen carefully and watch his fingers fly over the frets on a video posted on Foundry Hall's website. Use the site to purchase tickets in advance, or get tickets at the door for a little more.  Indulge a few other senses with an elegant room at the Victoria Resort and our delicious full homemade breakfast in the morning.

South Haven's Foundry Hall presents...May 14th

Friday, May 14th Foundry Hall welcomes the Lowdown Brass Band and George Worthmore: genre-defying - New Orleans-style eclecticism; ragtime, blues, Bach and a nine-piece brass band!

George Worthmore's show is a tour de force of solo acoustic guitar: Ragtime to Blues, with some Bach thrown in for luck. The music is interlaced with humorous comments and amusing stories about the songs and his experiences. The Lowdown Brass Band from Chicago is a nine-piece, horn-driven ensemble with strong roots in the New Orleans 2nd Line Tradition. While taking a page from the jazz and blues giants of the past, the LDB melds funk, hip-hop, reggae and pop into a style all their own.


On Foundry Hall's website, there's a 3 minute video clip of George playing solo acoustic guitar - and twice he is asked the name of the songs.  His response?  "Yeah, I don't know - I made it up"  At 1:55 in the video the tempo really picks up - amazing!

Come kick up your heels in South Haven over the weekend. Accommodations are available at the Victoria Resort Bed & Breakfast, the restaurants will feed you well, the residents will greet you with a smile and you'll be glad you came to visit.  Get tickets for the show on the Foundry Hall website in advance, or at the door for a little more.

South Haven Steelhead Fishing Tourney May 15

South Haven hosts the annual Big Jon Pro/AM Steelhead Fishing Tournment on Saturday, May 15th.  This is always great fun for the spectators as they bring in their catch.  Head down to the south beach (where the pier and lighthouse are located) to catch a glimpse of this serious tourney in action.  Eligible for the tournament are Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Atlantic Salmon and Steelhead or Rainbow Trout. With a top prize of $5000 at the pro level and $2500 for the best amateur catch, it's a hot competition no matter what! Fishing begins at 6:45 am and by 1:30 pm all boats must be between the piers.  Weigh-in will be conducted after 1:30 pm at the South Side Marina, which is halfway between the pier and downtown.

Live Music @ Foundry Hall, South Haven

Foundry Hall ramps up the music offerings on Thursday, May 13th with several groups performing at 7:30 pm.  MeTalkPretty is an "alternative noir" band with pop elements, dance grooves, and introspective lyrics. After being given the VMA's Best Breakout NYC Artist Award, MeTalkPretty is preparing to release their new album, "We Are Strangers" (Eight O Five/Universal). This is the band's final independent tour, and your chance to catch them before they're famous. Local South Haven bands, Dead Scene Radio, South of Paradise, and Grace's Falling round out this sure-to-be high energy rock show.

Tickets are available for purchase online at FoundryHall.com or at the door for a little more.  As always, music fans are welcome to stay at the Victoria Resort - select a romantic room for two or let us know if you would prefer guest cottage accommodations for a group of two, four or six people.

Music at the South Haven Center for the Arts

Monday, May 10th - Steel Wheels, hosted at the South Haven Center for the Arts.  Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp are the creative duo responsible for The Steel Wheels' critically acclaimed and internationally recognized new album release, "Red Wing" - ranked 15th and climbing on the Americana Music Association charts. Sponsored by Tree Fort Bikes to promote the enjoyment of bicycling and the ability to use a bike as a viable form of transportation, the cycling-and-singing duo will be self-powered from one performance venue to the next, covering around 400 miles over 10 days.
Purchase tickets in advance through the Foundry Hall website or at the door for two dollars more.  Stay at the Victoria Resort Bed and Breakfast for great spring rates in elegantly appointed rooms with fireplaces and whirlpools.

Foundry Hall in South Haven - May 7th

Friday May 7th, Foundry Hall brings "Vishten" to the stage for an evening of French Acadian party music with four-part harmonies and stepdancing.  Feature performers at the 2010 Winter Olympics! Made up of third generation Acadians living separate but parallel musical experiences, twin sisters Pastelle and Emmanuelle LeBlanc from Prince Edward Island, Canada teamed up with Pascal Miousse and Louis-Charles Vigneau from the nearby Magdalen Islands to create a sound that incorporates elements of the new ways while retaining and staying true to the essential Acadian spirit of their roots. The sound is essentially Celtic but with a difference.

Purchase tickets in advance through Foundry Hall's website or at the door for a little more.  Planning a trip to South Haven this weekend?  There are a few spots available at the Victoria - check our website for details or call directly.

Live outdoor music in South Haven all summer long

Each Thursday evening during the warm summer season, the City of South Haven hosts a live musical performance at Riverfront Park.  Located between downtown South Haven and the city's iconic lighthouse, it's a simple outdoor venue for a variety of music.  Jazz, classical, folk, contemporary and big band tunes float out over the Black River as listeners gather on the lawn for a free performance.  The 2010 concert schedule has not been finalized yet, but keep this event in mind as you plan your overnight, short getaway or week vacation South Haven.

South Haven Farmer's Market Opens May 8

It's finally here!  Opening day for the farmer's market is Saturday, May 8th.  Local growers are ready with fresh Michigan asparagus, herbs and other specialties.  The market is open every Saturday in May, beginning at 8 am for the early birds in town and until 2 pm for the rest of us.  :-)    Within sight of the pavilion you'll find Cafe Julia, where you can grab a cup of coffee before wandering through the market and downtown South Haven.
 

South Haven Cottage Rentals for 2010 ~ Availability Update

South Haven provides that classic summer vacation experience of great beaches, great restaurants and just enough variety to keep everyone entertained.  We offer two bedroom and three bedroom home rentals for visitors who would like a little more "resort" fun for their week in South Haven.  On three acres of property you'll find a tennis court, basketball court, bicycles to borrow, an outdoor fireplace and an outdoor pool.  Here is the latest update on our summer availability:

• June 5 - 12, three bedroom & three bathrooom Cottage E.  Was $1560, now $1170.  Save 25%
• June 12 - 19, two bedroom & one bathroom Cottage B.  Was $1400, now $1260.  Save 10%
• June 26 - July 3, two bedroom & one bathroom Cottage B.  A prime summer week, $1400
• July 31 - Aug 7, two bedroom & one bathroom Cottage D.  Great location within view of the pool, $1400
• Aug 14 - Aug 21, two bedrom & one bathroom Cottage A.  Handy screened porch & nice size living room.  Was $1400, now $1260.  Save 10%
• Aug 28th and later, partial weeks available, so you can get creative with those last days of summer!