Public Arts Midland and Creative 360 Bring Free Performing Arts Event to Grove Park, on Saturday, August 29th!

Public Arts Midland and Creative 360 will bring the performing arts outdoors in Midland with their second Performance in the Park event. Local actors will bring Shakespeare’s The Tempest to life in a family-friendly show, supported by the talents of a wide range of performing groups from the Great Lakes Bay Region.

The event will kick off at noon on Saturday, August 29th, with the first of two performances. This will be followed by several short performances, including wandering troubadour Brightyn Henika, Jewls the Clown, Sangeeta’s Dance & Music of India, a modern translation of Shakespeare performed by the young actors of the Creative Theatre Company, singer/songwriter Tessa Elaina, and a sword-fighting demonstration from The Friction Theatre. The second performance of The Tempest will start at 5 PM.

The catalyst for the event was a partnership between Public Arts Midland, an initiative of the Midland Area Community Foundation, and Creative 360, a local non-profit arts and wellness center. The Grove Park site was chosen for its central location and accessibility, particularly because of the park’s Changing Places fully accessible restroom facilities. The first Performance in the Park event was also at Grove Park in 2024.

“Our vision is to include everyone in what is fun and thrilling about Shakespeare,” said the show’s director, and Creative 360’s Performance Events Coordinator, Laura Brigham. “The Tempest is filled with magic, mischief, and fantastical creatures… but also recognizable themes of sibling rivalry, young people not listening to their parents, revenge, and ultimately, forgiveness.”

The two performances of The Tempest will take place at Grove Park in Midland, MI, on August 29th at 12 PM and 5 PM. All other groups will perform between 2:00 and 5:00 PM. Please contact Creative 360 if you have any questions. The entire event is free and open to the public.