Tom Kastle
For years, Tom Kastle traveled the world, collecting and performing maritime songs and stories and captaining sailing ships on the Great Lakes. These days, his passions are even more diverse and include theatrical projects, from Man of La Mancha to Henry IV; film projects, like Francisco Torres’ Delight In the Mountain; and television, where he hosted a short documentary on the Bicentennial Battle of Lake Erie that was nominated for an Emmy Award. Add in musical director and composer credits, writing and performing concert opera narrations, hosting and interpreting nautical events, and being one of the captains of the schooner Denis Sullivan, and you have an artist, and sailor, living a vivid life, indeed!
“What do you say about a guy who can command a tall ship and all her crew, whose songs can make an Irishman cry tears of pure Tullamore Dew?” — Bryan Bowers
“Thank you for being such a creative force behind our entertainment offerings!” –Sheri Piecuch, Pepsi Tall Ships Chicago
Ginger Whimsy
Living statue, artist, actress.
- 2018 runner up Pfister Artist Residency.
- Aug 2019 performer Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Fest.
- Sept/Oct 2021 performer Maryland Ren Fest.
- Aug 2023 2 week artist residency in Champagne-Ardenne, France.
Dale Fowler
Dale Fowler is a songwriter and acoustic guitar player. He has developed an extensive collection of music under themes including Tallships, Shipwrecks, Michigama as well as a musical walk-through of the adventurous life of Earnest Hemingway. Dale and his wife Julia have performed at events including open mic, tallship festivals, the Broadway Theater in Mount Pleasant, MI, and aboard Tallship Inland Seas. While in the Army Dale performed at Schofield Barrack, Hawaii and on the Big Island.
The Hipnotones
The Hipnotones are a homegrown Alpena jazz quintet featuring Andrew Carriveau(guitar) Bradley Corpus(bass) Ian McConnell(sax,ewi) Matt Mischley(drums) and Chris Williams(piano,vocals,alto sax). They are pleased to offer the most obscure bag of traditional jazz standards in area; songs plucked from attics and basements, dusted off and aired out. New wine in old bottles. You are likely to hear a few 'jazz hits' as well, and even if you don't know the tune it will somehow sound familiar and most importantly: it will SWING!
Chris Crown and the Get Down Band
Chris Crown is an acoustic fingerstyle blues artist who blends many music styles including folk and jazz, while always rooted in traditional blues. Crown's recent obsession with the blues genre and its history has taken him on pilgrimages to Detroit, Chicago, Memphis and the Mississippi Delta. He even took his new bride on a “blues honeymoon” seeking out blues landmarks and as his wife describes the graves of “old dead blues guys.” Chris Crown and "Easy Lee" Kitzman founded the Alpena Street Performer series 7 years ago. This non-profit group entertains the Alpena community every Friday from 6-8pm during the summer.
Chris Crown and the Get Down Band is comprised of Chris on acoustic guitar and vocals, Lee Kitzman on blues harp, Crown’s dad Dave Lawrence on bass and Jeremy Smith on drums.
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The site will be updated as more entertainers are added.