Â黨ÐÇ¿Õmv

Dear Mendel Center Patrons,Ìý

Last season, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we contemplated art and its power to heal, transform, and inspire. While disappointed that we couldn’t share events face-to-face with our patrons, we chose to look at the situation as an opportunity to try out new ways to connect with our community – online, outdoors, and indoors. Among the groundbreaking highlights were:Ìý

• A virtual, locally focused speaker series explored why the arts matter in times of crisis, mental health issues and disparities in our community, social justice and advocacy work happening at the grassroots level, and the pandemicÌýeconomy.Ìý
• Our first-ever Drive-in Live SeriesÌýoffered a diverse line-up of local andÌýregional musicians.Ìý
• Our first-ever virtual BroadwayÌýseries brought internationallyÌýknown productions intoÌýliving rooms,Ìýcoupled with post-show discussionsÌýwith some of the creative forcesÌýbehind those productions.Ìý
• We proudly rolled up our sleeves andÌýsupported Spectrum Health LakelandÌýand theÌýBerrien County HealthÌýDepartment as they administeredÌýmore than 20,000 COVID-19 vaccinesÌýin Grand Upton Hall.Ìý
• With the help of individual andÌýbusiness contributors, and aÌýgenerous challenge grantÌýfrom theÌýFrederick S. Upton Foundation, ourÌýCreating Bridges campaign raisedÌýmore than $100,000. This allowedÌýus to continue delivering innovativeÌýprograms at a time when ourÌýcommunity needed it most. To allÌýwho participated, THANK YOU!Ìý

We look forward to welcomingÌýeveryone back to The MendelÌýCenter with the 2021-2022 seasonÌýof in-person events. The lineup isÌýa compilation of performance andÌýspeakerÌýcommitments from twoÌýseparate seasons – six eventsÌýpostponed from spring of 2020, andÌýa partially built 2020-2021 in-personÌýseason that didn’t happen. StayÌýtuned as weÌýround out the seasonÌýwith additional exciting and diverseÌýperformers and special engagements.Ìý

In addition to touring productions, weÌýwill continue to serve our purposeÌýas a trueÌýcommunity center, hostingÌýhundreds of public and private eventsÌýfor individuals andÌýgroups from ourÌýBenton Harbor hometown and beyond.ÌýAnd outside our walls, The MendelÌýCenter is putting its resources behindÌýgrassroots community initiatives moreÌýthan ever before.Ìý

Through it all, The Mendel Center motivation and mission continues based on five principles:Ìý

Inspiration:ÌýElevating individual and community perspectives during challenging times.ÌýÌý

Connection:ÌýValuing human interaction and cultivating meaningful relationships.Ìý

Gratitude:ÌýExpressing appreciation for those working to make themselves and our community better.Ìý

Flexibility:ÌýContinually exploring, pivoting, and innovating to create the best experiences possible.Ìý

Inclusiveness:ÌýListening to diverse voices and acting to better serve and empower ALL individuals in our community.Ìý

We welcome your feedbackÌýas we travel together on thisÌýjourney. In the end, our goal isÌýtoÌýbring you meaningful MendelÌýCenter experiences that make aÌýpositive difference in your life.Ìý

Mike Nadolski,Ìý
Executive DirectorÌý

Grace Kelmer,
DirectorÌý

Tickets may be purchased anytime online, or 2-6 p.m. weekdays by calling (269) 927-8700, Option 1. or visiting the box office located in the Grand Upton Hall lobby (parking lot entrance 3). Have a ticket purchasing or event question? Email us atÌýboxoffice@lakemichigancollege.eduÌý