Creole is located in historic and beautiful Old Town
About Creole Gallery
From the joyous jazz of Wynton Marsalis to the political art of Tyree Guyton, Creole Gallery has become known as an inviting place where different communities gather for art, concerts, theater and poetry.Located in Lansing, Michigan's historic Old Town, Creole Gallery began as a full-service art, performance and rental space in 1999. It takes its name from the Creole Cigar Co., the first business in this late-19th-Century building at 1218 Turner Street. Employees rolled tobacco into fine cigars after it was delivered by train or boat on the nearby Grand River. Ironically, the Creole is now a no-smoking venue.
The Creole doesn't disappoint. You can stop by the Portable Feast next door for coffee and delicious home-made treats before the show or during intermission. With seating for up to 100, it's cozy enough to see the musicians really dive into their music, but large enough that you can slip away into the music and enjoy the ride without feeling cramped by the other patrons. With extremely affordable ticket prices ($14-$20 per show) it's a great place for a date, time with friends, or a night by yourself to soak it all in.
Last night, I stopped by the Creole and was enthralled by the incredible Goran Ivanovic Group. Otherwise known as Eastern Blok featuring Goran Ivanovic, this quartet quite simply blew my mind away.The Goran Ivanovic Group is a pan-cultural ensemble with a sound that combines jazz and classical music with leaping rhythms and distinctive tonal palette of Balkan music. The band includes Goran Ivanovic (Guitar), Doug Rosenberg (Saxophone), Matthew Ulery (Bass), and Michael Caskey (Drums). The members of the group have a diverse and experienced background. Each musician brings a unique musical perspective to the band including jazz, classical, Balkan, Gypsy, and klezmer sensibilities. Formed in 2003, the group’s orthodox instrumentation has forged a sound which ignores borders that traditionally separate nations, cultures, and epochs. The group has created a musical idiom of its own imagining.
Couldn't have said it better. The music was so incredibly powerful, it could have you anywhere from weeping to jumping up and dancing and everywhere in between. Stop by their website and check out their music, I'm sure you'll agree.
Another great thing about the Creole is that you typically get a chance to meet the artists afterwards, and these guys were no exception. So I bought a couple CD's, got their autographs, and shot the breeze. :sigh: And you wonder why I love the Creole so much.
Do yourself a favor, discover yet another reason to treasure Lansing, and stop by the Creole Gallery!
~LL
2 comments:
Hey LiberalLucy, thanks for the kind comments about Creole Gallery. It's all about creating a thriving music scene, for which Lansing is highly underrated. We have great bands, great venues, great independent record stores and such ground-breaking music businesses as Elderly Instruments and Goldenrod Music.
Even with the closure of The Temple Club, which saddens us greatly, our music scene is strong enough to survive and thrive. So whether it's at Magdalena's Teahouse, Mac's, Leroy's, The Cadillac Club, the Green Door, Wharton Center, The Ten Pound Fiddle Concert Series or Creole Gallery - get out and see live music!
Great profile! A long time ago, I wrote a bunch of restaurant reviews for places in the Lansing area. Any interest in adding to your fabulous review of the great state of Michigan and our home here in the middle of the Mitten? Let me know.
You can reach me at pasblog at gmail dot com.
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