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A "village of tents" will set the scene when the third Freeland Arts-in-the-Park outing takes place in Tittabawassee Township Park, 9200 Midland Road.

"Food, music, wine, art ... what more could you ask for," says Brian Kischnick, the township manager, of the adults-only party running from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6.

"And all included with the admission price."

A newly renovated Midland County park is the site of a free day-long musical extravaganza on Sunday, Sept. 7.

Nine mid-Michigan bands perform 45-minute sets during Parkapalooza on the shores of Sanford Lake at Sanford Lake Park.

Is it the weather? No, filmmakers are coming to Michigan to get a big tax break with hopes of starting a Hollywood Midwest.

Prozak didn't film his $125,000 music video last spring at Saginaw's Temple Theatre and former Moose Lodge because Michigan offered him a 42 percent tax incentive.

"It was before they started giving money back," said the horror-core rapper from Saginaw. He is playing to sold-out audiences around the country, including The Fillmore in Detroit at 6 p.m. today, as his new album, "Tales from the Sick," climbs the Billboard charts.

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Jenny Rogers-Belleau has assumed many roles since moving to Saginaw and marrying Lee-Perry Belleau, executive director of Pit and Balcony Community Theatre.

And some might say she's cast herself as Don Quixote in the latest, vowing to put on a show that will raise the $38,670 the Underground Railroad needs by Monday, Sept. 1, to win matching funds from an anonymous donor.

The shelter for survivors of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault will use the money to move its offices to Saginaw Township, which will make room for 78 more women and children at the original location on South Washington.

Some of Mark Jean's former neighbors in Bay City might recognize themselves in the filmmaker's first novel.

"They're the antagonists," Jean said of "Puddlejumpers," the fantasy adventure he wrote with Christopher C. Carlson.

It's not because Jean has bad memories of the folks who lived next door, he said. He just loved the sound of their name, the Holsapples. A few past girlfriends surface, too, along with the Turkey Roost and Kalamazoo's Lakeside Home for Boys.

Jean hopes to catch up with friends and family members when he returns from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to sign copies of his book at Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 3311 Tittabawassee in Saginaw Township.

Even those who don't remember the '80s pop-synth band ABC, or stole their first kiss to "The Look of Love," will probably recognize lead singer Martin Fry's signature gold lame suit Sunday, Aug. 24, when he hits the DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston with the Regeneration Tour.

"Platinum," Fry protested. "It's (the suit) platinum now."

No matter the hue, fans who revisit the era with Belinda Carlisle, the Human League, A Flock of Seagulls, Dead or Alive, Naked Eyes and ABC will get the flamboyant icon behind "The Look of Love," "Poison Arrow" and the timeless "When Smokey Sings."

Saginaw schoolchildren are getting a helping hand to start the school year off right.

The St. Mary's of Michigan Service, Support and Spirituality Committee hosted its second annual Book Bag/School Supply project Tuesday, bringing in 85 book bags stuffed with school supplies.

The drive took place over several months, with students and families in need in Saginaw's Cathedral District -- a region east of the Saginaw River encompassing St. Mary's of Michigan hospital, City Hall, Central Middle School plus many homes and abandoned lots -- signing up for the supplies.

David A. Sommers | The Saginaw NewsBarbara Arbuckle of Standish, coordinator of the GreenHouse Gathering Place, looks over some of 85 backpacks donated by the St. Mary's of Michigan Service, Support & Spirituality committee.

MIDLAND -- The Folk Music Society of Midland is hosting the 15th Annual Midland Dulcimer Festival from noon Thursday to noon Sunday at the Midland County Fairgrounds, 6985 Eastman.

The Music Society invites musicians of all levels from beginners to advanced to bring acoustic instruments and join the festival. Admission fees are $4 for a day pass or $7 for all four days. Campsites are available with electricity for $15 per night.

On Friday night, Midland Traditional Dancers will instruct and lead dancers in contra dancing. Friday and Saturday workshops include banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass, mandolins, dobro, autoharp, hurdy gurdy, bodhran, concertina, ukulele, whistle and dulcimers.

Melanie Sochan | The Saginaw NewsSarah Hope Klinert, 6, daughter of Kevin D. Klinert and Carla Klinert, both of Birch Run Township watches the set of the movie "Whip It" at the former Ken's Diner in Birch Run Township Monday.

"I'll bet the producer called me 28 times, trying to buy my dune buggy for his film," said the Birch Run Township man whose house sits across Gera from the set of Drew Barrymore-directed project, "Whip It!"

"It belongs to my daughter here, Sarah, and she'd have a fit if I let it go."