“Everybody loves music and art, and Marquette punches far above its weight in talented musicians and artists.” So says Doug Davis, President of the Marquette Arts & Music Wellness Lions Club. And he’s not wrong. All you have to do is visit one of our galleries or music venues to get a real appreciation for the talent around here.
Unfortunately, not everyone can easily get to those places. So when they can’t come to you, you go to them.
“The idea for the club started when Gary Perala, the Lions District Governor-elect for the U.P., invited me to ride the Tour de Yoop, Eh bike tour,” Davis recalls. “The tour also serves as a fundraiser for the UP Lions Serve Childhood Cancer mission. I was given a warrior card for one little girl. The card looks like a baseball trading card, but instead of baseball stats, the card gave stats on the child’s cancer treatment journey. These kids have to be treated either downstate or out of state.”
A Plan in Motion
As it turns out, one good idea… the bike tour, set the scene for another good idea… the very unique Marquette Arts & Music Wellness Lions Club. Davis, Perala, and other like-minded individuals thought more could be done to help those with limited mobility enjoy what most of us take for granted. So they identified those ‘talented musicians and artists’ and their entertainment outreach program took off from there. “It’s a close-knit community with a generous, helping spirit,” Davis says. “So, it all held up logically to start a mission like this.”
Hooking up with the Lions Club family was a good next step. “Eventually, the idea evolved into starting a Specialty Club under Lions Club International,” Davis says. “Thus far, we have visited nursing homes, behavioral health centers, Jacobetti, and have worked with hospice care in the county. To date, we have delivered mostly music, but we are looking to provide various forms of art as part of our outreach as we grow and evolve.”
One of a Kind
I said this is a unique organization, and that’s a fact. “We are not aware of another service club in the world focused on delivering creative expression experiences for wellness and healing,” Davis contends. “Our club is a new Lions Specialty Club dedicated to bringing wellness to the community through the arts. We are a sister club to the Marquette Lions Club, the first Lions Club in Michigan, founded in 1919.”
If you’re just learning about this group, you’re probably not alone. They’ve only been around for a year. In fact, tonight (Wednesday) they’re hailing the success of their mission with a One Year Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser at Blackrocks Brewery.
The celebration goes from 5 to 9 and is free and open to the public.
Where Would You Rather Be?
According to their Facebook page, the event promises to be “an unforgettable evening of live music, local art, cold Blackrocks brews, and community spirit.” In addition to being a good party, it will serve as a fundraiser for both the MAMWLC as well as Northwoods Air Lifeline, which provides free medical flights for U.P. cancer-stricken children and other residents who need to reach distant care.
There will be art displays and a great lineup of musicians, club members, providing the entertainment. They’re always looking for new people, and you don’t have to be a musician or artist to join! Nice. My lack of talent is finally appreciated.
Oh, and when you go, be prepared to meet some people who care more about others than themselves. By supporting the cause, you’ll fit right in.