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November 13, 2008

Festival turns northern Michigan into Narnia

Author and theologian spotlighted with monthlong celebration

By VANESSA McCRAY

PETOSKEY -- In November, northern Michigan becomes Narnia.

The sixth annual C.S. Lewis Festival features about 20 events from Nov. 5-25 in the Petoskey, Harbor Springs and Charlevoix areas. Happenings include pub nights, lectures, a musical and a student writing program. The Lewis-centric festival honors and explores the contributions of the writer and theologian. Lewis authored the immensely popular children's series "The Chronicles of Narnia" and died in 1963.

Festival Executive Director Anne McDevitt said Lewis discussed the idea of "northernness" and said the region captures that essence. The festival's slogan is "To Narnia and the North!"

"(Lewis) was never in the U.S., but if you know the story of Narnia, it is always winter but never Christmas," McDevitt said.

This year, the festival includes an appearance by David Barrett, who claimed an Emmy for his score for "The Magic Never Ends: The Life and Work of C.S. Lewis." The documentary was produced by festival board president David Crouse. Barrett will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Petoskey United Methodist Church. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Barrett lives in Ann Arbor but used to play in a band in Petoskey. His skills are known to many as the writer of the NCAA basketball tournament anthem "One Shining Moment," played on TV along with highlight clips at the conclusion of the championship game.

"I write songs. That's what I do, and that was one of many, and a friend of mine talked me into recording it. I didn't want to -- that's a pretty good indicator of how much common sense I have. It was one of 20 songs that I had written that month," Barrett said.

Scoring music for a Lewis documentary might seem like a very different challenge, but Barrett studied philosophy and theology in college and was familiar with Lewis' works. Barrett completed the score in about five weeks.

"I felt good about it, like 'One Shining Moment' was written in 20 minutes," he said.

Other festival events include:

n Tonight at 7:30 p.m. the festival will hold a juried fine art exhibit and reception at the Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey. Artists worked on pieces based on Lewis's book "Out of the Silent Planet." Winners will be announced, and the event is free and open to the public.

n Crouse will discuss and screen the documentary "The Magic Never Ends" at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Charlevoix Public Library.

n On Nov. 21-23, the Northern Michigan Youth Theatre will perform "Narnia" at Harbor Light Community Chapel in Harbor Springs. Director Karen Mazzoline said the musical features a cast of 57 youth spanning kindergarten through 12th grade. Staging the musical has become an area tradition.

"It's a really good story, (a) timeless classic," she said. "The kids have been doing an outstanding job."

The musical is based on "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe." For show times and ticket information go to www.nmyt.org.

n On the festival's final day, selected fifth-grade students will read compositions inspired by Lewis' writing. Teacher Martha Radcliffe said her students at Sheridan Elementary School found the exercise exciting, and they love Lewis' story.

"We don't get to showcase our children's work very often," she said.

The event is free and occurs at 7 p.m. Nov. 25 at Petoskey Middle School.

For more information about the festival and a schedule of events, visit the Web site www.cslewisfestival.org.

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