A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
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As we prepare for the coming of summer in Northville, I wanted to talk about how music has been an ingrained part of our local DNA and culture. The Northville community historically has brought the metro Detroit area together for dances, concerts, and musical events going on two centuries.

Before looking at Summer Music in Northville, let's see what's happening today:
4/19, State of Community Luncheon – sponsored by the Northville Chamber of Commerce and will include updates from the City, Township and the School District, taking place at the Schoolcraft VisTaTech Center. LINK ([link removed])

4/22, Sweet & Savory Spices Tea (1:00 – 3:00 PM @ Mill Race Village): Stu & Michele Eddy share spicy knowledge accompanied by delicious treats by Victoria’s Tea. Details - 734 968 7338

4/22, Arbor Day Seedling Giveaway, Northville Township Hall, (44405 Six Mile) – Drive up from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM, place your order and the seedlings will be brought to your car (no charge to City, Township or School District residents).

4/26, Arbor Day Lecture by Jim Porterfield (ISA Certified Arborist), Northville District Library, starts 7:00 PM. Learn about how to care for your trees from a long-time expert. LINK ([link removed])

Ford Field Park Master Plan – We have begun the process of creating a long-term vision for Ford Field Park, focusing on desired improvements to the outdoor elements at Ford Field Park East and West. Please share your experiences with us. The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete and will be open until April 30. Click on the following link to take the survey: [link removed]
([link removed]) .

Let's take a closer look at Music Activities in the Ville as summer approaches:

1871 – The Northville Community Band: An article in The Record stated, “We previously mentioned the origins of the Northville Community Band; the instruments – good ones – arrived a few days ago, since which time the members have been testing their quality.” The original band members that our streets are named after include Ambler, Horton, Simonds, Little, Beal and others in that first group. Recently I was forwarded pictures of these original instruments and members (see above).

1877 – Concerts in downtown Northville were constantly written about in The Record: “Grand Concerts are part of a fundraising effort for the Opera House in town.”

1800’s – Many stories from the era spoke about the Northville Community Band and its summer concerts downtown in the crow’s nest at Main & Center. Occasionally, the lawn of the American Legion (Center/Dunlap) was also the venue for concerts. For close to 150 years, summer musical gatherings have taken place downtown. Cornmeal was even spread on the pavement to assist in the dances held there.

1919 – In the early 1900’s, the City Council continued to support the street dances and music concerts, which led to the completion of a brand-new paved section downtown in 1919. Naturally, this was commemorated with a dance (shown in picture above).

1927 – The Northville High School Band was founded by Mr. Langfield (School Board member, past Mayor and owner of Northville Labs). The Village Council, Mr. Langfield and the Northville Fair association all assisted in starting the Northville School Band program.

1929 – Up until 1929, band concerts took place in the crow’s nest (middle of Main & Center). Orchestras would set up in this protected spot for dances there and on the surrounding streets.

1917-1965 – Walled Lake Casino music venue hit its stride in the 1940’s, with the big band sound. Routinely Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Guy Lombardo and even Louie Armstrong performed there in a formal setting. Six days a week bands would play on polished maple floors with chandeliers lighting things up from above just off the water. “The casino rivaled the most glamorous dance halls in the country, including those in New York and New Jersey.” At times there were up to 4000 folks there nightly for music and dancing.

In the early 1960’s the casino converted from big bands to more of a Motown venue, with performers such as Dianne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Chuck Berry, and even Fabian were featured at the venue. A fire after a Christmas concert in 1965 brought to an end an era that started in 1917.

1950 – A Record article spoke about concerts sponsored through the years by the Presbyterian Church, downtown merchants, Woman’s Club, Parks & Recreation, City Council and many others.

1951 – Northville, as mentioned above, was blessed to have both a Northville Community Band and a strong high school band that at times combined for concerts in town. Together, they were 65-member-strong and performed at the State Fair & County Fair along with other Michigan events.

1960’s – The Cavern in town, with the support of the Woman’s Club, built a reputation at the Old Village School and the Community Center as a place for teens in the area to congregate and listen to music after school. Additionally, this venue hosted weekend music entertainment including bands such as Bob Seger and the Herd, the Stewart Avery Assemblage, The Thunder, The Wilson Mower Pursuit, the Nova Express and others. Proceeds were given to the March of Dimes and others.

1997 – A Record article wrote that Northville had the reputation as the folk music capital of the metro area, in part due to the efforts of a local music store called the Gitfiddler and its annual musical festival at Ford Field.

As we take note of our past musical history and see where we are today, we are ready for the musical season ahead. The Marquis is reinventing itself and readying for potential musical events in the future (think of “The Ark” in Ann Arbor). We will also have street music throughout the summer, with live music at the Winery on Baseline, dueling pianos at Genitti’s, along with bands at times at Lava Grill, the Den, and other businesses.

I invite you to live life to the fullest and enjoy all the performances happening in our town. Bring your friends and family to experience the musical DNA we have in this “Hamlet in the Hills” or “Switzerland of the County” we call Northville.

Keep that Northville Musical Summer Faith!

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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