Mold Remediation in Chelsea, MI

Country artists Chase Rice and Ian Munsick will play at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds in Chelsea, Michigan, on May 30 as part of Country Boots & Bands' "Summer Kickoff Concerts".

Chase Rice rose to prominence in country music after co-writing the 2012 megahit "Cruise" with Florida Georgia Line. He has since released a string of his own hits, including "Eyes on You" and "Drinkin' Beer. Talkin' God. Amen.", both of which topped the charts.

Ian Munsick brings a decidedly western sound to modern country, reflective of his upbringing in Wyoming. He wrote the title track for Cody Johnson's album Leather, and also has a duet out with Johnson called "Long Live Cowgirls".

Country Boots & Bands founder Scott Vitale is excited to bring the event to Chelsea.

SEE ALSO: Country's Dylan Schneider Coming to Lansing in March

"This collaboration with Chelsea Community Fairgrounds reflects our shared passion for delivering incredible live music experiences to our fans while supporting the local community," says Vitale. "We're looking forward to kicking off the summer with an event that brings joy to our fans and revenue to the local businesses that make these events possible."

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This year's Summer Kickoff Concerts are a first for the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds and Eric McCalla, president of the Chelsea Community Fair Board, is excited for them.

"Not only do these concerts offer unforgettable experiences for fans, but they also help boost local businesses by driving traffic to the area," says McCalla.

An additional night of entertainment at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds is expected to be announced at a later date for the following night, May 31.

Fans can link to tickets here.

Katie Hepler

In what has become a beloved local tradition, Chelsea District Library is celebrating March is Reading Month by presenting a lineup of celebrated authors at its 16th annual Authors in Chelsea event. The program, designed to inspire Chelsea School District students as readers and writers by bringing them face-to-face with some of their favorite authors, will take place over two days on March 11 and 12.

Authors in Chelsea hosts award-winning authors that are engaging for children and educators alike. The aim is to encourage students to appreciate the art and craft of writing as they enjoy literature and to explore the “power of writing” in their own creative writing pursuits.

“I can’t overstate the impact that giving our students direct access to these amazing authors has on them,” said Katie Spisich, Principal of South Meadows Elementary School. “There is something so powerful about them hearing firsthand how a writer translates their story idea onto the page and ultimately into a published work. From character development to setting and illustration, these conversations make books come alive for our young readers and writers!”

In its 16-year history, the Authors in Chelsea program has brought nearly 40 authors to Chelsea to share their stories with Chelsea School District students and the greater community.

“I can’t think of a better alignment of the library’s mission to Engage, Inspire, and Equip than to connect Chelsea students with the authors of some of their favorite books,” said Lori Coryell, Chelsea District Library Director. “We are so grateful to be able to continue to offer this wonderful program to the community thanks to our partners at the Chelsea Education Foundation and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library.”

To prepare for the event, hundreds of books by the visiting authors were delivered to Chelsea School District buildings courtesy of a grant from the Chelsea Education Foundation.

Sarah Dillard will visit with students in first and second grades at North Creek Elementary School. Dillard is the accomplished author and illustrator of 12 amazing books for a variety of ages, including Blueberry Cake, which won a Gourmand Award (an award for outstanding books about food and cooking), and the popular Mouse Scouts and Extraordinary Warren series.

Karina Yan Glaser will visit with students in grades 3–5 at South Meadows Elementary School. Yan Glaser is the author of the New York Times bestselling series The Vanderbeekers, which features a family of five children and their parents living in a classic brownstone in Harlem. Her books have received numerous state book awards and have been included as Junior Library Guild selections, amongst many other distinctions.

Jennifer Nielsen will visit with sixth grade classes at Beach Middle School. She has published more than 20 books in the historical fiction and fantasy genres. Beach students are excited to read The False Prince (the first book of the Ascendance series), and two of Jennifer’s historical fiction books, Resistance and Words on Fire.

In addition to their time in the classrooms, this year’s authors will be featured at An Evening with the Authors, which is open to the public and free of charge. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 11 at 6:30pm in the Washington Street Education Center Board Room located at 500 Washington Street, Chelsea, MI. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear from all three nationally acclaimed authors, have a chance to ask questions, and purchase books to be signed (courtesy of Serendipity Books). Each author will speak for 15-20 minutes, followed by a Q&A session and book signing in the lobby. Arrive early for free books! The first 20 families to arrive will receive a coupon for a free book from Serendipity Books. A wide variety of titles by our visiting authors will be available to purchase, as well.

Authors in Chelsea is possible thanks to the Chelsea District Library, the Chelsea School District, the Chelsea Education Foundation, Serendipity Books, and the Friends of the Chelsea District Library.

Chelsea, Michigan is about to get a whole lot more exciting with the grand opening of Chelsea Party Loft, a brand-new event space designed especially for tween and teen birthday parties, graduations and other special occasions. Located in the Chelsea Village Plaza shopping center (1115 S. Main Street), Chelsea Party Loft promises to be the go-to destination for unforgettable celebrations and memories. The opening day is March 1, 2025.

Chelsea Party Loft offers a dynamic and contemporary space that combines fun and style in one convenient location. From birthday parties to school events, dance parties and more, Chelsea Party Loft is equipped with the latest amenities to ensure every event is a success. Whether you’re looking to host a lively dance party, an intimate hangout or a creative themed fund raiser, Chelsea Party Loft provides the perfect backdrop for any occasion.

Key Features of Chelsea Party Loft:

• Spacious Event Room – Customizable layout options to suit any event for up to 60

people.

• DJ Sound and Lighting Systems – Create the ultimate party atmosphere with high-

quality audio and lighting that can be tailored to any theme.

• 360° Video Booth & Social Media Integration – Capture the moments and create

unique content with a brand-new 360° Video Booth, fun props and photo opportunities.

• Exclusive Parent Lounge Area – A tiki-themed space where moms and dads can

unwind and enjoy a comfortable, stylish atmosphere while the party is in full swing.

• Convenient Location – Easily accessible from I-94 with ample free parking, the building is just minutes from Chelsea, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Manchester, Saline and Ypsilanti.

Chelsea Party Loft was created by Greg Gattuso, a local parent and former Middle School PTO president, who noticed a lack of birthday party destinations for youths in the tween to teen range.

“As a parent, I have been to or booked children’s parties all over Washtenaw County,” said Gattuso. “But as my son grew older, I noticed he and his friends were becoming less interested in the traditional options like movies, bowling and trampoline parks.”

In 2023, Gattuso organized a school dance at Ann Arbor’s Slauson Middle School, the first such event since the COVID lockdown. School officials expected 200 students to attend, but more than 400 turned out. That event became the inspiration for Chelsea Party Loft.

“As I watched the kids dancing, socializing and having fun, I thought to myself, what if we could recreate this experience on a smaller scale for birthdays and other special occasions, and make it stress-free for parents to handle all of the details,” said Gattuso. “That’s when the lightbulb went off, and we created Chelsea Party Loft – the school dance without the school.”

A marketing copywriter by trade, Gattuso enrolled at Washtenaw Community College to brush up on his small business skills. In 2024, he earned a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and joined the WCC Entrepreneurship Center Incubator Program. While at WCC, he paired up with a mentor from the Michigan Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and was a finalist in the Entrepreneurship Center’s annual Pitch competition.

“We wanted to create a place where young people can come together, have fun and celebrate in a space that feels their own,” said Gattuso. “We also want to provide value for parents who face the daunting task of creating memorable milestone events for hard-to-please tweens and teens.”

The Chelsea Party Loft is located at 1115 S. Main St., Chelsea, in the Village Plaza Shopping Center, intersection of M-52 (Main Street) and Old U.S. Hwy. 12.