🐾❄️🎨 Frigid Days, Full Hearts & Festival Season | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.28.26

This week’s episode of What’s Up Big Rapids starts on a tender note as Chris and his family say goodbye to a beloved four-legged friend. From there, the conversation moves through the very real challenges of sub-zero temperatures, frozen pipes, and winter wear-and-tear — balanced by gratitude, creativity, and a reminder of just how much is happening in our community right now.

We’re joined by Dr. Scott Cohen, who helps pull back the curtain on the Festival of the Arts — how it began, what it takes to pull off, and why Big Rapids continues to attract incredible talent year after year. With more than 70 events over the next month, this episode is a great reminder that winter doesn’t mean slowing down — it just means finding new ways to gather.

Along the way, we celebrate uplifting moments in sports, highlight local music and arts, and share plenty of opportunities to get out, support one another, and stay connected.

0:00 – Intro & welcome
1:01 – Remembering Loosey, a very good dog 🐾
6:00 – Sub-zero temps cause real problems for rentals & pipes ❄️
9:10 – Thanks to Budd Greenman & everyone at the High Strung Steel show 🎸
9:30 – Studio remodeling, This Old House style 🔨
12:00 – Pat gets another tattoo during a family milestone 💉
13:00 – Sports update: UFC, Super Bowl & Belichick legacy 🏈
16:35 – Uplifting Moments:
• FSU grad Shawn Smith named Super Bowl Head Ref
• Kaydyn Blanchard sets all-time basketball scoring record 🏀
19:45 – Guest intro: Dr. Scott Cohen, Festival of the Arts 🎨
21:40 – Scott’s journey to Big Rapids & life after retirement
25:00 – Music as a shared language around the world 🎶
27:45 – How Festival of the Arts came to be
31:15 – What “Town & Gown” really means
32:45 – Connection between Artworks & FOTA
34:03 – How Big Rapids attracts top-tier talent
35:45 – What kinds of events to expect this year
39:35 – Bob Craig Quartet, Sat Jan 31 at Immanuel Lutheran 🎼
42:35 – Festival kickoff & over 70 events in the next 30 days
48:50 – Bird City Week & Hitchcock film feature 🐦
51:00 – Encouragement to get out and support local arts
54:54 – Featured Creature: Pixie Bullfrog 🐸
57:50 – Pioneer People’s Choice voting now open 🗳️
59:04 – Live music returns to Quinn’s Music (Sat at 3pm) 🎶
1:00:00 – Free sledding day, Euchre tournament & more this weekend
1:02:15 – Daddy Daughter Dance (Feb 13) 💃
1:03:15 – BRHS Drama presents Queens (Feb 6–7) 🎭
1:06:00 – Public Arts Collective sculptures & murals around town
1:07:48 – Comedy Night returns to The Peaks 😂
1:08:30 – Dom out for two weeks; Kenzie fills in 🎙️
1:09:10 – Dom’s Corrections: cold facts, Caitlin Clark & more 🥶
1:11:43 – Outro & goodbyes

What’s Up Big Rapids podcast, Big Rapids Festival of the Arts, Dr. Scott Cohen FOTA, Artworks Big Rapids, Big Rapids Bird City, High Strung Steel Sawmill Saloon, Quinn’s Music live shows, Big Rapids winter events, BRHS Drama Queens, Public Arts Collective Big Rapids, Big Rapids community podcast

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