In case you missed the excitement yesterday, here’s some nice press coverage Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch received from yesterday’s Darren Criss show.

Darren Criss and Theo Katzman thrill capacity crowd

Images from Darren Criss and Theo Katzman at the Michigan Theater

Darren Criss fans line Liberty Street Thursday Morning for free Sonic Lunch concert

Yes, he can act.  And sing, dance, play guitar, play piano & write infectious tunes.  We're talking about University of Michigan grad Darren Criss, Blaine Anderson on the smash-hit TV series Glee, playing at the Michigan Theater this Thursday as part of Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch concert series.

A native of San Francisco, Criss took an interest in music and performing arts at an early age, writing his first song when he was fifteen and later graduating from UM with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2009.  While he was studying in Ann Arbor, Criss founded StarKid Productions, a theater company best known for A Very Potter Musical, a Harry Potter parody.  And speaking of theater, he made his Broadway debut early last year when he took over Daniel Radcliffe's role in the revival of How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying.

Darren is currently on his first-ever concert tour and will be releasing his debut album for Columbia Records in 2014.  Expect to hear new songs, tunes from Glee, StarKid and his earlier Human EP when he takes the stage shortly after noon this Thursday.  In Darren's band and serving as the opening act at the Michigan Theater will be none other than Theo Katzman, the gifted singer-songwriter who was a key member in Ann Arbor's late, great My Dear Disco/Ella Riot. 

--Martin Bandyke, annarbor's 107one

To learn more or hear samples of Darren's music visit SonicLunch.com.

Martha Reeves got her start in showbiz at an early age.  With a voice that bore the righteous fervor of gospel and the flinty edginess of rhythm & blues, she was bringing down the house at clubs around Detroit when she was discovered by Motown’s Repertoire Director Mickey Stevenson.  Reeves had just won a talent competition at Detroit’s fabled Twenty Grand Club, after which Stevenson invited her to audition for his label.  The audition never happened, but within a year, Reeves (then Martha Lavaille) was working in the company’s A&R department .  Thanks to a recording session where the scheduled artist Mary Wells failed to show up, Martha got her shot to step in and record.

Martha’s backing group, originally known as the Del Phi’s, adopted the moniker The Vandellas  after combining Detroit’s Van Dyke Street with the first name of a favorite singer, Della Reese. Within the year, they were a national sensation, defining the landscape of Motown and securing their place in music history.

During their nine-year run on the charts from 1963 to 1972, Martha and the Vandellas charted over twenty-six hits and recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and roll and soul. Ten Vandellas songs reached the top ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including two R&B number ones.  The group’s string of hits include “Heat Wave,” “Quicksand,” “In My Lonely Room,” “Nowhere to Run,” “My Baby Loves Me,”, “Love Makes Me Do Foolish Things,” “I’m Ready For Love,” “Jimmy Mack,” and, of course, the Motown anthem, “Dancing In The Street.”   They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995, and have been named #96 in Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Don’t miss your chance to see one of Detroit’s original legends of Motown as they rock the streets of Ann Arbor.  http://soniclunch.com/sonic-artists/martha-reeves/

When: Thursdays, June 6 through August 29, 2013, Noon to 1:30pm (*all concerts with a special guest (w/s/g) will begin at 11:30am.)

Where: Liberty Plaza (corner of Division and Liberty streets) in downtown Ann Arbor

Admission: Free

More information: www.soniclunch.com

Bank of Ann Arbor recently moved our ATM that was located on the North University side of the former Michigan Book and Supply store in downtown Ann Arbor.  The ATM is now located at 520 E. Liberty, near the corner of Liberty and Maynard.  It is still accessible 24/7.  It's one of 10 ATM locations around the area.

Washtenaw County Public Health Department recognized Bank of Ann Arbor as a 2013 Healthy Workplace during National Public Health Week, April 1-7.  Bank of Ann Arbor has a strong employee culture of wellness and health supported by our wellness program managed by M-Healthy.

A2 Journal featured the award winners in this story, Businesses win healthy workplace recognition.

Note: links to third party sites are provided for your convenience only. Bank of Ann Arbor does not control their content.

The Bank of Ann Arbor team is congratulating the University of Michigan's Men's Basketball team on their trip to the NCAA Final Four this weekend by turning our green billboards maize.  New headlines in support of the team and their hard work appeared around Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, M14 and Dexter's Baker Road on Wednesday, April 3.   The boards have already caught the attention of AnnArbor.com who included a mention in an article about the excitement around town from local businesses.

#GoBlue!

Note: links to third party sites are provided for your convenience.  Bank of Ann Arbor does not control their content.

Bank of Ann Arbor is pleased to announce the opening of its downtown Saline, Michigan office, its seventh banking center.  Longtime Saline resident, Walt Byers has been named Saline District President.  Shelley Rankin, an active community supporter, has been selected as Branch Manager.   

The Saline Chamber of Commerce will conduct an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11:30am.  The public is welcome to attend.

Bank of Ann Arbor completely gutted and remodeled a former Bank of America building at 179 E. Michigan Avenue, which was vacated when they moved to the outskirts of Saline. The new office features sit-down teller stations and a cybercafé with complementary coffee from Saline’s Drowsy Parrot. The hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm and Saturday 9:00am to Noon.  The phone number is 734-470-5001.

“We are excited to bring the personal service that Bank of Ann Arbor is known for to businesses and residents of Saline,” said Timothy Marshall, President and CEO, Bank of Ann Arbor. “The design of this banking center is similar to our Ellsworth and Traver Village offices because it reflects the warmth and professionalism of the service our clients will receive from Shelley and her team.   The traditional branch with teller cages and dark paneling has been replaced with a light, open environment that invites people to linger, ask questions and learn grow Saline and the surrounding areas."

Bank of Ann Arbor announced on January 2, 2013 that it has acquired Ervin Leasing Company, a privately held national equipment leasing and finance company founded in 1978 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ervin Leasing, a subsidiary of parent company Ervin Industries, has been a highly successful and growth oriented leasing company since its founding in 1978. After successfully navigating the economic downturn in 2008 and 2009, the company began to ramp up sales in 2010. However, Ervin Leasing’s funding sources, previously providing lines of credit in the range of $100 million, remained on the sidelines, leading to Ervin Industries’ decision to seek out a new owner who could provide funding for growth. After seeking proposals from banks and private equity firms, Bank of Ann Arbor was chosen as the successor to Ervin Industries as the new owner of Ervin Leasing.

“We are super excited about this opportunity to join forces with Ervin Leasing and further diversify our product offerings,” said Timothy G. Marshall, Bank of Ann Arbor’s President & CEO. “Bank of Ann Arbor has a substantial level of liquidity to fund the anticipated growth of the newly acquired leasing company. Having done business with Ervin Leasing for over ten years, we know the company very well and admire the strong and experienced management team and its seasoned employees who will all join our Bank of Ann Arbor team.”

“We chose Bank of Ann Arbor as the new owner of Ervin Leasing based on our strong desire to affiliate with a company who would hire all of our local staff, has a similar culture that is growth oriented and a great place to work, and has an impeccable reputation,” said Bruce Gaffney, President and CEO of Ervin Leasing   “We also have maintained a very strong credit culture over the history of the company which is similar to the credit culture at Bank of Ann Arbor. I am confident that our companies will be a great fit for years to come.”

Ervin Leasing will remain at its current office location at 3893 Research Park Dr., Ann Arbor, Michigan. Customers who have questions about today’s transaction may call Ervin Leasing at 734-332-5400.

For more information contact:

Timothy Marshall, Bank of Ann Arbor (734)662-1600

Bruce Gaffney, Ervin Leasing (734)332-5400

About Bank of Ann Arbor

Bank of Ann Arbor is a locally owned and operated bank with total assets and assets under management of over $1.5 billion, serving people and businesses in the Ann Arbor area with offices at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Ann Arbor, in the Traver Village Shopping Center, at the corner of Stadium and Liberty streets, on West Ellsworth Road in Pittsfield Township, on West Michigan Avenue in downtown Ypsilanti and in Plymouth on Ann Arbor Road. Its newest office will open on Michigan Avenue in downtown Saline in early 2013.  The web site is www.boaa.com. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

About Ervin Leasing

Ervin Leasing Company, founded in 1978, is a well-established small ticket, $2,000 - $150,000, equipment leasing and finance company headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The company has a national presence in the small ticket vendor space servicing the general equipment categories with emphasis on strong service and self-underwriting solutions.  For more information please visit www.ervinleasing.com

About Ervin Industries

Ervin Industries, founded in 1920, is a pioneer in the technical development of cast steel abrasives.  Ervin’s products and technologies represent the world standard for quality innovation and commitment to the success of customers.  Ervin Industries is the largest manufacturer of steel abrasives in North America and the leading exporter from North America.  Ervin’s AMASTEEL abrasives are used in the production of a wide array of products with the primary applications being blast cleaning, peening, cutting, and etching.  For more information please visit www.ervinindustries.com.

In a story by Jenn McKee on AnnArbor.com and in the Thursday print edition, Bank of Ann Arbor's Sonic Lunch coordinator, Matthew Altruda is profiled as One to Watch in 2013. Congratulations, Matthew!

Matthew Altruda doesn't play music, but he makes music happen.

Note: links to third party sites are provided for your convenience only. Bank of Ann Arbor does not control their content.