Intimate Venue. Ultimate Experience.
CONCERTS/SHOWS
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Jessie Campbell Band Single Release Party
The Jessie Campbell Band
Single Release Party
June 9, 2023 | doors open at 6:45pm
Openers: Chad Flores
Avery Roberson from The Voice
Allie Garland
Jessie Campbell is a born and raised Michigan country boy. He is also a Nashville recording artist. Jessie has passion for country music and entertaining has been in the forefront his entire life. Growing up listening to Travis Tritt, Randy Travis, George Straight and all those good ole boys singing country music. Jessie tours all over the US. For Jessie music is his heartbeat in life. When his brother died a few years ago, he found no better way to commemorate him than with song. His new song “Ride Again” is a dedication to his brother, Tyler. Since this song is the most personal to date, he wanted to make a special night of it. Jessie has many originals songs you can find on all platforms. Jessie is an up and coming country singer, but his roots will always be here in Michigan.
Openers
Chad Flores
Avery Roberson, from Rutherfordton, NC, was inspired to get into music by his father, and grandfather. His father Tony Roberson played in a country music band called the Hutchins Brother who had a Top 100 hit in the late 80s. Avery picked up the guitar and started singing at an early age. It didn’t take long for Avery to fall in love with Country Music.Avery Roberson got his break when NBC’s The Voice cast him in their 20th Season. Finishing in the top 28 the experience solidified his thirst for the stage. Since, then Avery has been writing and spending most of his time in studio recently releasing his Debut single “Ringtone.” “Ringtone” debuted on iTunes Top 100 Country Chart and had a second release “Lord Have Mercy.” The song “Alive” is his biggest song yet with over 1 million streams. New song “Home Sweet Home” out September 30, 2022!
Downstage Preshow:
Allie Garland
TICKETS -
Tom Franke Gala
Tom Franke Gala
A Standing Ovation for the Arts
Featuring The Moxie Strings and 3lb Cut
June 17th
Moxie Strings Only: $25
Tom Franke Gala at Oak Hill featuring 3lb Cut only: $50
Both portions of the event: $75
This two-part event is a Franke Center fundraiser celebrating the life and contributions of our visionary longtime board chair and tireless advocate for the arts, Tom Franke, who passed away last year. The night will feature two of Tom’s favorite musical artists, and will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate how far The Franke Center for the Arts has come under Tom’s guidance while looking ahead to all we plan to accomplish in the future. You can attend both portions of the event with one convenient ticket, or choose whichever one you prefer!
Tom Franke Gala at Oak Hill – 6:00pm
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a delicious custom cocktail while strolling the porch of Tom Franke’s beautiful historic home, Oak Hill. One of Tom’s favorite local bands, 3lb Cut, will be playing classic folk tunes, and several speakers will share their memories of Tom and reflections on his contributions to The Franke Center over the years. It will be a joyous celebration with great food, great music, and great friends, all in an elegant atmosphere—you won’t want to miss it!
The Moxie Strings at The Franke Center – Downstage bar opens at 7pm, mainstage show starts at 8pm
After the Gala at Oak Hill finishes, head down the hill to The Franke Center to enjoy a night of fabulous music with another of Tom’s favorite bands, The Moxie Strings.
Hailed by The Grand Rapids Press as “top-notch, instrumental wizardry,” The Moxie Strings offer listeners the unique opportunity to experience some of the world’s best-known
instruments through an electric, innovative lens. Diana Ladio and Alison Lynn hold Bachelor of Music degrees in music performance and music education, which have given each the technical foundation to explore the limits of her instrument and helped the group build a reputation for musical excellence. Alison performs on a newly-invented electric cello, and Diana on a contemporary 5-string violin. Both use a variety of audio effects pedals. The Moxie Strings compose the majority of their pieces and arrange melodies from many countries, resulting in a genre-blurring blend of ear-catching, mainstream melodies and foot-stomping, rock-influenced rhythms. The band’s polished, high-energy show continues to redefine strings’ role in contemporary music, and offers audience members a diverse, fun, musical experience. The two often join forces with dynamic percussionists to create an even livelier sound for larger venues.Soon after forming in 2007, The Moxie Strings were inspired not only to perform, but also to teach. Having made the exploratory journey from classical music to a world of eclecticism and music creativity, the band has now dedicated their careers to helping young musicians make this life-changing and transformative transition. Moxie clinics focus on musical self-discovery and the importance of incorporating socially and culturally relevant genres of music in the music classroom. They have taught clinics in over 200 schools throughout the US, and also present on their research and methodologies to teachers at many music education professional development conferences. During most clinics, The Moxie Strings perform for students on electric instruments, teach music by ear, and introduce non-classical playing styles. The group has researched and created an innovative sequence of activities designed to introduce improvisation to classically trained musicians, which they employ at every clinic. The Moxie Strings deliver their message in a fun, accessible way, and stand before students as the illustration of the many opportunities that music holds. Current Magazine insists that “the future of music could not be in better hands.”
3Lb Cut is a Marshall based band featuring local musicians Kjell Croce, Adrian Bagale and Derek Smith joined by members of other local bands such as Danae and The Grind and The Fat Animals. The band covers a wide range of musical territory from folk and blues to bluegrass and rock and roll. Along with performing at many of the local venues, they have been on the Franke Center stage many times. Armed with a variety of instruments and capable of pulling off any song, they are always a crowd favorite.ns to Oak Hill + Parking Instructions
Gala Address: 410 N. Eagle Street, Marshall
From the Marshall fountain circle…
– Go north up N. Kalamazoo St.
– Turn right on W. Prospect
– Turn left into the alley between N. Grand and North Eagle Street (there will be signs)
– Follow alley until it ends in parking field
– Follow short walking path from parking field to Oak HillFor those with limited mobility
– Follow the original instructions, but instead of turning up the alley, turn left on North Eagle Street and follow it to the end
– Enter the driveway at the end of the street and head right around the circle. There will be parking for mobility-restricted guests here, or you may drop off at the top of the circle and park in the field described above. For questions, please call The Franke Center box office at 269-781-0001.
TICKETS
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YOUTH THEATER SUMMER CAMP
THE FRANKE CENTER YOUTH THEATER
K-5th graders can learn the many different aspects of theater in this fun, hands-on experience!
Dates: July 31 to August 11, Monday-Friday
K- 2 9am-11am
3-5 11:30am to 1:30pm
This hands-on learning camp will help kids experience many different aspects of theater. Each day will include a different subject, a take home project, and special guests!
Students may sign up for all 10 sessions for $150.00.
Ala cart/individual sessions are $20.00 each when purchased ahead of time.
Day-of drop-ins are $25.00.
Students signing up for all sessions will receive a theater notebook to build and collect all information.
Special Guests include: Tricia Hilton, Olivia Amting, Elliana Ebner, Mary Claire Davis, Jacob Gates, Makenna Groeneveld, Hallie Machalka, Kathy Seifert
ANY CAMPER ATTENDING 5 or more sessions will have the opportunity to attend an evening field trip to The Barn Theater in Augusta to see The Wizard of Oz. Field trip includes backstage tour, show, and dinner.
There will be a different theme on each day of the camp:
Monday, July 31st
IS IT REAL OR A PROP?
Learn what is used to make things look real for theater. We will use imagination and make our own props.Tuesday, August 1st
TWISTING TUESDAY
Learn choreography from a Broadway show and learn the basic moves used in most shows!Wednesday, August 2nd
CRAFT A STORY
Make a fun book and tell your own story.Thursday, August 3rd
MONOLOGUE IT YOURSELF
Learn what a monologue is and write your own!Friday, August 4th
BE YOUR OWN BAND
Make your own take home instrument.Monday, August 7
A TASTE OF THEATER
Learn about how food is used in productions – and make some to take home!Tuesday, August 8
IMAGINATION AND IMPROV
Learn what improv is through games, activities, song and humor.Wednesday, August 9
BUILD THE STAGE
Build and take home your own diorama with a set design. Learn all about how backstage works.Thursday, August 10
THE SOUNDS OF CHOREO
Make a shaker or drum, using it to create rhythm and movements together.Friday, August 11
TICKETS
SHOW US WHAT YOU’VE GOT!
Learn a dance, scene, and song for any audition. Perform with your teachers! -
David Cook
November 18 | 8PMPreshow | 7PMTICKETSDavid Cook (and yes, the same David Cook who launched into stardom following his American Idol Season Seven win – breaking several Billboard chart records when 14 of his songs debuted on the Hot Digital Songs chart and 11 of his songs debuted on the Hot 100) certainly knows his way around a good song. His first album, Analog Heart, came out pre-Idol, and his last album, Digital Vein, nicely book-ended that chapter of Cook’s career, a chapter during which he sold more than 2 million albums (including his platinum-certified eponymous album) and, collectively, more than 5 million tracks (including two platinum-certified singles) worldwide.
David continues to find success, not only for himself, but also as a writer for other artists and touring throughout the world. 2018 brought an exciting new EP from Cook – Chromance. “I was a ‘rock’ guy, but the further away I’ve gotten from that, the more I’ve opened up and found inspiration in the peripherals. I wouldn’t have had the courage earlier in my career, but now I have the confidence to go after the sound I want.” A fan of both Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails, Cook always admired how they pushed the envelope and brought pop elements into rock music. “I used them as a bedrock for Chromance and how I wanted the record to feel.”
If putting out his 2018 EP wasn’t enough to keep Cook busy, that same year he headed to the Great White Way for his Broadway debut as Charlie Price in KINKY BOOTS. “I’ve had conversations about finding creative outlets outside of being a musician, but the timing was never right.” While Cook was excited about his first starring role, he was also aware the message behind KINKY BOOTS was timely and relevant. “I was honored to be part of the show and get to work with so many amazing people. I love the collaborative aspect of theatre too, the idea of being part of a creative team and working it out in front of an audience each night.”
Another passion of Cook’s is his work in behalf of organizations such as the National Brain Tumor Society, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that drives cutting-edge research and treatments for brain cancer and brain tumors. “I’ve been very involved with this cause and am very grateful that my career has allowed me to do that. I lost my brother Adam to a brain tumor in 2009; every year I am part of the Race for Hope-DC and, together with my fans, have raised over $1.5 million for brain cancer and brain tumor research through this and other fundraising projects. Far and away, that is the proudest of all my achievements.”
Cook is well aware, and grateful, for the breaks American Idol has brought his way, and for the opportunities he continues to have. He has no plans to slow it down. “I love creative endeavors. I like starting with nothing and then finishing with something that didn’t exist before. That’s my favorite thing about creating new music. I love being able to put something artistic out in the world for people to enjoy.”
In 2020, David released two new singles. The first, Reds Turn Blue, is a nod to the manic highs (reds) and lows (blues) of anxiety, something David has struggled to overcome since his season seven win on American Idol. As David told People.com: “This song became a therapeutic process for me, as a way to personify my anxiety and make it something other than me — which, in an odd way, has helped me navigate my relationship with it.” To capture that struggle, David worked with artist Justin A. Nixon to create a visual that was, “sci-fi and sinister” but left open-ended to represent “that constant battle between anxiety and myself.” And the second, Strange World, is “my homage to this year,” said David. “Staring out of windows at the world outside, feeling disconnected from it, and trying to find those moments that would normally exist outside, inside. “Both singles, along with the driving Fire are from his EP The Looking Glass, released in April 2021.
In April 2022, David released his latest single, “TABOS” (This’ll All Be Over Soon). The single’s release coincided with his return to the American Idol® stage to perform for their special 20th-anniversary reunion show.
