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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 Hill
For 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.
