Nothing gets most of us in the holiday spirit than a little music and entertainment.
The Battle Creek area has plenty to offer over the next month, whether it’s to get you in the holiday spirit or as a gift idea in the form of tickets to your next show.
Battle Creek’s Brass Band Holiday Concert marks the unofficial start of the holiday season for many on Saturday at the WK Kellogg Auditorium.
Shannon Eakins, executive director of Battle Creek’s Brass Band, said, “For many families and longtime patrons, it’s the start of the holiday season. It’s a way to get into the spirit of Christmas.
Broadway star Doug Labrecque from Battle Creek joins the brass band this year. Alumni of Lakeview High School have captivated audiences in New York City for almost 20 years, starring in national tours of The Phantom of the Opera, Show Boat and Les Miserables.
“I can’t express how excited I am for this concert,” Eakins said. “As a local, it’s great to have guest his artists like Doug LaBrecque. He’s never played with his band Battle Creek Brass. He usually plays with the Battle Creek Symphony. ”
Over the past 25 years, the Brass Band of Battle Creek has established itself as one of the premier ensembles in the country, with some of the world’s top brass and percussion performers joining Battle Creek as the band’s visiting artists. Orchestras from Canada to England, New York Orchestra – Metropolitan Opera and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
This year’s holiday concert will feature LaBrecque as a special guest with internationally acclaimed trombonist Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic.
Apart from the main show at 7:30 pm on Saturdays, the Brass Band invites local schools to rehearse on weekdays. He will also have a BBBC Young Peoples concert on Friday at 10am in the auditorium.
“Doug LaBrecque is great for us,” said Jerry Rose, BBBC Director of Education. “He has performed on stages all over the world and I am looking forward to seeing his substantial talent and the superstars of the world of brass and percussion take to the stage.
“The rehearsal experience is wonderful. I think it’s more beneficial than a concert for young music students who come to rehearse because they get to see how the band comes together and how it works. And , To me, concerts are really important to young people. children are coming.
Tickets are available online at www.bbbc.net.
Ada Lien performing at the Franke Center
Giving the gift of music is always a good idea. So why not buy a ticket for someone to see the show after the holidays are over.Battle Creek’s Ada Her Liane will perform at Marshall’s Franke Her Center on February 25th with tickets is on sale now.
A Lakeview High School junior, LeAnn recently gained national attention as a contestant representing Michigan in NBC’s Great American Song Contest. Leanne made it to the semi-finals of the show with her song “Natalie”. Since then, she has won Single of the Year at the 8th Annual Josie Music Awards and performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Her Opry House stage.
The performance at the Franke Center will be her first theater show devoted entirely to her performance. Beyond that, she has made local appearances at several fairs and events over the past year.
“Performing at the Franke Center will be a great opportunity for me,” said Rian. It’s not just a festival or fair, it’s more than just background entertainment. This is my show and I am so excited to spend time creating a show that showcases my artistry and original music. ”
LeAnn will also sing locally at Handmap Brewery on December 21st and Kalamazoo’s New Year’s Eve Fest on December 31st.
Tickets for the Franke Center Show are available at www.thefranke.org.
Christmas at the Barn Theater
In recent years, one of the region’s most anticipated entertainment events has been the annual Christmas Cabaret at the Augusta Barn Theatre. Performed in the rehearsal shed on the Byrne Theater grounds, the show runs throughout the month of December 9-22.
Each year, the entertainers at the Summer Stock Theater celebrate the season with their favorite carols and holiday songs.
Tickets are available at www.barnheatreschool.org.
historic christmas
How about some holiday entertainment in spoken words instead of singing?
The Battle Creek Regional History Museum hosts “Stories of Christmas Past,” featuring readings of old newspaper articles from the 1800s. Among the performers are Dave Eddy, Bobby Mathis, Donna Rickman, Michael Delaware, Brian and Jill McCombs. There will be two performances on December 17th at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
For tickets or more information, please visit www.bcrhm.org.
Bill Broderick can be reached at bbroderi@battlecreekenquirer.com. Follow him on Twitter: @billbroderick