Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) has partnered with Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation to provide a free Veterans Day concert for the community in honor of local veterans and their families on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 PM. The free event includes guest speakers City of Tecumseh Mayor Jack Baker and City Council Member & United States Marine Corp Veteran Austin See, prior to a musical performance by the Dodworth Saxhorn Band (DSB).
Today’s Dodworth Saxhorn Band is modeled after the Dodworth Band of New York City, which was the premier brass band in the United States from the 1840s to the 1880s. The original Dodworth Band was directed by brothers Allen and Harvey Dodworth who were among the most highly respected musicians and bandmasters of the 19th Century. In 1985 musical instrument collector Alexander Pollock created the modern DSB as a living history project. In keeping with its living history origins, the DSB uses only brass and percussion instruments that were built in the 1800s. The antique horns are conical-bore instruments commonly called “saxhorns.” These handmade saxhorns are pitched higher than modern 21st Century brass instruments and produce a uniquely mellow tone. This class of brass instruments was invented in the early 1800s by Belgian instrument maker, Adolph Sax. The DSB has a year-round performance and touring schedule. Past performances include Ken Burns’ ten-part PBS documentary “Baseball” and a subsequent performance for “An Afternoon of Baseball” at the White House at the invitation of President and Mrs. Clinton. The DSB was also heard in Ken Burns’ series “Jazz” and “the Roosevelts.” The band has performed at the Great American Brass Band Festival, Danville, KY; The Tall Stacks Festival, Cincinnati, OH; the Victorian Ball for the centennial of the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, MI; Greenfield Village/Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI; Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library, Fremont, OH; plus, many more. The band performs 19th century music including compositions and arrangements from the Smithsonian Institute, the Library of Congress, private collections, and university libraries as well as a few new arrangements by musicologists who are experts in 19th Century brass band style and instrumentation. Their library contains over 420 arrangements. This is event is FREE, with general admission seating available until capacity (572 seats). Doors open 1 hour prior to performance on Friday, November 11 at 7:00 PM. Special thank you to this year’s sponsors including Vision Performance Group and Radant’s Electric LLC. Special thank you to Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation for making this annual event possible. For more information, visit www.TheTCA.org or call 517-423-6617, Tuesdays-Fridays between noon and 5 pm.
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Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) welcomes pianist Barron Ryan to its stage on Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 PM.
Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up in a house filled with the sounds of artists ranging from Mozart to Michael Jackson. So, when it comes to his own work, he’s not content drawing on just one influence. He combines them all into a musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool. After beginning piano lessons at age four with his father, Barron seemed destined for a career in music. He excelled in performing throughout his middle and high school years in Tulsa, OK, then continued to impress his peers and instructors as a piano performance major at The University of Oklahoma. After winning a piano competition that sent its winner to perform internationally, Barron found his artistic voice while on tour. He discovered the joy of jazz- and ragtime-inspired concert music (found on his debut album, Classical with Attitude), and learned from great jazz pianists by transcribing and replaying their solos (found on his second album, The Masters’ Apprentice). In 2019, Barron noticed a shocking lack of funk-, pop-, and country-inspired classical music. Realizing he could fill that void, he composed the “Magic City” Sonata and a dance suite called Suite Thing. Those works are now published and recorded on his third solo record, First of Its Kind. In 2021, Barron added ‘commissioned composer’ to his growing list of accolades. Commissioned by Chamber Music Tulsa to produce a work commemorating the 1921 massacre in Tulsa, OK, he wrote a piece for piano trio entitled My Soul Is Full of Troubles. Smithsonian Magazine took notice and named Barron One of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021. Barron is following in his favorite composers’ footsteps by publishing his original works in the public domain. He offers his work as a gift to the world, and as a chance to collaborate with artists from around the globe. Tickets for Barron Ryan: Classic Meets Cool at Tecumseh Center for the Arts can be purchased online at www.TheTCA.org or at the TCA Box Office. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors, youth, and military members. Special thank you to this year’s sponsors including Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Robert Fox from Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels, and Core Mechanical. Special thank you to Elizabeth Ruthruff Wilson Foundation and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council for supporting the theater’s season. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, visit www.TheTCA.org or call 517-423-6617, Tuesdays-Fridays between noon and 5 pm. WTCA Radio Show presents A Christmas CarolShow Dates:
Saturday, December 10 at 2 PM Saturday, December 10 at 7 PM Sunday, December 11 at 2 PM Tickets: $15 each | On Sale Now at www.TheTCA.org 2022 A CHRISTMAS CAROL CAST LIST Ebenezer Scrooge: Alan Hall The Narrator: Jimmy Lancaster Radio Announcer: Jon Livengood Marley’s Ghost Spirit: Daniel Cook First Spirit Ghost Of Christmas Past: William Fowle Second Spirit Ghost Of Christmas Present: George Reasoner Third Spirit Ghost Of Christmas Future: Rick Miller Nephew Fred: Joshua Smith Belle: MaryAnn Stock Bob Cratchit: John Valenti Mrs. Cratchit: Karen Miller Old Joe: Kim Greenfield Poole: Jeff DiCenzo Lamb: Joe Bennett Mr. Fezziwig: Mike Walters Martha Cratchit: Kristin Miller Fan Scrooge: Piper Holtz Helen: Sarah Stanley Tiny Tim: Madelyn Stanley Peter Cratchit: Alexander Olney Belinda Cratchit: Destiny Rodriguez Harriet Cratchit: Kellie Hill Charwoman: Lori Monagin Mrs. Dilber: Chris Blair Buck Cockney and Frederick Cratchit: Chance Adkins Merchants #1, #2, #3: Aiden Hernandez; Bob Miller; Marc Hernandez Guests #1, #2, #3: Debbie Keyser; Pat Bogusz; Betty Cummings Young Caroler: Tracylee Odgers Carolers: Spencer Family (Kenny, Anna, Abbey, and Penelope); Kellie Hill; Tracylee Odgers Sound Effect Performers: Chelsea Miller; Paul Chouinard; Brad Hill; Mike Walters; Kim Greenfield News of the Day Announcer: Larry Hall On-Air Booth Attendant: Jason Smith Commercial Performers: Spencer Family (Kenny, Anna, Abbey, and Penelope); Alex Carone; Sue Ives; Rick Miller; Debbie Keyser; Connie Hutchison PRODUCTION TEAM: Producer: Karen Bunch Artistic Director: Joyce Lancaster Musical Director: Mark Felder Technical Director: Ross Travis Assistant Technical Director: Julie Donovan Student Technicians: Cheyenne Bruner; Tehya Clement; Gavin Fisher, Zara Garrison; Gray Rakebrand, Hailey Scott Box Office Manager and Graphic Designer: Joanna Gall Costumers: Judi Schultz & Dianne Marsh Costume & Backstage Assistants: Betty Cummings; Debbie Keyser; Kellie Hill; Sue Ives Theater Director: Kelly Jo Gilmore The leaves are falling from the trees, the morning air has a certain crispness to it. This can only mean one thing in Lenawee County; it's time for Tecumseh's Appleumpkin Festival.
Tecumseh Center for the Arts will have two information booths set up during the festival this weekend (Located on North Ottawa Street in front of Tecumseh Library). Make sure to swing by to pick up information on our upcoming shows including Three Men and A Tenor, Barron Ryan, and the free Veterans Day concert. You can also sign up to win two free tickets to one of our National Touring Shows. In addition to our season, we'll be sharing information on the TCA Outdoors with information on the TCA Street Art Trail, Mary Jo Mensing Sculpture Garden, and future TCA Music Park. Local Artist Pat Deere will be joining us throughout the weekend to discuss her project Artists and the Alzheimer's, "I'm Still Here project. Pat has painted several murals for Tecumseh Center for the Arts since 2020 and this past summer submitted one of her collaborative sculptures "God's Gift" to the Mary Jo Mensing Sculpture Garden. Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) kicks off its National Touring Season with Three Men and a Tenor (3MT) on Saturday, October 22, 2022.
Celebrating 30 years together, Three Men and a Tenor is a pop vocal music group that combines quick-witted humor with great vocals for a music show experience that cannot be matched. The group has nearly 4,000 performances together, a national touring schedule, and has opened shows for national legends like Jay Leno and The Beach Boys; performed the national anthem to start the NASCAR FireKeepers 400 on Fox Sports 1 and starred in its own national PBS-TV special ("Three Men and a Tenor- In Concert") that was shown across the country from Los Angeles to Nashville. Voted "The Best Entertainment in Michigan" 4-times, Three Men and a Tenor has performed in Germany twice for a US Military Base tour that included 61 shows in 28 days in addition to singing in hospital rooms of soldiers at Landstuhl Hospital in Ramstein. THREE MEN and a TENOR has regularly sold-out shows at performing arts centers, theatres, festivals, and fairs. For over 30 years, they have been a powerful blend of vocal harmonies and feel-good music for all ages. They are a “can’t miss act” that delivers big fun! Tickets for Three Men and a Tenor at Tecumseh Center for the Arts can be purchased online at www.TheTCA.org or at the TCA Box Office. Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors, youth, and military members. Special thank you to this year’s sponsors including Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Robert Fox from Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels, and Martin’s Home Center. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, visit www.TheTCA.org or call 517-423-6617, Tuesdays-Fridays between noon and 5 pm. Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) is the recipient of a Project Support Grant from Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) for its 2022-2023 National Touring Season.
The award is a matching-funds Project Support Grant in the amount of $18,000, which will be used for this year’s National Touring Season featuring concerts and performances from artists throughout Michigan and across the country. The 2022-2023 National Touring Season features a Three Men and a Tenor; classically trained pianist Barron Ryan presenting When Class Meets Cool; The TCA Comedy Show featuring Steve Smargon, Khurum Sheikh, Bob Phillips, and Mike Green; a family friendly act showcasing the talents of Fantastick Patrick (juggler, fire, swords, and yo-yo act); The Moxie Strings; and wrapping up the season with Drew & Kin featuring Danny K. This year marks the 42nd season for Tecumseh Center for the Arts. Tickets are on sale now through the TCA website at www.TheTCA.org and the TCA Box Office by calling 517-423-6617. “Each season, we strive to bring a wide variety of shows and cultural events to the Tecumseh community and Greater Lenawee County area,” stated TCA Director Kelly Jo Gilmore. “The grant award gives us the financial support to put on the best shows possible while keeping ticket prices low – making the performing arts accessible to families in our area.” Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) is the State of Michigan’s lead agency charged with developing arts and cultural policy and grant-making in the State of Michigan. Since 1966 with the creation of the Michigan Council for Arts, the State of Michigan has recognized the value and importance of a vibrant arts and cultural sector. This past Friday on September 16, 2022, MACC approved over $12 million in FY23 arts and culture funding to over 600 organizations and projects across Michigan! View the full list of awardees using these links: List by program: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/.../fy23-funding-plan... List by county: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/.../fy23-funding-plan... Tecumseh Center for the Arts, in collaboration with The Tecumseh Players and the TCA Big Band and VocalAires, is holding auditions for its production of the WTCA Radio Show A Christmas Carol. Back by popular demand, this show harkens back to the days of the Golden Age of Radio, with great swing-era music, drama, comedy, sound effects, and commercials, all performed live onstage in front of an audience.
Based on radio shows of the 1940’s, performers will tell Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Roles for the drama, A Christmas Carol, show announcer, live commercials and “news of the day” performers, as well as background performers and sound effects artists offer plenty of opportunities to participate. You do not have to be a current member of the Tecumseh Players to audition, and as an added bonus, the nature of “radio shows” means that there is no need to memorize anything. No experience necessary! Auditions for the WTCA Radio Show will be held Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 3-5 p.m. in the Tecumseh Center for the Arts’ rehearsal room, 400 N. Maumee St, Tecumseh, Michigan. The rehearsal room is located at the southeast corner of the building. Pre-registration is encouraged by going to www.theTCA.org and clicking on the box office tab. Registration can also be completed the day of auditions. Dates for the WTCA Radio Show performances are December 10th & 11th, with rehearsals TBA. Director of the show is Joyce Lancaster, and TCA Big Band & VocalAires’ Director Mark Felder is Music Director. If would like more information, please contact WTCARADIOSHOW@GMAIL.COM. Come be part of this great collaboration between the TCA, The Tecumseh Players, and the TCA Big Band & VocalAires, and take advantage of a truly unique opportunity to perform in a 1940’s style radio show. See you Sunday, October 2nd! This year’s WTCA Radio Show is sponsored in part by Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Bob Fox – Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels, and WLEN 103.9 FM. Open Mic Night is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 PM at Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The event is building momentum as local musicians, singers, dancers, thespians, and comedians set their sights on the TCA stage. Local talent can still register for this year's event. You have until Friday, September 9 to grab your spot in the Open Mic Night line-up. Talent can include anything that uses a microphone from vocalists, smaller 2-3 member bands, and musicians to slam poets, comedians, storytellers, dancers, and more! If interested in performing, simply contact Tecumseh Center for the Arts by emailing marketing@thetca.org.
Now that you’re signed up to perform, invite all your family and friends to come out and support you! A crowd favorite will be voted on during the show with a $100 prize being awarded to this year’s winner. Remember there is no entrance fee for performers. Tickets are just $12 and can be purchased online, in person, or over the phone. The TCA lobby lounge will open at 6:00 pm with light snacks and cash bar available. Special thank you to this year’s sponsors including Vision Performance Group, Kiwanis Club of Tecumseh, Robert Fox from Howard Hanna, Carpet on Wheels and Pest Patrol. For more information, or to purchase your tickets, visit www.TheTCA.org or call 517-423-6617, Tuesdays-Fridays between noon and 5 pm. Tecumseh Center for the Arts Announces 42nd Season
Tecumseh, Michigan – Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) announces its 2022-2023 National Touring Season featuring six shows taking place October 2022 - April 2023. Patrons can purchase season tickets for this year’s lineup beginning Wednesday, August 31. 10/22/2022 — THREE MEN AND A TENOR | 7:30 PM Great pop vocal music, quick-witted humor, and overall likeability make THE THREE MEN and a TENOR SHOW a unique musical experience for audiences that cannot be matched. The group has a national touring schedule and has opened shows for entertainment legends like Jay Leno and The Beach Boys; performed the national anthem to start the NASCAR FireKeepers 400, and had a national PBS-TV special ("Three Men and a Tenor- In Concert") that was shown from Los Angeles to Nashville. 11/05/2022 — BARRON RYAN: CLASSIC MEETS COOL | 7:30 PM Barron Ryan’s love for music has always been divided. The son of two musicians, he grew up in a house filled with the sounds of artists ranging from Mozart to Michael Jackson. So when it comes to his own work, he combines them all into a musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool. Since 4 years old, Barron seemed destined for a career in music. He excelled in performing throughout his middle and high school years in Tulsa, OK, then continued as a piano performance major at The University of Oklahoma. In 2019, Barron noticed a shocking lack of funk-, pop-, and country-inspired classical music. Realizing he could fill that void, he composed the “Magic City” Sonata and a dance suite called Suite Thing. As of 2021, Barron added ‘commissioned composer’ to his growing list of accolades. Commissioned by Chamber Music Tulsa to produce a work commemorating the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, he wrote a piece for piano trio entitled My Soul Is Full of Troubles. Smithsonian Magazine named Barron one of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021. 01/21/2023 — TCA COMEDY SHOW | 7:30 PM TCA Comedy Show returns with another great roster of Michigan comedians. This year’s show includes local comedian Steve Smargon, Bi-polar Marine, as he takes the stage with three other Michigan comedians including Khurum Sheikh, Bob Phillips, and Mike Green. Khurum Sheikh is a 25-year veteran of the Ann Arbor Police Department who now does comedy all over the country. Originally from Pakistan, his comedy touches on current events from the hilariously unique perspective of a Pakistan Police Officer in the USA. Bob Phillips has been seen on the Fox stand-up comedy series “Laughs” and is heard daily on SiriusXM satellite radio’s Raw Dog Comedy, Laughs USA, the The Foxxhole, and Jeff & Larry’s Comedy Roundup. He is a contributing writer to the website “Funny or Die,” and is one half of the popular internet podcast, “The Sal & Bob Show.” Mike Green is quickly becoming one of the top and most requested National headliners. With original jokes and the knowledge to make it all look made up every time… his clever “clean comedy” and strong improv background, will take you on a “Comedy Vacation.” While developing his own show, he was lucky enough to work with such luminaries as Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Titus and Ellen DeGeneres. 02/18/2023 — FANTASTICK PATRICK | 4:00 PM Fantastick Patrick brings something fresh and exciting to the world of live entertainment with a show full of comedy and incredible tricks. The show is great for any age group that likes to have fun and is our family, friendly matinee performance for the season! You’ll be amazed as he performs fantastic tricks from juggling fire, swords, and balls to an awesome yo-yo act, plate-spinning, and free-balancing massive objects on his face! Patrick is an experienced entertainer with a ton of hilarity and crowd interaction. He keeps the audience fully engaged throughout the entire show, even the smallest of children are enraptured. Fantastick Patrick has performed at major corporate events with performances for: Facebook, Old Navy, Walmart, The Ritz-Carlton, Port of Los Angeles, Kaiser Permanente, Blue Shield, Pasadena Rose Bowl, and Dodger Stadium. 03/18/2023 — THE MOXIE STRINGS | 7:30 PM Hailed 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 while building a reputation for musical excellence. Alison performs on a newly invented, electric cello, and Diana on a contemporary 5-string violin. The Moxie Strings compose most 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. 04/22/2023 — DREW & KIN FEATURING DANNY K | 7:30 PM Fan favorites Drew and Kin (husband and wife dueling pianos stars) return to the TCA stage and this time they are bringing friends with them including singer and musician Danny K. This year’s show promises to bring the house down with their high energy, all request musical show combined with original music. Drew De Four grew up in Michigan and attended U of M where he studied Music and Theater. A Dueling Pianist for 20+ years with 2,000+ shows and 2,000+ songs in the repertoire, De Four has also written and produced 9 records available on all streaming services. More recently, Drew has worked in Film and TV, writing and producing music videos (available on YouTube), TV Pilots, and his first feature film: DUELERS, to be released in 2022. “Kin” (aka Colleen) grew up in Ohio and studied Vocal Performance and Music Education at Eastern Michigan University. She taught vocal music for ten years to students K-12 while also releasing a few records in that time. For the last 10 years, she has been performing Dueling Pianos and her own music all around the world with her husband. Daniel "Danny K" Korzelius grew up in wintry Buffalo, NY, and attended the University of Buffalo for a BFA in Musical Theater. As soon as he graduated, he realized some places were sunny all year. He quickly moved to Wilmington, NC, where a buddy had convinced him to try dueling pianos. He had no idea that 15 years and dozens of clubs later, he would still be doing it. Danny aspires to be as well rounded a performer as possible. He likes to bring his theater background to the show, with impersonations of everyone from Louie Armstrong to Kermit to Joe Cocker. You don’t want to miss this musical celebration as we sing along, clap along, and dance the night away Drew, Kin and Danny K! Season Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 31. New this year, season ticket holders can purchase all six shows at a discounted price, or pick 5, or just 4 shows. You can also purchase Season Tickets at an adult price or senior/youth price. All Season Ticket sales are final and non-refundable. Come out and experience the excitement of a live performance at your local theater! To order your season subscription, call us at 517-423-6617 or visit the TCA online at www.TheTCA.org beginning August 31! Why Support the TCA?
We believe Tecumseh Center for the Arts (TCA) plays a vital role in making our city a great place to live. Only through the generosity of individuals and businesses like yours is the TCA able to provide great entertainment to thousands of patrons a year, a home to numerous local arts groups and professional support of their presentations, as well as provide a key service to our Public Schools as a high-class venue. As a Business Sponsor, we share our advertising reach with you! Patrons see TCA content on our website, social media, posters, playbills, and more! As a sponsor of the TCA, your business content will also be shared, reaching individuals in our community as well as out of state. How Can I Be Involved? Sponsor the TCA at one of the following levels: Producer's Chair | $3,000+ CLAIMED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE Director’s Circle | $2,000+ CLAIMED - NO LONGER AVAILABLE Leading Player | $1,000+ Supporting Player | $600+ Ensemble Player | $350+ Cast Member | $200+ Friend of the TCA | $100+ How Will the Funds be Utilized? All of the financial support that the TCA receives helps us provide high quality entertainment to our patrons. It helps pay for the National Touring Acts that are booked as well as the upkeep of the building. It purchases ticket stock, stage lights, and cleaning supplies. It helps in the yearly maintenance of the building and upgrading of our systems. Every aspect of the theater is vital and your sponsorship ensures that we provide the community with not only entertainment, but also education and a home for local performers of every age. Become a TCA Sponsor! You can become a TCA Business Sponsor by completing the sponsorship packet and submitting it to marketing@thetca.org. For more information, contact TCA Director Gilmore. |
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