The Franke Center Announces New Season

The Franke Center announces their upcoming season

The Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall is back with an exciting new season of concerts and events. Favorites like the Blues Series, Michigan Stars Series, Ice, Wine, Beer and Blues, Irish Pub Night, and Wolf Tree Film Festival will return.

Two events that were new last year, Michigan Music Video Awards and The Art of Drag, will make a second appearance in the upcoming season. The Franke Center Youth Theater will take the stage with three plays, starting with The Claw: A New Children’s Musical for K-5^th graders in October.

There will be plenty new this season as well, including a rollicking night of sing-alongs with NY, NY Dueling Pianos, innovative indie rock from The Elijah Russ Collective, and an appearance from Ada LeAnn, who captured the world’s heart as a semi-finalist on NBC’s “American Song Contest.”

The season will include:

September 17 – King Solomon Hicks – Blues Series

Bringing a classic blues sound straiting out of Harlem, 24-year-old King Solomon Hicks started playing guitar when he was six years old and was on stage at the Cotton Club when he was 13.

October 1 – Albert Cummings – Blues Series

With mesmerizing extended guitar jams, Cummings’ Fender Strat sings while he takes you on a twisting, turning blues roller coaster. Albert Cummings is a masterful guitar player who burst onto the blues rock scene in the early 2000’s and almost immediately began gaining praise for his versatility as both a singer/songwriter and live performer.

October 13 – 16 – The Franke Center Youth Theater presents The Claw: A New Children’s Musical featuring K-5^th graders

October 22 – NY, NY Dueling Pianos

Join NY, NY Dueling Pianos for a night of piano party madness, as these internationally renowned performers take all of your song requests in a clap-along, bang-the-tables-along crazy fiesta where anything can happen. 

November 19 – The Skivvies

The Skivvies are Broadway singer/actor/musicians performing stripped down arrangements of eclectic covers and eccentric originals. The Wall Street Journal calls them “smart, sophisticated…ingenious.” 

December 10 – The Elijah Russ Collective – Michigan Stars Series

An ambitious performer and songwriter, Elijah Russ’ sound ranges from modern funk to lo-fi blues to cinematic soul-rock. 

January 14 – Irish Pub Night Featuring Kennedy’s Kitchen

Kennedy’s Kitchen is family and friends, rooted in traditional Irish music, jigs, reels, hornpipes, recitations, stories, songs… and adding their own compositions along the way.

January 21 – Wolf Tree Film Festival

In its 5th year, Wolf Tree features standout short films from talented filmmakers from across the Great Lakes Region. Enjoy screenings, networking mixers, awards, and more.

February 3 and 4 – Ice Wine Beer and Blues featuring Nora Jean Wallace – Blues Series

In one of Marshall’s favorite two-day events, enjoy beer and wine tasting with live ice sculpting in downtown Marshall on Friday night. On Saturday, experience the exceptional blues vocals of Nora Jean Wallace, who has toured Europe, Canada, and the United States and appeared on many major festivals including the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AK, the Chicago Blues Festival and the Pocono Blues Festival.

February 16-19 – The Franke Center Youth Theater presents Newsies featuring 5^th-12^th graders

February 25 – Ada LeAnn – Michigan Stars Series

See the 17-year-old singer / songwriter Ada LeAnn, who captured the world’s heart as a semi-finalist on NBC’s “American Song Contest” with her song “Natalie.” 

April 8 – Michigan Music Video Awards

This star-studded awards show will celebrate the year’s best music videos and feature show-stopping performances by Michigan artists. Don’t miss the pre-party and your chance to share the red carpet with some of Michigan’s most talented performers.

April 15 – Sweet Water Warblers – Michigan Stars Series

Comprised of veteran Michigan songbirds Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, and May Erlewine, the folk trio’s organic vocal harmonies and seamlessly interwoven instrumentation leaves listeners breathless.

April 22 – The Big Fat Meanies  

Voted “Best Rock Band” in Central Pennsylvania, Big Fat Meanies offers a high-octane dose of horn-driven progressive rock with each impressive performance.

April 28 – The Art of Drag  

Detox from season 5 of RuPaul’s Drag Race will take the stage along with the delightful MC Sutton Lee Seymour for a night of jaw-dropping drag you won’t want to miss.

May 18 – 21 – The Franke Center Youth Theater play – TBA

“We pride ourselves in bringing in super talented entertainers you normally wouldn’t see in a town this size,” said Jacob Gates, the Franke Center’s executive director. “We know people have a lot of entertainment options, but when they come to The Franke, they should experience something special. I think this season is definitely going to capture that exciting spirit once again.”

Tickets are available by series (Michigan Star Series and Blues Series) or for individual shows. A season FlexTicket is also available, allowing ticket buyers to choose six shows to purchase on a single convenient ticket. For tickets and information, visit TheFranke.org.

The Franke Center for the Arts programming is supported in part by funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.