Intimate Venue. Ultimate Experience.
CONCERTS/SHOWS
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FRANKE CENTER EVENTS
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Keeping you safe
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JORDAN HAMILTON
JORDAN HAMILTON
HIP-HOP
MAY 8, 2021 | 8PM
ADV. $14 | DOOR $16
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this will be a limited-attendance, VIP show–so get your tickets soon!
Part of the Michigan Stars Series, Kalamazoo-based rapper, vocalist and cellist Jordan Hamilton weaves stellar vocals and sharp, thought-provoking lyrics over hypnotic cello loops to create a unique brand of Michigan hip-hop. Cellist of Last Gasp Collective and the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Jordan Hamilton merges songwriting, loop pedals, sample machines, and vocals to create a sonic landscape of experimental hip-hop, folk, soul, and classical music. The Western Michigan University graduate aims to find new ways for the cello, a traditional instrument, to relate to a modern audience where it can be found playing the music of Bach, the Beatles, or Chance the Rapper. Filled with an eclectic range of songs, Jordan’s set is sure to capture the heart and mind while reflecting on new horizons. Jordan is a Jammie Award winner and winner of the Local Spins’ Emerging Artist of the Year award for 2019.
Visit:http://www.jordanhamiltonmusic.com
What is The Franke Center doing to keep audience members safe during Covid-19?
The safety of our patrons, staff, and performers is our top priority. Therefore, we adhere to all safety guidance from the state and the CDC. By purchasing a ticket at The Franke, you agree to cooperate with whatever safety protocols are in place. The specifics for this show may be updated as the performance date approaches, but when visiting The Franke this season, you can expect to see some or all of the following:
- Hand sanitizer stations
- Masks required / available
- Social distancing and seating restrictions in place
- Change of venue (a larger venue can accommodate more people, which is important in case of capacity reductions)
- Cancellations or changes in show date
Patrons who do not adhere to the safety restrictions will be asked to leave the facility. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we all work together to keep each other safe and healthy.TICKETS -
YOUTH THEATER AUDITIONS
9th – 12th Grade Students
Performance June 4, 5, and 6
Directed by Jennifer Conley Darling
Choreography by Beau Hutchings
Audition sign-ups are currently open for Franke Center Youth Theater’s high school production of Little Shop of Horrors.
This play will be rehearsed and performed at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. Participants will be socially distanced and masked as COVID conditions require. The cast will be limited in size to 30 students and will be rehearsed in pods to the best of our ability.
Audition Dates for students in 9th through 12th grades (for current 2020-2021 school year) – APPOINTMENTS REQUIREDAuditions will be held at the Franke Center.Monday, April 12 – Learning Day, two-time slots: 5-6:30pm and 7-8:30pm. Each group will learn music, dance, and acting in different areas of the buildingTuesday, April 13 – Possible added time slots as neededWednesday, April 14 – Audition Day – Specific audition time assigned at the end of Learning DayThursday, April 15 – Callbacks only – producer will call if the actor is requestedRehearsals start May 3 (Monday through Friday from 5-7pm)Show dates June 4, 5, and 6, 2021 (Friday and Saturday at 7pm and Sunday at 6pm)
Audition sign-up is a two-step process. First, click here to pay your audition fee, then click here to provide your sign-up information.
A deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, Little Shop Of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatre-goers for over 30 years. Howard Ashman and Alan Menken (Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Beauty And The Beast, and Aladdin) are the creative geniuses behind what has become one of the most popular shows in the world.
The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names “Audrey II” – after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II’s out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!
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Six-Week Workshop
GUITAR WORKSHOP
with Kjell Croce
6-Week Workshop
May 4, 11, 18, 25, June 1, 8 | 6 pm to 7:15 pm
Class limit 16
The Franke Center for the Arts is pleased to offer a new six-week guitar workshop with one of The Franke Center’s favorite performers, Kjell Croce. Croce will teach fingerpicking blues guitar techniques and the workshop will feature the songs of the great bluesman Mississippi John Hurt. Lessons will be geared toward intermediate players looking to expand their skills and learn new techniques. Guitarists who haven’t tried fingerpicking before will find this a great introduction while guitarists who are already comfortable with fingerpicking will add new skills to their repertoire. Basic chord knowledge and familiarity with the guitar will be necessary. The workshop will cover equipment and techniques and participants will learn Mississippi John Hurt songs including Creole Bell, Louis Collins, Stack O’Lee Blues, Sliding Delta, and Got the Blues, Can’t Be Satisfied in several keys. Each session will run 1 to 1 ½ hour.
Workshop dates will take place on Tuesdays: May 4, 11, 18, 25, and June 1 and 8, from 6 pm to 7:15 pm. The cost is $100, and guitarists ages 16 and up are welcome to participate.
Guitarist Kjell Croce is a musician who wears many musical hats. Now based in Marshall, Michigan he has traveled and lived in various parts of the United States, and has been fascinated by the abundance of musical styles throughout the country. From blues to bluegrass, folk to jazz with a big helping of rock and roll, he has absorbed these styles and made them into his own. He has shared stages with bluesmen Lonnie Brooks and Jimmy Johnson, singer/songwriters Ellis Paul, Kate Cambell, and Dave Ramont, and performed at the Michigan Talent Showcase, the Ann Arbor Dancing Lights Folk Festival, and Harmonyfest in Three Rivers. In addition, his last CD “Lightnin’ Rod” received airplay in the US and Europe with Ray Pieters-Dreesens of Radio Milo commenting, “Very expressive voice, strong lyrics, great rootsy and diverse sound.” In addition to his solo work, he can be seen performing with the group’s COW and 3LB CUT.
The workshop will take place in person at the Downstage Club at The Franke Center, and COVID-19 safety restrictions will be in place. Participants will need to sign in, sanitize their hands, wear masks, and maintain a distance of 6 feet from one another.
Click here to sign up!
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FRANKE CENTER YOUTH THEATER
5th – 9th Grade StudentsPerformances July 15, 16, 17 and 18
Auditions on May 17, 18, and 19
Rehearsals begin June 7
Directed by Jennifer Conley Darling
Choreography by Beau Hutchings
Music Direction Elinor Marsh
Will be rehearsed and performed at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds. This will be a socially distanced and masked process. Casts will be limited in size to 30 students and will be rehearsed in pods to the best of our ability.
Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. With a book by Dennis Kelly and original songs by Tim Minchin, Matilda has won 47 international awards and continues to thrill sold-out audiences of all ages around the world.
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other’s lives, as Miss Honey begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and an unforgettable star turn for a young actress, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.
