One of Mid-Michigan’s premier annual entertainment events is coming up Friday, February 26th, at the Temple Theatre Annex in downtown Saginaw, when the Saginaw Rotary Club will present its 13th Annual Saginaw on Stage Music Festival. The club’s annual major fundraiser will occupy all three floors of the historic facility. Doors open at 430pm and the performances go continuously from 500pm to 1100pm+.
Attendance is limited and fans are encouraged to get tickets in advance. For more information on getting tickets (1) go to the Website: www.SaginawOnStage.com, (2) call the Temple Theatre: (989) 754-SHOW, (3) or call the 24-hour Saginaw On Stage hotline: (989) 776-9425.
Tickets can also be purchased at these Saginaw locations:
- Temple Theatre Box Office, 201 N. Washington; 754-7469
- Westside Decorating, 5789 State; 793-6182
- Oppermann’s Cork N Ale, 2940 Midland Road; 797-8466
The New Reformation Band will be appearing in the 3rd Floor Ballroom from 6pm to 7pm. (Each participating band plays one full set.) The NRB cast of characters: Cornet: Paul Klinger, Ann Arbor; trombone: Keith DeWitt, Flushing; clarinet/saxophone, John Simpson, Lansing; banjo/guitar, Dave Kadwell, Grand Rapids; tuba, Ed Mallett, Big Rapids; drums, John Hill IV, Swartz Creek; piano, Dave Oppermann, Saginaw.
For a list of the other 14 groups, and their performing times and locations, go online to www.SaginawOnStage.com.
For many years, the event was held on the Saturday of Easter weekend when the participating bands who donate their services were less likely to be booked, but last year show producer Dave Oppermann (yes, the same guy as the piano player) said they wanted to venture off that date to get potentially closer to “good weather.”
This year they have gone the opposite direction and made the focus on having fun indoors during the winter month of February. By moving the event to Friday and adding a buffet dinner the hopes are that music lovers will come right from work, and once inside the building can enjoy the performances that start at 5pm, and dine in one of the venues anytime from 530pm until 800pm. The $30 ticket includes all performances plus the dinner.
So in effect, last year’s “15 bands for 15 bucks” is modified to: be, “15 bands for $15 plus $15 for what really is a $25 all-you-can eat buffet.” The dinner will include Mixed Greens Salad and a Caesar Salad; the entrees are Grilled Herb Crusted Chicken plus Penne Pasta with Shrimp; Pacific Blend of Vegetables; Rice Pilaf; and for dessert, Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce.
Funds raised by the Saginaw Rotary Club in previous Saginaw On Stage productions have helped fund (1) the mural of Saginaw’s history, now displayed in the atrium of the Dow Events Center; (2) dictionaries for 3rd graders throughout Saginaw County; (3) Youth Leadership Camp for selected local high school students; (4) the Covenant Kids program; and (5) the Clean Water Project for rural communities in the Dominican Republic, plus many more.
Attending the event will present another opportunity for NRB fans to buy any of the band’s currently available 8 CDs at the reduced price of $10/each. Hope to see you there. Loud cheering and sustained applause is not only permitted but encouraged and may result in good things happening to you.