Five Concerts in Historic Bay City Venues Announced by Bijou Orchestra
State Theatre, Masonic Center, Central Auditorium to Host Bay City Group
June 18, 2004
By: Dave Rogers
Conductor Leo Najar directs the new Bijou Orchestra during the inaugural season of 2003-2004 in the State Theatre.
The prestigious venue of the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, site of many "big band" performances from the 1920s on, will again reverberate as a musical venue of the first order when the Bijou Orchestra plays "Holiday Pops II" here Dec. 7-8.
The Bijou Orchestra has announced five concerts for the 2004 - 2005 season at three different historic venues in Bay City, the State Theatre, Central High Auditorium and the Auditorium at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
Ticket prices have been reduced to $75 for season tickets for all five concerts, $20 each for single tickets, and $4 for all seats at the Halloween SPOOKtacular.
Bijou Artistic Director Leo Najar says the concert lineup will be:
(1) Sept. 18, 2004, 8 p.m., "Steamboat Bill Jr.," a silent movie spectacular with Buster Keaton, at Central High Auditorium;
"Singing, dancing, juggling and Buster Keaton's classic romantic comedy will be accompanied by the orchestra. It's going to be a great show. You can bank on it."
(2) Oct. 31, 2004, 2 p.m., "Halloween SPOOKtacular," special family concert, Central High Auditorium;
"Can you think of a better way to spend a Halloween afternoon? How about a family concert featuring great Halloween music of all kinds served up by an orchestra and conductor wearing their favorite costumes? Put on your costume and join us for an hour of frightfully good fun. Prizes for the best costumes."
(3) Dec. 7-8, 2004, 7:30 p.m., "Holiday Pops II," Scottish Rite Masonic Center, sponsored by Bay Regional Medical Center;
"Our second Holiday Pops promises Holiday cheer for all with a bounty of classical, traditional, gospel, folk and klezmer favorites sung and played by over 100 community performers and Bay City's unique orchestra."
(4) Feb. 25-26, 8 p.m., Feb. 27, 2 p.m., "Songs of Hope: 1939-1945," State Theatre, sponsored by S.C. Johnson, Inc.; and
"Broadway ... Hollywood ... the Big Bands. Each did their part to console soldiers in foxholes, sailors on ships and the families who waited at home. Join us for the songs, the dances and the images of the age in our multi-media program celebrating the hopethat music gave us in time of war. Our program is presented in honor of those who served and the families that loved them and is a salute to the new World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C."
(5) April 21-May 1, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," musical comedy, Auditorium at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center.
"It's the longest running off-Broadway musical in history and it's easy to see why. This is a musical comedy about everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws but were afraid to admit. It's been called the most "date-friendly show in New York" and couples have even proposed marriage during performances. How can you afford to miss this?"
For more information, go to www.bijouorchestra.org, or call 989-225-3423.###