Compete Listing of Events

September 2008 [ Top ]

Little Dave Thompson Blues BandSeptember 27, 2008

THE HEAT IS ON AT THE FRANKE! Get ready for some smokin' Blues as Little Dave heat up the stage with plenty of snarling guitar and good vocals. Styles include Texas shuffles, funk, soul/r&b and straight blues. Doug Beckman playing acoustic Blues in the lower level from 7 to 8 PM. Beer, wine and refreshments available. BOX OFFICE - 269-781-0001

November 2008 [ Top ]

Ben WalterNovember 6, 2008

Debut album mixes passionate vocals with blends of pop/rock, jazz and blues to make the perfect top 40 martini. Sit back and listen to one mans journey as he breaks the walls and lets the light in. BOX OFFICE - 269-781-0001

December 2008 [ Top ]

It's a Wonderful Life - Radio Broadcast (license pending)Dec. 24 and 25, 2008

It's A Wonderful Life: Radio Boradcast (license pending) Radio drama. Adapted by Philip Grecian. Based on the film by Frank Capra. Remember the good old days of radio—when people had to use their imaginations—when the mind was a stage? Those days are back—only better! This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as actors read and perform the beloved 1940s radio broadcast of It's A Wonderful Life. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. TUNE IN TO 95.3 WBCK - FM, BATTLE CREEK Christmas Eve from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m. Christmas Day from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

October 2009 [ Top ]

"Sentimental Journey: The Songs of WWII"October 29, 2009

A nostalgic journey back to the time of World War II when radio was essential, romance was challenged, and music sustained us. The music of 1940s will fill the DownStage Banquet Room this Thursday night at 8 PM when Randy Lake, Tim Lake, Linda Pierce and Sue Stulberg take the stage. Also performing is Alan Stulberg on piano. Announcer for the evening is Don Pierce.

Halloween Party for Kids - FREE EVENTOct 30, 2009

OCTOBER 30, 2009 - 6 to 8 PM Our first
"FRANKE-IN-STEIN HALLOWEEN PARTY" for Kids

November 2009 [ Top ]

A tribute to Abbey Road, Yellow Submarine and the Beatles. Thanksgiving Weekend, November 28th

The Franke Center presents: A Tribute to Abbey Road, Yellow Submarine and the Beatles. Rocking the music of the beatles are Rene Meave, Kjell Croce, Julie Mackie, Greg Brayton and Jim Oliver. Plenty of tickets available. Bring the whole family. Kids 12 years and under FREE!

December 2009 [ Top ]

The Singing Chef January 14, 2010

Fine, authentically cooked Italian food is a delicious treat, but to have a celebrity-singing chef prepare delicious appetizers for you is pure heaven.

February 2010 [ Top ]

Annie Jr. - Elementary YouthFebruary 19, 20, 21

Due to the popularity of Annie Jr. the show has been extended for an extra performance on Sunday, February 21st at 6 p.m. Tickets available for purchase by calling the box office at 781-0001. They are $8 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets sold-out fast as soon as they were available for purchase almost two months ago. Most people credit this to the new marquee located on the west side of the Franke Center. The Franke Center added the extra performance when they found out that some of the parents and relatives had not had the time, due to very busy schedules, to call the box office for their ticket reservations. We also had many community patrons calling for reservations. The production staff is very excited about this performance as more than 50 students take the stage this weekend.

Sharrie Williams Blues BandFebruary 20, 2010

Sharrie Williams knows how to sing the Blues… Because she’s lived the Blues…Born and raised in the projects of Saginaw, Michigan, Sharrie grew up surrounded by music and singing her entire childhood, being raised in a musical family. “My Aunt and Grandma were jazz singers, my father was a gospel/jazz singer in the 1950’s and 1960’s, my brother is a gospel singer and my mother was a gospel singer. Our house was like a Juke Joint…..Singing, drinking, dancing and the blues playing, with chicken and fish fryin.” She teamed up with The WiseGuys in 1997, and began appearing regularly at Chicago’s renowned Blues Clubs such as Kingston Mines and Buddy Guy’s Legends.
 By 1998 Sharrie Williams and The Wiseguys were on their way to Europe. They started with performances in Germany, and by 2004 they had toured Holland, France, Italy the Netherlands, Spain, Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Great Britain. In April 2004 Sharrie released “Hard Drivin’ Woman” on the German label Crosscut Records, to international acclaim throughout Europe and the United States. Word spread back to the US about her captivating performances and rock solid recording. She performed at US festivals including the Chicago Blues Festival and the Pocono Blues Festival soon thereafter. Her CD sales at the Pocono Blues Festival were at the top of sales records for this storied event, a major contributor in introducing her to the American blues market. Over her years Sharrie has had the opportunity to collaborate with national recording artists such as Larry McCray and Ron Prince. Her influences are Koko Taylor, Etta James, Pattie Labelle, Aretha Franklin and the legendary Billie Holiday - they have all helped form her unique style. She is poised for the next level. “I love what I do! I can play for five people and feel like I played for 60,000.” Sharrie’s unique style of “Rockin’ Gospel Blues” is surrounded by strong and powerful vocals and arrangements, with songs that grab your soul, like “Hard Drivin’ Woman,” “Travellin’” and “Blues Lover”. Sharrie touches souls with her talent and passion for her music, combined with her smoky, sexy and imitable style she always leaves her audience calling for one more song. She emerges with grace as a humble and rock solid professional, a talented songstress that stands on her own. “Having lived the blues, I sing to inspire people, Not to let the blues get the best of you”. In January 2007, Sharrie signed a recording contract with the Canadian based Blues label Electro-Fi Records. Andrew Galloway President & Founder, reports “Sharrie Williams is extremely talented and at the forefront of a new generation of Women Blues Artists. We are delighted to welcome her to the Electro-Fi label”.
 The record will be released Worldwide in June 2007, Sharrie and the Band will be touring extensively throughout the USA and Europe in support of this release.

Oh What A Night!March 27, 2010

Coming together for one night of a cappella are the University of Illinois, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, and Marshall High School Singers including their very own all-male group, Worth Noting.