By Dennis Volkert
Sturges-Young Center for the Arts Performance Series has been announced for 2024-25.
It features a variety of entertainment, including music, comedy and dance.
Season tickets are available through Sept. 27.
A new feature this year: Patrons may select a package of four shows from among the six. That package starts at $108. Full season rate begins at $175.
The build-your-own is a way to accommodate patrons who want more than single-show tickets, but may not be able to commit to all shows, said Jamie Eymer, executive director at Sturges-Young.
“Since we have six shows this year that touch on many different genres, and are held on different days (Sundays, Fridays and Saturdays), we wanted to offer a ‘Your Series, Your Way’ four-pack,” Eymer said. “This will allow patrons to pick a series that could work for their schedule.”
Roundup of this season’s lineup:
Sept. 28: Josh Gracin, 7:30 p.m. Local folk musician Marjorie Shelito will open. Michigan native Gracin ascended the country music chart in 2004 with “I Want to Live,” following a fourth-place finish in “American Idol.” Several hits followed, including “Nothin’ To Lose,” “Stay With Me (Brass Bed)” and “We Weren’t Crazy.” His latest single, “Good For You,” is available to stream.
Nov. 24: Six Appeal, 3:30 p.m. The a capella vocal ensemble is two-time global champion of the genre after competing against nearly 200 groups from 26 countries. For multiple years, the group has been featured at Vanity Fair Oscar Party, singing on the red carpet.
Dec. 7: Cyrus Chestnut and Friends, 7:30 p.m. Chestnut is a jazz pianist, composer and producer. Chestnut tours with his trio, playing at festivals, clubs and concert halls. In 1993, he signed with Atlantic, releasing “Revelation” followed by “The Dark Before The Dawn,” “EarthStories” and “Blessed Quietness.” He has been involved with more than 25 albums since, solo or with various collaborators.
Jan. 10: Jon Reep, comedian, 7:30 p.m. Reep’s contemporary country point of view has won legions of fans in comedy clubs, on TV and in film. He won the fifth season of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” Reep is featured in Netflix’s “Brad Paisley’s Comedy Rodeo” and his new standup special, “Ginger Beard Man,” is on Amazon Prime.
Feb. 15: Water Street Dance, 7:30 p.m. A multifaceted dance company dedicated to exploring diversity within art, artists and audiences. The troupe has showcased works by esteemed choreographers such as Madison Hicks, Kam N. Saunders, Lean Damasco, Annie Franklin and Braeden Barnes. The company has drawn national recognition, being named Dance magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2024.
March 16: Pedal Punk Cirque, 3:30 p.m. Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 by Chris Lashua, after the success of a collaborative project with the Circus Center of San Francisco titled “Birdhouse Factory.” Spectacle magazine hailed it as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.” The show is wrapped in acrobatics, mechanical wonders and a bit of clowning.
Another element added for 2024-25, SYCA has an advertising agreement with Hulu, to offer a glimpse of performers featured in the series.
“After last year’s series, we felt, as a committee,we could show more of what to expect with the series and specific shows by introducing a commercial,” Eymer said. “We hope (people) enjoy the series ad coming out soon, and individual shows closer to their show dates.”
The most-popular shows in the 2023-24 series, based on ticket sales and attendance, were Vitamin String Quartet and Christmas Wizards.
Eymer started as director in September 2023, so this is the first cycle in which she was fully involved in planning the annual series. In addition to the seasonal series, Eymer is continually developing other attractions for various age groups and interests. That includes continuing the Cinema Circle Series, signing youth and family entertainers such as Lucky Diaz (Oct. 24) and the addition of “First Fridays Karaoke,” a monthly event that begins in September.
“I’m learning a lot about the ins and outs of this,” she said. “One of the (SYCA) taglines is ‘bring people together,’ and I think we’re doing that.”
In 2025-26, Sturges-Young will mark its 70th anniversary. Eymer is taking a long-term view of the venue’s entertainment vision.
“Instead of planning for the next event, I’m planning for the next five years,” she said.
For tickets, visit sturgesyoung.com, call (269) 651-8541 or visit the ticket office, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday. For additional details, visit www.facebook.com/sturgesyoung.
