PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2023 CONTACT: Jason Mansmith 920.294.4279 jason@thrasheroperahouse.com
New Winter/Spring Season at Thrasher Opera House Released
Green Lake, Wis. (November 20, 2023) – This season, the Thrasher Opera House is set to host a diverse array of performers. Combining a mix of beloved returning artists and exciting newcomers, we are thrilled to usher in the Winter/Spring Season. Rachael Avery, the Executive Director of Thrasher Opera House, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are eagerly anticipating a vibrant new season that will encompass a wide range of musical genres, from comedians to Gypsy swing, singer-songwriters to acoustic, bluegrass, Cajun, and everything in between. We will introduce several fresh talents to our stage while welcoming back fan-favorite artists who will grace our historic venue with their exceptional skills.” Mark your calendars, as tickets for all these shows will be available for purchase starting November 20. You can find further details about each performance on our website at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by contacting Thrasher at 920.294.4279
November 2023
November 25 – Showing the holiday film “The Polar Express” | Photos 1-2 p.m. | Movie 2 p.m.
Gather your friends and family and join us at the historic Thrasher Opera House theater for a free showing of the movie “The Polar Express” You can even show up in your coziest holiday pajamas! This movie will be shown free of charge; donations are welcome. There are only 200 seats, so come early to get your spot!
Doors open at 1 pm, and the movie starts at 2 pm. Holiday goodies will be available for purchase.
Before the movie, stop by to take a holiday family photo – Many thanks to Ric Damm Photography for the portraits!
*Both photo op and movie are first come, first serve – no reservations required*
December 2023
December 08 | Peter Loewenstein | Doors and Bar 6:15 p.m. | Show 7:00 p.m. | Tickets FREE This Ripon College guitar student upholds a cherished family tradition by playing a guitar that has been handed down through generations since 1889. This fall, Peter has also been actively involved as a performer for Thrasher Opera House’s outreach programs.
December 09 | Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30
Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band is “the greatest front-porch blues band in the world,” led by Reverend Peyton, whom most consider the premier finger picker playing today. Their latest record went #1 on the Billboard, iTunes, and Sirius XM Blues Charts.
December 10 | Fox Cities Swing Band – Holiday Concert | Doors and Bar 1:15 p.m. | Show 2:00 p.m. | FREE Join us for a holiday matinee performance by the Fox Cities Swing Band! The FCSB has been together for over twelve years and specializes in the ‘40s and ’50s jazz standards from the big band era. The ensemble is made up of a variety of musicians from the Fox Valley area.
December 15 | The Barefoot Movement – Holiday Show | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $25 Interpretations range from Chuck Berry’s “Run Run Rudolph” to Perry Como’s “It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas,” as well as touching renditions of holiday classics. Enjoy holiday stories and music that will fill you with enduring love and hope all year round.
January 2024
January 06 | Buffalo Nichols | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30 Milwaukee-based songwriter looks to bring the blues of the past into the future. Having performed on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and “The Caverns” on PBS. Nichols original, “Back On Top” brings to mind the ominous juke-joint growl of John Lee Hooker.
January 12 | Rucksack Revolution | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $35 (506 Session) – Limited Cocktail Seating Adam Greuel, of the high-energy string band Horseshoes & Hand Grenades, and Sarah Vos, of the folk-inspired Dead Horses, draw from broad musical influences ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Gillian Welch to bring you a show that will be mostly focused on original material.
January 15 | Missoula Tryouts | 4-6 p.m. | Free An audition will be held for the Missoula Children’s Theatre production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK on Monday, January 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Those auditioning should arrive between 3:30 and 4 p.m. and plan to stay for two hours. Parents are welcome to stay for auditions as well. Some cast members will be asked to stay for a rehearsal immediately following the auditions; others will be released at 6 p.m. after making cast announcements.
This program is free for participants, thanks to the support of our wonderful community. Approximately 50-60 roles are available for local students. All students, grades 1-12, are encouraged to audition. No preparation is necessary. If cast, a rehearsal schedule will be provided – most students should plan on rehearsing 4-8:15 p.m. Tuesday, January 16 through Friday, January 19. The performances will be held on Saturday, January 20, at 3 and 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Thrasher at 920.294.4279.
January 20 | Missoula Children’s Theatre Shows – Jack and the Beanstalk
Approximately 50-60 local students will be putting on a production of Jack and the Beanstalk at the historic Thrasher Opera House on Saturday, January 20. Show 1 – Doors open at 2:30 p.m., show begins at 3 p.m.
Show 2 – Doors open at 5 p.m., show begins at 5:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for students and $15 for adults.
January 26 | Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest On The Road | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $25 Midwest Gypsy Swing Fest on-the-road shows take their listeners on a ride via music of Paris cafes, Memphis Delta blues, and folk scenes across America. Featuring Harmonious Wail, Leila Duclos, Alfonso Ponticelli and Ethan Phillion.
January 27 | Johnny Beehner | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30 His routines often revolve around everyday experiences, offering a hilarious perspective on the mundane aspects of life. Beehner puts on a good, clean show. TV includes Late Show with David Letterman. FOX’s Laugh & AXS’s Gotham Comedy.
February 2024
February 9 | Reverie Road | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30 A dynamic Celtic ensemble formed by seasoned musicians from Solas, and Gaelic Storm. Rooted in Irish traditions, the group blends humor and musical prowess to create a unique sound that incorporates Irish musical elements, waltzes, reels, and jigs.
February 16 | Feufollet | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $26 Southwest Louisiana band inspired from Cajun, honky-tonk, and string-band music, using it as a foundation for their songwriting. Maintaining a versatile approach to their craft, they embrace various genres such as blues, country, and rock ‘n’ roll.
February 17 | Willy Porter | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $25 Songs that weave a universal perspective about human existence’s questions, struggles, and triumphs. The shows are guitar-driven grit and soul – electrifying and unique in the way that Porter’s voice blends and fuses with his fretwork.
February 23 | BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30 For 50 years they have been celebrated for their Cajun music. The band’s distinctive sound has earned them multiple GRAMMY nominations and performing everywhere from New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival to Carnegie Hall.
February 29 | Skerryvore | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $28 (SEATED) Skerryvore has brought its performances to audiences across the globe. A mix of fiddle, accordions, pipes, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums, and keys, representing the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music.
March 2024
March 01 | Skerryvore | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $24 (STANDING) Skerryvore has brought its performances to audiences across the globe. A mix of fiddle, accordions, pipes, and whistles, alongside guitar and vocals, underpinned by driving bass, drums, and keys, representing the best in contemporary Scottish traditional music.
March 2 | JigJam | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $24 An Irish band, fuses their virtuoso sound with bluegrass and Americana, creating a unique musical experience. They recently made their highly-praised debut at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in March 2023. Leading the charge in the Irish invasion of Americana.
April 2024
April 5 | Chatham Rabbits | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $36 (506 Session) – Limited Cocktail Seating North Carolina’s “roots” music duo, Chatham Rabbits, weaves personal histories into a timeless, harmonious journey bridging the past and future. Their fusion of bluegrass and folk with contemporary elements yields deeply resonating songs.
April 19 | The Weight Band | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $38 Known for its soulful sound that blends rock, blues, country, and folk influences, The Weight Band was formed in 2013 by former members of The Band. They perform original songs and covers of classic songs from The Band and other legendary artists.
April 27 | Heartache Tonight – Eagles Tribute | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $35 From the powerful guitar duel in “Hotel California” to the shimmering harmonies of “Peaceful Easy Feeling” a Heartache Tonight show is a true Eagles concert experience with all the timeless classic songs from one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
May 2024
May 3 | Dig Deep with Sharin’ Barrels | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $25 Stevens Point based band, Dig Deep has earned a reputation for their well-honed and hard-edged sound that goes far beyond bluegrass, as well as their blistering and boisterous live performances that give audiences much more than a string band.
May 10 & May 11 |Paul Thorn Band | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $35 Paul has created an innovative and impressive career, pleasing crowds with his muscular brand of roots music—bluesy, rocking, and thoroughly Southern Americana. “…a rare and addictive mixture of soul, wit, humor, and musicality.” – Mark Knopfler
May 3 | Deadgrass | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $27 A string band adventure through exploring the life works of Jerry Garcia on the instruments that first inspired him. Deadgrass celebrates and interprets the music of Jerry Garcia, drawing from Old & In the Way, JGB, Jerry’s Jug Band days and the Grateful Dead.
May 18 | Daniel Van Kirk | Doors and Bar 6:45 p.m. | Show 7:30 p.m. | Tickets $30 Rochelle, IL-based comedian you may know from his characters on Bob’s Burgers (FOX), Physical (Apple TV+), and Central Park (Apple TV+). He can also be heard every week on the hit podcasts “Pen Pals” with Rory Scovel and “Dumb People Town” with The Sklar Brothers.
May 23 | Season Release Party | Doors and Bar 5:00 p.m. | Season Announcement 6:00 p.m. | FREE Join us to celebrate the onset of summer and the upcoming season, experience live music, and enjoy food from local vendors at Thrasher Opera House! RSVP to reserve your spot at this fun social event on the web.
Thrasher Opera House’s mission is to promote the arts and the power of live performance, provide a community gathering place, and preserve the historic Thrasher Opera House. A charming, intimate, friendly venue with excellent acoustics. Built-in 1910, restored in 1997, and on the National Register of Historic Places. Seats 200. For more information, please visit www.thrasheroperahouse.com
