Center For Cultural Events
DeKalb Outdoor Theater Blog
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July 26, 2010
Promise of the Real By Kent What started as a simple inquiry of whether or not we could get Mickey Rooney to the DOT, ended up with us getting Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. It hasn’t been easy but it has been very educational. Through a series of events, we were put in touch with the William Morris Agency – one of the largest entertainment booking agencies in the U.S., and they introduced us to Lukas Nelson and his band. Lukas is trying to get his own music recognized without riding on the coat tails of his famous father and so he is touring heavily all around the U.S. It turns out that he will appear in Columbus Indiana this Saturday, and they were looking for a way to fill up his calendar and we appeared. It has been interesting dealing with the William Morris Agency and we hope it is the beginning of many opportunities now that we have some relationship developed but in the mean time, come and see the Promise of the Real. I think you will be in for a real good time.
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July 17, 2010 DOT presents J.A.Z.Z. By Kent I met Colleen McNabb when she was a student of my wife’s choir program in the mid-90’s. She was active both in the music and theater programs while at DeKalb HS. She has always had a great singing voice and was a delight to listen to. Years later, we found out that she was performing for one night only at the Hall’s Guest House in Ft. Wayne. We attended that concert and could not believe what a great singer she had become. Now, many people can find out about this great talent. When our regularly scheduled band had to cancel, I immediately thought of Colleen. She called the Pete Benson Trio back in Chicago and they agreed to come to the DOT and accompany her. This show is sure to be a delight for young and the young at heart.
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July 12, 2010 Going Back To The Oldies! By Kent While the harmonies from the County Line Quartet last Friday Night are still in the air, it’s time to look to this Friday. We’re bringing Spike and the Bulldogs back to the Outdoor Theater. This group was a big hit with our crowds last summer and we thought we would repeat the experience with some added features. The Shifter’s Car Club will be having a cruise-in, the Humane Shelter will be selling pulled pork sandwich dinners & we are bringing back the castle inflatable to add to the Kid’s Corner. It should be a great night.
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July 5, 2010 Southern Gospel By Kent July is shaping up to be an awesome month for us at the DOT. This Friday, Southern Gospel returns to our stage when the County Line Quartet performs at 7:30 pm. This group has been performing together for well over a decade, and their sound is as tight as any you will hear. Two brothers, a cousin and a great friend make up this group and I believe, Mac McKown may make a guest appearance. On Saturday, we will have our 3rd installment of the Children’s Series with the Dumpster Drummers. They will teach us about recycling while playing their own unique brand of percussion. Event starts at 11:00 am and everyone is invited to attend. We will serve a lunch to all children in attendance. I would like to thank everyone who made last Friday night an unbelievable event for us. The Philharmonic Concert was a great success and we are making plans to bring them back next year and every year. A big thank you to SDI, The American Legion Post 97, Omni Source as well as many local financial supporters.
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June 28, 2010 Patriotic Pops Concert at the DOT By Kent The Board of the DeKalb Outdoor Theater started to dream of how they could expand on their opening season. A lot of ‘what ifs?’ were discussed including ‘what if we could get the philharmonic to DeKalb County in the summer?’ Some inquiries were made as to open dates and when it looked like it might be able to work, a partnership was formed with the local Psi Iota Xi sorority to work out the details. The Eta Xi chapter had been presenting the Philharmonic’s Christmas Pops concert for years, so they were a natural partner. Together, these two groups worked with the Philharmonic’s leadership to secure the date and to work on fundraising. Generous donations by Steel Dynamics, the Auburn American Legion Post 97, Omni Source Corporation, the DeKalb Outdoor Theater and many local contributors have allowed this ‘what if’ to become a reality and this Friday night at 7:30, the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic will present its Steel Dynamics Foundation Patriotic Pops concert at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater. This concert is free to the public with gates opening at 6 pm. Concert attendees need to bring a blanket or lawn chairs although there is some bleacher seating available. The Eta Xi chapter of the Psi Iota Xi will have hot dogs, nachos and drinks. The DeKalb Outdoor Theater started a Kid’s Corner this year and that will be open from 6:30 on with games and face painting for the kids. Some funding is still needed for this and other programs presented at the DOT throughout the summer. Your tax deductible donations can be made to the DeKalb Community Foundation or to the DeKalb Outdoor Theater at PO Box 452. There will also be a collections barrel at the gates to assist people in giving.
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June 21, 2010 Old Crown Brass Band/Summit Singers Update By Kent This Friday night, the Performance Series continues with the Old Crown Brass Band. This group played at the DOT last summer, but due to scheduling was unable to be on our normal performance series. We are happy that they are going to be a part of our series this Friday and we want to encourage all to come out and see this wonderful band. We had to cancel the Summit City Singers last Friday due to severe weather, however; The singers would like to extend a special invitation of all who were at the concert, and to anyone else, to join them at the Foellinger Outdoor Theatre in Franke Park this Thursday, June 24. They will be presenting the same concert - in its entirety. The concert is free and begins at 8 PM. Hopefully the Summit City Singers will be able to sing at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater next season.
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June 15, 2010 SUMMIT SINGERS By Kent We had a big weekend at the DOT last week and Sunday started our week with a community band concert. Friday, we wrap up our week with the Summit City Singers - a Community Choir – who will be presenting a concert featuring award winning songs from the movies including such favorites as "High Hopes", "Chim Chim Cher-ee", selections from The Lion King, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", "I Walk the Line", "Love is a Many Splendored Thing" "Under the Sea", Over the Rainbow" and others. There is even a sing-along where the audience can join in with the 50+ members of the choir. You might also notice that there has been some improvements to the site this spring. The DOT board continues to find ways to improve your concert and performance experience by enhancing the facility. See you at the theater!
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June 6, 2010 MAGIC! By Kent The first weekend at the 2010 season is now over and we can call it a great success. Over 500 people came to the Choice concert even with the thunderstorm threatening sky and did Choice rock the house! We also started a kids corner where kids could play all kinds of games and have fun before, during and after the show. Then Saturday morning we had our first Children’s Series event and over 90 people attended. Now, this Friday we have the Midway of Magic show and it is going to be so much fun. This will be the first time we will have magic on our stage, so make sure you see this fun and exciting show. Saturday is the first annual BBQ and Music Festival where the DeKalb County Fair Association is putting on a big country music show filled with music, food, and fun and games for the kids. Admission for this event is $10 advance and $15 the day of the show.
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May 6, 2010 Looking for Volunteers By Kent One of the great things that happened last summer, was the volunteer group who helped with set up, tear down and parking cars. Our Board is a small and mighty group, but we could not run the theater efficiently if we did not have these great people who show up and help ensure that everything runs smoothly on performance days. Volunteers show up 2 hours before the performance and are usually able to leave shortly after the performance is over. We need people to help pass out schedules, sell memberships, park cars, set up and tear down, help coordinate with the food vendors or car clubs and to help with handicapped parking. If you are interested, or know of someone who might be, send us a note with your contact information to info@dekalboutdoortheater.org.
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April 16, 2010 It won’t be long now By Kent We have now experienced several days above 70°. We are having a little rain but as they say, April showers do bring May flowers. I have cut my grass twice already and I do love the smell of a new mown lawn. I imagine people getting their BBQ grills ready and working around the yard in preparation of the coming summer. Speaking of summer, all of the pieces are coming together for the 2010 season at the DOT. We still have a few dates to fill, but if you look at the calendar, you will see far more activities booked than open space. We have some returning artists but also have several new ones. Local favorite – Choice, will kick off the performance series on June 4th. I always love it when they start playing the beginning chords of China Grove by the Doobie Brothers. It brings back a lot of memories from listening to this group for the last 30+ years. As we fill out the last few remaining dates, we will post them here, so keep watching the website for updates.
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March 16, 2010 Just a hint of spring By Kent Yesterday was a very typical March Indiana day. Cold, overcast, dreary. Today though, the sun is shining and they predict it will reach sixty five degrees. 65°! Now that’s more like it. Spring is coming, there’s no denying it. We are in March Madness and Hoosier Hysteria all at the same time. The NCAA tournament is ready to kick off and Spring Break starts this Saturday. I found crocus blooming at my house last week and what a lovely sight that was. In less than 90 days, we will be having events at the Outdoor Theater. Oh how I love summer. The smell of new mown grass and someone cooking on their BBQ. Music drifting through the air coming out of convertibles heading for a cruise-in. Out of towners coming to see the statues around the court house square. People on bicycles riding up and down the bike way or walking down the path to Rieke Park. Butler Days, Garrett’s Heritage Days, and all the other festivals in the county. People gathering at the DOT to watch their favorite group in concert. Our first concert this summer will again feature DeKalb Counties favorite classic rock band – Choice. What a great way to start the summer and I will see you there! |
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February 9, 2010 Even Larger Blanket of Snow By Kent When I wrote last month’s blog entry, we in Indiana had just received a nice snowfall. Today, we are in the midst of a very large snowfall with predictions of up to 10” of snow falling by tomorrow night accompanied by strong winds tonight. Yesterday, on my way home from work, I decided to drive by the Outdoor Theater and take a look before the blizzard came. Not only did I drive by, but I drove right up to the stage and had a look around. I closed my eyes briefly and had a quick daydream of what this summer was going to be like. If you look at our calendar, we are fairly well booked up. And the variety of entertainment is wonderful. We have dancing, singing, rock bands & brass bands; magic, theater, cruise-ins & poetry; southern gospel & the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic. And most of it is free. I could taste the food at Rib Fest and could see people waiting for a community band concert to start. I could see the Legion raising the flag and hear the kids having fun at one of the children’s events. I hated to come out of that daydream, but I had to come back to reality and gas up the snow blower. The groundhog said we’d have six more weeks of winter, but that will soon pass. See you at the theater! |
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January
11, 2010
Blanket of Snow By Kent I look out of my window at work and see that deep blanket of snow all around us, but I can’t help thinking about the upcoming summer season at the DOT. We officially open our Friday Night Performance Series on Friday night June 4th with Froggy Radio and Choice band. Speaking of the Performance Series, it’s shaping up well for the coming season with only 3 Friday’s left to fill, and actually, we have a strong tentative booking for June 25th leaving only 2 days open. We are continuing to develop the new Children’s Series which will happen on Saturday mornings. Keep watching the web because as that continues to evolve, we will keep everyone up to date. So when I go outside, I will put on my heavy coat, but I may put on my sunglasses as well and keep dreaming about the summer shows. Stay Warm!!!! |
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December 17, 2009 Looking Back - Looking Forward By Kent At our annual board meeting, the Outdoor Theater took some time to reflect on our inaugural season and to think about the upcoming one. We will continue our popular Friday Night Performance Series and there are plans in the works to include theater with this activity. We already have many of our dates scheduled so take a few minutes to pull up the 2010 calendar and see what’s coming. The board also discussed the possibility of a Children’s Series and enthusiastically decided to pursue this. Deb Argast of the Eckhart Public Library will help us partner with this series with the other libraries in the county. Keep checking back to see what is in the works for this activity. All in all we had a great 2009 and are looking forward to the 2010 season. Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! |
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November 20, 2009 Patriotic Pops by Kent We are working on next year’s schedule and we have a tentative agreement with the Ft. Wayne Philharmonic to bring their patriotic concert to the Outdoor Theater stage on Friday July 2nd as part of our Friday Night Performance Series. In order to make this happen, the Outdoor Theater is partnering with the local Psi Iota Xi Sorority-Eta Xi Chapter for this event. The sorority is very aware of the Outdoor Theater having made a sizeable contribution towards the construction of our facility. Psi Iota Xi Sorority already hosts the holiday concert with the philharmonic every December at DeKalb High School so they are in tune with what it takes to make a concert like this a success and the perfect partner for bringing the patriotic concert to DeKalb County. We are excited about the coming season, the philharmonic concert and our new partnership with Psi Iota Xi Sorority. |
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October 7, 2009
Autumn’s Arrival By Kent We do want to thank everyone who stopped by the Outdoor Theater booth in the Industrial Tent at the County Fair. What nice compliments from so many people. Michael Sowle did a great job of putting together a video and pictures from this past summer’s performances. Now we turn our attention forward and while the weather is getting cooler and the theater is now dormant, it doesn’t mean that we have stopped working. We have started putting together next season’s schedule. Ideas for both performers and enhancements to the performance series are being discussed. If you have thoughts about ways we can improve our performance series, ideas of who you would like to see on the stage, or any comments at all, you can email us at info@dekalboutdoortheater.org Remember, we are here to serve the county and we welcome input for everyone. |
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September 24, 2009 Fair Time By Kent It’s Fair Time once again and that means donuts and apple dumplings, parades and marching bands, Ferris wheels and 4-H animals. The Fair officially opens on Monday night September 28th at 7pm with the Queen Pageant Parade and runs through Saturday night October 3rd after the drawings (around 11 pm). The DeKalb Outdoor Theater will have a booth again in the Industrial Tent. We will be showing some pictures and video from this past summer’s performances, so make sure you stop by and say hello. |
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September
17, 2009
Let’s keep it going! By Kent Our board met yesterday morning and it is very obvious that we are all committed to moving things forward. We are discussing improvements to the schedule and to the facility for 2010. We have started to receive applications for next summer, so if you are interested in performing or if you know of someone you would like to see perform next year, don’t delay getting in your request. As well, your input is important to us – whether it is about the theater, the schedule, the web site, or anything else that might be on your mind. You can always send in comments or suggestions to our email address at info@dekalboutdoortheater.org |
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September 3, 2009 Labor Day Weekend By Kent Labor Day Weekend is always a full weekend in Auburn Indiana and this year is no exception. A new addition to the ACD Festival events is the Community Service of Worship & Praise that will be at the Outdoor Theater on Sunday September 6th. This will start with a community wide church service where all are invited to attend – both locals and out of towners. Immediately following there will be several performances by various local and regional Christian artists that will last until 4 pm. We are happy that the Outdoor Theater is going to be used during this big weekend for our community. Hope to see you there! |
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August 24, 2009
Big Weekend By Kent |
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August 10,
2009 Season comes to an end By Kent How is it
possible that our first season is coming to a close? It is very hard
for me to believe that I am writing about our last concert of the
performance series already. The Friday Night Performance Series was
started in hopes of encouraging artists and audience alike in using and
enjoying the new stage – and it has exceeded all expectations. Many
people from all walks of life converge at the DOT on Friday nights to
enjoy the summer weather, good conversation with friends, and great
performances. This Friday night, the Outdoor Theater presents Audie
Blaylock and Redline – one of Bluegrass music’s hottest groups. DeKalb
County is fortunate to have Audie Blaylock as a resident. Right here in
our corner of the world is an extraordinary talent and that talent will
shine this Friday. The weather forecast is 84° and sunny so put on your
sunscreen, grab your neighbor and head out this Friday for a great
concert. See you there! |
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August 3, 2009
New gift given to the Outdoor Theater
By Kent
Since our theater has opened, we have had an American flag temporarily flying from one of our light poles for our concerts. It has been functional, but not entirely attractive. American Legion Post 97 from Auburn, is donating a flagpole and flag to the Outdoor Theater. The base is to be installed this Saturday and we will dedicate the flagpole and fly the flag for the first time before the Audie Blaylock and Redline concert on August 14th. This will be a wonderful addition to our facility and we want to thank the American Legion for this great gift.
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July 29, 2009 Wow! What a great start By Kent Hello Everyone! We thought we would start a blog page to be able to communicate some things going on at the DeKalb Outdoor Theater. First and foremost – WOW! What a great start. Everyone involved with the theater has been very pleased with our first season so far. We dreamed that we would have some larger concerts, but did not think they would happen in our first year. We have had 4 concerts this season with crowds over 500. We thought it would take several seasons to get to this level. We have 8 events left with the newest one just being scheduled today – the United Way Concert. This is to be a youth concert to kick off the DeKalb County United Way campaign and will be on Friday August 28th at 7:30 pm This Friday night is the Patricia Krus School of Dance and Sunday is the Band Extravaganza – another full week! See you at the theater. |
