Gary Rue Presents:

"Dance Party Reunion: A Salute To Buddy Holly and Friends"*

IS AN EXPANDED VERSION of 2019's "Buddy Holly and Friends: Not Fade Away", featuring, in addition to all the Holly Hits, music from the original artists of that star-studded but chaotic, and ultimately tragic 1959 "Winter Dance Party Tour".
 

Zach Spicer (drums and vocal; Blake Foster (guitar and vocal); and Mitch Benson (bass and vocal), will provide the musical support for the cast of artists who will perform music from the stars of The Winter Dance Party: Frankie Sardo, Dion & the Belmonts, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and, of course, Buddy Holly.

Read more on this great trio below!

L to R): Zach Spicer, Mitch Benson, Nicholas Freeman and Blake Foster, onstage at

Paradise Center for the Arts, Faribault, MN, February 2nd, 2019. SOLD OUT!
 

*     *     *

Zach Spicer (Drums and Vocal): is an in-demand multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, actor and musical director. A lifelong drummer, he’s performed the music of Buddy Holly nationwide, beginning with the first 3 critically acclaimed runs at St Paul’s History Theatre, continuing all the way to headlining at the Surf Ballroom’s annual Winter Dance party in back-to-back years. He has shared the stage with many directly tied to Buddy’s legacy, including the Crickets (Jerry Allison & Sonny Curtis), Tommy Allsup, and the real Peggy Sue. He has also supported Academy Award nominee Gary Busey for multiple performances of Buddy’s music.

Blake Foster (Guitar and Vocal): Hailing from the tropical waters of Central Florida, Blake Foster is a multi instrumentalist and songwriter currently residing in the Twin Cities. As guitarist of Minneapolis-based ska band Space Monkey Mafia, Blake spends much of his time touring the country making music. When not playing ska music, he can frequently be found in a suit and tie playing the great music of the late Buddy Holly. Foster was first introduced to Buddy Holly’s music in 2015 when he was a student under Gary Rue at McNally Smith College of Music. Blake was in two History Theater productions of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story and was also guitarist in the pit band of Teen Idol: The Bobby Vee Story at the History Theater in 2016.

Mitchell Benson (Bass and Vocal):
Since picking up the electric bass at age thirteen, Mitchell’s thirst for performance has been uncontrollable. Playing in garage bands with friends naturally transitioned into small ensembles. In 2017, Mitchell Benson graduated from McNally Smith College of Music with a Bachelors in Bass Performance, leading him down some disparate pathways:  country bars, punk dives, jazz clubs and local theaters; Mitchell is fearless in playing all styles of music, and is ecstatic to be performing in Dance Party Reunion with his musical mates.

*     *     *

In it's debut 2019 season, this show has been Standing Room Only for many of its performances, with Gary Rue, in the first set, regaling audiences with his stories of time spent on the road with Gene Pitney, Bobby Vee and The Crickets, and performing songs from their unique and ubiquitous repertoire, but now it's time to put the pieces back together and present 'Dance Party' as we remember it.

Ideal for all ages, but especially 'early' "boomers", and auditoriums of 300-700 capacity. "Reunion" is reasonably priced to suit both audience size and venue.
 

!  !  !  !

Availability Expanded!

January 17th-February 22nd, 2020

AND

April 3rd-May 23rd, 2020

CALL! 612.987.6392

EMAIL!

*DISCLAIMER: "Reunion: A Salute To Buddy Holly and Friends" is not sanctioned by,
nor does it make use of or claim to be in any way part or parcel of

"Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story!"

History Theatre of St Paul is in no way affiliated this production