Previous events

Dance Party Reunion

(CDT, UTC-05) (CDT, UTC-05)

Capitol Civic Center, 913 S 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220

DANCE PARTY REUNION is a 're-staging' of Buddy Holly's 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY, featuring music of Buddy's co-stars, Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba", performed by Allen Malicsi); Dion & the Belmonts (with Brian Pekol, singing "Teenager in Love"), The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace", featuring Zach Spicer) and Frankie Sardo ("Fake Out", featuring Gary Rue).

A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas
Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Hosted by Mr. Charles Fraser! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by Gary Rue.

Lush Country

Crooner's Lounge, 6161 Highway 65 NE, Minneapolis, MN

Are you lonesome tonight? Got heartaches by the number? A hankering for the sound of a pedal steel guitar, that high lonesome Floyd Cramer piano and that Patsy Cline yodel? Then you gotta hear Lush Country, a new all-star band playing the best country songs of the hi-fi era, from Eddy Arnold to Tammy Wynette and back again.

Are you lonesome tonight? Got heartaches by the number? A hankering for pedal steel guitar, some high lonesome Floyd Cramer piano and that Patsy Cline yodel? Then you gotta hear Lush Country, an all-star band playing the best country songs of the hi-fi era, from Eddy Arnold to Tammy Wynette and back again.

Adult: $38 Senior: $34 Group of 10+: $32 Add Dinner: $25 in addition to theatre ticket. (Includes tax and gratuity / Served at 6pm / By reservation only)

The same team that has produced “Fools Fall In Love” annually since 2020 has something new for you in 2023! “All You Need Is Love” celebrates the incredible music of the Fab Four with the ‘Fools’ singing their way through the most indelible works of the Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starr catalog. You’ll hear early hits such as “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, and “Yesterday”, and later releases from the Beatles’ studio years including “Oh! Darling” and “Something”. Enjoy an atmosphere of fun, romance, and BEATLEMANIA from Sidekick Theatre this Valentine’s Day!

Individuals: $32 Groups 10+: $27 Group Lunch & Show Package: $49 (includes tax and gratuity)

A Valentine's celebration of musical duos who just happen to be partners - Laura MacKenzie & Gary Rue are included, and will perform a mini-set in this great setting for a sweet date. We are in stellar company: featuring Maud Hixon & Rick Carlson, Boyd & Aimee Lee, Jennifer Grimm & Joe Cruz, Laura MacKenzie & Gary Rue, with emcee sweethearts Dennis Curley and Jim Robinson.

The same team that has produced “Fools Fall In Love” annually since 2020 has something new for you in 2023! “All You Need Is Love” celebrates the incredible music of the Fab Four with the ‘Fools’ singing their way through the most indelible works of the Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starr catalog. You’ll hear early hits such as “She Loves You”, “I Want to Hold Your Hand”, and “Yesterday”, and later releases from the Beatles’ studio years including “Oh! Darling” and “Something”. Enjoy an atmosphere of fun, romance, and BEATLEMANIA from Sidekick Theatre this Valentine’s Day!

Individuals: $32 Groups 10+: $27 Group Lunch & Show Package: $49 (includes tax and gratuity)

Dance Party Reunion

(CST, UTC-06) (CST, UTC-06)

Paradise Center for the Arts, 321 Central Avenue, Faribault, MN

DANCE PARTY REUNION is a 're-staging' of Buddy Holly's 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY, featuring music of Buddy's co-stars, Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba", performed by Allen Malicsi); Dion & the Belmonts (with Brian Pekol, singing "Teenager in Love"), The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace", featuring Zach Spicer) and Frankie Sardo ("Fake Out", featuring Gary Rue).

A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas
Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Hosted by Mr. Charles Fraser! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by Gary Rue.

Dance Party Reunion

(CST, UTC-06) (CST, UTC-06)

Fargo Theatre, 314 Broadway, Fargo, ND 58102

DANCE PARTY REUNION is a 're-staging' of Buddy Holly's 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY, featuring music of Buddy's co-stars, Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba", performed by Allen Malicsi); Dion & the Belmonts (with Brian Pekol, singing "Teenager in Love"), The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace", featuring Zach Spicer) and Frankie Sardo ("Fake Out", featuring Gary Rue).

A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas
Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Hosted by Mr. Charles Fraser! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by Gary Rue.

Music and Lyrics

Online

The second of two online 'pilot' presentations about songwriting, publishing, performance and music business with special guest Teghan Himelfarb.

"Gary Rue is a fiscal year 2022 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts."

Music and Lyrics

Online

"The Craft of the Art". One of two online 'pilot' presentations about songwriting, publishing, performance and music business with special guest Brian Pekol.

"Gary Rue is a fiscal year 2022 recipient of a Creative Support for Individuals grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature; and by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts."

Get into the holiday groove with a rocking selection of some of the season's best music and favorites such as The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Celine Dion’s “O Holy Night” and The Eagles’ “Please Come Home For Christmas”. Featuring fabulous vocalists and a band headed up by Brian Pekol, this holiday show promises to leave you feeling merry and bright! Gary plays...guitar and/or piano?

Get into the holiday groove with a rocking selection of some of the season's best music and favorites such as The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Celine Dion’s “O Holy Night” and The Eagles’ “Please Come Home For Christmas”. Featuring fabulous vocalists and a band headed up by Brian Pekol, this holiday show promises to leave you feeling merry and bright! Gary plays...bass?

Get into the holiday groove with a rocking selection of some of the season's best music and favorites such as The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Celine Dion’s “O Holy Night” and The Eagles’ “Please Come Home For Christmas”. Featuring fabulous vocalists and a band headed up by Brian Pekol, this holiday show promises to leave you feeling merry and bright! Gary plays...bass?

Get into the holiday groove with a rocking selection of some of the season's best music and favorites such as The Beach Boys’ “Little Saint Nick,” Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” Celine Dion’s “O Holy Night” and The Eagles’ “Please Come Home For Christmas”. Featuring fabulous vocalists and a band headed up by Brian Pekol, this holiday show promises to leave you feeling merry and bright! Gary plays...bass?

Dance Party Reunion

(CST, UTC-06) (CST, UTC-06)

Dickens Village Festival, Garrison, ND

DANCE PARTY REUNION is a 're-staging' of Buddy Holly's 1959 WINTER DANCE PARTY, featuring music of Buddy's co-stars, Ritchie Valens ("La Bamba", performed by Allen Malicsi); Dion & the Belmonts (with Brian Pekol, singing "Teenager in Love"), The Big Bopper ("Chantilly Lace", featuring Zach Spicer) and Frankie Sardo ("Fake Out", featuring Gary Rue).

A STELLAR TRIBUTE to the music of American rock and roll icon Buddy Holly , featuring original cast members (Nicholas
Freeman, Blake Foster and Zach Spicer) from History Theatre’s IVEY-award-winning production of Buddy! The Buddy Holly Story. Endorsed by Sonny Curtis and Jerry Allison of The Crickets! Hosted by Mr. Charles Fraser! Music direction by Gary Rue, produced by Gary Rue.

TBA

This classic family-friendly variety show will bring to mind such favorites as The Carol Burnett Show, The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour, and every Andy Williams Christmas special you enjoyed through the years. This year's regular cast includes Brave New Workshop alums Jim Robinson, Katy McEwen and Joshua Will plus local sketch comedy and improv favorite Maureen Tubbs, with music from Dennis Curley (piano and vocals), Dorian Chalmers (vocals), Natalie Nowytski (bass and vocals), Scott Keever (guitars and vocals) and Marc Bohn (drums and percussion).

Our star-studded list of guest artists this year will include Ivey Award winner Gary Rue; Bush Foundation Artists Fellowship award winner Laura MacKenzie; Jennifer Grimm — selected by the Judy Garland Museum as the official singer for Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday Celebration; Joe Cruz, one of the most versatile, exciting and energetic multi-stringed instrumentalists on the Twin Cities music scene today; South Dakota Country Music Association inductee Becky Schlegel; Bluegrass superstars and members of the High 48s Eric Christopher and Anthony Ihrig; local comedy legend Shanan Custer; and more!