SAGINAW ONSTAGE Spotlights the Shining Stars on the Local Scene at the Newly Refurbished Temple Theatre

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SAGINAW ONSTAGE Spotlights the Shining Stars
on the Local Scene at the Newly Refurbished Temple Theatre

By Robert E. Martin

As regular readers of this publication understand, the local
original musical talent that lives and works within our area provides an
invaluable enrichment to the cultural life of the Saginaw community that is
remarkably unparalleled.

Over the years The Review has worked to reinforce that message through its
annual Music Award Ceremonies whereby all genres of musical talent
throughout the community are showcased and honored.

So it is with great gratification that members of the Saginaw Rotary Club
decided one year ago to also focus attention upon the healthy crop of
musical talent floating throughout our community like notes of magic, and
fashion together an event that would not only showcase local talent, but
provide an invaluable service back to the community.

On Saturday, November 8th, the 1st annual Saginaw OnStage 2003 will be
presented as a key inaugural event at the newly refurbished Temple Theatre
in Downtown Saginaw.

Featuring 12 local original artists including Matt Besey, The Brush Lopez
Trio, Ryan DeHues, Sharrie Williams & the Wiseguys, The New Reformation
Band, Laurie Middlebrook, Eastside Mike & Saginaw Slim, Equinox, Lavel
Jackson, The Purple Warblers, John Ray and Liliana Rokita, plus numerous
guest stars & celebrities, all proceeds from the event will go to the
Mid-Michigan Children's Museum and the Saginaw Riverfront Project.

Additionally, a Saginaw On Stage 2003 CD is also available for $15.00 at
all local Seven-Eleven stores that features one track from each of these
artists, plus songs by local favorites Stamp'd, Marty Viers & the Music
Doctors, and The Robert Lee Band. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will
also go to the two designated charities.

As co-organizer Jan Poppe explains it, the genesis of this project evolved
directly from the Saginaw Rotary Club.  "We are a typical service club in
terms of our mission centering around giving back to the community," she
explains.

"The last few years we've struggled to find a 'big event' that could make
money and also really direct a lot of attention and resource back to the
community," she continues.

Stassi Schlachter & Jan Poppe check out the new seating at the Temple Theater.

"Around a year ago two of our members, Dave Oppermann and Mary Princing were having lunch and started talking about musical talent in the area. One thing led to another and the first conversation centered around the fact that we have enough noted local talent still in the area, not talent that has left our area, that wouldn't it be a nice marriage in terms of producing a CD of such talent as a fundraising event."

"While we were mulling it around for a couple months, the timing appeared like the Temple Theatre would be restored by the Fall of 2003. So as the CD was coming together all of a sudden in struck - what if we did a live concert with these artists, tied it in with the opening of the Temple, and actually have two fundraising events in one."

"Our committee & membership met and chose to make the Mid-Michigan
Children's Museum and Saginaw Riverfront Development the two beneficiaries
and thought between the CD and a sellout concert we could net in the area
of $50,000."
According to key event organizer Nick Oppermann, the most difficult
component of the project was deciding which artists to feature.

"Picking the artists fell in my lap, pretty much," notes Nick. "We set a
criteria that first the band had to be headquartered still in Saginaw
County and, secondly, they had to have a CD already available and for sale
to the public."

"I really just started looking at the White's Bar list along with The
Review and talking to people that I know.  We came up with 15 groups, but
obviously there are others.  For instance, I've told Larry McCray and Darin
Scott and a couple of others that we want to save some 'heavy hitters' for
future projects to keep the momentum going.  We want to go into future
projects over the next few years and do additional CD's on different
musical genres, so it's an ongoing project."

"From my standpoint my major concern is with artist relations," continues
Nick. "I don't want people not on this CD to feel overlooked. When I
volunteered to do this I was adamant that it be considered a continual
project, for the sole reason that Saginaw has an extraordinary fountain of
talent."

According to Jan, the most challenging component of this project has
centered on the marketing.

"This is a huge project and we depend upon our volunteers to make it
happen," she reflects. "We've got some great committees and many members of
the Rotary Club stepped right up to the plate. It's become almost a full
time job for a handful of us, and as a volunteer non-profit organization,
either project - the CD or the Show - is monumental. And we are tackling
both at the same time."

Thus far the Rotary has printed 1000 CDs with 1000 more on the way.  In
addition to the local Seven Elevens, the CD may also be purchased through
Rotary Club members or by phoning 989-776-9425.

As for the November 8th concert, each of the 12 artists performing will be
allotted a 15-minute set. Only three artists featured on the CD will not be
performing.  "Marty Viers, Bobby Balderama, and STAMP'D all had prior
commitments," explains Nick. "They made previous engagements they were
unable to cancel, but the entire show should last around 3 hours."

Pricing for the event is based on seat locations, with $10, $15, $25, $35,
and $50 tickets available.  Additionally, a concession area will be open as
in the old Temple Theater, and a cash bar will also be available.

As a longtime musician within the Saginaw area, involved with the local
music scene for quite some time, does Nick feel the scene is evolving?

"I tell you, Bob, I read your paper every issue and will say on the record
that the vitality of this musical community is in large part due to your
enthusiasm.  Without The Review, I don't know where we'd be. It's a major
player in the music ball of the area and you are to be complimented."

"Apart from that, I see the gradual emergence of live music in the area.
When I first started there were 10 jazz clubs in the area and everybody had
live music and it was fantastic. Then it nose dived for a bit, but now when
I pick up a copy of The Review it's amazing the number of clubs featuring
live music.  People complain there is nothing happening and I just don't
understand it, because I've seen two sides of Saginaw, the decline of live
music and the re-emergence."

"I would like to see more variety in the live music clubs and feel there
needs to be more jazz featured, but it will be back. Everything is
cyclical."

So why does Nick feel that Saginaw is such a hotbed of talent?

"I've talked about that many times and one of the people I find fascinating
is Grant Smith who wrote the book From Saginaw Valley to Tin Pan Alley.
He's an encyclopedia of how this came about and Grant's theory is that when
the lumberjacks came to town their entertainment consisted of getting
plastered and screwing at the local house of ill repute."

"Eventually, the Lumber Barons imported a lot of teachers and developed a
cultural community to educate their children, so eventually the town
blossomed artistically," continues Nick. "I think that momentum is still
pushing us along, but it really is an extraordinary phenomenon."

Whatever the case, we are blessed in this community to have so much talent
and dedication all coming into remarkable display on the evening of
November 8th.  In addition to witnessing some of the 'best & brightest' on
the local music scene, the public will have a remarkable opportunity to
enjoy the freshly refurbished Temple Theatre - truly the 'Grand Dame' of
theatrical venues.

In closing, Do Not Miss This Event!

Tickets are still available at: 754-SHOW.

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