'We anticipate a lot of sold-out shows': Franke Center announces 2023-24 performances

Greyson Steele, Battle Creek Enquirer
·3 min read
The Franke Center for the Arts has announced a diverse array of concerts and events for its 2023-24 season, which begins Sept. 30.
The Franke Center for the Arts has announced a diverse array of concerts and events for its 2023-24 season, which begins Sept. 30.
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MARSHALL — The Franke Center for the Arts has announced a diverse array of concerts and events for its 2023-24 season.

The festivities kick off Sept. 30 with a performance by blues rocker and American Idol golden ticket recipient Nathan Walton and the Remedy, and wrap up with the annual Tom Franke Gala fundraiser on June 8, 2024, featuring stand-up comedian Ophira Eisenberg.

Other highlights this season include performances by American Idol winner David Cook, rock tribute Simply Queen and blues master Laith Al-Saadi, as well as the Wolf Tree Film Festival, Irish Pub Night, The Art of Drag and dueling pianos.

“This season is packed with concerts, plays, and events our audiences are going to love,” Franke Center Executive Director Jacob Gates said in a release. “We anticipate a lot of sold-out shows, so I hope folks will remember to get their tickets early.”

To purchase tickets, visit thefranke.org or call the Franke Center box office at (269) 781-0001.

The interior of the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall.
The interior of the Franke Center for the Arts in Marshall.

In addition to individual tickets, the Franke Center is offering a variety of ticket packages this season, including the FlexTicket, which allows patrons to pick six shows of their choice on the schedule. Flextickets start at $144.

The Michigan Stars Series, meanwhile, introduces audience members to a variety of Michigan performers. This year’s series features Nathan Walton and the Remedy, rising country star Sadie Bass and folk indie rockers Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds. Michigan Stars Series tickets start at $60.

The Franke Center blues series line-up includes Nathan Walton and the Remedy, Laith Al-Saadi and up-and-coming Chicago blues star Melody Angel. Blues series tickets start at $74.

The Franke Center Youth Theater will be staging three plays for young actors, including "Musicville" featuring K-5 actors, "Footloose" featuring high school actors and "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical" featuring actors in grades 5-9. More information on auditions and ticketing will be available on The Franke Center website as each play approaches.

The full Franke 2023-2024 season schedule is as follows:

  • Sept. 30: Nathan Walton and the Remedy — Michigan Stars + Blues Series

  • Oct. 12-15: Franke Center Youth Theater presents "Musicville"

  • Oct. 21: Main Street Dueling Pianos (variety)

  • Nov. 18: American Idol Winner David Cook (Rock)

  • Jan. 13: Irish Pub Night featuring The Founding (Celtic Music)

  • Jan. 20: Wolf Tree Film Festival

  • Jan. 27: Sadie Bass — Michigan Stars Series (Country)

  • Feb. 2: Ice, Wine, Beer and Blues Tasting in Downtown Marshall

  • Feb. 3: Ice, Wine, Beer and Blues performance by Laith Al-Saadi — Blues Series

  • Feb. 15-18: Franke Center Youth Theater presents "Footloose"

  • Feb. 24: Simply Queen (Rock Tribute)

  • April 6: Michigan Music Video Awards (four live performances)

  • April 13: Melody Angel – Blues Series

  • April 19: Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds – Michigan Stars Series (folk / indie rock)

  • April 27: The Art of Drag

  • May 3: Gilmore Piano Festival Young Artist (classical music)

  • May 16-19: Franke Center Youth Theater presents "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical"

  • June 8: Tom Franke Gala featuring Ophira Eisenberg

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: Franke Center announces 2023-24 performance lineup