As spring concerts come to a close, DL's Holmes Theatre gears up for summer camps

Auditions for the 2022 summer theater camp production, "The Music Man Jr.," are set to take place Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Monday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. Contact the theater for details.

By Vicki Gerdes

May 09, 2022 06:08 PM

DETROIT LAKES — Though the Historic Holmes Theatre's spring concert schedule comes to a close this month, the theater's staff is going to be plenty busy throughout the summer.

Three summer theater camps are planned, starting with the "Music Man Jr." summer musical. Auditions to be a part of this month-long camp for youth in grades 5-12 will be held inside the main theater on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to noon; and Monday, May 23, from 5-7 p.m. Sign up online at dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html , by phone at 218-847-7469, or in person at the Holmes Box Office, 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes.

"Pre-registration is required," said the theater's marketing director, Rachel Hofstrand. "Once you've signed up, we'll contact you for audition times."

Rehearsals for the musical will be held every weekday, June 20-July 20, from 1-5 p.m., with live performances set for July 21-23. The directing team of Kendra Gilsdorf, Nick Larson and Hope Hansen will once again be leading the camp.

For those who aren't signed up to be a part of the camp, or would like to learn more acting tips and techniques, there will be some free theater workshops held, led by local actress Lorraine Bahr, who runs the theater's acting clubs for youth and adults.

Also being offered for free is a new event, Theatre Tech Camp, which is set for three days, June 21-23, from 9-11 a.m. each day. Join Grace Davidson-Thooft behind the scenes to learn the basics of theater lighting, sound, sets and costumes. This camp is intended for ages 13-18. Though there is no cost, pre-registration is required. See above for contact information.

Also returning this summer will be the traveling children's theater groups, Missoula and Prairie Fire.

Missoula Children's Theatre will be bringing its production of "The Emperor's New Clothes" to the Holmes June 13-18; this camp is open for aspiring actors and actresses in grades 1-12. Prairie Fire Children's Theatre will be presenting "Tom Sawyer" on Aug. 15-20, also for grades 1-12. Pre-registration for both of these camps is required; contact the theater for details.

And that's not all: Young artists are also welcome to visit the Holmes Art Cellar for weekly art classes every Tuesday at 9 a.m. from June through August. This class is intended for ages 8-12, and there is a cost involved. Contact the theater for details.

Music in the theater

There are still a couple more chances to experience live music inside the Holmes yet this spring.

The first is a concert by Minnesota's own Her Crooked Heart, set to take place this Thursday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m.

The all-female band is also doing a series of pop-up concerts in the community in the days leading up to the concert, as part of the theater's arts outreach programming. Look for them to turn up at the library, community center, Rossman Elementary School, and the local Boys & Girls Club, as well as a local Rotary Club meeting for some impromptu performances and songwriting workshops, all free to participants.

Minnesota-based band Collective Unconscious will be bringing their Simon & Garfunkel tribute, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," to the stage of Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theatre on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 7:30 p.m. All of the songs from the duo's iconic album will be performed, as close to the original arrangements as possible.

Then, on Saturday, May 21, another Minnesota-based band, Collective Unconscious, will be bringing its "Bridge Over Troubled Water" tribute to the music of Simon & Garfunkel to the theater's main stage for a 7:30 p.m. concert. The band will be performing all of the songs on the album — which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020 — as close to the original arrangements as possible.

Tickets for both of these events are available on the theater's website, by phone or in person at the box office.

Music in the park

The Holmes will again be bringing its outdoor concert series, Tuesdays in the Park, to the Detroit Lakes City Park Bandshell this summer.

Free concerts will be held every Tuesday at 7 p.m., June through August.

Tuesdays in the Park.jpg — Detroit Lakes' outdoor summer concert series, Tuesdays in the Park, returns to the City Park Bandshell on June 7. Concerts will be held under the bandshell at 7 p.m. every Tuesday through the summer, weather permitting.

The local chapter of Fuller Center for Housing will be hosting Picnics in the Park every Tuesday before the concerts, starting at 5:30 p.m., with a free will offering being taken to support the Fuller Center's local community housing projects. Fresh-grilled burgers, brats and hot dogs will be served.

The music schedule will be as follows:

June 7: Lakes Area Community Concert Band
June 14: Eric Reitan
June 21: Blu Kanu
June 28: Jan Severson
July 5: Mike Hokanson
July 12: Doc & the Scrubs
July 19: Generation Gap 2.0
July 26: Tim Eggebraaten
Aug. 2: Ulen Centennial Band
Aug. 9: Doc & the Scrubs
Aug. 16: DeMasi Brothers
Aug. 23: Larry Swenson
Aug. 30: Lakes Area Community Concert Band

By Vicki Gerdes

A reporter at Detroit Lakes Newspapers since relocating to the community in October 2000, Vicki was promoted to Community News Lead for the Detroit Lakes Tribune and Perham Focus on Jan. 1, 2022. She has covered pretty much every "beat" that a reporter can be assigned, from county board and city council to entertainment, crime and even sports. Born and raised in Madelia, Minnesota, she is a graduate of Hamline University, from which she earned a bachelor's degree in English literature (writing concentration). You can reach her at vgerdes@dlnewspapers.com.