Holmes Theatre's 20th season starts Sept. 10 with outdoor concert

DETROIT LAKES — Detroit Lakes' Historic Holmes Theatre turned 20 years old in May, which means next month will mark the launch of its 20th anniversary season.

To celebrate, the theater has booked more than 20 shows, ranging from tap dance and community theater to big-band jazz and rock music concerts.

"Amy has done a great job," said Rustin Lippincott, the theater's new executive director, who took over the duties of his predecessor, Amy Stoller Stearns, on Aug. 1. "In just the first month, we have such variety."

As it has for the past couple of years, Fargo-Moorhead's Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome will kick off the Holmes' new season with an outdoor concert at the Detroit Lakes City Park Bandshell on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. With a full horn section, this group brings the funk to some of classic rock's biggest hits.

Contributed / Chicago Tap Theatre / Kristie Kahns

Then on Thursday, Sept. 22, the action moves back indoors, with the Chicago Tap Theatre presenting not just one, but two shows: A 10 a.m. kids' matinee (part of the theater's Discovery Series, geared toward school-age children) and a 7:30 p.m. performance showcasing some of the best in tap dance, from the 1920s to the present.

Also on Sept. 22, the theater will be hosting a farewell reception for Stearns, who is leaving the theater after 20 years to begin a new chapter in her career.

The rest of the season will unfold as follows:

The halls of the Historic Holmes Theatre will be filled with the sounds of classic and modern country during the first week of October.

Multi-platinum, award-winning country artists Lonestar will make their Holmes Theatre debut with a 7:30 p.m. show on Saturday, Oct. 1. Just three days later, on Tuesday, Oct. 4, Dennis Warner and the D's will present a special 2 p.m. matinee show celebrating the music of country icon John Denver .

Then on Saturday, Oct. 15, Minnesota's own Collective Unconscious will present a night of hits from Paul McCartney and Wings , based on the renowned, double live album, "Wings Over America," which was released in 1976. The concert gets underway at 7:30 p.m.

Concordia College music professors Jay Herschberger (piano) and Gregory Hamilton (cello), otherwise known as The Concordia Duo , will be presenting some classical melodies from Myaskovsky, Beethoven and Chausson on Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.

The Holmes Art Show will be presented in the ballroom on Nov. 11-12, featuring over 30 local artists specializing in hand-crafted jewelry, paintings, pottery, woodcraft, photography and more.

On the first night of the art show, Friday, Nov. 11, some of the greatest divas of rock, pop and country music will be celebrated with a 7:30 p.m. show titled "Wild Angels," featuring Pamela McNeill, Mary Jane Alm and Aimee Lee .

Movie musicals will be celebrated at the Holmes on Thursday, Nov. 17, with a 7:30 p.m. show titled "The Hollywood Songbook," featuring music from "The Greatest Showman," "The Wizard of Oz" and more.

And last but by no means least, the Lakes Area Community Concert Band will be presenting its annual fall concert on Saturday, Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. There is no admission fee, but free will offerings to support the band are welcome.

Christmas comes to the Holmes with two performances of the children's theater favorite, "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever," starring members of the Holmes Acting Club, on Friday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m. (part of the Discovery Series).

On the evening of Dec. 3, the Dakota Jazz Big Band will put a jazzy spin on holiday favorites from Harry Connick Jr., Bing Crosby and more.

Those coming to the Christmas pageant and jazz band shows on Dec. 3 should be sure to check out the Holmes Theatre's first ever Christmas Artist Market. Artisan booths, food and a variety of holiday-themed activities will be placed inside, outside and around the theater throughout the day. This event is open to the community, and there is no admission charge.

Then on Thursday, Dec. 8, perennial favorite John Berry will be bringing his 26th annual Christmas tour to the Holmes, and Rock & Roll Christmas returns to raise the roof on Thursday, Dec. 15. All three of these concerts start at 7:30 p.m.

Also this month, the Holmes will be sponsoring a Sunday, Dec. 11, holiday concert at First Lutheran Church in Detroit Lakes, featuring the Lakes Area Community Concert Band . This show starts at 4 p.m. As always, there is no admission fee, but free will offerings to support the band are welcome.

The Holmes Theatre will ring in the new year with a party, featuring music from the Fabulous Armadillos . All eight members of this Minnesota-made band will be showcasing their tremendous vocal and instrumental talent with a broad range of music from the 1960s up to the 21st century. "The Fabulous Armadillos Party Band" takes the stage on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.

For something a little bit different, the Holmes will be hosting a traveling theatrical show on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m.: A Literature to Life production of author Kao Kalia's powerful novel, "The Latehomecomer." This show brings to life Kalia's Hmong/Minnesota immigration story, with music and a little history of the Vietnam war included.

The month of February will be a busy one at the Holmes, with four shows planned.

Mick Sterling and some of his musical friends will be presenting "From Barry With Love," a tribute to the music of songwriter Barry Gibb (of The Bee Gees), on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Then on Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Mardi Gras Kings will be transforming the Holmes Ballroom into Bourbon Street for a musical evening blending the best of traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras classics and more modern favorites. The party gets underway at 7 p.m.

It will be kids' day at the Holmes on Thursday, Feb. 23, as "The Magic School Bus" rides into town for two daytime shows, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

To close out the month, Award-winning performers Harmonious Wail will be presenting "Simon & Simon," a special musical tribute to songwriters Carly Simon and Paul Simon, on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

One of the season's more unusual offerings comes to the Holmes Theatre on Thursday, March 9, as a pair of violin and ukelele-playing twin brothers from Brazil known as B2Wins (pronounced 'B-twins') take the stage for two shows at 10 a.m. (part of the Discovery Series) and 7:30 p.m.

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day at the Holmes with not just one, but two shows from Minnesota acoustic master — and Emmy Award winner — Michael Munroe . The first is a 2 p.m. matinee, with Monroe going solo to play a collection of Irish tunes that will get your toes tapping. Then at 7:30 p.m., the Michael Monroe Trio will take the stage to present "Acoustic Legends," an evening of favorites from folk icons like James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Joni Mitchell and Carole King.

The music of the '70s — as in 1770s, 1870s and 1970s — will be celebrated on Friday, March 31 with a 7:30 p.m. concert from the Copper Street Brass . From the big wigs of Mozart to the big hair of Styx, this concert will showcase the popular music of all three decades in a whole new way.

Spring begins with the final Discovery Series presentation of the season on Monday, April 17, as the children's book series "Junie B. Jones" comes to life in a colorful, fast-paced musical. Two shows will be presented, at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

A celebration of divas Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand and Lady Gaga comes to the Holmes on Saturday, April 22, as Twin Cities vocal powerhouse Cate Fierro performs "3 Stars Born," a collection of songs from the three women that were featured in the 1954, 1976 and 2018 versions of the film "A Star Is Born" — complete with a 16-piece orchestra and dancers.

The Lakes Area Community Concert Band returns to the Holmes on Sunday, April 23, for a 4 p.m. presentation of its annual spring concert. Free and open to the public, but donations to support the band are welcome.

Two Minnesota-based bands, Collective Unconscious and the Fabulous Armadillos, will join forces to close out the Holmes Theatre's 20th season on Friday, May 12, with a musical tribute to the Doobie Brothers titled "Takin' It to the Streets." Hear hits like "What A Fool Believes," "Black Water," "Minute by Minute" and more, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Besides individual tickets to all the shows listed above, the Holmes Theatre also has a few season ticket options available.

The Performing Arts Series includes eight shows — Chicago Tap Theatre, Concordia Duo, Hollywood Songbook, The Latehomecomer, Mardi Gras Kings, B2wins and Copper Street Brass, while the Tribute Series features 10 concerts including Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome, Wings Over America, Wild Angels, Rock & Roll Christmas, Fabulous Armadillos Party Band, From Barry with Love, Simon & Simon, Acoustic Legends, 3 Stars Born and Takin' It to the Streets.

If you would like to see them all, "The Works" package includes both the Performing Arts and Tribute series, plus Lonestar and John Berry.

For prices, seating options and other information, contact the Holmes Theatre Box Office at 218-844-7469, stop by in person at 806 Summit Ave., Detroit Lakes, or visit the website at dlccc.org/holmes-theatre.html .