A new season for the Wadena Concert Association is coming up, with five musical groups lined up between September and April.
Bonnie Kingsley, association president, said organizing the events has been easier this year than last year with the opening of the new high school. After the old high school and other facilities were destroyed by a June 17, 2010 tornado that moved through Wadena, the community had fewer resources for cultural and educational events, and the Memorial Auditorium was harder to book.
This year's Memorial Auditorium performances are all scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The first musical group, Rodney Mack Philadelphia Big Brass, will perform Sept. 28.
The next group, The Hunts, will perform Nov. 8.
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"This is a Branson-style show," Kingsley said.
Thuringer Salonquintett is to be the third group, scheduled for Feb. 19.
"This is more classical, but they're going to be fun," Kingsley said.
The fourth group, Classical Gas, will perform March 22. The group is comprised of pianist Rich Ridenour and violinist/comedian Steve Brook.
Finally, New Odyssey will perform April 18.
"This is three guys with 30-plus instruments, and they play a whole variety of music," Kingsley said.
Kingsley added that all the groups are family friendly, and the five performances encompass a variety of music genres.
Additionally, Wadena Concert Association has reciprocity agreements with concert associations in other communities, so a Wadena membership is good for the other towns as well.
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Alexandria will be hosting the Rodney Mack Philadelphia Brass, Classic Big Band, Two On Tap, Intersection, the Beatles tribute Abbey Road Band and John Denver tribute Take Me Home.
Brainerd will bring in Rodney Mack Philadelphia Brass, Cahal Dunne, Intersection, New Odyssey and Two On Tap.
Performing at Sauk Centre are Peter Simon, Dale, Dahmen and the Polka Beats, Cahal Dunne, Church Basement Ladies 2 and Take Me Home.
Fergus Falls will present Take Me Home, London Quartet, Church Basement Ladies 2, Intersection and New Odyssey.
Park Rapids will have Home Free, Carpenter and May, Thuringer Salonquintett, Ilya Yakushev and Abbey Road Band.
"They can go to all 31 concerts if they want. It just depends on where they want to drive to," Kingsley said.
Memberships for the 2012-2013 season are $35 for an adult, $10 for a student (defined as high school or younger) and $80 for a family (defined as parents and any number of their children in high school and younger).
The memberships are season passes, and people may purchase them before or during the season.
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Kingsley said a member may also bring a one-time guest, such as a family member from out of town, for $10.
Memberships may be purchased from individual ticket sellers or at Thrifty White Drug.
Lee Omberg, manager of Thrifty White Drug, said the store sold a fair share of the tickets last year, and people appreciate having a physical location where they can buy tickets.
Bridget King, an association ticket seller from Aldrich, said she covers the area around Verndale, Aldrich and Staples. King is also on the board to help pick the entertainment.
Kingsley and King both said performers in the past have expressed appreciation for Wadena's Steinway grand piano.
"The people that do perform and use the piano just rave about our piano," King said. "That's a really big benefit in Wadena for concert goers."
