September 2020
“We are saying what HE said,” laughs Matt Vee referring to the one and only Neil Diamond. Matt along with cousins Jeff and Tommy Vee, local music scene veterans and sons of the legendary Bobby Vee, join forces with their family and friends as The Killer Vees to celebrate the music from a timeless catalog. With songs like “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Song Sung Blue,” and “Sweet Caroline,” Neil Diamond sold over 100 million records worldwide with music that became the soundtrack to one generation after another with hits spanning five decades. As a Tin Pan Alley song writer in the mid 60s, he penned songs recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Deep Purple and, of course, the Monkee’s classic, “I’m A Believer.”
“This is not a tribute show,” says Tommy Vee. “This is a celebration of an amazing musical icon, one we all love and respect. We have been fans since we were in grade school and first learning our respective instruments and played many of these tunes over the years in various bands. We have recruited an incredible group of singers and players and have gone back to the original records,” he explains, “it is all about the vocals and Matt nails it. It’s a Rockin’ show!”
THANK YOU TO SPONSORS
Outdoors (covered) under the Jerry and Shirley Miner Family Pavilion at the IRA Civic Center.
- Please bring your own chair.
- 250 people maximum at the event.
- All ticket holders will be ushered to individually distanced pods.
- Three people maximum per pod.
- Remain inside your pod at all times, unless utilizing facilities/concessions.
- Masks and social distancing required when outside of your pod.
- No outside food or drink.
- If you have health or safety concerns, please notify a Reif staff member.
- Rain or shine
- No re-admission
- No firearms
- Free parking
Purchase TicketsOctober 2020
The Barley Jacks sing original vocals and play jaw–dropping instrumentals in a spirit of excitement and fun. They are masters of the fiddle, guitar, bass and drum who meld their divergent backgrounds of blues and bluegrass, classical and Celtic, R & B, and bebop to inspire each other and create something entirely new. Front man and fiddler Brian Wicklund is joined by Mike Cramer–guitar, Keith Yanes–bass, and Joel Arpin–percussion. Their 2010 debut recording “Either Side of Night” and 2011 recording “The Lighthouse” has been met with great praise by reviewers. Virtuosity, magic and a little danger combine to make every performance unique. Audiences are struck with how much fun the Barley Jacks have when they perform.
THANK YOU TO SPONSOR
Outdoors (covered) under the Jerry and Shirley Miner Family Pavilion at the IRA Civic Center.
- Please bring your own chair.
- 250 people maximum at the event.
- All ticket holders will be ushered to individually distanced pods.
- Three people maximum per pod.
- Remain inside your pod at all times, unless utilizing facilities/concessions.
- Masks and social distancing required when outside of your pod.
- No outside food or drink.
- If you have health or safety concerns, please notify a Reif staff member.
- Rain or shine
- No re-admission
- No firearms
- Free parking
November 2020
A Virtual Reif Holiday Event!
Best viewed on a Smart Television, computer, tablet or phone. Broadcast in 1080p HD!
In this classic Christmas tribute, The Divas will dazzle you, bringing the holiday spirit with time honored hits from Bing Crosby to The Andrews Sisters to the Jackson 5, plus many more.
A Very Diva Christmas is guaranteed to get crowds into the spirit of the Holiday Season.
With gorgeous gowns, festive stage décor and witty banter and audience interaction, you will be tapping your toes and singing along to this nostalgic Holiday Experience.
Let the Divas bring the Holiday Cheer!
December 2020
A Virtual Reif Holiday Event!
Best viewed on a Smart Television, computer, tablet or phone. Broadcast in 1080p HD!
Style, sophistication, energy — and entertainment that not even the Grinch could resist. Light up your holidays with “Ringin & Swingin: The George Maurer Group Holiday Show” and the group’s trademark irreverent, tongue-in-cheek takes on classic Christmas tunes.
Maurer and company wrap the songs of the season in their unique brand of jazz, quoting everything Motown to Monk (Thelonious, that is) and Broadway to the Big Easy for a sound that’s two sizes too big. Highlights include a big brass blowout of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” that fuses Henry Mancini with Dr. Seuss, brilliant 4-part vocal harmonies, and a dead-on tribute to Dean Martin’s “The Christmas Blues.”
“Ringin’ & Swingin’” features an extensive repertoire of fun, swinging classics by jazz and pop legends, with intricate arrangements and vocals seasoned by the George Maurer Group’s famous lighthearted flair. Just when you expect them to pull another jazz riff out of Santa’s bag, they might give you a little hit of Led Zeppelin instead. Just when you least expect it, they might take you on a nostalgic journey to Christmases past with a heartfelt rendition of a time-honored favorite.
The George Maurer Group has brought many a house to its feet with their outstanding stage shows, where encores are the rule and the holiday spirit fills the room.
Ring in your holidays with the swingin’est Christmas show around.
THANK YOU TO SPONSORS
We are bringing the excitement of Rock n Roll Xmas Spectacular directly to you!! Registration is easy and as a thank you to all our fans/patrons, we are offering this show for a “Pay What You Want” price! Its been a tough year for everyone and we want you to share the gift of music with everyone you know!!
Join us from the luxury of your own living rooms, basements & mangers as we saddle up our camels to deliver all of the rock n roll spirit that this un-present-dented holiday season deserves! We’ll be cooking up a setlist of time honored RRXS classics, plus a few surprises, all recorded live on stage & delivered to you whenever you decide to pull the RRXS cyber-trigger! Your ticket purchase allows you access to the show from Dec 18 at 7pm until Dec 31 at midnight!
So knock back a shot of Stacy Bauer’s patented “Jingle Juice” and let us cyber-rock your chestnuts off!
REIF DONATIONS ENCOURAGED AT CHECKOUT
THANK YOU TO SPONSOR
Recorded live at St. Joan of Arc Church in Minneapolis, MN.
December, 2020
Kevin Kling has performed his "Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log” since 1995, starting at the Jungle Theater and then on to the Guthrie Theater for his annual December show there. It’s a bit of good cheer, stuffed with humor and based on a childhood memory of Christmas surrounded by dogs, relatives, and an unruly gasoline powered toy airplane. Talented musicians Dan Chouinard and Simone Perrin joined the celebration many years ago making the evening one of Minnesota's favorite holiday show traditions.
KEVIN KLING
A renowned playwright and storyteller, Minnesota's own Kevin Kling is known for his commentaries on NPR's All Things Considered. He has entertained audiences with his off-kilter stories that express humor, heart, and thoughtful philosophizing. Kevin has been awarded arts grants and fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, the McKnight Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board, among others. In 2014, Mayor RT Rybak named Kevin the "Minneapolis Story Laureate". He continues to write plays and stories in a rigorous fashion and travels around the globe to storytelling festivals, residencies, and frequently performs at the acclaimed National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
SIMONE PERRIN
Musician and songwriter Simone Perrin grew up on the banks of the upper Mississippi in beautiful Winona, MN. After some time in New York City, and then Minneapolis, where she met and started working with Kevin Kling, Simone moved rural Wisconsin, where she lives today with her family. In between trips to the garden and snuggles with her little guys, Simone travels to towns around the Upper Midwest to sing songs and tell stories. She has appeared on the Prairie Home Companion and has performed with many regional theaters including The Guthrie, Theater Latte Da, Open Eye Figure Theatre, The Cincinnati Playhouse and The Seattle Repertory Theater, where she and Kevin developed two original plays, How? How? Why? Why? Why? and Breakin' Hearts and Takin' Names. In 2009, Simone released her first album Hummingbird available online at CDbaby.com.
DAN CHOUINARD
Dan Chouinard is a St. Paul-based honky-tonk pianist, concert soloist and accompanist, street accordionist, sing-along enabler, Italian and French teacher and bicycling vagabond, frequent lucky collaborator with Kevin Kling. With Grand Rapids native Peter Rothstein, co-creator in 2013 of Steerage Song, an immigration documentary-musical. Writer and host of many live music-and-history variety shows for broadcast on Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television. Performer on a dozen live broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion. Recording artist with Peter Ostroushko, Prudence Johnson, Maria Jette and dozens of others. Founder of Lush Country, a classic country band made up of Prairie Home Companion veterans. More at danchouinard.com
January 2021
VIDEO ON DEMAND
In-Person Tickets Available by calling the Box Office
Mon, Wed, Fri Noon – 5PM
(218) 327-5780
This adaptation, written by Reif Education Director Katie E. Smith, brings together Reif Dance ballet students and Theater Education students in grades 3-12, and has been created with social distancing in mind. It is an adaptation of the 1903 operetta by Glen McDonough and Victor Herbert and is the first joint production of the two Reif Education programs. Original choreography has been created by Dance Director Deirdre Murnane and the Reif Dance staff. The music has been adapted by Grand Rapids native and Ely Band Director, Sarah Mason.
THANK YOU TO SPONSORS
February 2021
VIDEO ON DEMAND
B2wins (Pronounced B-Twins… short for Brazilian Twins)
This high energy entertainment group continues to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique sound and engaging live show that targets the masses. Led by charismatic Twin brothers from Rio de Janeiro, they combine a plethora of genres into a live show that is equal parts rock concert, jam session, dance party and house party. Fans describe it like seeing your new best friends in concert.
Growing up in the violent, slums of Brazil, the Twins began playing classical music on violins their father made by hand. They used music as an escape from their reality and began teaching others in their neighborhood. After being featured on National Public Radio, the Twins were invited to the US on full ride music scholarships.
After performing 153 shows across 14 states in 2019, B2wins continue to cultivate a loyal fan base wherever they perform. From hip-hop heads to jazz aficionados, rockers to reggae fans, all find common ground at a B2wins show. The Twins are on a mission to change the world, one smile at a time.
Engaging & Relatable
By utilizing music, humor, audience interaction and participation, Walter & Wagner are able to connect with audiences in never before seen ways. Their magnetic personalities and sincerity, coupled with engaging showmanship, create a dynamite package that is equal parts fun and life changing. Using their story of overcoming extreme adversity through positivity, the Twins have inspired thousands of all ages and backgrounds around the world.
March 2021
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Christopher David Hanson is an artist who transcends mediums. As a musician: Old Rock & Roll, Kickin' Country, Swing & Soul sums up his style. His music has a long list of notable accomplishments including 5 songs placed in Motion Pictures, numerous PBS TV specials, and a host of opening slots with some of nations top groups including; Gin Blossoms, Black Oak Arkansas, Live, Kid Rock's Shannon Curfman, Cory Chisel, Sister Hazel, and more. Hanson is also a Nashville recording artist that has worked with many members of Wynonna Judd's band, and Carrie Underwood's group.
May 2021
Tickets available by calling the Reif Box Office (218) 327-5780
The Box Office will be open to foot traffic
8:30 AM – 5 PM M-F; Monday, May 17
The Itasca Symphony Orchestra is happy to present their first live performance in over a year!
We are very excited to bring back the virtuosic pianist Alexander Sandor. Conductor Keith Swanson has selected music along with Sandor to highlight the strengths of the talented Twin Ports based piano player along with our local strings musicians. Sandor is known nationally as a Ragtime performer and has performed as a freelance classical soloist for over 20 years. “Sandor, who’s built like a wrestler, deploys tremendous power across the piano keyboard and also possesses a soft, light, heart moving touch…”- Grand Rapids Arts
Repertoire will include the popular St Paul Suite by Gustav Holtz, Bach’s joyful Keyboard Concerto No 4 in A Major followed by Gerald Finzi’s pastoral Eclogue for Piano and Strings.
The strings only concert will be presented to a limited audience and will run without intermission. Tickets will be available by calling the Reif Center box office at 218-327-5780 M, W, F noon-5:00. Seating will be chosen based on customer preference and available seating subject to social distancing. You will want to purchase ticket for your entire group as tickets sold at a later date may not be able to be seated with the group.
Tickets $20 each
Concert date – May 22nd
Concert time – 7:00 pm
Sponsored by : Julie Takkunen – Raymond James
