Arts & Entertainment

Chelsea Senior Center Hosts Tribute to Benny Goodman

The fundraiser will benefit upcoming shows for the senior center's Kaleidoscope Concert Series.

Chelsea’s been waiting three years for the return of boy wonder clarinetist Dave Bennett and his tribute to Benny Goodman. The band will perform at 7 p.m. April 17 as a fundraiser for the Chelsea Senior Center's kaleidoscope concert series.

Bennett performed at the inaugural kaleidoscope concert in January 2009 and wowed the crowd with his jaw-dropping clarinet and homage to Benny Goodman, the "King of Swing." Bennett will be joined by his quartet on swing era classics like “Moonglow,” “I’ve Got Rhythm,” “Body and Soul,” “Sing, Sing, Sing,” and many others.

Since 2005, Bennett has been touring for symphony shows with his Benny Goodman tribute. He has been featured with orchestras in Nashville, Omaha, Rochester, San Antonio, and Toronto, among others.

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The kaleidoscope concert series is funded by a grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation, and is a partnership between Silver Maples Retirement Community and the Chelsea Senior Center. The grant funding will end in May, but the series will continue because of the generosity of community sponsors.

“So far, we have pledges from area businesses and private family members, but in order to fully fund the nine-concert series, we need to fundraise from the general community,” said Shawn Personke, director of activities and public relations for Silver Maples. “We’ve moved the concert to the Washington Street Education Center auditorium because there’s a lot more room for everyone. And because if everyone who attends can make some sort of donation – big or small – it will help fund the series into 2013."

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Trinh Pifer, executive director of the Chelsea Senior Center said the free series has been a great opportunity for older adults.

“The concert series is a wonderful opportunity for local seniors to enjoy an evening of friendship and musical experiences. With nine concerts a year, the selection and diversity of performances is truly phenomenal," she said.

Headliners have included Three Men and a Tenor, the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, the Royal Garden Trio, Picks and Sticks String Band, Phil Ogilvie’s Rhythm Kings, Mr. B, and the River Raisin Ragtime Revue.

“We really need to fill as many seats as we can,” Personke said. “We’re asking everyone to make some sort of donation – all sizes welcome.”

Tickets are not required to attend the Benny Goodman tribute concert.

“All of our concerts are wonderful, but this band really swings the crowd, especially a big one like we hope to get in the auditorium. We hope everyone – young and old – will join us," Personke said.

Dave Bennett’s Tribute to Benny Goodman will be held on April 17, at 7 p.m. at the Washington Street Education Center, 500 Washington St. in Chelsea. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call Silver Maples at 734-75-4111 or the Chelsea Senior Center at 734-475-9242.


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