Friday nights at Christ the King Church are going to be rocking as a series of concerts and comedians come to perform at ‘The Stand? starting Sept. 25.
Executive Director Bill Peterson, who is a member at Christ the King, always wanted to do something like this at the church. The church then approached him in Nov. about doing a full time concert series. ‘That was the green light I needed, and the rest is history,? Peterson said.
His vision for the program is to provide quality entertainment for families in northern Oakland County without a bait and switch.
‘Although we are at a church, we are not going to be preaching, it’s not going to be a bait and switch…we are acting as a venue using a church facility,? said Peterson.
According to Peterson, on the nights ‘The Stand? is at the church, the surrounding environment ceases to be the church and becomes a unique concert experience.
‘It’s a ministry within the church, but it is seperate…we are putting on some concerts on Friday nights starting in the fall,? said Marketing Director Steve Bourque.
The Stand features both comedy and music, with the first guest being celebrated guitar legend Doyle Dykes on Sept. 25.
After the opening night, there will be seven more shows during the first season, which runs from the end of Sept. until May 2010, and each show will rotate between music and comedy. There will be breaks in December and January.
Some of the other acts include physical funny man Michael Rayner on Oct. 9, award winning guitarist and icon Phil Keaggy on Feb 19, 2010 and pianist and ventriloquist Taylor Mason on April 23, 2010.
‘Every show is going to be unique from each other,? said Peterson. ‘We’re striving to have all kinds of genres, from pop music to rock or country, were trying to provide a variety of concerts that appeal to everyone.?
‘We really want to make a different flavor for every show, and that includes what is given away, how they are entertained…a lot of little surprises up our sleeve,? he noted.
Bourque stated the program strrives to be high quality, family friendly and affordable. ‘The whole family can come to any of the shows. The comedians will not offend parents or children, but at the same time will appeal to both children and adults,? he said.
Peterson wants the entertainment to begin in the parking lot and run all the way to through the conclusion of the main act.
‘There’s going be a lot of different things happening…we’re using every minute possible minute to entertain, even from the time you pull into the parking lot,? said Peterson.
‘There are going to be different levels of entertainment and giveaways. People will be surprised by it; you’re not just coming to see the headline act, you are going to be surprised by all of the activities going on.?
One thing that Bourque wanted to stress was the affordability of the tickets.
‘We think our prices are a bargain in these tough economic times,? he said. Prices are $10 at Christ the King Church (prior to the performance), $11 online and 16.50 the night of the performance. ‘We think we have a real bargain for the community…a really affordable price for some really good concerts.?
For more information about The Stand, a lineup of the performances or to purchase tickets, visit www.the-stand.org.