The AVB Community Band will close out its 2021-2022 concert season on Monday, May 16, at 7 p.m. with a concert titled “You’ve Got to Be Kidding” performed at the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center, 2391 S. Ridge Road in Ashwaubenon. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The May concert, sponsored by Kinnard Heating & Cooling, will also feature the annual “Spring Cleaning Drive” collection of household cleaning products and personal care items conducted by AmVets Post 11 prior to the concert in the lobby on behalf of local veterans in need.
Doors to the Ashwaubenon PAC open at 6 p.m. Donations will be accepted following the concert.
Mike Ajango is director of the 75-member AVB Community Band. Paul Oleksy is associate director. Band member Bruce Deadman is narrator for the evening.
Expect an evening of fun on May 16. “Sometimes, the best medicine is a good laugh! And that’s exactly what we have in mind for our May concert, “You’ve Got To Be Kidding,” said Ajango.
“We’re planning some music that will make you smile and laugh. We may even crack a joke or two. So, forget the cares and stresses of the world for a night, and join us for some fun at the Ashwaubenon PAC,” he said. “And bring a friend!”
The evening begins with the rousing gallop “They’re Off,” followed by Stephen Sondheim’s “Comedy Tonight” from the Broadway musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”
Bandleader and musician Spike Jones was known for doing spoof arrangements on popular and classical songs. The AVB will celebrate Jones during its humorous “Salute to Spike Jones.”
“Instant Concert” is the rollicking Harold Walters piece that condenses 30 melodies into an instant performance of about three minutes. Then the saxophone section will be featured in the piece made famous by renowned sax player Boots Randolph, “Yakety Sax.”
A medley of the music of Henry Mancini will also be celebrated in “Mancini Magic.”
Following intermission, the band opens with “Sousa Scramble,” featuring some of the best of John Philip Sousa – all rearranged for the fun of it. “The Waltzing Cat” is a charming piece, written by renowned composer Leroy Anderson, and will be followed up by an audience favorite – “The Chicken Dance.”
The evening concludes with the moving piece “Lux Aurumque” and the rousing “Riverdance Finale.”
Personal care and cleaning supplies items collected prior to the concert by AmVets Post 11 will be distributed to the following organizations: Transitional Veterans Home in Bellevue, The Center for Veterans Issues Resource Center and St. John’s Homeless Shelter.
Formerly known as the Allouez Village Band, the band rebranded for its 40th anniversary season as the “All Volunteer Band” (AVB) Community Band to better reflect its membership from numerous communities in the area.
The AVB Community Band will open its 41st season on Monday, Sept. 19, 2022 at the Ashwaubenon PAC.