May 16 Saturday
Get ready for an exhilarating evening of music with the Dave Bennett Quartet as they Swing, Surf & Rock! Clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist Dave Bennett leads his talented quartet, featuring Jeff Kressler on piano, Ed Fedewa on bass, and Pete Siers on drums, through a thrilling journey of 20th-century American music. Their setlist is a lively blend of Big Band swing classics, early ‘50s rock and roll gems, and the twangy charm of ‘60s instrumental surf tunes. From toe-tapping rhythms to soulful melodies, this concert promises to delight music lovers of all ages.
Dave Bennett – Clarinet, Guitar, Piano, VocalJeff Kressler – PianoEd Fedewa – BassPete Siers – Drums
About
There is nothing like an evening in the spring. Bursting with joy, anticipation, and reflection. We hope that you will join Beyond Choir for a program that captures the quiet beauty and spirit of twilight. Evening Light centers on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s reclective Vesperae solennes de confessore, a masterpiece of sacred choral writing filled with joyful praise, and the beloved “Laudate Dominum,” whose soaring soprano line floats above the choir in one of Mozart’s most luminous moments.
The program also features Ralph Vaughan Williams’ beautiful Serenade to Music, a work inspired by Shakespeare that celebrates the power of music to move the soul. adapted from The Merchant of Venice, the text reflects the atmospheric wonder of a spring evening. With its warm harmonies and expressive solo lines, the piece invites listeners into a sound world where voices blend like the fading colors of the evening sky. Originally written by Vaughan Williams for 16 soloists, its vocal warmth and color contrast perfectly with the Mozart.
Set in the historic Pease Auditorium at Eastern Michigan University, this concert surrounds the listener in a grand and resonant space shaped for choral sound. As music unfolds—from Mozart’s radiant sacred writing to Vaughan Williams’ reflective beauty—Evening Light becomes an atmosphere of warmth, wonder, and quiet joy.
------Featured and Collaborative Artists
Beyond Choir is proud to collaborate with an exceptional group of featured and guest artists for Evening Light. This performance welcomes Dr. Sarah Simko, organ, whose artistry brings depth and brilliance to the program.
In keeping with our commitment to education, mentorship, and community connection, this concert also features singers from the Eastern Michigan University Choir and the Plymouth Canton Educational Park Choirs (PCEP Choirs). Their participation reflects Beyond Choir’s continued investment in education outreach and professional development, offering student musicians the opportunity to perform alongside professional and educator artists in a collaborative, high-level choral setting.
These partnerships embody our mission to connect musicians across experience levels and to elevate the choral art form through shared performance experiences.
The Hound of the BaskervillesBy Tim KellyBased on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Directed by David Andrews
Performance DatesMay 7 - 16, 8 shows at the Riverside Arts Center:Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30pmSunday 5/10 & Wednesday 5/13 matinees at 2pm
SynopsisThe greatest of all Sherlock Holmes adventures adapted to a more modern setting, taking literature’s most spine-chilling mystery and turning it into a play of suspense, humor and ultimate terror!
$15 Seniors/Students/Active-duty military, Thursdays are Pay As You Can
May 17 Sunday
Experience the vibrant, deeply lyrical world of contemporary jazz as pianist and arranger Rick Roe brings Wake Up Call – The Music of Gregg Hill to life. Drawing from the rich, challenging compositions of Michigan-based jazz composer Gregg Hill, this performance showcases Roe’s inventive arrangements alongside a dynamic quartet featuring GRAMMY-award-winning bassist Robert Hurst, drummer Nate Winn, and saxophonist Marcus Elliot Miller.
The program reimagines Hill’s melodic and rhythmic ingenuity through a spirited blend of swing, hard bop, and imaginative ensemble interplay. Expect a musical journey where thoughtful composing and spontaneous improvisation meet — from relaxed medium swings and Latin-infused grooves to bold, modern jazz statements — all delivered with a keen sense of listening and shared momentum.
Don’t miss this chance to hear jazz that’s both rooted in tradition and defiantly inventive, performed by four musicians whose collective chemistry brings Gregg Hill’s remarkable music into compelling new focus.
Rick Roe (piano);Robert Hurst (bass);Nate Winn (drums)Marcus Elliot Miller (saxophone)
May 20 Wednesday
Kerrytown Concert House is delighted to welcome back pianist Bill Heid this spring for a trio performance with bassist Kurt Krahnke and drummer Jeff Shoup that will take you on a musical journey through blues, funk, neo-soul, jazz, and the vibrant rhythms of Brazilian music. With inventive improvisation, infectious grooves, and deep musical conversation, the trio blends tradition with innovation, creating a mosaic of sound from a diverse musical landscape. Don’t miss this performance from one of the East Coast’s most versatile and dynamic pianists on KCH’s treasured Steinway!
Bill Heid, pianoKurt Krahnke, bassJeff Shoup, drums
May 21 Thursday
The University of Michigan’s campus has a long and deep history and every generation has cherished particular places, such as the campus zoo or the famous “Sleepy Hollow.” Many of these locations are now gone, but not forgotten. Join us to hear from Professor Jim Tobin as he traces U-M’s “lost campus” and how the campus’ changing spaces reflect broader patterns in university history.
May 22 Friday
The Last Wide Open by Audrey CefalyMichigan PremiereA love song in three movements.
Over the course of three brief acts, the lives of weary waitress Lina and immigrant dishwasher Mikolaj play out in parallel universes—each a variation on a theme of longing, chance, and connection. With echoes of fate and flashes of magic in the mundane, this tender, time-bending story asks: what if love is less about destiny, and more about timing? Directed by Diane Hill.
May 22 – June 14, 2026
Fridays 8:00 pm, Saturdays 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Sundays 2:00 pm
Tickets: General $30 / 65 & Over $25 / Students $15
May 23 Saturday
Race Day Schedule5:30-6:45am Packet Pickup6:55am Kids Dash (Meet at the Start Line and we will walk participants out to the starting area)7:00am National Anthem and Race Start!Results and Awards are live and available at the Registration tent immediately following your finish!
Every Registration IncludesGreat Swag - designer shirtCustom medalChip-timing with live results and awardsFree photosFREE snacks at the finish line!Plenty of fun!Grab your friends and family, you are not going to want to miss this one!
*Youth-based pricing for the 5k/10k, 12 & Under are only $17!
*Register by midnight on Thursday, two Thursdays before race day, to guarantee your shirt!
More Than a RunBecause we’re all about fun, family-friendly events that welcome every pace and fitness level. This spring race is the perfect chance to challenge yourself, enjoy creative swag, and be part of an encouraging, affordable, and inclusive community. Whether you're chasing a PR or just showing up for the fun, we’re here to cheer you on every step of the way.
Run your race, your way.
5k/10k/Half Marathon registration includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!1 Mile registration is untimed and includes a custom bib, designer shirt, and a custom finisher medal!The kid's dash is a fun, untimed dash for our kiddos ages 10 and under. Registration includes a mini bib, youth-sized shirt, and a specifically crafted medal for our kids' dash event! (If your child wants to run the kid's dash, and doesn't want the SWAG, they are welcome to run with us on race day for free!)
May 24 Sunday