Hello all, welcome to WFHR's Rapids Report for this May 19, 2025.
Have your host, James J. Mailoff here, and we welcome to the WFHR stage, one of our
favorite people, Sally Kisner with us from Save of the Arts, Executive Director over
there.
Sally, good to have you with us.
Good to be here.
Always fun talking with you, and I have to say I, you know, I'm spoiled in this job.
Every time you join us, you, almost nine out of ten times, you have this great guest
that you bring with us, and we have Eric to talk to, and I love picking your guys' brains
and talking with you.
But I gotta say, it's one of my favorite shows to do every year, because we are gonna
preview the upcoming season over at the Arts Council, and we're very excited about every
one of these seasons.
But this one, I was talking with Seth about it this morning.
You really win above and beyond with this one, Sally.
It is such a cool group of people and lists of artists that are coming to town here.
Let's kick things off with something that you guys started last year that was a unique
I thought, and a really fun addition to this season.
It was pretty popular having a summer show, so we decided to do another pre-season one,
and August 10th, we're bringing in Yacht Rock Gold experience.
So if people aren't familiar, Yacht Rock is a new genre of music, not even that new,
just identified as 70s and 80s soft hits from that era.
So they are coming in, and they're also bringing Yacht Rock royalty with them.
Elliot Laurie, who is, or used to be, the lead singer with looking glass, and his number
one hit Brandy, whom I think you'll all remember.
So that's pretty cool too.
We're gonna just have a lot of fun at this show.
There are gonna be food trucks in the parking lot afterwards again.
Well, I have a lot of neat decorations in the yachting type theme in the lobby and stuff
like that, and on stage.
To Sally's point, this style of music has been around for decades, but it hadn't really
had a terminology in the term Yacht Rock, just kind of, it was said in fun, and it kind
of got some shelf life, it kind of got more and more weight to it.
And with that, became this real love of the style of music, and while I'm not a big fan
of labeling music or anything like that, one of the things that I do enjoy when it happens,
like this, especially with music that's been around longer than some of us have been
alive and everything, is a younger generation's falling in love with it.
Younger generation's getting into Christopher Cross, and some of these artists that, I'm
a gigantic Dubie Brothers fan.
I love the Dubie Brothers.
Music like this and stuff.
The only thing I, one of my top five bands of all time, Steely Dan, a lot of Steely Dan
gets kind of put into this category sometimes.
Right.
I think it's cool to hear younger people getting into it, and the popularity of it is wonderful.
So much of this music gets lost in the shuffle sometimes.
Right.
It's just fun to see it come back like this.
This show is going to be coming up.
It is.
And tickets are on sale now, so you can contact us or go on the website for that.
Adults are $43, and students are 15.
Get those tickets right now at saverthearts.com.
Everybody will give you the information of how to get tickets before we wrap up today.
So Sally, the season officially kicks off in October.
It does.
With Willie and family live, we've got a Willie Nelson tribute coming in.
Michael Moore is the guy who plays Willie, and he does a phenomenal job.
He just does the classic country hits from Willie's.
So we'll be listening to whiskey, river, good-hearted woman always on my mind, on the road
again, and on and on.
His voice is so there.
It's got such the Willie vibe and the energy to it.
He looks very similar to Willie.
He's got a lot of the traditional stuff that you associate with the red at its stranger
and everything.
Right.
His MC work, and we've had this conversation about a number of artists and everything.
It is so in tune with Willie.
It is such a without trying to be Willie Nelson necessarily when he's in between songs or
some of this, but still keeping that energy, that vibe.
I dare say anything you like about Willie Nelson, you're going to enjoy about Michael and
his work.
Right.
He's really good.
Yes.
And same thing as far as the music, just getting to hear Willie Nelson music live is always
a great time.
The man doesn't know how to make bad music, never could, never could, even if he wanted
to.
That's going to be fun.
Willie and family live.
Yep.
So then we move into November.
The Duop project is coming and they have a brand new show called Echoes of the Street.
So basically they focus on harmonies from stoops, subways, and street corners from back
in the day.
And they actually, what they call Duopify today's biggest hits as well.
It's a, I looked into them a little bit and it's a little bit similar to Peloton.
Sonic and some of the bands that do the acapella music and they'll take a hit song and turn
it acapella.
These guys are doing that a little bit with Duop.
And again, you know, this idea of a genre of music, a style of music that was popular
at one time, faded away, kind of has this rise up and this brought, being brought back
and Duop is very similar to that where you're seeing a lot of the, even not so much just
musically, but some of the styles of it and everything.
I love that part.
I'm a big fan of the music.
So I'm loving seeing that come back and these guys are, come, the music that you're going
to hear, you're going to be, the songs might be familiar, but these guys are originals.
They're very, very unique and very good at what they do.
And they choreograph their pieces too.
They're fun to watch and the bands are excellent.
I mean, everything about it is, is top notch.
It's a really good point.
You know, getting to see acts that are fun to watch as well as here, right?
That's a, that's a fun point.
I mean, we don't, we don't have as much of that as we used to.
These guys are nailing that though and that, that is coming up in November.
Yeah.
December 4th, a fun one, you get, you always find the funnest stuff for December.
It's always great to pick out a Christmas show and I'm particularly excited about this
one.
We are bringing sidewalk profits to town with their great big family Christmas.
They've got a lot of surprises that I cannot share that happen at this show, but you are
definitely going to want to come.
Making the whole family just, you know, embrace the spirit of Christmas.
You know, one of the things that I, I think we're, especially with the holidays and you,
you talk about the, one of the oldest holidays we have in Christmas and so many of the stories
or songs that we grew up with that we've heard a lot and everything.
It's always cool to me when you see an artist that can make something unique and make something
stand out a little bit different and it's fun, you know, that time of year.
There's plenty of things that have us rushing around or a little stress or whatever.
Having this to look forward to is one of those really fun things to look forward to.
I cannot encourage enough to get those tickets for that one, everybody.
That, that, I, I almost purposely haven't looked too into it because I want to be surprised
by so much of what's going on.
Right.
And we're holding it early enough in December.
So before your life gets too crazy with gift wrapping and doing all your last minute
stuff, come on out and, and see it.
And plan ahead because I have a feeling this one's going to sell out.
Great point.
And a really good point about putting it earlier in the month.
That's it.
I didn't think about that.
You're right.
We kick off 2026 with a really great concert, the salary that we're looking forward to.
In January, we have Wingrow Wind Quintet, which is from the Mead Witter School of Music
at UW-Madison.
And that obviously has ties to the Rapids area with the Mead Witter Foundation.
It's the longest running Quintet ensemble in the nation.
And they are very artistic, extremely talented.
They're all over the country and just performing all over the place.
And I can't say enough about it.
It's, if you like, Wind Music, this is amazing.
It's really good.
You will not be disappointed.
I, I, I, I, a fan of Wind Music, and a little ashamed to admit, I, doing a little digging
on this group.
And immediately they pop up and immediately they're, if you're, you're not kidding.
I mean, they are one of the, the quintessential bands to listen to if you are into Wind Music.
And they've been, this, this band has been around in a con, in carnation of it, if some
kind of another, for instance, the 60s and everything.
So I'm really, really talented group of people.
I love these groups that they, they have this, where they've been around for a long time
and had multiple members that have this bar that you have to meet.
And so you almost, even if you don't know the artist in particular, you know, well, if
they made it to this level, this is going to be some talented individuals you're going
to be seeing.
It's, it's almost like when you think about the military bands, you know that the military
bands are going to be excellent.
They're, they're focused.
They're, you know, disciplined and that's what the Winger Wind quintet is.
We're also tying in an outreach for this one.
So they'll be performing an outreach that afternoon.
It's one of the things that, while we, we love these, these artists come in the time.
We love being able to offer this to our community and everything.
One of the really important points that you and Eric bring up throughout the season is
the importance of being able to not only bring these artists here, but them to be able to
share some of that knowledge and some of what it means to our young creative community
in this area.
It's my favorite part of all of this as much as I love these artists and I love good music,
live and everything.
Being able to do that, I've talked with Eric before about this.
I've talked with a lot of our creatives that grow up in this area and everything.
What they wouldn't have given to have something like this when we were kids and stuff.
And it's such a great opportunity for those individuals.
That's a great one.
Selfishly, when I go to the outreach in the afternoon and then the show at night, I am
so pumped for the show because I can see the excitement on the kids' faces and just see
how they embrace everything.
And you get a newfound respect for the groups as well and how they interact and encourage
the arts.
It's, to me, the number one rule of every artist is artist supporting artists.
And they, all of these acts do that in one way or another.
These ones that go above and beyond, we really appreciate it.
It's very cool.
Absolutely.
February 12th got a really nice one lined up.
Oh, we got a fun one.
It's called Forever Young.
So this is something a little bit different than what we've done before.
It's almost like a musical theater type thing.
It's a play that's actually held in a suburban basement.
And the production just focuses on music and how music shapes your life.
There's awesome hits, powerhouse vocals, dynamite, choreography, and it's a true storyline,
which makes it even neater.
It's very neat.
They do such a really good job of giving you, like, this nostalgia and this fun kind of
trip back that I think has got some related ability to it, no matter who you are, where
you grew up or anything like that, especially when the music hits.
Because, and I actually, Carl and I did a study on this once or talked about a study
on this once, where why is it that these songs that we heard when we were little, they
hit us the way they do?
And it's actually a part of our brain that has this reserve almost to it.
We all grow up very similar to when it comes to music.
The first music we hear is handed to us.
Our parents, our guardians, our uncle and aunt, somebody like that, you know, you're
two young.
So those are the first songs you hear.
It's when you're a teenager in that first album you bought, that first CD, that first
tape, whatever it was, that music, whenever you hear it on the radio, it could be 20 years
you hear it on the radio, it's going to hit something that no other music hits.
There's just something about it.
It's literally scientific the way it is in our brain.
I think it's really cool.
This play takes full advantage of that.
It does a great job of it.
It's very cool to see those worlds combined and the actors in it, the singers, great performers.
And it's a full two hour show as well.
I've been trying to get this one for almost three years now.
Really?
So I was so glad to be able to pin it down and get it on a date that worked for both of us.
That's, I'm sorry, that's really interesting to me.
Of all the bands I wanted to really talk to you about.
This was the one I had the most follow up questions on because it seemed so unique.
And I know, I've gotten to know you a bit here.
I know that that's a little bit of your wheelhouse.
You really find that stuff and I, you know, I love that too.
I appreciate you them and you taking this chance on it and I think you're going to be rewarded
from this.
That's a really cool idea.
We're also doing an outreach with this one as well, which is kind of cool because it'll,
kind of hit the musical theater realm will probably market it to some of the other, like
the dance studios and stuff too, who offer musical theater.
Great idea, really good idea.
We got a couple more to talk about.
We have one great one coming up in March, Sally.
Oh, my.
Yeah.
I have to say this one is going to be phenomenal.
You know, I am not a big Vegas person.
I don't like the gambling, I don't, you know, it's just too many people, too much, but
the shows are amazing.
And this guy has mastered Vegas.
Yes.
And the name of the show is rock and roll remastered.
It's Frankie Marino and he is phenomenal.
He has won all kinds of awards.
He's got four number one billboard albums, 108 number one iTunes single singles.
And he's been Las Vegas headliner of the year several times, too.
He's just, he's hard to describe.
You have to go online and look at him, go on our website and check him out.
And his piano playing is just phenomenal.
His band is phenomenal, his, you're so right.
He's got a complete band.
Every member in that band is a ten.
This piano styling is some of my favorite kind of watch where they just dance on the keys
with their fingers.
You know, it doesn't even look like it's that difficult for them.
Sure it is, but he makes it look so effortless.
So many of the songs that he's doing are ones you're going to recognize and know and enjoy.
And you may have already seen him.
He's toured a lot with like Sugar Land and some bands like that.
He is an incredible showman.
Is great of a singer, piano player, all that stuff.
He is a great MC.
This, getting this act to our town is really saying something.
I really appreciate the work that you put in to get this one.
Oh, thank you.
I'm, I'm really excited about this.
It's, it's really, I mean, I can't say enough about this one.
It's over the top, professional.
It's getting a Vegas act in Wisconsin, where it really, really is, to the performing art
center.
One of our best stages in town.
That's, that's cool.
I mean, $64 for a ticket versus an airline ticket to Vegas.
Come on, people.
Not to mention the headache that Vegas is.
I mean, even if you love Vegas, it's a headache, I mean, yeah, yeah, that's pretty cool.
And the season wraps up in April, Sally.
It does.
So last November, we brought in the Glen Miller Orchestra and people absolutely loved it.
We knew they would and they're like, we want more.
So jukebox Saturday night is actually a Glen Miller production.
It's not the exact same thing, but it's, it's definitely swing.
It's the biggest and best hits of the big band era.
Just a lot of fun.
And we're going to do that on a Sunday afternoon.
Oh, yeah.
I noticed a different date for that.
I like that.
Yeah.
It's perfect fitting if it's perfectly with Sunday afternoon, some of my favorite music,
big band stuff.
And I, but that's, that's a good day for it.
I like that.
Great way to wrap up the season too.
Yeah.
It's going to be a fun band.
Now, we're going to be talking so much more to some of these artists and we'll be talking
more and more about these shows and Sally is always really sweet about giving us tickets
to get to in your guys' hands out there.
But I do want to take a note before we wrap up, Sally.
They're really remind all of our local businesses and our people out there.
The amazing work that you can get done working with the arts council and advertising with
them and supporting these bands and these acts that come to town.
Not only do you show that you are backing the creative arts in this community and a part
of things, but the way that your business can get seen by such a different group of people.
It's a unique opportunity for a lot of businesses out there that where they don't pop up very
often where almost every month you've got an opportunity to do that.
It cannot encourage you enough if you are a business to be a part of things with Savory
Arts and whatever you spend on advertising, you can double to triple that when it comes
to the good PR you get.
And no advertiser in the world can tell you, well, this I guarantee gives you good PR.
This does this kind of stuff.
Work with the arts council, reach out to Sally and the gang and we encourage you to be a
part of these shows.
Definitely.
We're in the midst of doing our solicitation right now.
So if by chance we miss contacting you, please give us a call and I'd be happy to sit
down with you and go over your options.
Got a great season ahead, Sally.
I always want to remind everybody too that good for an air brick knocker over the pack
is going to be joining us throughout the season too and stuff and a shout out to him and
everybody that comes together to make these things happen.
Yeah.
So go ahead.
I was just going to say season tickets will be going on sale on July 21st.
So if you're purchasing for four or more shows, you can come in then we've got discounts
going on.
You can only purchase them through us to get your discount.
So come in then and then you'll get the same seats every show.
So that's your best bet.
And then individual tickets go on sale August 18th.
The cost of a season ticket for all seven shows is $324 and 61 cents.
That includes tax.
So it's less than $47 a show.
So much.
Yeah.
It's a great deal.
Gosh.
That's a good deal.
I encourage people to do that.
Especially.
I don't know how to word this necessarily, but everybody's going to know what I'm talking
about.
You make plans.
You buy the tickets and you get closer to it or whatever and you're like, uh, things
may come up and get in the way or whatever, but you already bought those tickets.
You're going to use them.
You're going to use them.
There's something about us midwesterners.
We will.
We will do what we have to to make sure to use it.
So get it out of the way.
Get the tickets right away.
You know, you're going to have something to look forward to no matter what month we're
talking about.
There's some great music coming to our area or some great entertainment coming to our
area.
And along with all these things that Sally and I have been talking about, you are going
to be sitting there in that beautiful pack and enjoying this show or enjoying some music
and knowing in the back of your head and the front of your heart, I just backed my community.
I just supported my community.
I just supported the nonprofit and all I got to do is be entertained.
That's it.
It's a pretty cool deal right there.
You know, you're, you're supporting the arts in this state.
You're supporting our local community and you're encouraging these, these acts and more
acts to come to town and make Sally's job hopefully a little bit easier.
Yeah.
So we appreciate you, Sally.
Thank you so much for you and your team and all the work you guys put into putting this
schedule together every single year.
I cannot thank you enough.
I don't know the words for it.
So appreciate you.
Keep up the great work.
Thank you.
If people have follow up questions, would like to know more, Sally, how can they get
a hold of you?
Our phone number is 715-424-2787 or stop by 1040, 8th Street South and Wisconsin Rapids.
We're open 10 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Or if you want to check things out, go on our website, saverthearts.com.
Be sure to bookmark that page, everybody follow them on social media as well and share their
posts on your page.
You just don't know who might see them otherwise.
Thanks so much for joining us, Sally.
Thank you.
We're joining us out there.
Thanks for joining the conversation here at WFHR's Rapids Report.
