HOW TO GO
Who: The Menus
Where: Fraze Pavilion, 695 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 27
Cost: SOLD OUT
Artist info: www.themenus.org
More info: 937-296-3300 or www.fraze.com.
UPCOMING FRAZE SHOWS
Who: Umphrey’s McGee
When: 6 p.m. Saturday, June 28
Cost: Advance tickets are $20 lawn/terrace, $30 side orchestra (sections A&D) and center orchestra (sections B&C). Add $5 to ticket price if purchased day of show
Artist info: www.umphreys.com
Who: Darius Rucker
When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 29
Cost: SOLD OUT
Artist info: www.dariusrucker.com
Who: Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2
Cost: SOLD OUT
Artist info: www.ringostarr.com
If there was any doubt the crew at Fraze Pavilion in Kettering understand what programming works for their outdoor amphitheater, just take a peek at the current schedule. Over the next week, three of the four scheduled dates are sold out.
Some tickets still remain for Umphrey’s McGee on Saturday, June 28, but The Menus’ $5 Friday concert, Darius Rucker’s Sunday performance and the return of Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band on Wednesday are all sold out.
THE MENUS
This Cincinnati-based cover band has been entertaining fans throughout the region since 1983 with a high energy mix of songs from every era of rock. The group is known for its musical chops and vast repertoire of songs but one thing that sets The Menus apart is vocalist Tim Rainer, who is the consummate frontman. Aside from a strong set of pipes, Rainer has a penchant for crazy stage costumes. This approach has made The Menus a perennial sell out at the Fraze and the rare act to return to the venue each summer.
UMPHREY’S MCGEE
The Umphrey’s McGee concert has yet to sell out but that doesn’t negate the excitement many area jam band fans have for this highly anticipated show. The group, a fixture on the summer festival scene, is known for its live shows. Umphrey’s McGee has played close to 2,000 gigs since forming in South Bend, Ind. in 1997 and shows no signs of slowing down. The group’s latest album, “Similar Skin,” was released June 10. Popular local jam band The Werks will open the concert.
DARIUS RUCKER
After three solid solo albums as a country artist, Darius Rucker is no longer known just as the former singer for Hootie & the Blowfish. He’s a bona fide Nashville star with the hits to prove it. His latest album, “True Believers” (2013), was number one on Billboard’s country chart and number two on the multi-genre Billboard 200 chart. The album also yielded the number one hit “Wagon Wheel” and two other singles reached the country top 40. Rucker’s sold out concert with special guest Joel Crouse puts the capper on Party at the Pavilion, a free afternoon event at 3 p.m. featuring live performances by Pistol Holler, 90 Proof Twang and Stranger.
RINGO STARR
As certified rock ‘n’ roll royalty, Ringo Starr could easily kick back and take it. The guy was a freaking Beatle, and he’s 73 years old, but he’s also a born entertainer. That means every so often he gathers together some of his famous friends and heads out on the road as Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band. This summer’s incarnation features Todd Rundgren, Steve Lukather of Toto, Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie and others. With that much big name talent with the legendary drummer it’s no surprise Wednesday’s concert at Fraze Pavilion sold out quickly.
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