Wickerham addresses his audience.
Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts proudly presents world acclaimed theatre organist, Dave Wickerhamto Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Sun., May 5 at 2 PM in Foxburg’s Lincoln Hall as he “pulls out all the stops” performing “Wurlitzer Wonders and Improvisations” on the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer.
After the concert, plan to continue the Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Red Brick Gallery from 4 to 6 PM, where you can Meet the Artists at a wine & cheese reception for the opening of the exhibit of RBG Artistic Director and landscape painter, Jason Floyd Lewis, and RBG Cooperative Artist and wood artisan, Mark DeWalt.
Master of the console, Dave Wickerham was honored with the “Organist of the Year” award by American Theatre Organ Society in 2011 and has toured the world performing his unique arrangements and peerless improvisations.
On May 5, in addition to performing some “musical salsa” and his iconic arrange-ments of Latin favorites, including Tico Tico, and the Great American Songbook, Dave will be taking requests from the audience at intermission as he performs an entire second half of improvisations, magically weaving the request themes into an uninterrupted musical tapestry of myriad styles and genres to delight and amaze. Dave is an unparalleled, genius phenom with improvisation – and there isn’t a melody that this artist doesn’t know!
Brought back annually by popular demand, Dave is a favorite of ARCA audiences – old and young alike – also having delighted local students and teachers from Allegheny-Clarion Valley Schools in theatre organ educational concerts as part of ARCA’s Educational ArtReach Program in 2022.
One of the preeminent theatre organists acclaimed internationally, no one makes Lincoln Hall’s McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre organ sound more glorious or entertains our appreciative audience better than Dave Wickerham! This is world class theatre organ artistry from one of the kindest, gentlest and most generous souls… evidenced by the glow you feel having experienced his inspired, genius performance.
ARCA is grateful for the very generous donation of Carole Anderson in memory of her late husband John, sponsoring the concert of David Wickerham and contributing to the Wurlitzer Renovation Project Fund. John will be long remembered by his ARCA friends for his love of ARCA, the Wurlitzer and Dave Wickerham. He is greatly missed.
Tickets are Adults $25, Members $20, Students $5. Call 724-659-3153 or pay by cash or check at the door. Doors open at 1:30 PM.
The Wurlitzer Renovation Project
Do not miss this opportunity to hear the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer in this master’s hands, as this will be the only Wurlitzer concert of 2024 prior to the year-long Wurlitzer Organ Restoration Project.
Dave Wickerham shares a rich perspective about ARCA’s Wurlitzer renovation project:
“Theater pipe organs, like classic cars and fine antiques need proper restoration at least once every century. The Mighty McKissick Wurlitzer organ here in Foxburg, PA is no exception…It’s tired and needs YOUR HELP!
I invite you to join me on May 5, 2024 at Lincoln Hall for the final concert on the Wurlitzer before extensive professional restoration (by Jason Wiles) begins on the organ. I am truly honored to be back in Foxburg to perform this special concert to officially kickoff ARCA’s fundraising and capital campaign for this historic instrument!
Your efforts will help insure the continued functionality of the Mighty Wurlitzer and the JOY of this AMAZING American form of music performance, for the NEXT hundred years!!”
ARCA is grateful for the expert professional services of its Wurlitzer technician, Jason Wiles, who for the past ten years has been maintaining the instrument that audiences have come to love. He tunes and prepares the organ in advance and is on hand during concerts to go into the organ chamber and correct an errant cipher – should there be a “stuck” tone.
Jason and Dave Wickerham have worked together closely prior and during performances. Jason knows the Lincoln Hall Wurlitzer intimately and has been responsible for delivering to ARCA’s guest organists an instrument that allows them to express themselves and delight audiences, without revealing the instrument’s age or “wrinkles’.
Jason has been able to keep us blissfully unaware of hidden defects and his skillful ‘bandaid’ patches which always have allowed the show to go on.
During the renovation, Jason will remove the ‘bandaids’ and perform the major tasks necessary to return mechanical and electrical components to pristine condition. At the same time, a new, additional set of bass pipes donated by Dr. Arthur Steffee will be installed to provide those body-shaking vibrations we love in the lowest register.
At Dave Wickerham’s May 5 concert, the Wurlitzer Organ Restoration Project will be announced – informing the audience how they can participate in preserving the McKissick Mighty Wurlitzer for future generations. At intermission, thanks will be given to those who have already made leadership gifts – and the invitation will be extended for the audience to make a pledge or contribution this season to support the Restoration Project – purchasing a “Key, Pedal, Stop, Pipe or Rank” – and, as a result, have their name put on a plaque to be unveiled at the time of the debut of the newly renovated organ in the spring of 2025.
ARCA invites you to join us for the May 5 concert of Dave Wickerham and post-concert reception at the Red Brick Gallery as we initiate this Renovation project for artistic posterity. Your generosity can enable ARCA to fund this vital campaign and allow the instrument to play beyond our lifetimes to inspire and touch future generations.