Author: Maureen Duthie
Guess what week it? Well it's the BWIB of course! Don't know what that stands for? To many band members this acronym stands for the “Best Weekend in Band” and it's something they are all extremely excited for which is very apparent online with multiple status updates, tweets and changed profile pictures. These guys love what they do and they're ready to put on a great show! Whether it's your first time attending the UW Varsity Band Concert or you've gone for the last 10+ years, you are in for a treat.
This year's theme is “Nobody Does It Better: 20 Years at the Kohl” (also informally renamed as “This One's for Mike”), which celebrates the concert's 20th year in the Kohl Center and it 43rd concert overall. If you've attended any of the Badger football games last year you're sure to recognize many songs from their halftime shows including music from “The Lion King,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” the Beach Boys and versions of classics like “An American in Paris” and “Sing, Sing, Sing,” plus all of your Fifth Quarter favorites (mine include, “Hey Baby,” “If You Want to be a Badger,” and “Swingtown”)!
Unfortunately, something we will not see at this year's concert are the flying stunts done by beloved band director, Mike Leckrone. This is because back in late January, Leckrone underwent double-bypass heart surgery and is still in the recovery stage. Now although this affects the kind of activities he can perform for this year's show, I know that he'll give us an energetic show regardless, still including all of the corny puns and the sparkly, white tuxedo.
There is still time to purchase tickets for this one-of-a-kind performance. Show dates are this Thursday, Friday and Saturday on April 20th-22nd at the Kohl Center. All shows begin at 7 P.M. Tickets are $23 dollars each night and on Thursday evening there is a $15 student ticket special available online using the promo code “2017VBCSTUDENT” or at the McGinnis Family Athletic Ticket Office at Gate 1 of Camp Randall Stadium with a student ID. There is also a group rate on Thursday evening for groups of 8+ for $18 tickets.
ORDER TICKETS HERE!
