THELMA invites you to join us for another summer of music! This year there will be thirteen bands bringing all different genres of music!

Schedule Of Events

June 8, 2023

7 PM: Copper Box

Copper Box is a quartet based in Oshkosh, WI and was started in 2002 with co-founders, Danny Jerabek and Michelle LL (Jerabek). Danny grew up performing in his dad's band at the early age of 9 and was self-taught on button accordion (currently endorsed by Hohner Accordions), drums, trumpet, sax, etc. He married Michelle L Thull, who also performed in her dad's family band and they started Copper Box so they could be together on stage. With the help of some incredible talented musicians, Copper Box continues to deliver a punch in entertainment and musicality, playing familiar songs with a twist in a multi-genre accord (polka-rock-blues), as well as their own originals for concerts and events.

June 15, 2023

7 PM: Listening Party

Listening Party, The duo out of Milwaukee, WI present's a brand of Northern folk-rock that is driven by the light hearted story telling of singer-songwriter Weston Mueller and fueled by multi-instrumentalist, Jacob Wood.

June 22, 2023

7 PM: Good Morning Bedlam

Good Morning Bedlam has become an innovative force in the midwest folk scene. Their shows are known for their contagious energy, with members careening about the stage. With tight soaring three part harmonies, and thumping kick-drum, they captivate their audience night after night. Every song is a unique twist on what is generally dubbed as folk music. "We want to surprise our audience from song to song. Rather than creating our music to fit a genre, we allow it to be an outpouring of our own stories and unique sound," says Isaak, frontman of GMB. You will be treated to a haunting waltz, whistling, jazz scatting, and the euphoria of the violin melodies.

When it comes to their lyrical storytelling, Isaak says, "We're desperate to connect to people through the common human experiences that we write about and the exuberance of our live show. People have a lot of choices of how they'll kick-back, so we intend to deliver a show where they can be free–to share in whatever they need to–joy, grief, anger, gratefulness, or bedlam!"

June 29, 2023

7 PM: The Jimmys

THE JIMMYS combine the seasoned keyboard and Hammond B-3 organ talents of Jimmy Voegeli, the legendary blues guitarist Perry Weber on six-strings and vocals, drummer Chris Sandoval - veteran of the Tommy Castro band, the expertise of southern Wisconsin's finest bass guitar, and rounded out by an amazing horn section! Seven piece award winning blues and R&B band!

July 6, 2023

7 PM: Jesse Stratton Band

Born and raised in the Texas Hill Country, Jesse Stratton is a true and deep-rooted Texas Country / Americana artist who plays music chock-full of truth and raw emotion. Jesse's relevant and gripping songs display and showcase the multi-talented musicians who make up the Jesse Stratton Band.

Jesse is the lead vocalist in the band; also playing guitar, saxophone and harmonica. Alongside him are a few of Texas' finest musicians. Playing percussion in the band is Jesse's long-time friend, Kenny Martinez. The lead guitarist is Austin's own Tony Garossino - guitar instructor by day, rock star by night. The band's latest member is the soulful, smooth-playing bassist, Lyndsey Torrez.

The band is set to release a brand new, full-length album "Family and Friends" on October 1, 2021. This will be the band's third studio album, to go along with one live album. "Family and Friends" is a story-telling compilation of the relationships we share with others while navigating the ever-changing waters of life. This album was written in an original, relatable way, showing Jesse's songwriting ability in full-bloom. Ultimately, it gives the audience fresh lyrics to timeless concepts. The band's instrumentation is layered and captivating throughout, displaying the band's chemistry and longevity in an earful.

Jesse has been playing music since the age of 10. He started with the saxophone, which eventually landed him a scholarship to college for music composition and music business. He continues to play and learn an array of different instruments, but has always stuck to writing and performing songs with meaning and inspiration.

The Jesse Stratton Band formed in 2014, originally as a duo - Stratton and Martinez. Together with Garossino and Torrez, the band gives their listeners all the heart and soul live music longs for.

July 13, 2023

7 PM: 5 Card Studs

The 5 Card Studs are a group of veteran players whose diverse backgrounds combine to bring subtlety and precision to top 40 A.M. Gold hits and forgotten favorites. Their love and respect for music's artistic anomalies comes through in their deftly-executed renditions of songs whose performers you might not remember but the tunes you will.

They reach back to early years of rock and roll and hit all the strong points coming forward: sixties pop and soul, seventies rock, funk and disco as well as yacht rock favorites.

The Studs pride themselves on their attention to detail with guitar sounds meticulously worked out, string and horn parts not ignored, and vocals — well you need to see it to believe it! There's a reason this band opens for legends when they come through town.

July 20, 2023

7 PM: Artie West Quintet

What started in February 2022 as "Fayte and Friends" quickly became "The Artie West Quintet". The name change? Well, when you have a band with this calibre of musicians, one guy getting his name out front just ain't right! From the start we've been shaking up the Fox Valley with an exciting mix of rockabilly, honky tonk, and classic country music.

Plans to record some original music over the winter got bumped, but we're still planning on getting to the studio in 2023 to lay down tracks.

Speaking of recording, I've wrapped up my personal project entitled, "The Other," a collection of songs written by my dear friend the late, great Joe "Snare" Vosen. The songs are available as an EP on my band camp page . I miss my buddy Joe every day, and this was a way for me to honor him and keep his memory alive. Those of you who remember Joe as one of the original drummers for Rocket 8 will dig hearing his rockabilly-tinged song, "The Ballad of Gusty Winds."

July 27, 2023

7 PM: The Astronomers

Composed of lifelong middle school best friends Michael and Ben, the two have grown in their friendship and skillsets from sixth-grade band to releasing a number one hit on local pop radio. Describing their music as a take on alternative pop, The Astronomers take alternative to a whole new level.

August 3, 2023

7 PM: Unity the Band

Kai "Pita" Katobalavu, the lead singer of Unity the Band, was born in Suva City, the capital of the Fiji Islands. In Fiji, there was no formal music curriculum in the schools. By listening to and singing native songs, Kai taught himself to play a wide range of instruments including a wooden drum, called the lali. He also learned the meke, which is a complex combination of voices and dance, and is often used in times of war. Native dance was an integral part of his life. At a very young age, Kai followed his uncle's band, The Blue Ribbon, based out of Tailevu. This band had a modern sound and opened his eyes to the vastness and power of music.

At the age of 10, Kai heard the album Soul Rebel, by Bob Marley and the Wailers, and discovered reggae had a similar beat to the native music of his islands. It was the message of a colorless existence, and the indefatigable struggle against oppression, that motivated him to pursue his own music. Kai wanted to send a similar message of inspiration, in the Pacific Islands, and became a reggae musician.

In addition to seeing The Blue Ribbon, Kai traveled around the islands and listened to other local bands. At the age of fifteen he heard the first reggae band out of New Zealand, called Herbs, at a Greenpeace assembly, in Suva City. Herbs represented the Pacific Islands, a minority in the world, and gave them a voice; Kai wanted to be part of this.

In 1988, after the first coups in Fiji, Kai moved to the Hawaiian Islands to be close to his parents and pursue a dream of becoming a working musician. He formed a band called the Polynesian Connection that combined reggae, ska, and rock. He also played in several luau bands, but was never fully satisfied.

Then, in 2002, Kai, or Pita, as so many people in the Midwest know him, moved to Wisconsin. There, he found fertile ground where he could continue his music and share his original reggae with a new audience. Wisconsin has provided a generous opportunity for Kai to refine his own sound and also assemble a broad and wonderfully diverse fan base, in the Midwest. Kai hopes he and Unity can become a bridge to his remote part of the world.

August 10, 2023

7 PM: Random Max

Random Maxx…. is fast becoming one of Milwaukee's premier power-pop/rock bands, garnering praise from every group they play with, and at every locale they play. Fantastic, rich 5-part harmonies; a bold, crowd-pleasing selection and execution of cover music (70's to current-day); melodies that stick in your head days after you hear them; and a fun and inviting stage show are their trademarks.
"Their infectious arsenal of wit, grit, melody and heart renders one a willing captive…what stands tall is a dizzyingly original brand of power pop, something they make look so easy, where many bands of the idiom fall so short." - Mike Hoffman, producer of Rock Star Parking (their latest commercial release)

August 17, 2023

7 PM: Bella Cain Unplugged

What do you get when you're looking for the hottest "Top 40 Country Group" in the area?…..WAMI!

WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) "Country Group of the Year" - Bella Cain!

With amazing musicianship, unmatched high energy onstage, production that includes one of the premier sound and light shows in the business, musical variety not seen before on the regional Country Music scene and a sound all their own…Bella Cain is winning the hearts of many all over the Midwest.

Established in 2010, Bella Cain has become one of the largest and most "in-demand" Top 40 Country Groups in the region. Equipped with their own tour bus, trucks, production and staff, they are performing over 120 shows a year and playing in multiple states. With over 23 members in the band, that include: Musicians, Dancers, Sound and Light Engineers, Techs/Crew, Merchandise Staff and Drivers. Performing at every major musical event, arena, venue, club, country bar, honky tonk, casino, outdoor music festival, corporate event and concert across the Midwest they can be seen rock'n the stages of Country Thunder, Country USA, SummerFest, FM106 and US-99 Sponsored Events, Navy Pier, WI State Fair, Allstate Arena, Bradley Center as well as headlining many fairs and private festivals in IL, WI, IN and MI just to name a few.

Entering into their 11th year, Bella Cain has had the honor and privilege of sharing the stage with such National Headliners as: Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Colt Ford, The Nelsons, Phil Vassar, BIG and RICH, Jason Aldean, Jerrod Nieman, Justin Moore, Lee Brice, Bucky Covington, Chris Cagle, Parmalee, Dustin Lynch, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Joe Nichols, Phil Vasser, Glorianna, Jason Derulo, Little Big Town, Maggie Rose, Chris Young, Blake Shelton and The Oak Ridge Boys.

This fantastic group of performers bring pure talent to every Bella Cain show. NO TRACKS, NO HARMONIZERS or ADDED VOCALS/PRE-RECORDED PARTS! What you hear and see is 100% Bella Cain and they pride themselves on delivering the best "Live" musicianship to the stage each and every night! Original members Jackie Bucher and Judson Brown lead it off with vocals, while Bella Cain's own Patrick Murphy delivers outstanding male lead vocals. 4-5 part harmonies are the bands signature sound and backup lead vocals are present on many of their songs with the additional lead singing ability of Fred Krubel. Two of the best guitar players in the business (Jud Brown and Fred Krubel) shock audiences with a big guitar sound and impressive solo's. The rhythm section of Rob Harvey (drums) and Sara Marie (bass) are impressive as they lay down a solid groove, tight pocket and at the right time a …THUNDEROUS "sit you back in your seat" experience. We even have our own horns section (Kevin Klemme and Mike Clobes) to add an extra bit of groove to the show. The best part…Bella Cain delivers practically every instrument country fans have come to love and expect with double fiddles, banjo, harmonica, piano, slide guitar, acoustic guitar, thunderous drums and bass …Bella Cain does it all.

The band has also recently started working on original songs!

Bella Cain is proudly sponsored by: Coors Light, State Farm, Music Center, Rapco Horizon Cables, Body Craft Inc.

If you are looking for the best in Regional Country Music with a twist… a group that delivers a young, high energy, non-stop, in your face musical experience…state-of-the-art moving LED/laser light show, visual effects and a stellar sound… talent compared to that straight out of Nashville… you found it in BELLA CAIN!

August 24, 2023

7 PM: Throwback Stereo

Do you miss the 90's? Throwback Stereo is a 90's cover band, bringing a high-energy show from the best of music's most popular decade. This band is doing it the right way! Playing the hits and putting a tight band on stage to perform them every night. You will hear it all, songs you know every word to and the "Geez, I forgot about this song" moment that we all love. Either way you're sure to have a blast at a TS show!

The goal of a Throwback Stereo show is to take you back to in time for a little while and let you jam, dance, and sing to some of your favorite music, so check it out, you won't want to miss these guys!

August 31, 2023

7 PM: Katz Sass

"Take the music past where you found it." A modern day blues/rock band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with roots in Texas blues topped with a taste of 1960's British and Irish blues guitar influence.

This award winning band is a 2013, 2014 and 2016 WAMI Nominee for Blues Artist of the Year! They also won the 2013 Grafton Blues Challenge and People's Choice Award. They were voted runner up for Milwaukee's Best Blues Band in the Shepherd Express Best Of Milwaukee 2008.

Dates: June 8 - August 31, 2023

Time: 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Bar Opens: 6 PM
Music Start: 7 PM

Location:
Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts
51 Sheboygan Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935

Free admission and open to the public.

Click here for more information.