The Bay Theatre Hosts Free Concert with Jeff Haas, Laurie Sears & the Detroit All Stars

The newly renovated stage at The Bay Community Theatre will host “Building Bridges with Music” workshops for Suttons Bay K-12 students this week, plus a free concert for the entire community on October 15.

Building Bridges with Music founder and artistic director Jeff Haas explains that his TC-based nonprofit brings a multicultural and multi-generational band of some of Midwest’s best musicians into public schools. This Thursday and Friday, Suttons Bay students will walk over to the theater, where musicians will lead age-appropriate, interactive discussions about the importance of open-mindedness and respect.

Building Bridges with Music has conducted these anti-bullying workshops in over 700 schools throughout Michigan. 

“The workshops use music to engage the students, grab and keep their attention and open their hearts and minds,” Haas says. “As we tell the students, you don’t have to be friends with everyone, but you do need to treat everyone with respect, regardless of their background, race, religion or how they dress or walk or talk…”

He adds, “The discussion gets very real when each of the band members share very personal stories about how bullying and prejudice have impacted their lives. We wrap things up with a discussion about how we can practice improving our ability to be open-minded respectful, even of our siblings. And we talk about committing to being an upstanding rather than a bystander.”

Music plays a critical role in these workshops. “Not only does it entertain and engage but it also gives us all a chance to process some of our thoughts and feelings as the discussion gets personal,” notes Haas. “And my colleagues are world-class musicians, amazingly talented and committed to this program.”

To cap off the week, on Saturday, October 15 at 7pm, The Bay Community Theater will host a free concert featuring Detroit All-Stars Marion Hayden on bass, Anthony Stanco on trumpet and drummer Tariq Gardner along with TC’s Laurie Sears on sax and pianist/composer Jeff Haas. The concert will blend the musicians’ love for jazz, R&B, classical and world music. “Each of these great musicians brings so much passion and soul to my music. I am excited to share their incredible talent with my community,” says Haas.

Tickets for the October 15 performance are free and can be reserved online for a small processing fee. Depending on availability, free tickets will also be available at the door on the evening of the show. Donations will be encouraged and proceeds will benefit Building Bridges with Music and the Bay Community Theatre.

This Saturday's concert will be one of the first to utilize the new stage at the historic theater. The nonprofit invested $100K into upgrading the stage and curtains, green rooms, lighting, and electrical.

“After a major renovation of the stage at The Bay we are excited for a fabulous night of live music. This will be a night to remember,” says Rick Andrews, president of The Bay Community Theatre. Look for more live theater and concerts at The Bay starting now through the holidays.