Thrasher Opera House Presents

Our friends in Gangstagrass returned to Thrasher Opera House on May 13, hear what they've been up to.

Artist Ana Egge joins the Thrasher Opera House Presents podcast to talk about her upcoming show with Iris Dement in Green Lake, Wisconsin, on Friday, May 12 at 7:30 p.m. Ana chats about making her way to Brooklyn, Iris as a mentor, and how cool it is just to be doing what she is doing.

We talk with artist Mike Farris. We discuss his past work as the Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies' lead singer and his simple life philosophy.

On this episode, we chat with Thrasher Opera House's new Box Office & Events Manager, Kayla.

Dan Augustine is a Madison area artist responsible for designing the current Cedar Ridge Sessions poster art.

We talk with Nashville artist Kyshona about her work as a music therapist turned performer, her social activism, and the people she loves to empower. Kyshona performs at Thrasher Opera House on Saturday, April 29. Tickets are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279

Board of Directors member Tim Lyke visits Thrasher Opera House Presents to talk about Session Americana, JD Souther, Jimmy Webb, and more great shows he has attended. Thanks Tim!

Rachael joins Jason at Hometown Broadcasting for Radio Day 2023 to chat about upcoming shows, the Summer Release Party, and more.

In this episode, we chat with Danielle of the Danielle Nicole Band—a powerhouse blues/rock trio with a soulful sound that will shake the stage. Jason goes full fan boy.

Hometown Broadcasting's Mike Casper talks with Jim Rea of The HillBenders about their upcoming show on February 11 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets still remain at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279

Over his ten studio albums, it’s clear that A.J. Croce holds an abiding love for all types of musical genres: Blues, Soul, Pop, Jazz, and Rock n’ Roll. A virtuosic piano player, Croce toured with B.B. King and Ray Charles before age 21. Over his career, he has performed with many musicians, from Willie Nelson to the Neville Brothers, Béla Fleck to Ry Cooder. A.J. has also co-written songs with such formidable tunesmiths as Leon Russell, Dan Penn, Robert Earl Keen, and multi-Grammy winner Gary Nicholson. His albums have all charted and done so on an impressive array of charts: Top 40, Blues, Americana, Jazz, College, and Radio 1. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter has also landed 20 singles on various Top 20 charts. While it’s clear A.J.’s recordings and shows span many aforementioned genres, his tastes and extended influences reach even further to classical styles and world music styles, from Latin Jazz to music from Africa, Eastern Europe, and India.  Tickets for A.J. Croce at Thrasher Opera House on February 4 are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com

Returning from her recent performance at the London Jazz Festival, WAMI Hall of Famer, Janet Planet performs the beautifully crafted love songs of 5X Grammy-winning composer Johnny Mandel.  Sit back and relax with someone you love at a romantic table in our newly designed cabaret setting.  Tickets are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279

The Missoula Children's Theatre returns to Thrasher Opera House in January of 2023 for its 40th production on January 21.  Auditions will be held on January 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Thrasher Executive Director Rachael Avery chats with Missoula Directors Josie & Nicole, who are excited to be coming to Green Lake, WI.

Robin Spielberg is one of America’s most beloved pianist/composers. With an impressive tour schedule and eighteen recordings, this Steinway Artist has been winning the hearts of listeners around the world with her compelling melodies and sensitive piano technique since debuting her first recording of original solos for piano, “Heal of the Hand.” This evening will include Robin’s gorgeous arrangements for the season, from traditional Christmas carols to winter favorites, as well as tales from the bench that uplift and inspire.  Thanks to a grant from Arts Midwest, high school choir students will join Spielberg on the Thrasher stage for a public holiday performance that incorporates the joy of the season with sing-a-longs, meaningful reflection, fun stories, and concert films which will leave the audience feeling uplifted and in the spirit of the season.  Tickets for the show on December 10 are $24 and are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com or by calling 920.294.4279

Making their Wisconsin debut is Damn Tall Buildings from Brooklyn, NY.  Whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the four members of Damn Tall Buildings blend elements of bluegrass, blues, roots-rock, and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound.  "If you like your bluegrass served with a little punch, attitude, grit, and gravy, with that busking spirit that was so present and palpable in the early incarnations of Old Crow Medicine Show... then the Damn Tall Buildings will slide in nice as a welcome addition to your listening rotation." — Savingcountrymusic.com  

Get your tickets for Damn Tall Buildings at www.thrasheroperahouse.com

Our director Rachael Avery chats with the members of Harmonious Wail about their upcoming November 18, 2022 show at Thrasher Opera House.    Tickets are available at:  www.thrasheroperashouse.com

Wayne Mausser of Hometown Broadcasting's WAUH-FM The Bug 102.3 interviews drummer Max Weinberg who brings his Jukebox show to Thrasher Opera House on Saturday night, October 22.    

Tickets:  https://www.thrasheroperahouse.com/event/max-weinbergs-jukebox-2/

Thrasher's Director Rachael chats with Doug & Telisha of Nashville, TN, Wild Ponies.  Great Folk, Country, and Americana, music will fill the Thrasher Opera House on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com

Comedian Tim Cavanagh joins the podcast to chat and sing about his upcoming show with Brian Hicks at Thrasher Opera House in Green Lake Wisconsin on Saturday, September 10 at  7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com

Comedian Steve Gillespie joins the Thrasher Opera House Podcast to talk about his upcoming show at Thrasher Opera House on August 20.  Steve is also bringing along fellow comedians, Ryan Kahl and Senthil Rajasekharan

Green Lake's LakeAPalooza is coming up on August 27th.  We chat with Mike & Jill Havey about the event.  

This week we talk with Blues artist Janiva Magness, whose latest release, "Hard to Kill," debuted at number six on the Billboard Blues Charts, and the song "Strong as Steel" has climbed to number one on Blues Radio charts.  Janiva will be at Thrasher Opera House on August 13.  Tickets are available at www.thrasheroperahouse.com

Thrasher's Jason Mansmith chats with comedian/actor/performer Rick Alfonso from The Second City.  The show comes to Green Lake on Saturday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m.

Thrasher's Rachael Avery chats with zydeco, swamp blues, Louisiana blues, and boogie-woogie legend Marcia Ball, who performs on Saturday, July 9th at 7:30 p.m.

Rachael and Riley review the summer schedule, including Scott Kirby, Missoula Children's Theater, and maternity.

Thrasher Opera House Executive Director Rachael Avery talks with performer Scott Kirby.  Singer, songwriter, guitarist, storyteller, sailor, and road warrior are all words that aptly describe Scott Kirby.

Rachael and Jason talk about the upcoming show by J.D. Simo.

Rachael and Riley talk about Thrasher history, and about the upcoming Suffers show.

The Chicago-born and Nashville-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer connects the missing link between Motown and Woodstock as he fuses fluid and fiery fretwork with vital and vulnerable vocals. JD has been acclaimed by Rolling Stone, NPR, Guitar Player, Relix, No Depression, and more.  Host by Rachael Avery, Executive Director of Thrasher Opera House.  

We chat with the lead singer of The Suffers Kam Franklin. Who is Kam? A singer-songwriter, performance artist, activist, writer, and orator

Rachael speaks with Sam Handley, the Executive Director of the Green Lake Festival of Music.

Rachael and Riley talk about the upcoming show with Corky Siegel and Randy Sabien.

We recap a busy weekend at Thrasher and talk with Green Lake School District music teacher Bob Curley in this edition of Thrasher Opera House Presents.

Even though the show is sold out, you can still hear some stories from the one and only Roger McGuinn!  Wayne Mausser of The Bug WAUH FM 102.3 interviewed the musical legend about his musical influences, how he came up with his unique sound, and being one of the first folk singers to use an electric guitar.

Rachael interviews Jason Menting. They discuss collaboration between bands, and the upcoming show with The People Brothers Band.

Rachael interviews Thrasher Opera House Board President Michael Shohoney - what got him involved here at Thrasher and some special moments he's experienced as a board member and audience member. Mike also talks about the new lighting upgrade taking place soon!

Special thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for production of this podcast.

This week we air Rachael's Radio Day interview to learn about the exciting things happening at Thrasher Opera House.

Riley returns from a trip to Norway, where he, among other things, attended an Experimental Music Festival (how cool is that?), we talk about Carlene Carter's upcoming show (a surprise instrument may make an appearance at this show) and Jason interviews next week's band, Mountain Heart.

Thanks to concert sponsor: Elite Marble. Special thanks to Thin Ice Sound (Riley Icenogle) for production of this podcast.

Rachael Avery chats with Thrasher Opera House Board of Directors member and house photographer Ric Damm. Thrasher is grateful to have a photo archive of concerts now, thanks to Ric. His journey with concert photography is just getting started, but he's now taken pictures at several WI venues and festivals, and looks forward to many more.

Special thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for the production of this podcast. 

Rachael talks with new Marketing Director Jason Mansmith.  Everything from college classes to being nerds.  Thrasher is excited to welcome Jason as part of the team!

Rachael chats with Socks in the Frying Pan, a band coming to Thrasher from Ireland. What's with the name? Tune in to find out.

Special thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for the production of this podcast.

Rachael chats with Roby, who quite possibly knows more about this opera house than anyone else. What started as a contractor job during the restoration, turned into a 20 + year journey bringing the organization through many milestones. Today you'll hear about what it was like to attend the very first booking conference, to what it was like the first time Thrasher presenting something mildly "controversial". 

Special thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for the production of this podcast.

Rachael interviews the members of Gangstagrass - a band that combines elements of bluegrass and hip hop to create one amazing show. The two hosts also chat about the benefits of seeing a show in a small hall, like Thrasher, and why its worth taking a chance on a band you may have never seen or heard of before. 

This concert is sponsored by Guaranty Closing & Title Services. Special Thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for production of this podcast. 

Rachael Interviews Cathy, from the band Dervish, who will be coming to Thrasher straight from Ireland on 2/25/22. She also asks Riley about memorable times with tech during a concert: Tech Fails and Tech Wins.

Special thanks to Riley at Thin Ice Productions for the production of this podcast. 

This week we chat with Pokey LaFarge, an artist who will be performing  at Thrasher for the fist time on February 18, 2022. His Midwest tour only has three stops, only ONE of which is in WI (hint...that's us!).  

Thanks to our hospitality sponsor - Heidel House Hotel & Conference  Center. Special thanks to Thin Ice Productions (Riley Icenogle) for production of this  podcast.

This week we chat with Thrasher favorite, Willy Porter, about his upcoming show - and find out that he's bringing a whole 'lotta musicians with him for this concert! His annual concerts at Thrasher are a high point in our season, and he always brings a little something different to the stage each time he is here. 

Thanks to show sponsors: Pinnacle Plumbing, and the Diedrich Agency. Special thanks to Thin Ice Productions (Riley Icenogle) for production of this  podcast.

In our first podcast episode, we interview Skerryvore and Missoula Children's Theater directors.