Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By ZACHARY MARANO
Ironwood — Fans of Billy Joel will have the next best thing to seeing the songwriter in person with the 52nd Street band playing his music in a concert at the Historic Ironwood Theatre on Feb. 10.
“This is a full concert show packed with hits from start to finish and features ‘spot on’ performances of the songs that made the ‘piano man’ from Brooklyn one of the top selling and beloved artists of all time. With a grand piano at center stage and an energetic performance from the support cast, 52nd Street is a show that people will talk about for months,” a press release from the HIT says.
52nd Street is an eight-piece band featuring Tony Goff on lead vocals; Joe Hite on piano and vocals; Rudy Z on bass; Junior Gamez on drums; Kris Crow on triangle, keyboards, accordion, harmonica, saxophone and vocals; Peter Neumer on saxophones; Randy Komberec on guitars; and Joy Bach on background vocals and percussion. Hite previously performed at the HIT with American Idol headliner Naima Adedapo in 2014.
The show will also have a special guest: Michael Genisot, 16, of Hurley. Genisot will appear with the 52nd Street band to sing a hit by Joel, one of his favorite artists.
According to the press release, Genisot started singing at 5 years old for a school Christmas concert and now sings with the Hurley High School Choir and Garage Choir. He is also a Camp Cornerstone worship leader and collector of vinyl records. HIT artist liaison Vic Calore said that Genisot is a nephew of the district administrator and son of two former teachers at Hurley K-12.
The concert is at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with Kelly’s wine bar open. Calore said that the show was originally scheduled on Feb. 13 but was moved to Feb. 10 because of Super Bowl Sunday.
The press release from the HIT says that face masks are required, regardless of vaccination status and all patrons, staff and volunteers must wear a face mask covering the mouth and nose at all times. Face shields are not an acceptable alternative and if people do not have a mask, the theater will provide one at no cost. The release also requests that people experiencing COVID or flu-like symptoms stay home.
For ticket and other information, call the theater office at 906-932-0618.
