If you love high-quality entertainment and have a fondness for the greatest rock ‘n’ roll hits of the ’40s and ’50s, you might be interested in Campus Life’s next Eastern Excursion.
A bus will depart from Eastern Michigan University’s campus Jan. 26 for Detroit’s Max M. Fisher Music Center to attend Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s Winter Dance Party.
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra will pay tribute to the pioneers of rock ‘n’ roll, including Ritchie Valens, J.P. Richardson Jr. (aka The Big Bopper) and Buddy Holly, by playing orchestrated versions of their greatest hits.
Some of the songs you can expect to hear are “La Bamba” by Valens and “Chantilly Lace” by The Big Bopper. Holly wrote numerous popular songs during the ’50s and sure to be on the program for the night are “Peggy Sue,” “That’ll Be the Day” and “Words of Love.”
“It will be really cool to see how they’ve orchestrated these songs,” Bily Simmons, EMU student program coordinator for Campus Life, said.
Despite its name, the Winter Dance Party will be a sit-down concert. There is no dress code for the venue, but the website said concertgoers typically dress in sweaters, vests, suits and slacks.
Check-in for the event is at 5:30 on Jan. 26 at the information desk on the second floor of the Student Center. The bus will depart for the Winter Dance Party at 6 p.m. and return around 9:30 p.m.
Tickets for the Excursion are $10 for EMU students with a student ID and $35 for the general public. There is a limit of one student-priced ticket per EMU ID.
Tickets for the event are still available. There is enough space on the bus for 55 people, so spots are first come first serve.
The price includes the bus ride to and from Detroit, as well as admission to the concert. Tickets can be purchased at any EMU ticket office or online at www.emutix.com.
“It’s an honor to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,” Simmons said. “It’s something anyone should do at some point.”
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra started in 1887 and continues to play throughout metro Detroit with a strong fan base. The DSO will be returning to New York’s renowned Carnegie Hall in May for the first time in 17 years. For more information visit www.dso.org.
The Winter Dance Party Excursion is one of many trips hosted by Campus Life this semester. Other Eastern Excursions include the “Lion King” on Feb. 23 at the Detroit Opera House and the “Book of Mormon” March 15 at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit.
Visit the Campus Life website for more information about Eastern Excursions and other events.