by Matt Thiel
for The Beacon

SHEBOYGAN LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL’S newly-opened 600-seat Worship and Fine Arts Center will host a “Rooted and Rising” concert series beginning Oct. 16. – Submitted photo

In December of 2020, Sheboygan Lutheran High School completed and dedicated a brand-new Worship and Fine Arts Center on its campus located at 3323 University Drive, Sheboygan.

The building of a Worship and Fine Arts Center further demonstrated the school’s dedication and commitment to making the fine arts an integral part of a well-rounded, Christ-centered, transformational education at Sheboygan Lutheran.

The Fine Arts Center, which features a 600-seat theater, is a unique size for the greater Sheboygan area in that it provides ample seating room for larger events while still delivering an intimate viewing experience for every guest.

Sheboygan Lutheran High School (LHS) does not want to keep this beautiful facility to itself, however.

From day one, the vision of this project always included the notion that LHS would use the Worship and Fine Arts Center as a means reach out to the greater Sheboygan area by providing programming that promotes education, leadership, and the arts with an eye toward building fellowship within the community.

Beginning this Fall, Sheboygan Lutheran High School is proud to announce a partnership with a Milwaukee-based organization, Wisconsin Music Ventures to bring a brand new concert series to Sheboygan County entitled “Rooted and Rising: A Wisconsin Emerging Artist Concert Series”.

As the name implies, the six-concert series will feature up and coming artists that call Wisconsin, or the Upper Midwest, home. Each of the artists featured in this year’s lineup are ones you may not have heard of, yet, but are all extremely talented and span a wide variety of musical genres.

Kicking off the season on October 16th will be Americana singer/songwriter Zach Pietrini. Zach was recently voted Best Live Act in Milwaukee and has opened for Huey Lewis & and The News as well as Ray Wylie Hubbard.

November 13th will feature Ben Harold and the Rising, whose “roots to rock” music and performance channels the vibrant energy and stylings of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Bruce Springsteen.

Headlining the Christmas show on December 4th is world-renown accordion player Stas Venglevski with special guest Carmen Nickerson. Stas’ artistry, sensitivity, and dazzling technical command of his instrument has brought him increasing acclaim as a virtuoso on his instrument.

February 12th will feature a jazzy double bill of the Suzanne Grzanna Combo and the Marcya Daneille Combo. Both female vocalists and their fantastic backing musicians are sure to warm your heart over Valentine’s Day weekend.

Singer/songwriter Sam Ness will take the stage on April 2nd for the fifth concert in the series. Sam has been heralded as one of the fasted risers in the Madison music scene. Even at only 22 years old, his rugged charm combined with immense talent has many touting him as the next Jim Morrison.

The final show of the season will star Ugandian-born singer Ben Mulwana. Ben brings to the stage an effortless voice, soulful lyrics, and a diverse range of musical inspirations. His music has a storytelling quality that is both unique and familiar.