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Concerts and Comedy for a Cause releases events schedule for season

ALPENA — The 2018-19 APlex Concerts and Comedy for a Cause schedule was released Tuesday and, beginning Saturday, some top-notch entertainment acts will perform in Alpena over the next few months.

Concerts and Comedy for a Cause utilizes volunteers from local nonprofit charity groups in the area and a portion of the proceeds goes toward their missions and goals.

According to Synchronizations Management owner Norm Sommerfeld, who manages the APlex, the volunteers will sell 50/50 tickets to raise money and the ticket sales also go toward the group or organization’s cause.

“We partner with local charities and they bring in four or five workers for the night,” he said. “They sell tickets in advance to help and, in return, they raise money, so it is a win-win for all of us.”

The series will kick off with a free show Saturday when hypnotist JimmyG will perform. Sommerfeld said he expects the show to be a hit and that there will be opportunities for people in attendance to participate in the show.

“It has been more than 10 years since we have had a hypnotist and I’m really excited,” Sommerfeld said. “I saw him a year ago and he is absolutely hilarious. Don’t worry about being pulled out of the audience, because he won’t do that, but he does have chairs on the stage and ask for people to volunteer for the show.”

On Oct. 13, comedian Mike Armstrong will be on stage and, on Oct. 20, B 2 Wins will perform. Dave Dyer will bring his comedy act to Alpena on Nov. 17 and the H Bone Groove Band will play Dec. 1. Dobie Maxwell will do his stand-up routine on Jan.19 and Brian McCree will do the same on Feb. 23.

Sommerfeld said the comics aren’t hardcore like many of the mainstream comedians, but their skits and routines will have an edge to them. He said they are rated somewhere between PG-13 and something less than R, using the movie rating scale.

“They are funny and walk a fine line, but don’t go as far as to offend anyone,” he said. “I have a consultant who helps me find the comedians who fit what we’re looking for and we have found a lot of good talent who aren’t nasty or controversial.”

Sommerfeld said there are a lot of other big events about to begin. He said the True North Radio Network Winter Concert Series will be back with great bands, including a Bob Seger tribute band and the always popular Tommy K Rock Show. He said WATZ will also host a concert when Stolen Horses performs on Oct. 27. Sommerfeld said partnering with the two radio stations helps to make sure there is top-notch entertainment through the winter months.

“They are great and have been our partners for quite a while,” he said. “I’m excited for this year because there is a strong line-up that will bring a lot of laughs and a lot of dancing.”

For more information, tickets or to reserve a table contact the APlex at 989-354-6164.

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