Lakeland Community Concert Association’s 2015-16 season kicks off next week when The Bulldogs perform Oct. 3 at Rodeheaver Auditorium, Winona Lake. The Bulldogs replace Greg Buchanan, the artist originally scheduled for the evening, who required brain surgery earlier this year and is unable to make his fall tour. Starting at 7 p.m., The Bulldogs play rock ’n’ roll of the 1950s and 1960s. The band is from the Fort Wayne area and used to be known as Spike and the Bulldogs. “Spike” retired about two years ago, but the Bulldogs kept playing all over northern Indiana and surrounding communities, according to a press release from the LCCA. Anyone not holding a season ticket for the concert season can purchase tickets at the door for $20 per person. Season tickets are available for $45 for all five concerts. For more information, contact Grant Magner, 4107 E. Potawatomi Drive, Leesburg, IN 46538-9372 or by phone at 574-453-2177. The second concert of the season also will take place in October when the Purdue Glee Club takes the Rodeheaver stage Oct. 18 at 2 p.m. “With integrity, passion, unparalleled showmanship and attention to every detail, the men of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club have proudly served as ambassadors of the university with honor and dignity for more than 120 years,” states the press release. “This dynamic musical troupe employs a versatile repertoire including gospel, vocal jazz, swing, contemporary hits, romantic ballads, classical choral selections, barbershop, folk melodies, patriotic standards, familiar opera choruses, country and novelty tunes, and utilizes small groups and outstanding soloists to further enhance each show.” Broadway singer Franc D’Ambrosio performs at 7 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Rodeheaver. He is best known for his role as the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera.” With over 2,300 performances, he held the title of “World’s Longest Running Phantom” for a decade, according to the release. D’Ambrosio studied under Luciano Pavarotti for a summer in Italy. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra returns to Warsaw for its annual Christmas show at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center. Now performing its 67th season, the Orchestra has been part of Fort Wayne’s musical heritage continously since its debut in October 1944. It expanded its concert programming in the 1945-46 season. Its 480 orchestra and chamber ensemble performances are attended by more than 220,000 people, according to the release. Concluding the season will be “A Tribute to Neil Diamond – Denny Diamond” at 7 p.m. May 14 at Rodeheaver. Since his appearance on Dick Clark’s television show “Your Big Break” in 2000, Denny Diamond has become “one of the most sought after Neil Diamond tribute artists in the U.S.,” according to the release. Joined by his sons, they perform music by many of the top stars from yesterday.
