Pratt Opera House in Albion hosting musical event on June 4

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The drums, sound equipment and other instruments are ready for Sunday’s musical performances at the Pratt Opera House at 110-114 North Main St. in Albion.

This will be a rare musical event on the stage, one of only few in the past century. The event on Sunday starts at 2 p.m. and is expected to continue until 4:30 or 5 in an event called, “Sharing – the Joy of Music: Act 1.”

Michael Bonafede and his wife Judith Koehler has been working to restore the opera house since 2005. Bonafede hopes Sunday’ performances will be the beginning of a new era of live music on the third floor stage of the Pratt Music Hall. He has welcomed many of his friends and local musicians to perform on Sunday, and also is extending an invitation for other musicians to perform a solo on the stage, or bring their own band or play with the Pratt Music Hall Pit Band.

The pit band includes: Alona Kuhns – Bass; Don Mancuso – Guitar; Doug Egling & Marj Ketchum – Horns; Erin Moody – Vocals; Gary Simboli – Keyboard & vocals; Karen Conn – Vocals; Kate Egling – Vocals; Leon Corky Zak – keyboard; Lonnie Froman – Percussion; Mike Bonafede – Drums; Ron Albertson – Vocals; Shannon Vanderlaan – Vocals, Warren Jayne – Guitar.

The sound technicians include Larry “Rose” Crozier and DJ Button, with Mark Scarborough serving as the theater tech.

People are welcome to watch the musical acts in the theater. Spectators are encouraged to bring their own folding chairs, a cushion or a blanket for the show.

The Pratt Music Hall, built in 1882, has been a long-term project for the Bonafede-Koehler family and their friends.

They will be filming a promotional video for the theater as part of Sunday’s performance.

Tickets are available for free but people need to reserve a spot by calling Michael Bonafede at 585-749-1413, Judy Koehler at 585-749-1515 or DJ Button at 585-200-2400. Musicians seeking to perform should also call Bonafede.