Theatre Organ Concert feat. Dave Calendine

See, hear and experience silent film just as it would have been presented in our historic theatre in the 1920s!

Join us for a family–friendly evening of music and film with Fox Theatre organist Dave Calendine, presented in conjunction with the 42nd Annual Mid-Am Band Organ Rally hosted by American Flags & Poles.

The night will open with an audience sing-along of “Music of the Mouse: Music from the Walt Disney Songbook,” featuring favorite tunes from classic Disney movies and cartoons.

Then the program will step back in time for the Buster Keaton silent film comedy, The Balloonatic, with live accompaniment provided on the organ by Calendine.

Dave Calendine

Dave Calendine, a Warren, Ohio native, started his musical career with the player piano at the age of 3.  By age 5, he was playing some of the music without the aid of the player mechanism.  By age 7, he was playing at his church, where he also started to teach himself the organ at age 15.

When at age 16, Dave first heard the magnificent sound of the theatre organ, he was instantly hooked and determined to play the theatre organ at whatever the cost.  His wish came true when, one night after a movie, the management of the Akron Civic Theatre let him play.  Shortly after that, he was hired as one of the house organist at the 2,678-seat movie palace.  The youngest person to ever hold the position, he entertained audiences there for over 3 years.

After leaving the Akron Civic Theatre, he continued on, playing at several restaurants featuring theatre pipe organs, such as the Organ Grinder (Toronto, Canada), and Shady Nook (Cincinnati, Ohio).  Dave has also played several theatre pipe organs throughout the United States and Canada.

In 2000, he went on his first overseas solo concert tour through Germany and Switzerland, playing to packed houses.

Dave currently holds the position of Resident Organist and organ curator for Detroit’s fabulous Fox Theatre, holding that position for 25 years now.  He has also played nine years for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes.

Dave’s enthusiasm for the theatre and theatre pipe organ has him serving on the Board of Directors and Corporate Secretary for the American Theatre Organ Society.  He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Motor City Theatre Organ Society, which owns and operates the Redford Theatre in Detroit.  He is also on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Detroit Theatre Organ Society, which owns and operates the Senate Theatre.  He was also the President of the Flint Theatre Organ Club, an auxiliary support group for the Flint Institute of Music.

Dave’s love of mechanical musical instruments also has him actively involved with the Musical Box Society, International (MBSI).  He is currently Chairman of the Mid-America Chapter of MBSI, and past secretary of the Lake Michigan Chapter of MBSI.  His work with mechanical instruments has garnered him various awards, including being honored by the Governor of the State of Montana for his work on restoring the Bovey Collection of Mechanical Instruments, one of the largest public displays of mechanical music in the United States of America.  His achievements there were also recognized in an Achievement Award by President George W. Bush.

For his regular employment, Dave works in the Operations Department of Olympia Entertainment, one of the nation’s premier presenters of sports and live entertainment, operating several venues in Detroit, including the Fox Theatre, City Theatre, Hockeytown Café, Joe Louis Arena (current home of the 11-time Stanley Cup-winning Detroit Red Wings) and Comerica Park (home of the American League Champion Detroit Tigers). Opening in September of 2017 will be the new Little Caesars Arena, which will be home to both the Detroit Red Wings and the Detroit Pistons.

In the fall of 2007, Dave was honored by being inducted into the Achievement Hall of Fame at his high school, Champion High School, in Warren, Ohio.   The first person to be inducted for the performing arts, he was nominated by several of his former teachers.

Dave is organist at his church, Southminster Presbyterian Church in Taylor, Michigan.

Currently 45 years old, Dave resides in Detroit, Michigan.