MOONLIGHT SERENADE BACK; TO BE HELD FEB. 10 AT LEGION

Moonlight Serenade, featuring the Route 68 Big Band, was such a success last year that it will return on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the American Legion.
The event will be held from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 (cash or check) at the door and include appetizers, desserts and beverages.
"I felt that overall, the event (last year) was successful," said John Voit, who will again direct the Route 68 band that will perform around 25 numbers. "Everyone seemed to have had a good time."
In the past, Route 68 annually performed in February for the Chocolate Affair, a fundraising event for the library. But that event was cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 and has not returned. So, Voit decided to hold "Moonlight Serenade" as a replacement.
"The band always enjoyed playing for the Chocolate Affair," Voit said. "We wanted to bring back something similar to it once Covid subsided. I felt that it was a good event for the community."
Band members and vocalistss include: Ryan Juutilainen and Brandon Ulstad, alto saxophone; Ross Anderson and Laney Myhre, tenor saxophone; Lon Wright, baritone saxophone; Chris Witherow, Mike Helgeson, Joe Cheadle and Dawn VanKeulen, trumpet; Chris Shuckhart, Neal Bot, Terry Louwagie and Brad Louwagie, trombone; Zach Haltvik, guitar; Wes Myers, bass guitar; Mary Kay Rabaey, piano; Dane Nordquist, drums; and Paula Dovre and Chris Shuckhart, vocalists. "We rehearse Monday evenings in the band room at Minneota High School," Voit said. "We started rehearsing for this event on Jan. 15. We have played all of the songs before, so we are familiar with them. However, we are not repeating anything that we played last year, so we are making sure that we are prepared."
Voit was asked what he would tell someone to expect who has not previously been to the Chocolate Affair or Moonlight Serenade.
"I would tell them to expect to hear some great jazz music, do some dancing, and have some food," he responded. "It's a fun evening and an enjoyable atmosphere."