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The Gold Rush’ Silent Movie

GRPM Silent Film & Organ Concert

March 8 @ 2:00 pm

Venue:

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Price:

General Admission: $25


Content Guidance Rating:

The Gold Rush by Charlie Chaplin 1925 silent film

In partnership with LaughFest, join the GRPM for the LaughFest Silent Film on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Participants will enjoy Charlie Chaplins’ film The Gold Rush, accompanied by organist Dave Calendine on the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ.

In this classic silent comedy, the Little Tramp (Charles Chaplin) heads north to join in the Klondike gold rush. Trapped in a small cabin by a blizzard, the Tramp is forced to share close quarters with a successful prospector (Mack Swain) and a fugitive (Tom Murray). Eventually able to leave the cabin, he falls for a lovely barmaid (Georgia Hale), trying valiantly to win her affections.

About Dave Calendine Organist

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 organists at the 2,678-seat movie palace. Theyoungest 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 House Organist for Detroit’s fabulous Fox Theatre, holding that position for 29 years now. He has also played for nine years for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes.

Dave is the organist for the Detroit Tigers MLB team at Comerica Park. He is also one of two organists for the Detroit Red Wings NHL team at Little Caesars Arena.

Dave has served on the Board of Directors for the American Theatre Organ Society. He is the past Chairman of the Board and current Treasurer for ATOS. He has also been the Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the Motor City Theatre Organ Society. He has also been on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Detroit Theatre Organ Society, as well as a former President of the Flint Theatre Organ Club, an auxiliary support group for the Flint Institute of Music.

Board of Trustees of the Musical Box Society, International (MBSI) and as a member of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors’ Association (AMICA) and The Carousel Organ Association of America (COAA). He is the past 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 awards, including being honored by the Governor of the State of Montana for his work on the Bovey Collection of Mechanical Instruments. His achievements there were also recognized in an Achievement Award by President George W. Bush.

Presenting Sponsor

Details

Date:
March 8
Time:
2:00 pm
Cost:
$25
Event Categories:
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Event Tags:
272 Pearl St NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49504 United States
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