South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center Presents FEMMES OF ROCK

(South Milwaukee, WI) – South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is excited to present FEMMES OF ROCK on Friday, October 12. The performance stars Bella Electric Strings™ led by rock violinist and arranger Nina DiGregorio who has electrified audiences worldwide featuring the music of AC/DC, Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Metallica, David Bowie, Pink Floyd, and more. New arrangements, original material, a live rock band, video, lights, choreography, comedy, and more can be expected in this high-energy show leaving audiences awed. The Bella Girls have performed with stars such as Beyoncé, Rod Stewart, Richard Marx, Shakira, Cheap Trick, Stevie Wonder and more. The only one of its kind, there are no other similar string acts operating at this level of production. They keep a busy touring schedule and are one of the most sought-after “hard rock” violin acts in the world.

FEMMES OF ROCK performed at Festa Italiana on the Summerfest grounds in 2017 for their first trip to Milwaukee. “There were possibly 500-600 people there at the start of our set,” observed Nina DiGregorio. When it ended 90 minutes later, Festa Entertainment Manager, Tim Kezman, estimated that there were close to 12,000 people who packed the grounds to see the performance. “South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center is thrilled to be able to present them on our stage this October,” says Rachel Sorce, SMPAC Executive Director.

About the Bella Girls

FEMMES OF ROCK have established themselves as an innovative, all-female, hard-rock quartet who’ve taken their classical instruments to another level. Nina DiGregorio always wanted to play rock and roll—but doing that on the violin wasn’t much of an option when she was growing up in upstate New York, she said. Today, however, she’s known as a pioneer of electric rock violin and performs rock covers with other classically trained female violinists. Most of them, including DiGregorio, have master’s degrees in violin performance.

FEMMES OF ROCK consists of four violinists that all work and mesh together phenomenally on stage, each taking turns in the spotlight to showcase their expertise and incredible musical skills. Also accompanying the group is a small band including a very skilled guitarist, a drummer and a bass guitarist. They released a new EP in March of this year that contains five songs that span different kinds of rock.  “We really ran the spectrum of the types of music that we are capable of covering,” said Nina DiGregorio, founder of the group.

“This is one of the most musically inventive and visually impressive lineups of artists I’ve seen in my time covering entertainment in Las Vegas. FEMMES OF ROCK is a highly coveted live act throughout Las Vegas and across the country, and after watching them perform it is easy to see why.” John Katsilometes/Entertainment Reporter, Las Vegas Weekly

“One word could never describe the FEMMES OF ROCK. Awesome, incredible, amazing, magnificent, spectacular, phenomenal, sensational, and on top of all that they are breathtakingly beautiful. The show was a huge success, almost a month later and I’m still receiving great comments.” Stan Lowery/Executive Director, The Don Gibson Theatre

“I hate having to follow a bunch of hot girls in short dresses playing Nirvana on violins.” Dana Carvey/Comedian

“Are you kiddin’ me? These FEMMES OF ROCK girls completely killed tonite! They are a COMPLETE show… incredible talent, a fabulous set list, and of course, an amazing look! I cannot wait to have them back!” Ron Onesti/President/CEO, The Onesti Entertainment Corporation

TICKETS

Tickets: Adult $35-50, Senior (ages 60+) $33-47, Student (ages 4 thru college) $20-30. Tickets may be purchased online at www.southmilwaukeepac.org or through our box office at 414-766-5049 or in person at 901 15th Avenue. Box office hours are M-F (by phone 10-4 and walk-up 10-1). If purchasing in person, ring bell at door #7 and show ID. Sales at the door open one hour before the show, while tickets last.

ABOUT SMPAC

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) provides the greater Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin communities with creative, innovative and diverse performing arts. Located inside of the South Milwaukee School District’s 6-12 campus, it serves students of South Milwaukee and provides professional services for more than 500 performances, rehearsals, classes and other events annually.

Past performances on our stage include Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, The Vienna Boys Choir, Flamenco Vivo Carlotta Santana, The Violent Femmes, Tommy Emmanuel, Legends Roundtable to Honor “Da Crusher,” Ex Fabula, Cirque Alfonse, The Official Blues Brothers Revue, John McGivern, George Watsky, Donny McCaslin, Robert Glasper, The Zombies, Jean Luc Ponty, Jon Anderson and many, many more.

SMPAC was voted as a top five Best Theatre in City Voter’s Milwaukee A-List Best Of contest in 2016 and 2017, receiving customer reviews such as “Great venue with fabulous events for all ages!” “Excellent and diverse touring artist performances showcased in a comfortable, friendly theatre away from the downtown crowds.” “There is not a bad seat in the house.” SMPAC was named the tri-city South Shore Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Award for 2017.

SMPAC’s annual Performing Arts Series is sponsored in part by the Avalon Theatre, Classic Cargo International Inc., Courtyard Marriott Milwaukee Airport, Sheridan House & Café, Skyline Catering & Express Deli, TASC Services LLC., and Ken Cook Co. Performances are supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of WI and the National Endowment for the Arts.

SMPAC is located inside of the South Milwaukee School District’s 6-12 campus, at 901 15th Avenue in South Milwaukee between College and Rawson Avenues. It is easily accessible from I-94 and 794. Free parking is available in the northwest parking lot. For events, patrons should enter door #9. For tickets or more information, visit southmilwaukeepac.org or call (414) 766-5049.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.