The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center presents bluegrass band Monroe Crossing live on stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The concert is part of the Folk in Fredonia Gilman Family Music Series.

Named in honor of Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Monroe Crossing dazzles audiences with an electrifying blend of classic bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and heartfelt originals. Their superb musicianship and on-stage rapport have entertained audiences across the United States, Canada and Europe.

Based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, Monroe Crossing plays an average of more than 100 shows a year in intimate rooms, at major venues, and outdoor festivals. They are favorites among bluegrass connoisseurs and non-bluegrass audiences alike. (They love introducing newcomers to bluegrass music!)

The band is made up of four very distinct personalities with differing musical backgrounds. When combined, their individual histories make for a very unique ensemble sound. Band members are:  Mark Anderson – bass & vocals; Lisa Fuglie – fiddle & lead vocals; Derek Johnson – guitar & lead vocals; and Matt Thompson – mandolin & harmony vocals.  The group also uses a variety of talented banjo players, all of whom are alumni to the group.  Because they met through the music of Bill Monroe, they like to say they had a “Monroe Crossing.”

In 2007 Monroe Crossing was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. They have twice been selected to showcase at the annual World of Bluegrass convention hosted by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). They have also appeared twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2016, the band had the honor of being the first Minnesota bluegrass band to perform in South Korea.

Monroe Crossing has recorded 17 albums to date. The band’s diverse discography consists of traditional bluegrass, original bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, a tribute to Bill Monroe, classic country, Christmas music and two collaborations with the award-winning choir Vocal Essence.

Whether playing traditional bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, original bluegrass, or even songs outside the bluegrass genre, Monroe Crossing is one of the most active and most entertaining acts on the bluegrass scene today!

Tickets to the show are $20 (Adults), $18 (Opera House Members), and $10 (Students) and can be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. They can be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org. The show is part of the Folk in Fredonia Gilman Family Music Series, which for 30 years has been sponsored by The Gilman Family.

In addition, Opera House programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high-quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.