Midwest Dueling Pianos comes to Cape Saturday

As two pianists sat on the stage and played "My Girl," they convinced four grown men up to sing and dance along as part of the Midwest Dueling Pianos show earlier this year.

Dueling Pianos makes its return to the Venue on Saturday. The show is an all-request sing-along and clap-along show. The audience drives the direction of the show by requesting their favorite songs. The pianists play the requests but will engage in audience interaction. Audience members are brought up to dance, sing or act out short skits.

The show features musicians Alecia Brown and Mike McMahon. Brown has been a crowd favorite with her strong vocals and big smile. McMahon has played in Irish bands and brings an Irish pub feel to his performances by having the crowd sing along and do call and response songs.

"Unlike a DJ we can stop and change directions of a song," said Brian Griffin, general manager of Midwest Dueling Pianos. "We bring audience members up. Expect a highly interactive, high-energy, comedic musical performance."

He said the musicians will play "whatever the audience wants."

Mike McMahon

According to Griffin, some of weirdest requests have been the Pokemon theme at a college show, and Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" at a corporate event. Griffin said they get asked to play Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Billy Joel's "Piano Man" the most.

"We got a lot of requests for Dueling Pianos after their first show back in April," said Annie Burton, events coordinator at the Venue.

"Last time, audience members actually got up, physically picked up their tables and moved closer to the stage," Burton said. "We had people up and dancing and singing along. This will be another tremendous event and a chance to kick off your shoes before the holidays."

The first show pulled in about 300 people, Burton said, and she is trying to top that this weekend.

Burton said women who purchase tickets before 9 p.m. Saturday get in for half price. According to Burton, weddings that have been booked at the Venue can receive free admission to Dueling Pianos for the bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen with reservations.

Alecia Brown

Midwest Dueling Pianos has played at weddings, colleges, corporate events, clubs and bars and private parties. According to Griffin, the dueling pianos-style show began in New Orleans, at Pat O'Brien's. The music mostly featured Norman Rockwell, homestyle, Americana songs.

In the 1980s, a bar called Alley Cat's in Dallas, first did a rock-and-roll style show. Dueling piano shows have expanded to hundreds of locations throughout the country.

Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the music begins at 8:45 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door on the day of the show. Tickets are limited and the show is for ages 21 and older.

Tickets and more information can be found at the Venue's website www.capegirardeauvenue.com or by calling 651-6681. For more information on Midwest Dueling Pianos, visit www.midwestduelingpianos.com.