Arlee Theater to reopen October 3 for a weekend of live music, Gala
[September 22, 2025]
The Arlee Theater will be observing its annual September closure
for the last half of the month, so some internal maintenance projects
can be tackled and the team can take a bit of a break before reopening
in October. Once the doors open again, the theater is coming in fast
with a jam-packed weekend: a small music festival on Friday, October 3,
the Red Carpet Gala on October 4, and another concert on October 5!
The reopening kicks off with a concert on Friday, October 3. Doors open
at 6 pm, and performances begin at 7 pm. In the spirit of keeping the
music accessible, admission is pay-what-you-can, with $10 being
suggested. Indie/pop artists Lys Allen & Sarah Krohn are balanced by
punk groups Dumbed Down and Sweetmelk in this “who’s who” of
up-and-coming central Illinois musicians.
Champaign-based Lys Allen is known for atmospheric harmonies and
vulnerable lyrics, making waves with her album Boyish, released only a
few weeks ago through Pretzle Records.
Chicago’s Sarah Krohn is known for her use of symbolism with breathy
vocals, gut-punch lyrics and soft electric piano.
Dumbed Down, a four-person group based out of Champaign, has a
reputation for high energy, intense punk/hardcore sets.
Celebrating their first official album, Sweetmelk is a small-but-mighty
punk duo packing emotionally powerful performances into a set
referencing classic punk groups and riot grrrl bands.
The Red Carpet Gala falls on Saturday, October 4. Tickets are still
available at www.arleetheater.com.
This "formal attire encouraged but not required" event is a celebration
of classic cinema and the history of the venue. When the doors open at
6pm, guests will get to walk the red carpet, posing for photos before
going inside to grab a sparkling mocktail, then head into the auditorium
to peruse the raffle items, snack on hors d'oeuvres, and mingle with
other movie enthusiasts before the raffle winners are drawn at 7pm and a
showing of 1947's romantic comedy "The Egg and I" begins. Funds raised
at this event will help with costs related to the unexpected closure and
projector upgrade the venue faced earlier this spring/summer.
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The weekend's activities cap off on Sunday, October 5 as Normal-based
"The Sweet Nothings" perform a live show at 2pm. Pulling inspiration
from the traditional music of New Orleans and artists such as Django
Reinhardt, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, and many others of that era,
the band has quickly gained attention nationally. The group is led by
Trenton Perry on guitar, and backed up by Allison Thabit on trumpet, Joe
Sandy on accordion, Eric Knutilla on percussion, Rachel Goodman on
euphonium, and Matt Hawkins on upright bass.
Aside from early jazz they also dabble in other genres such as Western
Swing, Musette, Bolero, and more. Some tunes you may recognize from
their vast repertoire may include “On The Sunny Side of the Street,”
“All of Me,” and “La Vie en Rose.” They bring fresh, new energy to the
genre, and have become a recent favorite of the swing dance groups in
central Illinois. Whether it's on a stage or street corner; retirement
home or burlesque show, The Sweet Nothings have been sharing their spin
on early jazz classics in every nook and cranny they can find in central
Illinois.
ABOUT: The Arlee Theater is a historic single screen cinema and concert
venue located at 139 S. Main Street, Mason City.
www.arleetheater.com
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