Bay View proudly announces Emmy-nominated, multi-platinum selling pianist and singer-songwriter Ben Folds will return to the historic John M. Hall Auditorium stage on Friday, June 28, 2024, at 8 p.m. Folds will bring the return of his popular “Paper Airplane Request Tour” after first performing in Bay View in 2018 to a sold-out crowd.
What initially began years ago as a request for songs as encores will once again be a central element in Folds’ shows when he engages audiences to make their song requests via paper Airplanes.
“The last time I did this on tour the response was overwhelming, with literally hundreds of paper airplanes with song requests being launched on cue from fans at the start of the second half of each of my concerts,” said Folds. “It’s the purest, most low-tech form of engagement that creates a special bond with my audiences.”
“Ben Folds has been recording music since the 1980’s and has an amazing body of work. He is widely recognized as one of the most influential musicians of this generation. Though Folds recorded pop albums with Ben Folds Five and has many collaborative recordings, his talent shines best when Ben and a piano are alone on the stage,” Bay View Artistic Director Chris Ludwa says.
“Last summer, his Grand Rapids concert sold out in only one hour. On June 28, we don’t expect any empty seats in Hall Auditorium,” says Ludwa.
General ticket sales begin Friday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at www.BayViewAssociation.org website. Prices range from $45-$85.
Folds, who released his most recent album “What Matters Most” to critical acclaim, has been in studio in recent months working on his first holiday album targeted for release later this year. He’ll also be featured in a special PBS broadcast this spring that spotlights his ongoing “Declassified: Ben Folds Presents” concert series he curates as Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center.
Since 2002, Folds has been playing solo piano concerts and is known for high-energy shows that typically feature enthusiastic audience participation. A true entertainer, Folds demonstrates his sense of humor and shares insightful stories that complement his musical selections.
For the past three decades, he’s toured as a pop artist, while also performing with some of the world’s greatest symphony orchestras. A New York Times Best Selling author and podcast host, Ben also composes for film, tv and theatre, guest stars in films and TV, and is in his seventh year serving as the Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC. A longtime advocate for arts and music education funding, Ben launched a music education charitable initiative in his native state of North Carolina entitled “Keys For Keys,” which provides funds and keyboards to existing nonprofits that provide free or affordable music lessons to interested school-age children. On the national level, he’s active as a member of Americans For The Arts and the Arts Action Fund.
To follow Folds, please visit:
www.instagram.com/ActualBenFolds
Now in its 149th summer, Bay View began in 1875 as a Methodist Camp meeting and quickly evolved to offer today’s Chautauqua program offerings. Bay View events are open to the public and include education, performing arts, recreation, and worship. Many are free of charge. As an independent public charity, Bay View strives to be a place where people of all ages can explore new ideas and enjoy experiences that help them grow into the best versions of themselves. To Experience Summer With Us, go to www.BayViewAssociation.org and see the schedule of events.
