The Milwaukee Post

The Femmes of Rock, led by Nina DiGregorio, play unique twists on clas- sic rock music using electric violins. The group will perform Oct. 12 at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. October 5, 2018 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post SOUTH MILWAUKEE — Femmes of Rock members may be classically trained musi- cians, but you won't hear any Schubert or Mozart performed at their concerts. Nina DiGregorio, Femmes of Rock founder, along with a group of musicians and dancers, pay tribute to classic rock giants Queen, The Who, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and Deep Purple with DiGregorio's unique string arrangements. Femmes of Rock starring Bella Electric Strings will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, 901 15th Ave., as part of their Midwest tour, which includes shows in Chicago and Green Bay. "It's a hard-hitting rock show. That was the music I loved growing up," said DiGregorio in a recent telephone interview. A multitalented musician, DiGregorio began playing piano at age 6. She learned to play the violin at 10, and electric bass at 13. The musician recalled that, while in middle school, she played with a string quartet in malls and other venues. The quartet would "sneak" classic rock tunes into their classi- cal repertoire. DiGregorio attended The State University of New York at Buffalo, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance. After college, the musician moved to Las Vegas, where she received an endorsement from the Yamaha company. DiGregorio received a Master of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Nevada- Las Vegas and performed with many differ- ent musicians, among them Wayne Newton, Toni Braxton, and Richard Marx. After DiGregorio was hired by corpora- tions to perform at company events, she soon realized she had to create a whole show. The violinist founded Bella Electric Strings around 2004, hiring string players she had met in the local music scene. Bella soon evolved into Femmes of Rock. Around 2010, the show became the main gig for the musicians who were involved in other projects. "I don't think any of us expected to get to that point. It was just a fun hobby for us," DiGregorio said. The show now includes 12 musicians and more than 30 dancers and highlights flashy costumes and choreography. Performers "need great stage presence and virtuoso playing ability. We're kind of like the major leagues (of baseball)," said Digregorio. Femmes of Rock have performed many shows nationally, and some internationally, for the Navy at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, in Portugal, and in the Bahamas. DiGregorio said that some songs are more difficult and time-consuming than others to arrange. Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is tough because of the complexity of the vocal parts. Van Halen's "Eruption" is tricky due to the intricate guitar solo. One of the musician's favorite songs to perform on strings is a Who medley of "Who Are You," "Baba O'Reilly" and "Won't Get Fooled Again." Femmes of Rock shows attract a wide audience, from very young music students, to teenage fans of classic rock, to baby boomers who grew up with the music. The musicians pose for pictures and sign autographs after each performance. "People leave the show saying there was nothing like it and it was money well-spent," DiGregorio said. For tickets to Femmes of Rock on Oct. 12 at the South Milwaukee PAC, visit http://southmilwaukeepac.org/event/femm esofrock/. After enjoying your favorite beverage throughout the football and holiday season, the Safe Ride program sponsored by the Milwaukee County Tavern League is available at member locations providing a "safe ride" home. For information on Safe Ride, call Sharon Ward • 414-975-0547 For information on membership, call Lorie Helm • 414-630-9090 FOOTBALL FOOTBALL 261552110 L L i i k k e e u u s s o o n n f f a a c c e e b b o o o o k k " " M M i i l l w w a a u u k k e e e e T T a a v v e e r r n n L L e e a a g g u u e e – – N N e e w w " " o o r r v v i i s s i i t t o o u u r r w w e e b b s s i i t t e e " " S S a a f f e e R R i i d d e e o o f f M M i i l l w w a a u u k k e e e e C C o o u u n n t t y y " " . . s s a a f f e e r r i i d d e e m m i i l l w w a a u u k k e e e e . . c c o o m m Field Goal FRENZY Name_______________________________________________________Birthdate _________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________________State_______Zip ______________________________ Phone or Cell _________________________________________________________________________________ *FIELD GOAL FRENZY CONTEST RULES: 1. 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Field Goal FRENZY WEEK 6 (CIRCLE ONE) GREEN BAY vs SAN FRAN 49ERS TIME: 7:15PM/MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 Bye Week 7th SPONSOR OCTOBER 13TH 3-9:00pm The BIGGEST FUNDRAISER of the year is our HARVEST FEST CHICKEN DINNER Served 4-8:00pm in the School Hall ☞ ☞ Finger Lickin' Fried Chicken catered by Gold Rush comes with french fries, coleslaw and coffee or milk for $10 Fill that sweet tooth with our fabulous homemade dessert station or quench your thirst at our beverage center featuring wine • cold beer • soda Church of the Immaculate Conception 1023 E. Russell Ave • Milwaukee • 414-769-2480 Also DALEY DEBUTANTES perform at 4pm GAMES PRIZES RAFFLES- Win $1000! PULL TABS Music by "Prime Time" 6:30-8:30pm We Hope To See You There! 262146012 Femmes of Rock founder takes classic instruments to classic rock

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