Name: LaughFest: Silent Film & Organ Concert- Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush
Start: 2025-03-08T14:00:00-05:00
Location: 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI, United States, Michigan 49504

LaughFest: Silent Film & Organ Concert- Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush

In partnership with LaughFest, join the GRPM for the LaughFest Silent Film Comedy Night & Organ Concert on Saturday, March 8, 2025. Participants will enjoy Charlie Chaplin’s The Gold Rush, accompanied by organist Dave Calendine on the GRPM’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ.
Time: 1:30 p.m. theater doors open, 2 p.m. showtime
Cost: $25 general admission, $20 for Museum members
About the Film: In this classic silent comedy, the Little Tramp (Charles Chaplin) heads north to join in the Klondike gold rush. Trapped in a small cabin by a blizzard, the Tramp is forced to share close quarters with a successful prospector (Mack Swain) and a fugitive (Tom Murray). Eventually able to leave the cabin, he falls for a lovely barmaid (Georgia Hale), trying valiantly to win her affections. When the prospector needs help locating his claim, it appears the Tramp’s fortunes may change.
Meet the Organist: Dave Calendine, a Warren, Ohio, native, started his musical career with the player piano at the age of 3. At age 16, Dave was hired as one of the house organists at the 2,678-seat Akron Civic Theatre. The youngest person to ever hold the position, he entertained audiences there for over 3 years.
Dave has also played several theatre pipe organs throughout the United States and Canada, and currently holds the position of House Organist for Detroit’s fabulous Fox Theatre, holding that position for 29 years now. He has also played for nine years for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the world-famous Rockettes.
Dave is the organist for the Detroit Tigers MLB team at Comerica Park. He is also one of two organists for the Detroit Red Wings NHL team at Little Caesars Arena.
Dave has served on the Board of Directors for the American Theatre Organ Society. He has also been on the Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Detroit Theatre Organ Society, as well as a former President of the Flint Theatre Organ Club, an auxiliary support group for the Flint Institute of Music.
His work with mechanical instruments has garnered him awards, including being honored by the Governor of the State of Montana for his work on the Bovey Collection of Mechanical Instruments. His achievements there were also recognized in an Achievement Award by President George W. Bush.