Holiday Jam with the Hegg Brothers returns to Brookings to support the Pride

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BROOKINGS – The Hegg Brothers and their ensemble of jazz musicians will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, in South Dakota State University’s Oscar Larson Theatre to benefit the Pride of the Dakotas trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022.

Now in their 13th year of bringing holiday favorites with a jazzy twist, the Hegg Brothers will return to Brookings for a great cause after a lengthy absence. 

“As we head into the holiday season, most of us in the School of Performing Arts are working through the busiest musical time of the year. It will be terrific to have a chance to be in the audience and enjoy a great show by the Hegg Brothers that will benefit the cost of our own Pride of the Dakotas appearing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade next year,” said David Reynolds, director of the SDSU School of Performing Arts. “These are talented musicians, well known throughout the region, and a few of them are State grads right out of our own program. We hope the community will come out and enjoy the evening.”

The event is designed to kick off the fundraising activities to help support the Pride of the Dakotas Marching Band and its appearance in the 2022 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

According to the Macy’s Parade marketing team, the parade attracts 3.5 million in New York City and more than 50 million television viewers nationally. Only 12 bands are invited each year to participate, and the application and review process is rigorous. 

The Pride of the Dakotas will likely boast at least 300 students for the 2022 parade, and the goal of fundraising is reducing the price per student so that no Jackrabbits will be left behind when they step off in New York. 

Recognized for its musical and marching excellence, the Pride of the Dakotas has been invited for, and appeared in, two presidential inaugural parades. It is the only college band (without a team in the tournament) to have been invited to the Tournament of Roses Parade twice, the Fresh From Florida Parade, and now the most visible, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. 

The Holiday Jam is an evening of holiday favorites with new arrangements and compositions completing a terrific stage show. The show will be offered in the vibrant environment of the Oscar Larson Theatre in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. 

The Pride is grateful for the support of the Holiday Jam from presenting sponsor BankStar Financial and additional support from Brookings Radio, Meyer Orthodontics, Best Choice Real Estate, and Limestone. Tickets are $25-$30 and are available at www.sdsuprideholidayjam.com. 

For more information, visit the website or call Julia Blashock in the SDSU School of Performing Arts at 605-688-5188.