Rockin’ the WOWSPACE with Dueling Pianos

Fundraiser to benefit Art Park

Never underestimate the importance of having a fun career.

Dan Rafferty, of Green Bay, and Peter Hernet, of Oshkosh, form the dueling pianos duo NEW Piano Guys, who will perform at the WOWSPACE on Feb. 8 for the annual fundraiser for the Art Park.

Rafferty played piano at a very young age and earned a degree in music theater from St. Norbert College. After graduating he played piano for nine years with Let Me Be Frank Productions.

“I’ve always had entertainment in my blood and found the perfect outlet with the dueling pianos concept,” he said.

This is the first appearance at the WOWSPACE for NEW Piano Guys. Although most of their bookings are in Wisconsin, they travel farther for a few shows a year.
“We generally work Thursday through Sunday, which makes for a unique full-time job,” Hernet said.

For the past three years Walls of Wittenberg has hosted dueling piano performances to raise money to cover costs such as mulching, weeding and other seasonal maintenance at the Art Park, which is adjacent to the WOWSPACE gallery.

“It’s a fun event and draws in people from all over the area,” WOW President Elaine Knab said. “We try to tap into a wide variety of interests with our events.”

The NEW Piano Guys cover music from the 1950s to today. Every show is different and dependent on audience requests. The music is the highlight of the show, but the fun comes from watching the chemistry on stage between the two of them, Hernet said.

Although the Hernet and Rafferty are capable of performing specific sets of planned out music, the best shows are done “on the fly” based on audience requests, according to Hernet.

Hernet said the dueling pianos concept originated in Dallas in the late 1980s at a place named Alley Cats. The trend reached its peak in the 1990s, he said, and performers moved from clubs to traveling shows like the one he and Rafferty present.

According to organizer Tarrie Beran, the popularity of the local event has increased each year.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door. A limited number tickets are available online at ticketbud.com and at the Enterprise & News office at 600 S. Webb St., Wittenberg.

Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend the show. A cash bar will be available.

AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Dueling Pianos
WHERE: WOWSPACE, 114 Vinal St., Wittenberg
WHEN: Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m.
WHO: NEW Piano Guys, Peter Hernet and Dan Rafferty
WHY: Fundraiser for WOW Art Park
FYI: 715-253-3525 or Ticketbud.com