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THE MIDLAND THEATRE BRINGS SWING LEGENDS BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY TO NEWARK FOR ONE HIGH-ENERGY AUGUST NIGHT

One of the biggest names in American swing takes the historic Newark stage August 8; in an exciting late addition to the summer season.


NEWARK, Ohio (June 26, 2026) -- The Midland Theatre is thrilled to announce that Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, one of the most celebrated names in American swing, will perform on its historic stage on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:00 PM. The booking is a rare and exciting opportunity, and the theatre is moving quickly to share it. Annual Fund members receive presale access beginning today, Friday, June 26, with tickets opening to the general public on Wednesday, July 1.


For more than three decades, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has stood at the forefront of the swing revival, reminding audiences around the world that it has always been cool to swing. Co-founded by singer and guitarist Scotty Morris and drummer Kurt Sodergren, the band blends the classic American sounds of jazz, swing, and dixieland with the energy and spirit of a modern live show. Along the way, the group has toured virtually nonstop, averaging more than 150 shows a year, and has sold more than two million albums.


The band’s breakthrough came with the 1996 indie film Swingers, which introduced Big Bad Voodoo Daddy to audiences far beyond their Los Angeles home. Their music has since appeared in countless films and television shows, including Despicable Me, Friends, and So You Think You Can Dance. They have performed live on Dancing with the Stars, made seven appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, played the Super Bowl XXXIII Halftime Show, and performed for three United States Presidents and with many of the country’s most distinguished symphony orchestras.


“Every so often a date opens up with an act you simply cannot pass on, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is exactly that,” said Maryann Crist, Executive Director of The Midland Theatre. “They are one of the best live bands in the business, full stop. The show is a little sooner than we usually announce, but a booking this good does not come around often, and we want our community to have every chance to be in the room. Bring your dancing shoes. This is going to be a night.”


The Midland is presenting this concert a little differently than usual. Because the August 8 date came together quickly, the theatre is compressing its typical on-sale timeline. Annual Fund members can access presale tickets beginning Friday, June 26 at 10:00 AM, and general public tickets go on sale Wednesday, July 1 at 10:00 AM. To support the member presale, The Midland is also opening its Box Office on Monday, June 29 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.


Tickets for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy are available online at midlandtheatre.org, by phone at 740-345-5483, and in person at the Box Office. Annual Fund members who wish to take advantage of presale access can join or renew their membership during online checkout.


About The Midland Theatre

The Midland Theatre, Newark’s cultural cornerstone since 1928, stands as a testament to the enduring power of live performance and community connection. Located at 36 North Park Place in Newark, Ohio, this historic Spanish Revival theatre has been enriching the lives of audiences for nearly a century. Originally opening its doors on December 20, 1928, The Midland served as Newark’s premier entertainment destination for 50 years before closing in 1978. Following an $8.5 million restoration by The Longaberger Company completed in 2000, The Midland reopened as a vibrant performing arts venue operated by the Newark Midland Theatre Association, a local volunteer non-profit organization. Today, The Midland continues its mission of making high-quality live entertainment accessible to the entire community through its “Arts for All” philosophy.


The Midland Theatre is supported by the Ohio Arts Council with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Midland Theatre

36 North Park Place | Newark, OH 43055

Facebook: @TheMidlandTheatre | Instagram: @midlandtheatre

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