Two Nights of Music Light Up Winter in Beaver Dam

I’m Christine Schmitz, and I’ve been fortunate to be part of the Horicon Phoenix Program (HPP) since 2015. HPP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing Horicon, WI, by creating opportunities for connection, community pride and shared experiences. 

Through events, programs and partnerships, we work to build a brighter future for everyone in Horicon and throughout Dodge County. One of our most beloved initiatives is the Music at the Market Concert Series, held alongside our Farmers Market every Wednesday evening from June through August in Kiwanis Park. For 13 weeks each summer, the park along the Rock River comes alive with free live music from talented Wisconsin artists performing their original work. 

With a different genre featured each week, there truly is something for every musical taste. In 2019, our friends at the Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre (BDACT) joined us in a conversation about our shared passion for live music — and from that collaboration, the Fire & Ice Concert Series was born. Now in its sixth year, the series continues to grow, and we are thrilled to present two outstanding bands for this season: Ben Mulwana & The Village, and The Joseph Huber Band, which features Beaver Dam native and fiddle phenom Kenny Leiser.

Our February concert welcomes Ben Mulwana, a Ugandan-born and raised artist now based in Wisconsin. Ben and his band deliver powerful, heartfelt songs that explore love, loss, and the full spectrum of human experience. Their performances are rich, emotional, and unforgettable. In March, we are proud to bring the Joseph Huber Band to the Fire & Ice stage. Hailing from Wisconsin, Joe and his band blend blues, bluegrass, folk, and Americana into a sound that is uniquely their own. With Kenny Leiser’s extraordinary fiddle playing adding even more depth and energy, this is a performance you won’t want to miss.

I’ve had the privilege of seeing both bands many times — at festivals like Mile of Music in Appleton, the Bluegrass Festival in River Falls, and at their own headlining shows. Their music has moved me time and time again, and I truly believe it will resonate deeply with everyone who attends. I can’t wait for you to discover, or rediscover, these remarkable artists.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this year’s Fire and Ice Concert Series. Whether you're a longtime supporter or a first-time attendee, these concerts offer an inspiring blend of community spirit and exceptional live music that will brighten even the coldest winter nights.

Visit www.bdact.org for tickets.