Music lovers in the Upper Peninsula are in for a treat this March as The Make-Believe Spurs take the stage at Kaufman Auditorium for a night dedicated to the music of Bob Dylan. The concert, scheduled for Thursday, March 13, 2025, will feature a collection of Dylan’s iconic songs, performed by some of the U.P.’s folk musicians, including special guests Tim Cleary and Andy Langlois. 100% of the event’s proceeds will support Kaufman Auditorium and its community arts and music programs.
To learn more about this event, we sat down with Brian Wallen, a member of The Make-Believe Spurs, to discuss the origins of the show, the band’s approach to Dylan’s music, and the importance of supporting local arts.
According to Wallen, the idea for this event has been in the works for some time.
“We actually started talking about this about two years ago,” he explained. “One of the first gigs my band played when we started performing together was a Bob Dylan tribute show at a theater downstate called the Bohm Theater. It was called ‘Bob at the Bohm,’ and we had such a great time that we thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if we could do this at home in Marquette?’”
After reaching out to Kaufman Auditorium with the idea, everything came together quickly. “My friend Tim, who will be playing with us, suggested we make it a fundraiser,” Wallen shared. “When we approached Kaufman, they were immediately on board. They can always use support, and we knew this was a great way to give back to a space that means so much to the local arts community.”
Watch The Make-Believe Spurs cover Bob Dylan's "Walking Down the Line:"
For fans of Dylan’s vast discography, the night promises to be a well-rounded tribute covering decades of his work.
“We’re going to be performing songs from 1963 to 2020,” Wallen revealed. “Everything from "The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan" to his most recent album. Of course, you’ll hear favorites like "Tangled Up in Blue," "Like a Rolling Stone," and "Blowin’ in the Wind," but we also have a few surprises up our sleeve.”
The event will also feature guest performances by Tim Cleary and Andy Langlois, both talented musicians with an appreciation for Dylan’s work.
“Tim is an art professor at NMU, a fantastic visual artist, and an equally great musician,” Wallen said. “He and I bonded over Bob Dylan early on. I remember sitting around a campfire with him, trying to play "Tangled Up in Blue"—and let me tell you, there are a lot of verses to that song!”
As for Langlois, he’s not only a co-owner of Blackrocks Brewery but also an experienced musician. “People might not know that he was in a band out west that did very well,” Wallen noted. “They even opened for Dave Matthews and Bob Dylan. So he’s been around this music for a long time, and we’re thrilled to have him join us.”
Watch Andy Langlois sing a song about Mackinac Island:
Listen to Kurt Hauswirth's conversation with Brian:
With so much happening in the world, Wallen believes Dylan’s music is as relevant as ever.
“For me, I often turn to Dylan’s music during turbulent times,” he reflected. “He came up in an era of social unrest, and so many of his songs speak directly to issues that were relevant then and are still important today. I’m grateful that we have a catalog like his to help us navigate the world we live in.”
The Make-Believe Spurs present music by Bob Dylan on Thursday, March 13th starting at 7 p.m. at Kaufman Auditorium. Tickets are available at tickets.nmu.edu or by calling 906-227-1032.
