Mirage to Appear in Civic Park

Mirage, an eight-piece band whose repertoire ranges from contemporary rock to Motown to big band, will be the next group to take the stage in the concert series.

This is the band's first time in the program.

"They came highly recommended. I think they'll be very entertaining," said Marsha Seymour, manager of tourism and festivals for . "They play a wide variety of music, from Aretha Franklin to current stuff and rock favorites. I think people will enjoy them."

The outdoor performance runs 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday in , 308 Civic Park Dr. Bring blankets or chairs for seating on the lawn around the bandstand. Admission and parking is free, concessions will be available for purchase.

Mirage formed in 1989 as a five-piece band. "I started the group with my brother 22 years ago," said Brett Hofius. "He's had three kids and is no longer in the group."

Brett and brother Bill grew up in a musical family. "I was playing drums at 5, keyboards at 8 and writing music by 10," Hofius said. "Bill started on guitar, then was playing bass by the time we started Mirage."

Hofius was 18 when the band formed, his brother 25. They started off playing school picnics and wedding receptions. "We're not your typical wedding band. We always meant to be a fun group, a family-oriented group," Hofius said.

The band's current lineup consists of Hofius (keyboards, saxophone, vocals, drums), Keisha Gwin-Goodin (vocals), Craig Roeckle (bass guitar, vocals), Lou Bleile (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Darren George (drums, vocals), Ken Schwein (alto and tenor sax), Robert Ray (trombone, vocals) and Kurt Schmid (trumpet).

"We're a variety band with a three-piece horn section," Hofius said. "Everybody sings except two horn players. We don't play to prerecorded tracks--we're 100 percent live."

Hofius said the band knows roughly 150 songs. "We go from one end of the spectrum to the other," he said. "From Glenn Miller to Lady Gaga."

With that kind of variety on tap, the band can tailor each performance to suit the audience. "Over the years, we've learned what songs work and what songs don't and when to play them," Hofius said. "All crowds are different. We can adapt to whatever crowd is out there."

The band stays close to home, performing roughly 95 percent of its shows in the St. Louis area. "We've also played Branson, and I see more work in the future in Branson," Hofius said. "We were a big hit there."

Mirage primarily plays private events like corporate parties, although it does some outdoor events in summer. "We don't play a lot of public shows. We're looking forward to coming to O'Fallon," Hofius said.

The O'Fallon Jammin' series runs most Tuesdays through August and continues with the O'Fallon Jazz Band and O'Fallon Community Concert Band (June 28), Stone in Love (July 12), Rough Grooves Blues Band (July 19), The Younger Brothers (July 26), O'Fallon Jazz Band and O'Fallon Community Concert Band (Aug. 2), Laytham and Holmes Duo (Aug. 9), Fanfare (Aug. 16) and Trixie Delight (Aug. 23).

For more information call 636-379-5614, email mseymour@ofallon.mo.us or visit the website www.ofallon.mo.us/Jammin.

For more information on Mirage visit the band's website at www.miragestlouis.com.