Hawkins Theatre

Spirits of the Bay
2025-08-20 00:00 - 2026-08-21 23:59 UTC | The Theater, 8 E 9th Street, Chicago, IL, 60605, United States
Written and performed by Michael Smith
Directed by John Doe
Artistic Producer: Matt Wilkins
Original Concept Dramaturgy: James Stevens
Dramaturg: Oliver Steals
Set Design: Marianna Lee
Lighting Design: Sandra Walsh
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MyTicket Listing 5

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Ben Ruegg: Album Launch
2025-05-03 07:00 - 22:00 (Pacific/Auckland)
Ben Ruegg is ready to share new music with the world.

Ben is well known in the Auckland music scene as a passionate musician who has been teaching music since 2013. After leaving Papakura High School in 2001, Ben went on to form ‘Anything But Federal’ who gained radio attention in 2007 with their songs ‘Butterfly Effect’ and ‘Amongst Others.’

In 2009 he attended the University of Auckland to study Popular Music and released his well received debut EP ‘The Road’ which chronicled songs he wrote while studying songwriting.

By 2018, Ben started to write music under the name Channeled which went on to become a band which placed twice in a row in the Ding Dong Lounge battle of the bands. Channeled became well known for their live performances, honest song writing and raw emotional power. The song ‘Isolation’ reached Top 10 in the NZ Hot Hits in August of 2020 and their music was well received around the world.

However, in November of 2020, Ben suffered an epileptic seizure that changed his life forever. Being completely unaware he had this condition, he awoke to find out that he had almost lost his life because of it. Upon finding out that he was unable to drive for six months, along with missing out of his band Channeled’s album release which was meant to also happen that same week, Ben sunk into a state of disbelief and uncertainty. Not only that, but the seizure happened on his 13th Wedding Anniversary. It left him with so many questions.

This experience lead Ben to create some of the most impactful music he has ever written. Having read many books that gave him a chance to reflect and explore the meaning of life, why we exist and what we are here for, Ben was forced into reflection of everything that had come before the experience of the seizure. Deep philosophical questions are asked and explored while being interwoven into some of his most eclectic musical arrangements. Songs like ‘Walking In The Morning’ and ‘They Tried’ are meditations on musical motifs that unfold and develop. A lot of ideas would come from his long morning walks, bike rides through Totara Park or long cycles around the city and up north around Pataua North.

Songs like ‘Encounter’ and ‘Again’ provide an inside look into the emotion that Ben felt while dealing with both the aftermath of his seizure, as well as the recent loss of his father. Every song on the upcoming album will be played live with an incredible live band made up from friends and musicians he has worked with over his many years performing and writing songs.

Check out his music on all good streaming platforms.

This is a show not to be missed and his first time performing at the Hawkins Theatre. The set list will be wide and varied, but all original.

He will be joined by special guests who will be announced closer to the date.
