Some swingin’ tunes and a lot of generous contributions from local art patrons are sure to make a sweet melody later this month at the Beckwith Theatre Company.

The Dowagiac community theater is hosting its first annual Jazz Night fundraiser at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 17, at its playhouse, at 100 New York Ave. The jazz and vocal jazz ensembles with Southwestern Michigan College will perform during the evening, directed by Jonathan Korzun, the college’s band instructor.

While there is no charge for admission, organizers are encouraging attendees to make a $10 donation.

The performance marks the crescendo of an idea bounced around by Korzun and Beckwith Treasurer Richard Frantz for the last several years. The former neighbors frequently talked about putting together a performance featuring band students from the college, and were finally able to nail down a night for the show last summer, Frantz said.

“He [Korzun] really wanted an opportunity for his students to play inside our place, since acoustically it is a really good place for a band to perform in,” Frantz said. “He didn’t want to make money through it, though. He just wanted to have the chance to play in the theater.”

The organizers are using the show as an opportunity to raise money for some overdue repairs to its more than 100-year-old playhouse.

The chief priority for the theater board is raising money for the installation of a new roof, which has not been replaced since the theater troupe moved into the building 20 years ago. The current roofing is in bad shape, with water seeping into the building during heavy rain and winds, which has caused puddles to form on stage in the past, Frantz said.

“We have made stop gap measures to fix the problem, but that is all they are — short-term solutions,” he said.

Several other repair items are on the theater leadership’s radar as well, including fixing a toilet in the dressing room area, Frantz said.

The theater board is looking to raise around $25,000 for the repair work. They have raised around 60 percent of this total so far, with nearly spare dollar they receive going toward completing the drive, Frantz said.

“Every dime we can get our hands on, we need,” Frantz said.

Frantz said he and the rest of the Beckwith board are excited to host Korzun and his students, and hope to make Jazz Night an annual event at the theater.

“If you are into jazz, you will have a terrific evening,” Frantz said to encourage people. “It will be a nice evening for fellowship as well. It is always nice when people get together to support a good institution.”

People who cannot attend but who wish to make a contribution to the theater’s fundraising drive can mail checks to the theater, at 100 New York Ave., Dowagiac, MI 49047.

Irish folk music band Kennedy’s Kitchen will also be making its annual stop at the theater, performing at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the concert cost $20, and include beverages and hors d’oeuvres.

For tickets or more information, people can call (269) 782-7653, email info@beckwiththeatre.com or find the theater troupe on Facebook.