On September 23 Wabash Valley College and the Wabash Valley Arts Council will host a Bicentennial Jubilee at the Brubeck Arts Center. The event will begin at 1:30 p.m. and will feature Woody and Vonnie Wright, the Gina Moore Trio, and Fifth Street Revival.
On August 26, 1818, the Illinois Constitution was adopted at the Kaskaskia Convention and on December 3, 1818, Illinois became the 21st state in the Union.
The same year, Mount Carmel was founded by three Methodist ministers who had begun the process of legally founding the city in 1817. Official documents for the city were put into record on September 21, 1818.
For this special Bicentennial celebration, the Wabash Valley Arts Council has chosen to celebrate with a Southern Gospel concert featuring a range of talented artists. With support from Wabash Valley College and encouragement from Mount Carmel Mayor Bill Hudson, the event will be a “red, white, and blue bash!”
The concert will begin with the Gina Moore Trio. Sure to bring everyone to their feet, this talented trio will blow everyone away with their soulful energy and musicianship. Gina Moore, married to Joe Thompson from Mount Carmel, grew up singing in a church choir. Gina has been a member of The Sounds of Grace based out of Grace and Peace Lutheran Church since 1977. She and her sister, Joan Moore Mobley, have been singing as The Browne Sisters since 1986. Together they have performed at the Brubeck Theatre several times. Gina won the State of Indiana Council of the Sagamores on the
Wabash Award in 2016. When asked about why the Bicentennial Jubilee is special, Gina Moore stated, “This show is appealing because music is universal and it touches people of all ages. Gospel, blues, jazz, bluegrass, country, or opera, everyone can find comfort in the type of music they like and learn to like music that they have never listened to.” Performing with Gina are Monte Skelton and Bob Green. Monte is an educator, composer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Evansville, Indiana. He has successfully launched two albums in which he composed, performed, and mastered every track. Monte has performed with many well-known artists, such as the Temptations, jazz vocalist Sherrie Bias, and John Legend. In 2016 he was the recipient of the Kenny Kent Lexus Musician of the Year Award. Born and raised in central New Jersey, Bob Green has been a professional musician for nearly 45 years. He relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, for a decade, where he shared the stage with members of Lynyrd Skynrd, Starbuck, and .38 Special. Since moving to southwest Indiana 28 years ago, Bob has continued to perform with local and regional artists, as well as maintain a 16-year engagement at Cavanaugh’s restaurant in the Tropicana Casino in Evansville in their piano bar.
Next onstage may well be the last performance for local quartet Fifth Street Revival. Recording their first album in 2005, the quartet has spent 18 years singing tight harmonies and entertaining thousands. Rob Coleman, tenor, is a career banker and now serves as Chairman of the Board at First National Bank of Allendale and Mount Carmel. Wayne Henegar, bass vocalist, served as Dean of Instruction at Wabash Valley College and now operates an IT consulting enterprise. Chris Quick, lead singer, served as Wabash County State’s Attorney and is now a Methodist minister in Rossville, north of Danville, Illinois. Jim Cox, baritone, was a high school band director, then Director of Broadcasting at Wabash Valley College. Fifth Street Revival has enjoyed having the city as their musical hub. “Mount Carmel is a small Midwestern town. Like many smaller towns, it is somewhat unremarkable. But yet life is good here. People are kind and friendly. Schools, hospitals, and businesses provide the things we need to survive. The city has produced many notable residents over the years who have done marvelous things. Many have fond memories of growing up here,” said Jim Cox about living in historical Mount Carmel.
The final performance of the afternoon will be internationally acclaimed recording artists Woody and Vonnie Wright who are well-known Gaither Family Homecoming performers. Woody has performed with the likes of Reba McIntire, Vince Gill, and Brooks & Dunn, among many others. As a producer, he was the creative force behind five No. 1 radio singles for the Crabb Family and has produced all of Fifth Street Revival’s recordings. Returning to the Brubeck stage with his wife, Vonnie, a heartfelt performance will touch audience members.
Wabash Valley College and the Wabash Valley Arts Council are proud to present this Bicentennial Jubilee on September 23 to celebrate the founding of such a great place to live!
Tickets are $10 and are available at seatonc@iecc.edu or 618-263-5124. Patron Passes will be honored.
