ALL CONCERTS BEGIN AT NOON!
ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!
The October 2024 Brown Bag Concert Series is RIGHT around the corner and we can't wait! Mark your calendar for each Wednesday in October for a midweek lunch hour to relax to the sounds of our area’s best established and emerging musicians on stage in Palace Park at 220 DeSiard Street (beside The Palace). Public parking is available on the street, as well as at 4th and DeSiard. Tell your friends and plan on enjoying some great tunes in good company.
Bring a picnic of your favorites, or treat yourself to a $6 sack lunch on site from Newk’s. Mulhearn’s will again provide free cookies to make the events extra sweet! Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged! Of course, the performances are FREE, thanks to our gracious sponsors ECHO Development, First Horizon, Mulhearn’s, Newk’s, Paramount Healthcare Consultants of West Monroe, and City of Monroe.
Now... who's on stage?!
October 2: Josh Madden
Kick off the Series with one of our area’s most gifted local artists! Josh is an award-winning musician and teacher, well known for his eclectic style and laid-back performances in the local music scene. He'll take the stage with an appearance flavored with his eclectic musical influences, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Elton John on the piano, Eric Clapton, and Dave Matthews on guitar. Come relax to the unique blend of his laid-back, rockin’ style and rich, straight-to-the-heart voice. Treat yourself at our first outing of the Series.
October 9: Rickey Pittman
A unique brand of Southern folk is only one of Rickey's talents! Also a storyteller, author, teacher, and adjunct English instructor -- and Grand Prize Winner of the 1998 Ernest Hemingway Short Story Competition -- Rickey presents his stories, music, and programs at schools, libraries, Civil War Reenactments, and festivals throughout the South. You can check out his fifteen published books, five music CDs, single releases, and much more online at bardofthesouth.com, or better yet, just come by the park today and kick back for this rich mix of vocals and Southern folk flavor at our second outing of the Series.
October 16: Anna Beth Ellerman
We are excited to welcome a new voice to the Series, though we predict she will become a frequent feature artist throughout the region! Emerging artist Anna Beth Ellerman is a senior at Ouachita Christian School, and a popular performer in local church choirs, theater, and beyond! Regardless of location, she says she’s always singing. Come hear this exciting new talent as she pursues her dream of being a singer/songwriter, while also carrying her love for music to the park for the third performance of the Series!
October 23: Mandolin State
We’ll swing into the fourth outing of the Series with a folksy, bluegrass jam. Mandolin State is a genre-bending folk band with a playlist ranging from progressive bluegrass to folk-rock. Founders Matt Morgan and Jeff Hicks formed the band after nearly two decades of musical collaborations -- you may have heard this duo at popular local venues such as Enoch's Irish Pub and Flying Tiger Brewery. Today they’ll treat us to their incredible talent and relaxed, easy stage presence.
October 30: Doug Duffey and Dan Sumner
We have a bonus 5th Wednesday this October, so we are thrilled to offer a bonus performance for the Series by two incredibly talented local voices. Doug Duffey has traveled far and wide but is true to his Mississippi Delta roots. His talent has garnered him international success, a number of critically acclaimed CDs, and spots in the Louisiana and National Blues Halls of Fame. Joining him is Dan Sumner, an internationally-acclaimed guitarist, producer, and music educator based in Monroe. These two seasoned performers are the musical personification of Memphis soul, Delta blues, and New Orleans rhythm and blues. They're bringing all that and more to wrap up our Fall 2024 Series and launch us into the holiday season!
In case of rain, we’ll move indoors to the old Palace Dept. store, next door to the park. For more information or to confirm the show will go on in case of rain, call the Arts Council office at 397.6717 or 397.6754. Visit the Arts Council online at www.nelaarts.com, find us on Facebook or Instagram @region8arts!
