ALL CONCERTS BEGIN AT NOON!
ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!
Add some jam sessions to your lunch each Wednesday in April at the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council’s noontime outdoor Brown Bag Concerts series!
Come soak up the Spring sun and we’ll provide the Jam with a midweek miniconcert by some of our area’s best musicians! They’ll be on stage at lush, green Palace Park at 220 DeSiard Street (beside the old Palace Department Store). Picnic blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged! Public parking is available on the street and at 4th and DeSiard Street. Round up your friends, bring a picnic of your favorites, or treat yourself to a $6 box lunch, with tea, on site from Newk’s Eatery. 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 sponsors Mulhearn’s, Newk’s Eatery, ECHO Development, Paramount Healthcare Consultants of West Monroe, State Representative Michael Echols, and the City of Monroe.
Now... who's on stage?!
April 2 – Robert Wright
An educator, author, photographer, and entrepreneur, Monroe-native Robert Wright wears many hats in both his life and his music. His performances feature an eclectic mix of favorites from Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Bruno Mars, Al Green, Tina Turner, and many more. You may have enjoyed his performances in local venues, events, and his local church, but there’s nothing like listening as he showcases his multifaceted talents and tastes outdoors in the park to kick off our Series!
April 9 – ClaraRae
If bluesy country, classic rock and Americana are your jam, we’ve got you! Multiply honored young artist Clara McBroom continues our Series with a musical talent that has led her to stages in Nashville, Memphis, Austin, London and even an upcoming appearance on American Idol! The winner of the 2021 and 2023 Stars on the Bayou Award and more, she has over 500 live shows under her belt to date! Today ClaraRae will treat us to her signature show to keep the Series rolling in the park!
April 16 – Josh Madden
The Series hits its stride 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 on the local music scene. Today he takes the stage with an appearance flavored by his varied musical influences, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, and Elton John on the piano, and 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 with our third outing of the Series.
April 23 – Doug Duffey and Dan Sumner
We continue the Series today with the best of the Blues! Award-Winning duo Doug and Dan bring a high-energy set of meaningful, original Blues songs to the stage. The pair have performed, written songs, and recorded together consistently for a decade. Doug is a 50+-year veteran of the music world, known for his piano and vocals, and a member of the Louisiana and National Blues Hall of Fame being named a “Louisiana Ambassador of the Blues”. Dan is a critically acclaimed guitarist who has performed around the world while also finding time to write, record, and teach his art! Today they continue our Series with their authentic, deep-rooted Blues artistry.
April 30 – The Melters
We have a bonus 5th Wednesday this April, so today we offer a bonus performance! Fort Sumner Music School presents its premiere performing ensemble – the Melters! The group specializes in performing favorites from the history of Rock and Roll, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and Soul music. Ella Grace, Lennon, Noah, Robbie, Elias, Grayson, Cas, Caden and Dan make up this multi-generational ensemble. Come hear these young artists as they show off their skill as we rock the Series to a close.
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!
