Neosho Arts presenting concerts for Music Day
For the second year in a row Neosho Arts Council is taking part in Make Music Day, an international celebration of music on June 21, 2024. The organization is sponsoring two free public concerts and also sending musicians into the Neosho School District’s summer school programs.
The council is hosting a Lunch and Listen concert with jazz/blues guitarist Asher Perkins at 11:30am at the Neosho National Fish Hatchery’s pavilion.
“The Lunch and Listen is a come and go event allowing the community to bring their lunch and enjoy a break from their day with live music,” Sarah Serio, President of the Neosho Arts Council, said.
This is also the second year for the hatchery to host the Lunch and Listen concert. Presenting live music with the beautiful waters and grounds of the hatchery was an easy decision according to the Council as both are shown to be stress relievers.
Perkins draws influence from The Beatles to Nat King Cole, Stevie Ray Vaughan, BB King, Duke Ellington, Earth Wind & Fire, Billie Holiday, and others to write new songs and revamp old standards.
Then at 6:30pm the award winning soft rock duo Common Roots will perform live in Big Spring Park. The group, which plays a mix of soft rock and folk, just won Acoustic Act of the Year at the 2024 Arkansas Country Music Awards.
“Evening concerts in the park are great for the whole family,” Serio said. “Big Spring Park is an ideal venue. You can enjoy the performance from the historic 1928 Grecian stage while kids can listen and enjoy the playground area or swim in the parks wading pool (for those ages 8 and under.)” The council will also be passing out sidewalk chalks.
Neosho Arts Council is also sponsoring musicians to present live music for both the elementary school and the middle/junior high summer school programs.
“We are excited to once again bring live music into Neosho’s summer school session and expose students to a live musical performance,” Serio said.
The group was also able to secure a donation of Horner harmonica’s through the Make Music Alliance which will be given to students. “These are real harmonicas that the students can take home with them,” Serio said. “Students will also be given an in person lesson from a musician on how to play their new harmonicas plus links to tutorials videos so they can practice at home.”
Make Music Day is a one-day event where free, live musical performances, opportunities to make music, and other musical events take place around the world on the longest day of the year. Musical festivities in Neosho are part of a celebration of music making in over 1,000 cities globally. This year Neosho is one of only seven cities in Missouri taking part including St. Louis, Kansas City, and Columbia.
This year’s community concerts are supported in part by a grant from the Missouri Arts Council. For full details on both upcoming community concerts visit neoshoarts.net or @NeoshoArts on Facebook and Instagram.