We invite you to join us for Michael S. Ryan’s Reception and Art Exhibit on Friday, June 3rd, 5:30 to 7:30pm.
Light refreshments and beverages served in the Library (adjacent to the gallery) in the First Street Community Center.
The public is welcome and encouraged to come. Meet Mike and nosh with us, it’s very casual.
Michael S. Ryan has been a painter for 40 plus years. Trained in the late 60s and early 70s as an abstract painter, he has concentrated in the last 30 years on colorist impressionism, featuring both landscape and figurative subject matter.
He studied under Byron Burford, Joseph Patrick, and Michael Tyzack at the University of Iowa, as well as, at Old Dominion University and Drake University.
Ryan is a teacher, as well as, a full time painter. He is widely known for his colorist theories.
East End Art Gallery hosts a featured gallery artist and a reception every first Friday of each month.
The artist will be available to visit with. The exhibit will stay up for the rest of the month, until the next reception. We invite the public to join us, no reservation, or fees and dress casual… just come!
The First Street Community Center is thrilled to announce that LilFesthas organized a 2016 Spring Music Series and is hosting the following events in our building!
Saturday, April 2nd at 8pm in the Uptown Theatre we have: Nashville, via Iowa – Chad Elliott & Claudia Nygaard
Claudia is a California native living in Nashville, Tennessee, and is the owner of a gorgeous, powerful voice and performs with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and unparalleled musicianship.
Claudia has performed at over 150 fairs and festivals in 47 states and across Europe, and was chosen one of the Emerging Artists at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York.
Chad Elliott, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, joins Claudia. He has recently recorded “Wreck and Ruin” in Nashville with platinum record producer Ken Coomer, and drummer of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, and Steve Earle’s band.
His Americana song-style and extraordinary voice puts him on the road for 200 performances a year; often with greats like Odetta, Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, R.L. Burnside, Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey.
Friday, April 29th at 8pm in the Uptown Theatre we have: From L.A. & “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” – The Sweet Potatoes
The Sweet Potatoes concerts feel like an old fashioned variety show – original music, fresh takes on traditional and cover songs, & even a little back porch storytelling.
Kelly infuses every song with warmth and emotion, going straight to the listener’s heart. Rick and Laura’s improv backgrounds (The Second City, Whose Line is it Anyway) make their shows lively, spontaneous & fun, with an easy connection with their audiences.
Kelly cut her teeth on the road after being discovered by Eddie Van Halen. Eddie brought her band, “Private Life” on a his world tour, and produced their two albums.
Laura is best known as the pianist on the hit TV show, “Whose Line is it Anyway”. She came up in the acoustic music scene in Chicago, teaching at The Old Town School & playing in bands with local favorites Michael Smith, Buddy Mondlock and Tim Grimm.
Saturday, May 14th at 8pm in the Uptown Theatre: From Texas and nearly everywhere else – Eric Taylor
Eric Taylor is a sage musician, a lyrical genius and a master of the guitar. If you’re familiar with the intricate Texas singer/ songwriter jigsaw puzzle, you probably already know a lot about Taylor.
If you’re not familiar with Taylor by name, you’ve probably heard his songs performed by people such as Nanci Griffith and Lyle Lovett.
He has created a multitude of fans and devotees that are legends themselves, artists who have long considered Taylor to be a teacher and a lantern bearer.
In his early days in Houston, Eric developed his own unique guitar picking style that would be imitated by many of his contemporaries from the early Houston days, such as Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Robert Earl Keen & Steve Earle.
Saturday, June 4th at 8pm in the Uptown Theatre: From Minneapolis – Mount Vernon’s Own Phil Heywood
Mount Vernon’s Phil Heywood is a winner – both of the National Fingerpicking Championship & then of the American Fingerstyle Guitar Festival Competition!
A veteran of NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion with guitar legend Chet Atkins, Phil performs with peer acoustic guitar luminaries Peter Lang, Pat Donohue, Tim Sparks, and Dakota Dave Hull.
He also opens shows for such artists as Norman Blake, Greg Brown, John Renbourn, Chris Smither, and John Hammond.
He has recorded six CDs. For one of his recordings he received the following endorsement:
Acoustic guitar fans should consider this recording a must have….Heywood gives us all something to enjoy for a long time. (Music Reviews Quarterly)
Created by Nancy Emrich Freeman, LilFest has been bringing world-class touring performers to Mount Vernon-Lisbon since 2011. Past Concerts have included James Lee Stanley, Guy Mendilow Trio, Radoslav Lorković, Red Sea Pedestrians & more…
For these concerts, the suggested contribution is $15. Seating is limited. Subscription Sponsorships for the series @ $80 each ensure center front section seating if received at least 2 days in advance of the performance.
Reservations are not required for any of the LilFest 2016 Spring Music Series performances. If you have any questions contact Nancy Emrich Freeman via email at [email protected]; or by phone at 847-256-0000 & 518-576-9513; or visit the LilFest website.
LilFest – Deeply rooted songs and stories of passion and power for our modern lives.
NOTE: Due to scheduling conflicts this reception is on the 2nd Friday of the month, April the 8th from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
We cordially invite you to a reception & art exhibit for Amy Bishop. Amy’s art journey has taken her down many paths from photography, to alcohol ink, paper collage, encaustics and intuitive painting.
Come meet Amy and see her exhibit.
Wine and light refreshments served in the Library (adjacent to the gallery) in the First Street Community Center.
The public is welcome. Bring a friend and enjoy the event together!
Once again, please join East End Art and Amy Bishop for a reception on Friday, April 8th. Light refreshments will be served and her wonderful artwork will be on display.
The reception will be held in the Library, next door to the East End Art Gallery, at the First Street Community Center in Mount Vernon, Iowa.
The First Street Community Center’s Uptown Theatre is proud to host award-winning singer/songwriters Chad Elliott & Claudia Nygaard performing as part of the LilFest 2016 Spring Music Series in Mount Vernon, Iowa. This performance will take place April 2nd from 8pm – 10pm.
A California native living in Nashville, Tennessee, Claudia Nygaard is the owner of a gorgeous, powerful voice and performs with a sweet mixture of engaging candidness and unparalleled musicianship.
Claudia has performed at over 150 fairs and festivals in 47 states and across Europe, and was chosen one of the Emerging Artists at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival in New York.
Chad Elliott, of Coon Rapids, Iowa, joins Claudia in a new pairing. He has recently recorded “Wreck and Ruin” in Nashville with platinum record producer Ken Coomer, and drummer of Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, and Steve Earle’s band.
His Americana song-style and extraordinary voice puts him on the road for 200 performances a year; often with greats like Odetta, Tom Paxton, Loudon Wainwright III, R.L. Burnside, Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey.
BOTH PERFORMERS are back in Mount Vernon by popular demand after previous performances here. Their virtuosity, talent and stage presence will take your breath away, and then their song ideas, humility and personality will bring you back to your senses. It doesn’t get much better than this.
The LilFest Series at Uptown Theatre in the First Street Community Center. This series brings world quality performances to an intimate concert setting. Claudia and Chad follow in the footsteps of performers like James Lee Stanley, Nathan Bell, Barefoot Wonder, Guy Mendilow, and Radoslav Lorković.
The LilFest 2016 Spring Music Series artists include: The Sweet Potatoes, Eric Taylor and Phil Heywood.
Suggested contribution is $15.00. Subscription Sponsorships for the series $80 each ensures center-front section seating if received by April 1.
