The Brown Bag Performance Series is a free program offered to the community by the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. The series runs weekly from October through April at the Arts Council’s BSF Gallery, located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. The Brown Bag Performance Series is every Wednesday at noon. Summer performances are once a month. It is encouraged to bring your lunch and a friend, and enjoy the free local performances. The Brown Bag Series is made possible in part by the Mesker Music Trust, managed by Fifth Third Investment Advisors. Below is the schedule for February. 

2/4/15 – Monte Skelton and Shelly Long: Monte Skelton and Shelly Long had their first performance together at Tin Man Brewing Company in Evansville, Indiana.  Though this wasn’t exactly Monte’s gig, he provided the sound system, which meant that he HAD to get an instrument and play a few tunes with performing artists Shelly and Theo Akai.  When they began to play, it was as if they had known each other for years.  The chemistry between voice and instrument was exactly what they had both been looking for.  From there, Monte & Shelly continued to work together, and found that their chemistry went much deeper than the music they were playing. Congratulate these two on their engagement at the first February Brown Bag performance.

2/11/15 – Monte Skelton, Gina Moore, and Bob Green: Monte Skelton’s reputation as a positive, talented, and hard working individual is seen everywhere he goes. While many in the Indiana Tri-state remember him from his jazz radio show, others know him as a talented musician/saxophonist that is seen and heard at many events. Monte is also known in the schools as a very influential woodwind instructor who has helped many music students from the ages of 5-80 further their appreciation and love for the musical arts. Along with being a saxophonist, Monte also plays EWI, flute, clarinet, oboe, electric bass, percussion, trombone, and many other instruments. Currently he serves as the music educator at Joshua Academy Elementary Charter School. Gina Moore will bring the house down with her powerful vocalist capabilities at this February Brown Bag. Whether performing at local charitable events or on a grander platform, Gina Moore engages the crowd with her charming personality and beautiful voice. Gina Moore may best be known for her role in the musical duo, The Browne Sisters, but has performed with a variety of local, regional, and national performers. Bob Green, keyboards, vocals and woodwinds, is one of the most familiar faces in the Evansville area. He has been called the hardest working musician in Evansville. Bob’s many skills have inspired many bands and artists to call on him for backup. He is proficient on keyboards, saxophone and flute and lends his skills to bands such as the Duke Boys, the Shagadelics, Object Blue, Cynthia McDonald and others. Join some of the top musicians in Evansville for a fun-filled hour of music in the Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery.

2/18/15 – Douglas Reed, Ross Erickson, and Renato Butturi: Douglas Reed is a distinguished performer, teacher, church musician, and recording artist. He has performed widely in the United States, Europe, and the Far East. The success of his students and his devotion to the art of teaching are acknowledged throughout the organ performance and sacred music fields. In 2005, he was listed among Who’s Who of America’s Teachers. He has taught at the University of Evansville since 1975. Ross Erickson teaches percussion at the University of Evansville and is the principal percussionist of both the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Owensboro Symphony. Renato Butturi is the head of the Classical Guitar Department at the University of Evansville. Butturi is a skilled performer also on lute, baroque guitar & flute. He has coached for jazz, brass and early music ensembles. Butturi is also a lecturer in music history and world culture and the head of the Evansville Classical Guitar Society. On top of being a competition adjudicator, he also is a freelance arranger.

2//15 – John Michael O’Leary and Friends: Join us as we round out the month of February with John Michael O’Leary and friends. O’Leary has participated with the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and Germania Mannerchor German Singing Society as well as, serving on the Germania Mannerchor Board of Directors. This Brown Bag performance will include some surprise musical guests, so join us in welcoming John Michael O’Leary and friends at noon for lunch and a performance in the Bower-Suhrheinrich Foundation Gallery.

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