CULTURAL SOCIETY PLANS PROLIFIC FALL SEASON
Centralia Cultural Society
618-532-2951
1250 E. Rexford Dr., Centralia IL
https://www.centraliaculturalsociety.org/
Coming off the heels of a highly successful and completely sold-out edition of Elmwood Speaks, the Centralia Cultural Society [CCS] is already preparing for a busy fall season.
Beginning Oct. 4 through the remainder of the year, the CCS will organize a total of five community events, beginning with Good Morning, Broadway and the downtown Art & Wine Walk.
Held Saturday, Oct. 4 at the CCS building and beginning with brunch at 10:00 AM, Good Morning, Broadway will feature the CCS’s Choral Society performing a medley of Broadway productions.
“[The Choral Society] will be singing selections from major Broadway shows over the years,” explained Dawn Long, Administrative Coordinator at the CCS. “Lynda Marshall is the director, and Barb Roberts will be the pianist. They will have 25 vocalists singing.”
That same day, CCS will join co-coordinators, Centralia Sunshine Project, for the pair’s inaugural installment of the Art & Wine Walk, held from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the 300 block of E. Broadway and in Carillon Park.
“We are really looking forward to this event. We have a lot of entries for artists,” said Dawn Long, Administrative Coordinator for the CCS. “[The City of Centralia] Tourism approached the Sunshine Project about taking over the event. We were also contacted to help organize the art component more than anything else.”
Long said she is confident the CCS and Centralia Sunshine Project will continue teaming on the Art & Wine Walk for years to come.
“If [the event] is as successful as I see it being this year, then I think it will be an ongoing annual thing for both the Cultural Society and the Sunshine Project.”
Next, CCS will host its fall Orchestra Family Concert on Oct. 19 at 3:00 PM.
“The theme is ‘Woodwind Fireworks’. The orchestra and woodwind ensemble will perform a variety of popular and classical pieces, including The Magic of Harry Potter, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, and Stars and Stripes Forever,” explained Long. “There will be complimentary refreshments and a chance to win tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at The Fox Theater in February.”
The annual Light and Lens Exhibit, overseen by Mary Biggs and Gayle Erxleben, will take place next on Nov. 8 and 9 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM in the Cultural Society gallery.
“Light and Lens will take [photography] entries from anyone. Light and Lens members will get a little bit of a discount on their entry fees,” said Long. “They will have their reception on Nov. 7th, and then the exhibit will be open for viewing on Saturday, the 8th and Sunday, the 9th.”
Long said Light and Lens is currently accepting applications and that those wishing to participate may apply online at the CCS website. Links to the application form may also be found on the Cultural Society’s Facebook page.
The final event of the seasons will be Twelfth Night, a romantic comedy by Williams Shakespeare, presented by the CCS’s Actors Alive group. The production will be held Nov. 8 from 2:30 PM until 7:30 PM, and on Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 at 7:30 PM.
In closing, Long said those wishing to get involved in the Cultural Society can become members of the organization. Memberships offer access to the CCS mailing list, merchandise and – depending on the membership level – free or discounted tickets and building rentals.
Businesses or patrons interested in becoming a member may do so HERE.
