By KEN CARPENTER
Great Bend Post
Melissa Manchester is headlining the lineup for The Golden Belt Community Concert Association’s new season. Six acts make up the list of performers that will appear at the Great Bend City Auditorium from this September through May of next year.
The programs will include music by folk, classic country, gospel and jazz artists, plus a tribute to Elton John. But Manchester is the best-known performer to take the stage.
David Folin with Allied Concert Services, says her performance will not disappoint.
"I’ve seen her about four times,” Folin recounted. “She is a charming, classy, friendly lady who had big hits back in the ’70s and early '80s. She is an Oscar Award winner, a Grammy Award winner. She still sings beautifully. She plays a little piano. But it’s her and she is genuine.”
Tickets for the entire season of six shows are $50 for an individual or a little over $8 per concert. There are also discounted prices for families and students. Admission to the concerts is by season membership only. No single concert tickets are available.
The Community Concert series was canceled last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Harlen Jerke, the Concert Association’s President, is optimistic about this year.
"We’re not sure how the Covid is going to affect us this year,” Jerke said. “We’ve had to rush this season because the auditorium was just opened up to us for mass gatherings two or three weeks ago. We’re hoping that the members will recruit some of their friends and say, hey, come on to a concert.”
Community Concert memberships can be renewed online at goldbeltcca.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the Best Western Angus Inn Courtyard on Aug. 5 from noon to 7 p.m. and Aug. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
