The event will include performances from Clark Manson and band, Adelee & Gentry, David Wion, and Rachael Boezi
The Edison Foundation’s 24th Annual Holiday Evening will take place at Edison State Community College’s Piqua Campus on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Aptly named 2021 Holiday Evening: Classical to Country and featuring the first-ever multi-stage walkabout, the indoor music festival will include performances from four artists covering a variety of styles. Attendees are invited to dress in their holiday best and enjoy the music of Clark Manson and band, Adelee & Gentry, David Wion, and Rachael Boezi.
The Edison Foundation chose artists from Edison State’s service area to continue supporting and promoting artists in the local area who have experienced limited performance opportunities during the COVID pandemic.
“These artists all have local ties, which is important,” said Tracy Tryon, co-chair of this year’s Holiday Evening alongside Stan Evans. “We’re growing from the communities that we’re involved with.”
Manson, from Covington, started performing music at 12 years old when he picked up a hand-me-down guitar. Eight years later, he began playing bar shows while attending school. Now, Manson lives in his hometown with his wife, son, and daughter. He writes and co-produces his music, the catalog of which reads like a well-written novel spanning his rowdy beginning to the loving husband and father he is today.
Adelee & Gentry is a sister-duo from West Alexandria. They’ve performed together for the past 12 years in and around the Dayton area, as well as at college campuses across the country. With a polished folk-pop sound grounded by a rootsy base, these self-taught sisters’ two-part harmonies offer a captivating and unique experience.
A lifelong resident of West Milton, Wion is a pianist who holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Composition. He is a published composer of keyboard and choral works and has been involved with many recordings of his music. Wion has also participated in musical and theatrical performances throughout the greater Dayton area and is currently the executive director of the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center.
Boezi, from Troy, is a mezzo-soprano who studied voice at the DePauw University School of Music and the Hochschule für Musik in Vienna, Austria. She’s performed in over 50 operas; is a long-time member of the Dayton Opera Chorus; and has performed with the Indianapolis Opera, Princeton Festival Opera, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic Concert Band, Miami Valley Symphony, Oakwood Brass, and the vocal ensemble Musica. Boezi is also on the staff of the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center.
Reformatted as a multi-stage walkabout, this year’s Holiday Evening will include three stages at various locations on campus, encouraging attendees to come and go as they like. The format also prevents large groups from gathering and being in one location for long periods.
“Like last year’s event, because of the pandemic, we had to come up with a different plan,” said Evans. “Taking that into account, we’ve planned a fun evening in a way that keeps guests moving to several food, beverage, and entertainment locations.”
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and entertainment will begin at 7:00 p.m. simultaneously on three distinct stages. Concert seating, round tables, and bistro tables will be available at each stage. Guests can enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres and liquid refreshments featuring Moeller Brew Barn beer and a variety of wine selections while walking from stage to stage and taking in the festive atmosphere.
2021 Holiday Evening: Classical to Country is made possible by Artist Sponsors Premier Health/UVMC, Fifth Third, and Edison State Community College; Gold Sponsors Doreen and Len Larson, Midmark, AIM Media Midwest, and Digital Avenue; Silver Sponsors Wayne HealthCare, Ray and Bettye Laughlin, and Park National; and Bronze Sponsors Stan Evans, Marias Technology, Rick and Beth Hanes, Hartzell Propeller, Wright Patt Credit Union, Baird/Ganley Families, Ed and Kay Curry, Horan, VPP Industries, Wayne HealthCare Foundation, Tom and Sandy Shoemaker/Troy Holiday Inn Express, Tracy Tryon, and Heather Bailey and Frank Scenna.
Proceeds from the event will help The Edison Foundation assist Edison State in meeting its education and community service goals by providing resources to advance student success. This is accomplished through scholarships, student emergency assistance, employee mini-grants, and capital improvement.
A limited number of tickets are available and typically sell out quickly. For more information, email Julie Slattery at jslattery@edisonohio.edu or call 937.778.7805. You can also purchase tickets by visiting www.edisonohio.edu/he.
Photos: Clark Manson, Adelee & Gentry, David Wion, Rachael Boezi