Champaign Park District has announced that a special Candy Foster 60th Anniversary Celebration Concert is coming to the historic Virginia Theatre in downtown Champaign on Sunday, May 24, at 7pm. General admission tickets are available for $15 plus a per-ticket fee of $3. VIP General Admission Tickets, which will include a preshow meet-and-greet, a signed Candy Foster poster, and two complimentary drinks at the Virginia Theatre bar, are also available for $30 plus a per-ticket fee of $5.
This special celebration concert will feature a live performance by Candy himself alongside his longtime band, The Shades of Blue. Guido Estevez will be in attendance as the musical director. A lineup of local all-star special guests will also perform. Special guests include Dawna Nelson, Tom Grassman (90s Daughter, Tom Grassman Band). Mayor Deshawn Williams, Amy Mitchell-Esteves (90s Daughter), Petey Thomas, Mike Ingram (New Souls), Aaron “A Train” Wilson (Ther’Up.Y), Kathy Harden, Andrew Duncanson (Kilborn Alley Blues Band, ft. Michael Peloquin@), LaQuisha Burries-Finn, Dawn Michelle Clark, Sandy Gladys Phillips, Candy Phillips-Hubbard, Ryan Byfield, Levi Omundson, and Carrie Chandler.
Candy Foster tickets are on sale now at the Virginia Theatre Box Office, online at thevirginia.org, or charge by phone at (217) 356-9063.
About Candy Foster
CANDY FOSTER has been performing classic rhythm and blues throughout the midwest for over 55 years. Based in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, Candy is well-known as one of the hardest working blues singers in the area. His strong vocals and high energy style always draws interactive enthusiasm from his audience.
Backed by seasoned professionals and performing the tight arrangements of the Shades of Blue, Candy provides audiences with “pure” rhythm and blues grooves that first originated from Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, and Memphis (Delta) areas.
Candy Foster has had a long and illustrious career spanning decades, especially during his time on the “Chitlin’ Circuit” and Midwest club scene, where he frequently opened for or shared bills with national acts like: B.B. King, Etta James, Bobby Blue Bland, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Bobby Rush, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and The Temptations.
FOR MORE INFORMATION & INTERVIEW REQUESTS:
Chelsea Norton
Director of Marketing & Development
Champaign Park District
217-819-3934
Chelsea.norton@champaignparks.org
