Sept. 20-21: 'Gospel Explosion' concert and Comedian Jo Koy at CLC
Two exciting entertainment events will be held the weekend of Sept. 20-21 at the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts Mainstage Theatre. Tickets go on sale Aug. 25.
On Sept. 20, gospel singer Cynthia Williams of Atlanta will headline a gospel concert scholarship fundraiser, Lake County's Gospel Explosion, from 6-9 p.m. And on Sept. 21, nationally known comedian Jo Koy will bring his explosive energy to the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 20: Lake County's Gospel Explosion, a scholarship fundraiser
Gospel singer Cynthia Williams of Atlanta will headline a spirit-filled gospel concert, Lake County's Gospel Explosion, being held from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20 in CLC's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts in Grayslake.
Featured local performers include Brent Stackhouse (comedian), Anointed Voices of JNAC, Minister Tranelle Duffie & Youth Praising God, God's Anointed One (praise dancer), Voices of Corinthian and others.
The concert will benefit CLC's Black Student Union Holly S. Graham Scholarship, which helps African American students continue their education at CLC. The scholarship is named for a CLC graduate who was killed in a fatal car accident on May 20, 2007.
Cynthia Williams' songs combine the traditional "Sunday Church" gospel sound with the smoothness of contemporary praise and worship. Her first CD, "Blessed Speechless," was produced by Grammy-Award nominee Kevin J. Yancy and Richard Gibbs Sr. Her newest project, "Surrendering Completely," highlights her new single, "Completely Yours" featuring Fred Hammond, Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award Winner. Williams has sung background vocals for some of gospel's well-known talents and has been featured in several "Gospel Expo" events, "Today's Black Woman's Expo" in Chicago and other gospel festivals, women conferences, concerts and church services.
Tickets are $10 in advance (through 5 p.m. on Sept. 19) at the Box Office and $15 at the door (plus a $2 JLC facility fee). Tickets can be purchased at the James Lumber Center (847-543-2300), which is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are also available at the Lakeshore Campus from JoHaan Cotton-Wilson (847-543-2112) or from Beverly Phelps at the Grayslake campus (847-543-2778).
Sept. 21: Well-known Comedian Jo Koy to perform
From filling sold-out clubs across the nation to appearing weekly as a regular on the TV show "Chelsea Lately," Jo Koy has come a long way from his modest beginnings at a Las Vegas coffee house. His infectious, explosive energy onstage, insightful jokes and family-inspired humor cross all boundaries. In 2007, Variety named Jo Koy one of the "10 Comics to Watch!"
Koy will perform at 7:30 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre of the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts. The event is being co-sponsored by CLC's Multicultural Student Center, Program Board and Diversity Commission.
A single father, Jo Koy was inspired by his son and began working on his first Comedy Central special "Don't Make Him Angry," which aired in January 2009. His second Comedy Central special "Lights Out" aired in October 2012 and is now available on DVD. The show, which is appropriate for age 18 and above, will have two opening acts, including a local comedian.
Tickets to the comedy show are $25 (plus a $2 JLC facility fee) for the general public and are available at the CLC Box Office (847-543-2300). The first 250 CLC students with student I.D. are free.