Missouri State University’s “Brown Bag Concert Series” is back for its second season, boasting a diverse lineup of creative performances.

This year’s performances include country, indie-pop, folk and opera. Performers were selected through an application process.

Hosted once again at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA), the event series is free and open to the public. The amphitheater is located immediately north of Craig Hall in the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Arts Park.

“We are thrilled with the increase in applicants for this special spring campus event,” said Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations. “Bring your lunch and have a relaxing time while enjoying some great performances.”

All performances start at noon. Public parking will be available starting at 11 a.m. across Grand Street in Parking Lots 22 and 24.

Performance schedule

Sponsored by the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, with media support provided by KSMU, the concert series features artists from throughout the Ozarks.

April 9 — Brendan Roberson of The Brothers Roberson

Country artist Brendan Roberson will appear at JGA April 9.

Roberson often performs as half of the duo, The Brothers Roberson. They have toured nationally with the country band Alabama and opened for Gary Allan in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. The duo has also performed more than once at the original Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, winning a cash prize of $100,000 with one of those performances.

 

April 16 — Matteson Gregory

Pop/indie singer-songwriter Matteson Gregory takes the JGA stage for the April 16 performance. Gregory is a self-described “emerging indie pop artist, blending the storytelling of Taylor Swift with the authenticity of Alanis Morissette.” Her music touches on themes of hope, youth and mental health advocacy.

Gregory has opened for Austin touring artist Ruthie Craft. The Netflix show “The Ultimatum” used her song, “Stayed!” in its soundtrack.

 

April 23 — Chris Albert and the Roadies

Chris Albert and the Roadies will bring their folk and Americana sound to JGA April 23. Albert, bassist George Horne and Corey Reeves, who plays harmonica and mandolin, perform a variety of original songs and covers. All three are recorded artists who enthusiastically support musicians from southwest Missouri.

 

CANCELLED April 30 — Missouri State Opera Theatre

It seems like Mother Nature is not on our side. We must cancel this event. We really appreciate the MSU Opera program’s willingness to appear. We are not able to reschedule at this time.

Missouri State University’s Opera Theatre is a vibrant community of future educators, performers, arts administrators and creators. Members have been recognized numerous times at the Robert Hansen Opera Scenes Competition, sponsored by the National Opera Association. The group also regularly collaborates with Ozarks Lyric Opera.

In addition to their mainstage productions, the group provides free outreach performances to area elementary programs through the Kennedy Center’s Any Given Child program.

The group will perform their selected outreach opera, “Sid, the Serpent Who Wanted to Sing,” written by Malcom Fox.

 

Visit the John Goodman Amphitheatre

 

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Contact Mark Templeton, Executive Director of JGA Marketing and External Relations, for more information.

Photos and bios provided by the artists.