Summer Music Series back in the park

After a week off for Van Wert County Foundation sponsored concerts in Fountain Park, we return this Friday with a tribute to one of Rhythm & Blues’ all-time greatest singer and songwriters: Stevie Wonder.  Natural Wonder is a tribute to Wonder’s music in a re-creation by Gabriel Bello and his band.  Although there are other impersonators of Stevie Wonder’s music, Natural Wonder is the real thing, with all live music created by guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, horn section, and rhythm section.

Growing up in Massachusetts, and later Florida, Gabriel honed his musical skills and love for music singing in church choirs. Following what Bello says was a miraculous healing from cancer, he began using his talents in churches as a choir and worship leader. He still is quite involved today in church music when he is not touring with Natural Wonder.

As a solo career, Gabriel was a finalist to be “American Idol” alumna Carrie Underwood’s music director, as well as being approached to be Kelli Pickler’s music director. One thing led to another and, in 2012, Gabriel formed the band Natural Wonder as a tribute to one of his favorite performers of all-time: Stevie Wonder.

Fountain Park will be filled with the sounds of Stevie Wonder (and) you will recognize song after song as they are re-created by the “Ultimate Tribute” to this American iconic singer/songwriter.

Bring a lawn chair or blanket or just mill around the park to the sounds of Stevie Wonder this Friday night beginning at 7 p.m.  We’ll trust the weather forecast and say it will be a beautiful evening with clouds and sun and temperatures in the low ‘80s.  After all, the weatherman is never wrong! Right?

Appropriately so, Youth for Christ will be serving the food in the park this Friday night. Come and support this very important youth ministry in our community and enjoy a meal before or during the concert. YFC should be ready to serve you by 5:30 Friday evening.

Thank you all for getting us off to a tremendous start of ticket sales at the Niswonger. We just opened up Select Series sales last week and tickets have been flying out of the box office. Buy 3-5 concerts and receive a 10 percent discount or buy six or more and take 15 percent off your purchase. Either way, you select what you want to attend in the upcoming “Season of Wow” at the Niswonger. This also allows you to reserve your seats now before open sales begin. So many good concerts and shows to choose from!

Take a look at our menu of entertainment in our catalog or go online at NPACVW.ORG and browse electronically. We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Niswonger as we celebrate our “Tenth Year of Wow!”

FINÉ.