Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc. (LCCC) and Grand Lyric Theatre Productions present an entertaining celebration of international acclaimed African-American music on Sunday, February 26, 2012, 5:00 p.m. in the Eifler Theatre at The Clifton Center, 2117 Payne Street. This fundraising event is to support LCCC's Kids Art Academy, a youth development program with a focus in arts education that serves over 200 school-age youth annually.

The show will be headlined by Darryl Van Leer’s “Rubycat Lawson’s Roadhouse Lounge,” a foot-stomping musical tale about the owner of a once famous Blues and Rocking Roll juke joint. Mr. Van Leer has appeared in more than 300 one-man shows over two decades, developing and refining his stage performances highlighting the ideas, stories and accomplishments of great African-American performers such as Ray Charles, Little Richard, Muddy Waters and Lionel Richie. In addition, there will be a special guest appearance by Kevin Powell, nationally renowned activist, speaker and entrepreneur.

To close the evening LCCC’s Kids Art Academy youth will perform a medley of songs in honor of black music in America under the direction of Gregory Rahming, an international opera singer and star of Broadway. The academy will present music from the African rhythms, spirituals, gospel, blues, jazz, and conclude with highlights from the internationally acclaimed Motown sound. The audience will laugh, sing and be inspired by this historic evolution of American music.

Tickets are $20.00 in advance, and $25.00 day of show. Discount rate of $18.00 per ticket available for groups of 10 or more and may be purchased at Louisville Central Community Center, located at 1300 West Muhammad Ali Blvd.

This production is supported by Metro United Way and Norton Foundation. Major sponsors include Councilman David Tandy, University of Louisville Office of Community Engagement, and St. Jude Foundation.

The show begins at 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. To see a YouTube video of rehearsals, go to  For more info contact: Geraldine Woods (502) 583-8822.

To watch a video of show rehearsals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FublLT7hEwo&feature=youtube_gdata_player