Nehemiah Unity and Hope Concert

The Nehemiah Foundation presents… Unity. Power. Sound. Calling all saints and seekers - join us for a powerful evening of UNITY praise at the Summer Arts Festival!

We are proud to present renowned recording artist, Amante Lacey, along with our Unified Worship Collective Community Choir! Join Nehemiah Foundation, Simunye, over 30 faith-based non-profit partners, and dozens of Clark County churches who all believe in the power and blessing that comes from demonstrated unity and reconciliation. Join us in raising praises to God through faith and music at this incredible event.

Amante Lacey

Gifted singer, songwriter, and worship leader Amante Lacey is the epitome of a culture changer. Using the incredible gift of music, he continues to unite people through the power of God encounters.

In 2006, Mr. Lacey released his debut project with The Life Worship Band titled “The Scale Of Worship.” Since then, he’s penned singles for Israel & New Breed, Tye Tribbett, Byron Cage, BJ Putnam, and Christon Gray among others.

In 2016, he returned with his solo effort titled “Momentum,” with tracks such as “Dance In The River”, “Freedom Song”, and the anthem “Call The Name Of Jesus”, recently recorded and released by award winning worship leader Darwin Hobbs.

Mr. Lacey has had the privilege of sharing his gift with churches across the United States, and currently serves as Worship Pastor at First Church Of God in Columbus, Ohio.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 8:00 PM;

Veterans Park Amphitheater

Queen Nation: A Tribute to the Music of Queen

Queen Nation is the ultimate tribute to the music of Queen. The band has performed over 1,200 concerts together as the most popular, accurate, authentic, longest running, fully costumed re-creation of a vintage Queen concert in the US, playing live note-for-note renditions of the Classic Queen song library including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Somebody To Love, We are the Champions, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, and many more of your favorites.

Featured front man and vocalist Gregory Finsley is an amazing singer with an uncanny tone and captivating stage energy that matches the late great Freddie Mercury to a tee. Gregory is also a concert-trained pianist, allowing him to accurately and skillfully play piano live during the show as did Freddie Mercury back in the day. Queen Nation is the real deal!

The band’s creed is quite simple, “We try to perform the music of Queen humbly, tastefully and respectfully while paying homage to our rock idols without resorting to any corny cliché antics or images.” It’s no mystery why Queen Nation has therefore been crowned by their loyal legions of fans as the “Peoples Choice Tribute To Queen” champions.

It’s SKYLINE WEDNESDAY at the Summer Arts Festival! Enjoy Cheese Coneys and Walking Tacos, on sale tonight from our Skyline Wednesdays sponsor, Skyline Chili Springfield! (A portion of your purchase benefits The Summer Arts Festival.)

Thursday, June 29, 2023 at 8:00 PM; Veterans Park Amphitheater

McGuffey Lane

McGuffey Lane is a central-Ohio rock band who started their successful career in the college town of Athens, Ohio in the 1970s. Founding members Steve George Reis and Terry Efaw began their careers playing gigs in Athens and the surrounding area under their original name “Scotch and Soda.” When they added Bobby Gene McNelley, they renamed themselves “McGuffey Lane,” after the street where Steve lived throughout his childhood. McGuffey Lane was not only the house band for years for Ohio venues such as The Castle and Zachariah’s Red Eye Saloon, but have also toured the country with bands including the Allman Brothers, Charlie Daniels, the Judds, and The Marshall Tucker Band.

McGuffey Lane’s history mirrors one of the songs from their 2002

“Wood” album. “I’ve been up and down and all around my head in the clouds and my feet on the ground. Don’t you worry baby don’t you worry about me. Cause I’ve survived everything that comes and goes. I still know which way that old north wind blows. After all these years I’m

“Runnin’ Wild and Free”. McGuffey Lane is still going strong with the three original surviving members (Steve George Reis, Terry Efaw and John Schwab) in the band. The journey continues and “It’s A Good Day.”

Proscenium Sponsor

Friday,

June

30, 2023 at 8:00 PM; Veterans Park Amphitheater

TEN: The Ten Band - Tribute to Pearl Jam

One of AXS TV’s “World’s Greatest Tribute Bands”, TEN (The Ten Band) is the Nation’s premier fan tribute to the legendary rock band Pearl Jam. Based out of Western PA, TEN* has been touring the US and beyond since 2003; the band has played over 1000 shows nationwide to standing room only crowds and has developed a truly unique show for die-hards and casual fans alike.

TEN was selected by AXS TV to appear on the hit TV show “World’s Greatest Tribute Bands” hosted by Katie Daryl. The one-hour live performance from the world-famous Whisky-A-Go-Go in Los Angeles appeared live in living-rooms worldwide on November 11, 2014.

TEN has generated a tremendous buzz in US markets nationwide for their authentic reproduction of a live Pearl Jam concert. “This is the most authentic tribute act I have ever seen, and I have seen a bunch” was the quote of a representative of Clear Channel Communications at the inaugural show in May of 2003. Since that night, TEN has firmly established themselves as the premier touring Pearl Jam Tribute act in the US!

(*TEN is often referred to as “The TEN BAND” by the “Faithful Followers”)

Saturday, July 1, 2023 at 8:00 PM;

Veterans Park Amphitheater

Hollywood Swinging: The Tribute to Kool and The Gang

The Springfield Arts Council’s 2023 Summer Arts Festival welcomes Hollywood Swinging – The Tribute to Kool and the Gang.

Hollywood Swinging brings all the nonstop hits of the legendary Kool & the Gang from the early 70s thru the mid-80s, including “Funky Stuff,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Hollywood Swinging,” 1979’s “Ladies’ Night,” the number-one hit in the ‘80s “Celebration,” and international hits including “Get Down on It,” “Joanna,” and “Cherish.”

Get ready! When you hear these classic songs performed by Hollywood Swinging, you have to “get outta your seat and move your feet,” guaranteed! EVENT PARTNER

Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 8:00 PM; Veterans Park Amphitheater

Griffin House

Born and raised in Springfield (where his father worked in a tire shop and his mother helped place children with foster families,) the athletically-gifted Griffin House landed a role in a musical in high school and was surprised to learn that he had a natural talent for singing.

Recording and performing for over a decade, House has toured with Ron Sexsmith, Patti Scialfa, Josh Ritter, John Mellencamp, Mat Kearney, and The Cranberries. He received early critical acclaim on the CBS Sunday Morning, and his songs have since been featured in countless films and television shows such as One Tree Hill, Army Wives, and Brothers and Sisters. He has also appeared on Late Night with Craig Ferguson. House has released ten albums and continues to headline his own national tours.

Griffin headlines nationally when not enjoying home life with his wife and two daughters, and remains a Summer Arts Festival fan favorite!

Event Partner

Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 8:00 PM; Veterans Park Amphitheater