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Neil Diamond will be one of many artists who are paid tribute to during Stuart’s annual Night With the Legends. (npr.org)

Stuart’s Opera House Hosts a Night With the Legends


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On Saturday, August 6 at 7 p.m., Stuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville will host an amazing evening of entertainment for a good cause: the annual A Night With the Legends.

The show features local Athens and Nelsonville talent playing tribute to some of music’s biggest stars with performances on the Stuart’s stage, all to raise money for Stuart’s Opera House. This is not karaoke, we have a full band! Organized by Alex Couladis, this event packs the Opera House each summer so get your tickets now.

This year’s event will feature tribute performances by Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Bob Seger, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Luther Vandross, Adele, Stevie Nicks, Sam Cooke, Joe Cocker, Michael Buble, Oak Ridge Boys and more. Music for the evening’s performers will be provided by the Night with the Legends House Band featuring Bill Rawlins, Adam Graham, Jared Sheets, John Lohse, and Jennifer Sheets along with Kay Carter, Pete Couladis, Scott Carson, Ken Edwards, Corey Young, Janice Paris, Ted Harris, Doug Carter, Kyle Slemmer, and more.

Ray Charles tunes will be played in tribute to the artist on Saturday at Stuart's Opera House. (npr.org)
Ray Charles tunes will be played in tribute to the artist on Saturday at Stuart’s Opera House. (npr.org)

2016 marks the eighth year for A Night With the Legends at Stuart’s Opera House. The event is organized by Alex Couladis, an Athens native, CPA, business development consultant, and Stuart’s Opera House board member. Known locally for his impersonations of Elvis and Vanilla Ice, Alex has organized fund-raising events for the USO and Shade Community Center.

Taking a step beyond the usual karaoke performances that have been the highlight these events, Alex has gathered a group of talented local celebrity vocalists who will perform. In addition to himself, Alex has enlisted J.W. Smith, JoAnn Wolfe, Otis Cockron, Sharell Arocho, Roger Gilmore, Chris Keesey, Jared Sheets, Angela Blair, Scott McDonald, Andy Stone, Bill L’Heureux, Michael Weiser, Charlie Brown, and more to perform on the historic Stuart’s stage as some of entertainment’s biggest legends. Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Merle Haggard, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, Celine Dion, Bob Seger, Neil Diamond, Kenny Rogers, Luther Vandross, Adele, Stevie Nicks, Sam Cooke, Joe Cocker, Michael Buble, Oak Ridge Boys,will all take the stage backed up by the Night with the Legends band.

Sam Cooke is one of the legends who will be paid tribute to Saturday night at Stuart's Opera House. (npr.org)
Sam Cooke is one of the legends who will be paid tribute to Saturday night at Stuart’s Opera House. (npr.org)

All of the performers have generously donated their time and talent, with proceeds benefiting Stuart’s Opera House. This event is an important fundraiser for the historic 137-year old Stuart’s Opera House. Stuart’s Opera House is a non-profit performing arts center in Nelsonville, Ohio that hosts over 75 events a year including music, theater, art, film, and educational programming for our region’s students. In addition to money raised through ticket sales, attendees will be able to vote with their dollars for their favorite performer, with the money being partly matched by each performers sponsor. Envelopes will be in each program for the show for voting for your favorite legend!

Tickets are still available, to purchase reserved seats in advance or for more information call (740) 753-1924 or visit our website at www.stuartsoperahouse.org.