MUNCIE — Grammy and Oscar award-winning singer-songwriter Tiara Thomas, a 2012 Ball State University graduate, is returning to Ball State as the next guest in the David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series.
“A Conversation with Tiara Thomas” will be at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20, at Sursa Performance Hall on Ball State’s campus, and will be livestreamed at bsu.edu/live. Free tickets for Ball State students, faculty and staff are currently available at the College of Fine Arts box office in Sursa Hall. The box office is open noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets will be available to the general public starting Wednesday, Sept. 15, in person and at 765-285-8749.
In March, Thomas won her first Grammy award for co-writing the 2020 Song of the Year, “I Can’t Breathe,” in collaboration with singer-songwriter H.E.R. The following month, “Fight for You,” another song co-written by Thomas and H.E.R., won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
An Indianapolis native, Thomas majored in telecommunications at Ball State. She was first vaulted into national prominence in 2013, when she co-wrote, co-produced, and appeared on Wale’s hit single “Bad.”
During her visit to Ball State’s campus on Monday, she will work with students in the College of Communication, Information, and Media and the College of Fine Arts to workshop, record, and document original song productions. Her event that night at Sursa Hall will be moderated by Gabriel Tait, associate professor of Journalism.
Masks will be required for all attendees, regardless of vaccination status. For more information on Ball State’s COVID-19 policies, visit the Cardinals Care website.
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The David Letterman Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop Series was established in 2008 through a gift from Letterman, a 1969 Ball State graduate. The series brings major business, media, and academic figures to campus to engage students in discussions about the latest issues in communications, emerging media, and cultural forces shaping our society, according to a release.
Past guests have included legendary newscaster Ted Koppel, Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts, innovator Tom Kelley, and public policy expert Kathleen Hall Jamieson. Letterman has personally invited and hosted conversations with media icon and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, MSNBC prime-time host Rachel Maddow, and filmmakers Spike Jonze and Bennett Miller.
Veterans coffee hour offered at Jay Fairgrounds
PORTLAND — As part of the 2021 Military Vehicle Show and Swap Meet at the Jay County Fair grounds on Friday, Sept. 17. and Saturday. Sept. 18, a free coffee event for all veterans, young and old, will be offered 7-9 a.m. each day in the Farmers Building. A door prize drawing will be conducted. Local clubs will be open for a breakfast in the area.
Electric violinist to conclude concert series
NEW CASTLE — Cathy Morris will conclude the “Live @ The Arts Park” Henry County Concert Series on Friday, Sept. 17, at the Arts Park Pavilion.
Opening act Brian Winchester will start the evening’s entertainment at 6:30 p.m. Morris, one of the most well-known electric violinists currently performing, will follow with her brand of “party jazz.” Morris will be joined by her band, which consists of some of Indianapolis’ most revered musicians including Steve Dokken on bass and Tony Medeiros on drums.
All ages are welcome to attend the free concert, and donations will be accepted at the event for future concerts. The audience is encouraged to take along lawn chairs, and coolers are allowed. The Kiwanis will be selling concessions during the concert to benefit their community endeavors aimed at helping youth in the area.
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