Egyptian musician Youssra El Hawary will be coming to Lyons to play a show at the Storefront Theater on Wednesday, September 19th, from 6:30 - 8:30 pm. Corbin Wheaton presented this information to the City Council at their regular meeting on August 7th. El Hawary is an accordian player, and would likely be accompanied by some percussion and possibly a recorder player as well.
Wheaton was contacted by Storefront designer, Matthew Mazzotta, as well as by Center Stage, a NY organization that brings international musicians to play in the United States. He asked permission from the Council to block off Main Street from 2nd to 4rd Streets to accommodate El Hawary.
He explained that the Storefront would be opened up for seating, possibly with some additional tables and chairs. He mentioned the possibility of the Fallout having a beer garden for the event as well.
El Hawary will be visiting Washington, D.C. prior to her Lyons performance, and will be heading to Salt Lake City, UT after Lyons. “We are the smallest venue they are playing,” said Wheaton. “They heard about the Storefront Theater, and wanted to come and check it out.”
Wheaton explained further that the Wednesday Night Andromeda group would be willing to raise some funds to cover the cost of advertising, and obtaining sound equipment for the performance. Wheaton has contacted Omaha sound equipment firm Midwest Audio and Lights about providing a quote for equipment rental.
As this is a state-funded project, a non-profit needs to sign off on it, and the Center for Rural Affairs has agreed to do so, Wheaton explained.
Present council members voted unanimously to approve closing Main Street for this event.
Councilman Carvin Housh said that his beverage distributors may be able to help out with printing flyers and signs for the event. He also suggested asking Lyons-Decatur Northeast School to see if they had any sound equipment that could be borrowed for September 19th.
“This is a great opportunity for our community,” said Lyons mayor Andrew Fuston. “I’m all for it.”