The Theatre Workshop of Owensboro’s (TWO) Empress Theatre played host to an all-female lineup of vocal, instrumental and interpretive dance performers Friday evening. The “Denim and Diamonds: Divas!” show served as the 9th annual musical performance leading into the crucial fundraising week for WBKR’s St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon.
Friday night’s show included the musical talents of such artists as Jaclyn Graves, Skylar and Sophia Cain, Nadia Wilkes, Ariel Ramsey, Lacy Jean, Cynthia Murray, Latasha Shemwell and Natalie Cline.
The first-ever “Denim and Diamonds” show was held at O’Bryan’s Bar and Grill. The following year, the show moved to TWO’s Empress Theatre where it has remained for the last eight years.
WBKR morning co-host Chad Benefield said, in anticipation of Friday night’s concert, that it would be just the beginning of the fundraising efforts taking place in the coming week.
“It’s going to be an amazing concert — it’s the preamble to our radiothon, which is next Thursday and Friday,” Benefield said.
The lower level of the theatre appeared to be near capacity during the show, with over 220 tickets sold, many at the door. Some who purchased tickets paid the $10 requested admission, while others reportedly donated in excess of $50 to support the mission behind the music.
Former morning radio co-host and current Membership Development and Marketing Manager with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Jaclyn Graves said that, as much as she missed the people that she worked with at the radio station, it was St. Jude that she missed most.
“This community, along with WBKR, has raised almost $2 million,” Graves said. “If you really get to be a part of the St. Jude mission — you will never regret it a day in your life.”
While the primary objective over the next week is to raise money for St. Jude cancer research, it’s what that money provides for sick children that speaks to the heart of Benefield. Knowing that a few dollars could literally be the difference between life and death for a child, Benefield chooses life.
“They say money doesn’t buy happiness, but at St. Jude, it does,” Benefield said.
Click here to show your support for St. Jude by donating through the “Denim and Diamonds” show.
