INDIANA — In celebration of the nation’s upcoming Semiquincentennial, the Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is launching Of the People, a statewide concert series that explores 250 years of American music through original jazz arrangements.
Presented by The Lacy Foundation, the traveling series will stop in six Indiana communities throughout July and August. The performances will feature the acclaimed Visions Jazz Ensemble, a group founded in 2023 by Indiana University alumni Sam Butler and Garrett Fasig. The ensemble will reimagine a diverse lineup of patriotic songs, spirituals, folk traditions, country classics, and orchestral compositions to honor the musical heritage that has shaped the American story.
“History is more than dates and documents. It lives in the stories we tell, the traditions we share and the music that has connected generations of Americans,” said Jody Blankenship, president and CEO of the Indiana Historical Society. “Of the People offers audiences an opportunity to experience familiar songs in a new way while reflecting on the people and moments that continue to shape our nation.”
‘Freedom’s Framework’ Traveling Exhibit
In tandem with the musical performances, attendees will have the opportunity to view a traveling version of the new IHS museum exhibition, Freedom’s Framework.
The exhibit commemorates 250 years of the United States by diving into the history of the Old Northwest territory from the pre-Revolutionary War era through the conclusion of the Civil War. Visitors can examine how the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 continue to influence American life today, providing historical context to the music being performed.
Special Indianapolis Performance
The series features a flagship performance in Indianapolis on Sunday, July 19, at 3 p.m. at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.
For this date only, the Visions Jazz Ensemble will be joined by Chicago jazz vocalist Alyssa Allgood, winner of the Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition and a two-time DownBeat Magazine Critics Poll Rising Star. Admission to the Indianapolis performance is free, and guests are invited to tour the History Center’s full exhibitions following the conclusion of the music.
Statewide Performance Schedule
While most performances are free and open to the public, registration requirements and venues vary by community:
- Columbus (Bartholomew County)
- Date/Time: Friday, July 17 at 7 p.m.
- Location: Bartholomew County Public Library (Outdoor performance; attendees should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets).
- Cost: Free.
- New Harmony (Posey County)
- Date/Time: Saturday, July 18 at Noon.
- Location: Thrall’s Opera House.
- Cost: Free (In partnership with Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites).
- Indianapolis (Marion County)
- Date/Time: Sunday, July 19 at 3 p.m.
- Location: Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.
- Cost: Free.
- South Bend (St. Joseph County)
- Date/Time: Wednesday, July 29 at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Merriman’s Playhouse.
- Cost: Ticket required.
- Madison (Jefferson County)
- Date/Time: Sunday, Aug. 2 at 3 p.m.
- Location: Historic Eleutherian College.
- Cost: Free.
- Franklin (Johnson County)
- Date/Time: Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.
- Location: Historic Artcraft Theatre.
- Cost: Free (Presented by the Johnson County Community Foundation).
For complete venue details, to secure tickets for the South Bend performance, or to learn more about the accompanying historical exhibits, residents can visit the official events calendar at IndianaHistory.org/events.
