Name: First Ladies of Song Starring Helen Welch
Start: 2026-03-19T19:30:00
Location: Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts is set to host a series of vibrant events showcasing a rich tapestry of musical genres. From the dynamic gypsy jazz of Christine Tassan et les Imposteures to the eclectic rock symphony of Skerryvore, and a tribute to the First Ladies of Song with Helen Welch, the lineup promises something for every music enthusiast. Family-friendly performances like Peppa Pig: My First Concert and the timeless musical The Music Man ensure that audiences of all ages will be entertained.

A Symphony of Sounds: Diverse Musical Journeys at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

As 2026 unfolds, Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth, OH, becomes a vibrant hub for music and theatrical performances. This year's lineup promises a rich tapestry of sounds and stories, featuring Scotland's dynamic band Skerryvore, Helen Welch's tribute to legendary female vocalists, a delightful introduction to music with Peppa Pig, and the timeless charm of The Music Man. Each event offers a unique journey through various genres and historical narratives, captivating audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

A Symphony of Culture: Vern Riffe Center's 2026 Performance Lineup

The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts in Portsmouth, OH, is set to host an exciting lineup of events that promise to captivate audiences with diverse musical genres and performances. From the globally acclaimed Scottish band Skerryvore's vibrant fusion of folk and rock, to the nostalgic tribute to legendary female vocalists by Helen Welch, and family-friendly entertainment with Peppa Pig's concert and the classic musical 'The Music Man,' there's something for everyone. Join us as we delve into the details of these unforgettable performances scheduled for 2026.

A Musical Extravaganza at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

Dive into a world of timeless tunes and heartwarming stories at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. This spring, Portsmouth, Ohio, hosts an array of captivating performances, including a tribute to legendary female vocalists by Helen Welch, a family-friendly Peppa Pig concert, and the charming antics of 'The Music Man.' Each event promises a unique experience filled with laughter, nostalgia, and musical brilliance, making it a perfect outing for audiences of all ages.

A Melodic Adventure: Celebrating Iconic Women and Family Fun at the Vern Riffe Center

Helen Welch

Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

Pay homage to the iconic female vocalists of yesterday and today as three powerhouse singers perform classic and contemporary country hits. This elegant and authentic journey celebrates the evolution of country music’s humble beginnings to the giants of today’s music industry. Relive classics like Patsy Cline’s Crazy, Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man, and Loretta Lynn’s Coal Miner’s Daughter, as well as newer favorites like Martina McBride’s Independence Day and Carrie Underwood’s Last Name. Described by audience members as “classy and strong” with “off-the-chart vocals,” these ladies have many saying, “I didn’t know I was a country music fan until I saw your show!” It’s a high energy celebration, backed by a live instrumental combo, perfect for audiences of all ages, whether they’re country music fans or not!

Rhinestone Cowgirls

With over 25,000 social media followers you don’t want to miss the tribute event that’s captivating audiences and selling out venues everywhere it goes!

With over 20 charting hits and one of the best-selling albums of all time (Rumours), Fleetwood Mac’s legacy continues to inspire generations. While the original members have stepped back from touring together, Fleetwood Gold – America’s Fleetwood Mac Experience brings that legendary sound back to the stage.

This is not just a concert—it’s a full-sensory time machine. With impeccable harmonies, authentic instrumentation, and a deep love for the music, Fleetwood Gold recreates the magic with remarkable precision. Fans say it’s “so close to the real thing, you’ll swear you were there.”

Experience the show that audiences are calling a must-see.

Fleetwood Gold – America’s Fleetwood Mac Experience

Fans first experienced the exceptional four-part harmony of genre leader Triumphant Quartet at Louise Mandrell’s beloved theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in 2003. When they came together to form the group, the four friends realized they had stumbled upon something incredibly special.

The acclaimed quartet performed with the legendary Mandrell daily until 2008, when they began touring, taking their polished harmonies to churches, performing arts centers and auditoriums all across the nation. The members credit the country music superstar for helping them perfect their stage presence and pursue excellence at every turn.

Triumphant Quartet

The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts welcomes back the SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY JAZZ ORCHESTRA, with acclaimed blues sensation MARQUISE KNOX, for an electrifying evening celebrating the music of Ray Charles, one of the most influential and iconic figures in American music. With his gritty, soul-soaked voice and deep command of the blues tradition, Knox brings fresh fire and authenticity to Ray Charles classics that helped shape the sound of modern America. Audiences will hear unforgettable hits such as What’d I Say, Georgia on My Mind, Hit the Road Jack, and I Got a Woman—songs that blurred the lines between blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B, and forever changed popular music. Ray Charles was a trailblazer whose artistry broke barriers, challenged conventions, and gave voice to joy and heartbreak. Backed by the swinging power of the SSJO, this concert promises a high-energy, deeply soulful tribute to an American original, delivered by one of today’s most compelling blues artists. This will be an evening that celebrates legacy, groove, and the enduring power of the music that still moves us today.

The Springfield Symphony Jazz Orchestra

THE PIANO MEN is a musical celebration of the 1970’s- year by year, hit by hit- from the songbooks of Billy Joel and Elton John. Award winning Canadian recording artist Jim Witter and his incredible band lead an expertly crafted tour of an entire decade that begins with Your Song and winds us along on a musical time machine, saluting two of the century’s most popular contemporary songwriters. Utilizing spectacular visuals on a screen behind Witter and his band, we return to the newspaper headlines, the automobiles, the people, the events, the toys and even the TV shows that shaped a decade. Along the way, the sounds of My Life, Candle in the Wind, Rocket Man, Just the Way You Are, and many more classic hits create an evening that’s so much fun, you won’t want it to end. By the time you hit 1979, you’re begging these musicians to move back to 1970 and start all over again. With Witter at the grand piano and his incredibly talented band mates, the music is not an attempt to “recreate” or “mimic” the evening’s long list of familiar hits. Instead, Witter unleashes his golden tenor on hit after hit to recreate fully formed mental and emotional return visits to specific landmarks in a pop culture timeline. Now in its 16th year of touring, THE PIANO MEN has enjoyed sold-out performances, return engagements and rave reviews in theatres across North America, Great Britain and Dubai. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the trip down memory lane!

The Piano Men featuring Jim Witter & Band

The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge and conductor, Graham Ross, will offer a festive program that marks the end of their year-long celebration of Clare College’s 700th anniversary. Traditional carols and Christmas motets and anthems, including those from the time of the College’s founding such as Angelus ad virginem and In dulci jubilo sit alongside more recent additions to the canon, including works written especially for the Choir by the late Sir John Tavener, former Director of Music Sir John Rutter, and Cecilia McDowall. The program also includes the première of Cheryl Frances-Hoad’s The Nativity, commissioned for the College’s 700th anniversary. Since the founding of a ‘mixed voice’ choir in 1972, THE CHOIR OF CLARE COLLEGE has gained an international reputation as one of the world’s leading ensembles. In addition to its primary function of leading services three times a week in the College chapel, the Choir keeps an active schedule recording, broadcasting, and performing, and has been universally praised for its consistently ‘thrilling’ and ‘outstanding’ performances worldwide. The Choir tours extensively throughout the world, and has produced an impressive discography of more than forty recordings.

The Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

This New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players production is your chance to get carried away by a band of pirates. Join this band of swashbuckling buccaneers, bumbling British bobbies, frolicsome Victorian maidens, and the delightfully dotty “model of a modern Major-General” for a rollicking romp over the rocky coast of Cornwall. The rich sounds of full orchestra, chorus, and legitimate vocal soloists resonate with classic elegance and power while the company’s vibrancy, energy and contemporary sense of humor keep the show alive and exciting to a modern audience. THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE – they’ll steal your heart away! For over fifty years, the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players (NYGASP) has served as America’s preeminent professional Gilbert & Sullivan repertory ensemble, and has been hailed as “the leading custodian of the G&S classics.” Since its founding in 1974, the company has presented over 3,000 performances of the G&S masterpieces throughout the United States, Canada, and the U.K. captivating audiences of all ages. We are thrilled to welcome this preeminent company to the VRCFA!

The Pirates of Penzance

Celebrated for his stunning musicianship and dazzling stage presence, American pianist BRIAN WOODS has emerged as an exciting performer. A St. Louis native, Woods has enjoyed success in numerous distinguished competitions such as the Verona International Piano Competition and the Beverly Hills National Auditions. Woods has performed extensively in concerts with orchestras, as well as solo recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Hailed as “representing the next generation of professional touring artists,” Woods’ performances continue to receive high acclaim, with audiences and critics alike praising his playing as “astonishing and inspiring” and “taking the audience on a journey.” Woods holds degrees from Vanderbilt University, University of Missouri – Kansas City, Shenandoah University, and the Royal Conservatory’s Glenn Gould School, where he completed the Artist Diploma Program on full scholarship with famed Irish pianist and Beethoven interpreter John O’Conor.

Brian Woods~Concert Pianist

After 55 years, FOGHAT is still going as strong as ever! Formed in 1971, when Roger Earl and Lonesome Dave Peverett left Savoy Brown to carve their own path, FOGHAT quickly found their groove—and fans found a band they could ‘crank up loud’ and ‘boogie to.’ It all exploded in 1975 with Fool for the City, their double platinum masterpiece featuring the now-legendary track Slow Ride. Just two years later, Foghat Live went multi-platinum and cemented their rep as one of rock’s most electrifying live bands. FOGHAT’s fanbase now spans generations. Whether you first heard Slow Ride blasting from your older brother’s stereo, playing on Guitar Hero III, or scoring scenes in Dazed & Confused or Top Gun: Maverick, the band’s infectious energy keeps pulling people in. Boomers to Gen Z, everyone shows up for the party—and FOGHAT brings it every single night. With eight Gold records, one Platinum, one Double Platinum, and a new #1 Blues album under their belt, FOGHAT is not just reliving the glory days. They are making new ones – proof that Foghat is still blazing down the highway of rock ‘n’ roll, pedal to the metal!

Foghat

The VRCFA is thrilled to welcome MOUNTAIN STAGE, the NPR program that showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern. MOUNTAIN STAGE is hosted by country singer, Kathy Mattea, and has been the home of live music on public radio since 1983. Produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed by NPR Music, each two-hour episode of MOUNTAIN STAGE can be heard every week on more than 200 stations across America, and around the world via NPR Music and mountainstage.org. Recorded in front of a live audience, each two-hour episode of MOUNTAIN STAGE features 4 to 5 guest performers from seasoned legends and emerging stars in genres ranging from folk, blues, and country; to indie rock, synth pop, world music, alternative, and beyond. Among the luminaries who appeared on MOUNTAIN STAGE before they were famous or who had their first national exposure in the U.S. are Sarah McLachlan, Norah Jones, Crash Test Dummies, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper, Paula Cole, Nickel Creek, Cassandra Wilson, Counting Crows, and Phish.

Mountain Stage

Get ready for a musical journey through the iconic songs and stories of the most legendary female vocalists in music history! International vocalist, entertainer, and producer Helen Welch stars in THE FIRST LADIES OF SONG, a spectacular tribute show that celebrates the trailblazing women who shaped the music industry. Join Helen as she channels the spirit and style of iconic first ladies including; Streisand, Petula, Dusty, Joni Mitchell, Whitney, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, and more!

First Ladies of Song Starring Helen Welch

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