Reynolds Performance Hall at the University of Central Arkansas will celebrate its 20^th anniversary with a special concert in February that recognizes the first performer who graced its stage – the late Ray Charles.

“This is a thrilling, monumental year for Reynolds Performance Hall as we celebrate our 20th season of bringing amazing talent to Central Arkansas,” said Reynolds director Amanda Horton. “What better way to celebrate this season than by presenting a ‘Best of Reynolds’ Series, with some of our patrons’ favorite shows.”

UCA’s Reynolds opened Sept. 15, 2000, with a sold-out performance by the legendary Ray Charles. 

“Ray Charles set the bar high! As we celebrate our 20^th season this year, we are proud to present a show that reaches that high bar and will delight the audience with favorite Ray Charles music,” said Horton.

“Georgia on My Mind – Celebrating the Music of Ray Charles” is planned 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28.

A Georgia native, Ray Charles is an American treasure who won every major award from the Georgia Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame to the Kennedy Center Honors and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

“In this exciting 90-minute, feel-good extravaganza, the cast performs dazzling soulful performances of hit songs including; ‘Hit the Road Jack,’ ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You,’ ‘Georgia on My Mind’ and many more,” said Horton. “The celebration features 10 time Grammy winners TAKE 6, Emmy Award winner Clint Holmes, six-time Grammy nominee Nnenna Freelon and Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum.

“This is a performance you don’t want to miss!”

Previous Best of Reynolds performances were The Gatlin Brothers and Straight No Chaser. The final performance in the series is “Cirque Éloize HOTEL” scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3. 501 LIFE is the sponsor of the Best of Reynolds series.

Tickets may be purchased at uca.edu/reynolds, at the Reynolds Box Office between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by calling UCA Ticket Central at 501.450.3265 or toll-free at 866.810.0012.

For more information, contact Horton at [email protected], or visit uca.edu/reynolds.