Krannert Center Teams with Illinois Soul
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has teamed with Illinois Public Media (IPM) to support their latest initiative, Illinois Soul. The new service from IPM will debut on February 1, broadcasting in Champaign-Urbana on WILL-FM 101.1 and streaming everywhere at illinoissoul.org. Illinois Soul’s mission, according to their website, will be “… highlighting Black experiences, celebrating Black culture, elevating Black voices, and showcasing Black music.” The new 24/7 public media audio service will feature Black-hosted National Public Radio (NPR) news programs along with smooth jazz, neo soul, and R&B.
The partnership between Krannert Center and Illinois Soul will make its first appearance with the February 1 edition of Krannert Center’s free Thursday local music series, Krannert Center Uncorked. All five Uncorked events in February will be presented in collaboration with Illinois Soul 101.1 FM in celebration of Black History Month.
“We are so excited to work with Illinois Soul as they make their debut,” said Maureen Reagan, Krannert Center’s Associate Director for Marketing. “Illinois Soul will be a great asset for the Champaign-Urbana community and beyond, and we look forward to having our relationship grow in the months and years to come.”
Jill Clements, Assistant Corporate Support Director at Illinois Public Media and internal driving force behind Illinois Soul, said, “Illinois Soul is thrilled to be collaborating with Krannert Center for the Performance Arts to jointly cultivate and serve Black audiences in central Illinois on a more consistent basis with more local, regional, and national artist performances that resonates with them, starting with these special editions of Uncorked, with even more to come.”
February’s Krannert Center Uncorked series will feature the following artists:
February 1: Afro D & Global Soundwaves
February 8: Dexter O’Neal and the Funk Yard
February 15: Soft Spoken
February 22: Haki N Dem
February 29: Nadirah Shakoor
All Krannert Center Uncorked performances are free at Stage 5 in the Krannert Center lobby from 5pm—7pm.
Illinois Soul staff will be on site at Krannert Center for all February Krannert Center Uncorked performances. “We encourage everyone in the community to come show support for Illinois Soul and meet the people who will be providing Champaign-Urbana with this important voice in local media,” Reagan said.
Complete information on Illinois Soul’s format and program schedule can be found at IllinoisSoul.org.