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Out and About

A weekly spotlight on arts activities in Central Illinois. Out and About is made possible in part by PNC Financial Services and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.

Youth Music Illinois Executive Director Lidia Riley previews a concert with local, soulful, funky band JC and the Redemption

WCBU | By Mae Gilliland Wright

Published April 23, 2025 at 2:35 PM CDT

Image promoting this week's Out and About episode featuring Lidia Riley Youth Music Illinois Executive Director, who previews a concert with local, soulful, funky band JC and the Redemption. Image includes the logos for Out and About, WCBU, NPR, and a picture of Lidia Riley. — On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Lidia Riley, Executive Director of Youth Music Illinois. YMI is preparing for an exciting concert with local band JC and the Redemption on April 28 at 7:30 PM at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center in Morton.

On this week’s episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Lidia Riley, Executive Director of Youth Music Illinois. YMI is preparing for an exciting concert with local band JC and the Redemption on April 28 at 7:30 PM at the Bertha Frank Performing Arts Center in Morton.

The evening will feature YMI’s Jazz Ensembles performing a lively mix of soul, funk, and New Orleans-style music alongside JC and the Redemption. Riley shares how the partnership came together, how students have been preparing, and what’s next as Youth Music Illinois celebrates its sixtieth year.