Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center is featuring a full slate of music, theatre, and student performances throughout the month of February.

The schedule opens Friday night with the 66th Annual Jazz Festival, welcoming Grammy-winning bassist and arranger John Clayton. Clayton is known for his work with some of the biggest names in music and for arranging Whitney Houston’s performance of the national anthem at the 1990 Super Bowl. That concert gets underway Friday at 7:30 in the Dvorak Concert Hall.

Valentine’s Day brings EagleMania to the Doudna on Saturday, February 14th. The nationally recognized tribute band recreates the sound of The Eagles and will perform many of the group’s greatest hits, along with select solo works. The show begins at 7:30.

EIU students take the spotlight Tuesday, February 17th, with the Singer-Songwriter Showcase in the Black Box Theatre. The free concert features original music written and performed by EIU students.
The Wind Symphony and Faculty Showcase follows Thursday, February 19th, featuring a collaborative performance by students and faculty, while the Eastern Symphony Orchestra performs Friday, February 20th.

Choral music highlights the weekend on Sunday, February 22nd, as EIU’s choral ensembles perform in the Concert Hall. Jazz returns Tuesday, February 24th, with the EIU Jazz Combos performing classic standards and original student compositions. That concert is free and open to the public.

The month wraps up with the musical Bright Star, running February 27th and 28th and March 6th and 7th, with Sunday matinee performances on March 1st and 8th. The show features music by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell and tells a story of love and redemption set in the American South.  Tickets for all performances are available through the Doudna Fine Arts Center Box Office and online at eiu.edu/doudnatix.