On Saturday, March 8, Ebony & Ivory appeared in concert on stage at the Opera House of Sandwich, IL. What a delightful concert it was, and what an attractive venue! Arrangements for the concert were well organized and executed by Executive Director Sandra Black and a host of volunteers. Reid Heinekamp performed yeoman's duty in all things technical and was of immense help, and it was great to meet old acquaintances Mary Redmon and Paul Gleason, both of whom attended the Ebony & Ivory concert last year in Woodstock, IL and brought back glowing reports to Sandwich. It was a memorable evening, and a memorable visit.

Days on the road are often enlivened by visits to interesting tourist attractions, and, after leaving Sandwich, the Duo enjoyed a walking tour of Zionsville, IN, the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Indianapolis, Mammoth Cave in Kentucky and Belle Meade Plantation near Nashville, TN.

Tennessee found Ebony & Ivory performing for a concert hall of school children bused in for an afternoon student concert, and then playing to a full house in the evening for the Monroe Area Council for the Arts in Madisonville, TN. The students were attentive and respectful and the attention of the adult audience that evening was palpably intent on the performance. Ebony & Ivory soared unerringly through the many byways of their repertoire and brought the audience to its feet at concert's end in appreciation for an uplifting and completely satisfying musical evening. The Duo enjoyed the awesome Southern hospitality of Patsy and Johnny Carson, who opened their spacious and elegant home to them and made them feel a part of the family during their stay. Special thanks go to Patsy and Johnny, and appreciation to all of the volunteers at the Monroe Area Council for the Arts, who so smoothly ensured that all aspects of the Ebony & Ivory visit were well organized.

The Duo concluded its tour with a Sunday afternoon concert for the Valley Artists Series at the University of Rio Grande, OH. An appreciative audience enjoyed the magic of Ebony & Ivory, especially a group of students who were brought to the concert by their teacher and met and questioned the artists after the concert. The theatre at Rio Grande is state-of-the-art and was under the control of Terence "Bear" Hopkins who made sure that his staff saw to the Duo's every need. "Bear" was an unfailingly gracious host, and his assistance was greatly appreciated.

Agent Robert Baird is busy talking to Presenters for tours of Ebony & Ivory in the 2003-2004 concert season. Plans so far include Florida in October and the East Coast (up to Maine) in November.

Ebony & Ivory will be appearing in the OnStage series at The Centre in the Square, one of Canada's premiere venues, on Thursday, April 24, 2003 at 8:00 p.m. The concert will be presented in an intimate cabaret setting, featuring seating around circular tables, vintage wines and elegant chocolates. How appropriate, given the marketing thrust of Ebony & Ivory's promotion!

The end of April will find Ebony & Ivory heading south to Louisiana for a 10-day residency for the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council. This residency, which will see the Duo performing school and full concerts in a variety of venues, has been spearheaded by Naomi Cordill. Naomi, known for her skill in organizing such ventures, and, more importantly, securing the funding for them, has worked, and is still working, long and hard to finalize the arrangements for this residency. The Duo is looking forward to this opportunity to entertain and perform for both children and adults in and around Winnsboro, LA. En route, the Duo will perform in the Georgia Southwestern State University Chamber Concert Series, on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, in Americus, GA. These concerts are organized by Jeffrey Green, Chair of the Department of Fine Arts, with the assistance of Julie Megginson.

The Ebony & Ivory Spring Mailing must surely have reached you by now, and we hope you enjoyed our buried treasure. Reaction to the mailing was swift:

We hope you enjoyed our mailing. Ebony & Ivory looks forward to performing in concert for you someday soon!