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Ed Moran (front) portrays Van Morrison on stage. He is shown with the members of the five-piece band that perform with him.

“If Van Morrison isn’t coming to your town, Moondance is the next best thing!” writes the Dallas News.

Moondance: the Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22 and 23 in the Deane Center’s Coolidge Theatre at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The Friday night performance is primarily for Wellsboro Community Concert Association subscribers who plan to attend all six shows being offered during WCCA’s 2021-2022 season. Seating is theatre style. Those attending must wear masks throughout the performance.

WCCA is also hosting a Saturday night performance for the general public. Seating is cabaret style at tables. Ticket holders are encouraged to bring their favorite beverages and snacks and reserve a table to sit with family and friends. Those attending must wear masks unless sitting at their tables.

“We put this show together eight years ago because Van Morrison is a popular singer/songwriter who rarely performs in our country,” said Vinnie Brandi of Galaxy Entertainment, producer of the Moondance tribute concert. “When he does, it’s usually a short run,” Brandi added. “People don’t get to see ‘Van the Man’ in person much anymore compared to other performers who are constantly on tour.”

Born on Aug. 31, 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the 76-year-old Grammy Award-winning Morrison released his 42nd studio album, the 28-track “Latest Record Project, Volume 1” on May 7 of this year.

A professional musician since the late 1950s, Morrison plays guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums and saxophone. Before going solo, he first gained national attention as the lead singer for the band.

This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has never failed to impress music lovers around the globe. “Rock and roll doesn’t get any better than Van Morrison,” said Brandi.

During the Oct. 22 and 23 concerts, the audience will hear Morrison’s classic rock songs like “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Domino,” legendary tunes like “Tupelo Honey” and “Into The Mystic” and others, such as “Moondance,” “It Stoned Me,” “Wild Night,” and “Caravan.” Also included will be “Bright Side of the Road” from Morrison’s 1979 album “Into the Music;” “Cleaning Windows” from his 1982 “Beautiful Vision” album and “Days Like This” from his 23rd 1995 same titled album.

“Van isn’t much of a talker and neither is Ed,” Brandi said in referring to Ed Moran who portrays Morrison and is the lead vocalist in the show. “The audience can count on hearing little tidbits during the performance, such as the stories behind some of the songs,” Brandi noted. “A very impressive and realistic portrayal of Van Morrison…a must see,” according to the Hawaii Reporter.”

Described as “An incredible recreation of the Irish legend,” by the LA Times, Moran is backed by a five-piece band whose members play the same five instruments as Morrison. Members are: Joseph Torra on keyboards; Dana Welts on guitar; Vinnie Brandi on drums; Dan Broad on bass guitar and Aaron Dean on saxophone. Welts and Broad are Moran’s backing vocalists.

Season passes save money. A season pass admits one adult and accompanying children, 12 and under, to each of the six WCCA concerts and a separate season pass admits a student, 13 to 18. 2019-2020 season ticket holders can purchase a discounted 2021-2022 season ticket.

Individual tickets for the Friday or Saturday Moondance concert can be purchased in advance for adults, children 12 and under and students, 13 to 18 or at the door either night on a first-come first-served, space-available basis. To purchase tickets at the door, arrive at the Deane Center at 7:15 p.m.

To reserve seats for Friday and tables for Saturday or for tickets or season ticket forms, visit www.wellsborocca.org, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or stop in at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

Diane Eaton
dianetn@ptd.net
(570) 724-3800