SPRINGFIELD – Beatles music, fundraising, and art will come together as the Emerald Art Center (EAC) presents the Nowhere Band from Portland. The tribute band, known for its authentic renditions of The Beatles’ classics, will perform at the Wildish Theater at 630 Main St. for one night only on Friday, Oct. 24, at 6:30 p.m.
The annual Mayor’s Revue event is EAC’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising money for community projects through entertainment and fundraising activities. Following recent cuts to federal funding, these efforts have become more essential than ever for the organization’s survival.
This concert serves as a fundraiser for the EAC, an organization dedicated to promoting the arts in the Springfield community.
For the Wildish Theater performance, the Nowhere Band will showcase beloved tracks from iconic albums, including “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Abbey Road,” and “The White Album.” With 18 years of experience entertaining audiences, the Nowhere Band focuses on recreating the sound and feel of The Beatles rather than impersonating them.
“Nearly all of the music that the Beatles recorded after 1966 was never performed by them live,” said John Averill, bandleader and one of the lead vocalists of the Nowhere Band. “The Nowhere Band attempts to recreate the ‘what if’ the Beatles ever got to reunite or perform their music live with all the bells and whistles.”
While EAC “conducts small fundraising events throughout the year, which helps to fill in the small holes, once a year, it produces its largest fundraising event, which is vital for raising the unrestricted funds needed to maintain, prosper, and grow this priceless community resource,” said Don Hudgins, executive director at EAC.
That rings especially true this year.
Facing funding challenges
In May 2025, the Oregon Arts Commission reached out to local art organizations, including the EAC, following a communication from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA).
According to the email, the only projects that will be funded through the NEA are ones that are supported by the current United States President, including the ones that “celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, foster AI competency, empower houses of worship to serve communities, and assist with disaster recovery,” to name a few.
As a result of a shift in priorities, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) terminated funding for various awards that no longer aligned with these new goals. This included the cancellation of the creative writing fellowship, a program that had been in place since 1966. Additionally, the NEA abruptly canceled hundreds of existing grants, rescinded grants that had already been awarded, and terminated other funding opportunities.
The cancellations have caused major budget shortfalls for many arts organizations, compelling them to seek alternative funding sources and potentially reduce programs or staff.
“This is a crushing loss for many of the NEA’s direct grantees; many community-based arts projects will shut down and public access to the arts will shrink,” said Pam Breaux, the president of the National Assembly of the State of Arts Agencies. “A strong NEA strengthens America. We should be sustaining our federal investment in the arts – not retracting it.”
Art grants are still out there, but have become more competitive. This is why local arts organizations must rely on fundraisers now more than ever, as the EAC doesn’t generate enough revenue from art sales to operate.
“Our main income is grants, memberships, and rental income,” said Guy Weese, president of the board at EAC.
A community need
The EAC is a community resource in Springfield that makes art accessible to the public. Oftentimes, the people who need art the most for self-expression and to remind them of beauty in the world – those who do not have it in their lives and thus don’t take it for granted – are also the people least able to afford it.
A community member who cannot afford paint – or necessities like medical with Medicaid cuts – also can’t afford to attend enriching events in their community.
“Events create personal connections between donors, members, volunteers, and the organization’s mission,” Hudgins said. “People are far more likely to give – and give repeatedly – when they feel part of a community. It’s also a chance to thank existing supporters publicly and cultivate new ones. Events like the Mayor’s Revue also give Emerald Art Center the opportunity to build awareness of who we are, what we do, where we are located, and most importantly, our values and vision.”
Ticket holders will enjoy exclusive early entry into the EAC at 5 p.m. before the main event, where they can savor snacks and refreshments as part of the 7th Annual Mayor’s Revue. This event coincides with the Mayor’s Art Show, which runs until Oct. 31.
Tickets can be purchased through the EAC or Wildish. More info: emeraldartcenter.org/copy-of-mayor-s-revue.
