Lexington Singers

River City Drum Corp

In Performance at the Governor's Mansion "On the Road at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg" pays tribute to community arts groups: singers, dancers and musicians who come together for their own enjoyment and to entertain others. Hosted by Courier-Journal columnist and connoisseur of Kentucky culture Byron Crawford, the program airs Sunday, Oct. 1 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET.

The program begins with the Lexington Singers. Founded more than four decades ago as a small ensemble, the group now boasts over 100 members. The Singers perform songs composed by arranger and accompanist Jay Flippin, incorporating the words of Kentucky poet James Still.

Then the River City Drum Corp claims the stage with a dynamic performance of African drumming. Founded in 1993 by Edward White, this Louisville-based group offers children and young adult apprentices the opportunity to learn drumming techniques as well as academic and business skills. The Hoedown Island Cloggers, from Slade, join the Drum Corp for one piece.

A performance by the Kentucky Opry rounds out the program. Based at the Mountain Arts Center since its founding in 1990 by Billie Jean Osborne, the musical variety show features a blend of country, bluegrass and gospel favorites in the tradition of country barn dances and the great radio programs that grew from them in the 1930s and '40s.

In Performance at the Governor's Mansion is a partnership among the Governor's Office, Special Projects and the Governor's Mansion; the Secretary's Office, Cabinet for Education, Arts and Humanities; and KET. The series is underwritten by a generous grant from the Ashland Oil Company.

In Performance at the Governor's Mansion "On the Road at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg" is a KET production, produced and directed by George Rasmussen. Nancy Carpenter is executive producer. The series is closed-captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Viewers can find out more about programming on KET by visiting the KET Web site at http://www.ket.org , a Kentucky.com affiliate.