Luminaries
Allied Solutions Center’s weekday speaker series, Luminaries, meets at 2 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of every other month for presentations about the performing arts. Tickets for the presentations are just $10 and can be purchased online or by calling the Fifth Third Bank Box Office at 317.843.3800.
2025-26 Schedule
Latin American Music from the Heart with Yuriria Rodríguez
Sept. 30, 2025 | Robert Adam Room in the Payne & Mencias Palladium
Costa Rican soprano Yuriria Rodríguez sings in both classical and popular styles and has been noted by reviewers for her “beautiful voice which recalls a force of nature.” Her presentation, Latin American Music from the Heart, will explore the songs of Latina women composers and singers who have left a historic legacy in the Latin American music world.
About the Presenter
Yuriria (Yuri) Rodríguez is a Latin jazz vocalist, educator, composer, choral director, artist and ambassador of Latin American music. She studied voice in her native Costa Rica and at Loyola University New Orleans before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the IU Jacobs School of Music, where she is a guest artist for the Latin Jazz Ensemble. She currently serves as Associate Director of Hispanic Music at Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis, where she conducts the Coro Latinoamericano and developed a bilingual choral program for early music learners.
Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime with Kevin MacDowell
Nov. 25, 2025 | Robert Adam Room in the Payne & Mencias Palladium
American composer and pianist Scott Joplin was dubbed the “King of Ragtime.” His hit “Maple Leaf Rag” is nearly as popular today as it was in 1899, appearing in video games, cartoons, commercials, and the soundtracks of hundreds of films. In this presentation, musician Kevin MacDowell will play several of Joplin’s ragtime compositions and share anecdotes from Joplin's life.
About the Presenter
Kevin MacDowell is no stranger to the Payne & Mencias Palladium, having shared several musical programs for families with kids as Kid Kazooey, “the singin’ and swingin’ librarian,” as well as other programs for the Luminaries series, including music of Hoagy Carmichael and Cole Porter and early radio favorites. MacDowell teaches, performs, writes and records music for children of all ages in his hometown, Bloomington.
Choose to Love and the Art of Storytelling with Kevin Wanzer
Jan. 27, 2026 | Robert Adam Room in the Payne & Mencias Palladium
A motivational comedian and keynote speaker, Kevin Wanzer has been empowering audiences – one laugh at a time – since his sophomore year of high school, sharing his message of love, leadership and laughter. In this presentation, he will share his poem “Choose to Love,” which came to him in a dream one night in the 1990s and was later published. He encourages audiences to embrace love in their careers, relationships and interactions, to embrace the power of humor and diversity, and to discover their hidden passions.
About the Presenter
Kevin Wanzer graduated with honors from Butler University in his hometown of Indianapolis. While in college, he served on the staff of Late Night with David Letterman, addressed the United Nations with the first lady of the United States, and became one of the youngest presidential appointees in our nation’s history. He has been noted nationally as an effective and entertaining speaker for audiences of all ages, having spoken to more than 3,000 audiences all over the world including 49 states, Canada, China, Europe and Singapore.
The Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll with Ron Kadish
March 24, 2026 | Robert Adam Room in the Payne & Mencias Palladium
This presentation will provide a comprehensive look at the roots of rock ’n’ roll, from its diverse influences to the pivotal moments that set the stage for the British Invasion, including a discussion about which song is really “the first” rock ’n’ roll song. You’ll hear great songs from the period and learn about the people who made the songs happen.
About the Presenter
Bassist, educator and music publicist Ron Kadish has extensive experience with the roots of rock ’n’ roll, having helped create, produce and perform shows on the topic for Arizona-based Lonely Street Productions and Indiana-based One Pulse Entertainment. Closer to home, Ron has taught Jazz History online at Indiana University and double bass at Indiana State University, also performing on bass with numerous bands and orchestras throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. www.ronkadish.com
It’s All About the Groove! with Lisa Colleen
May 26, 2026 | The Studio Theater
Drumming has the power to motivate, relax, educate, energize, unite and inspire. It is accessible to all ages and ability levels, and no experience is needed. Join music educator Lisa Colleen on a rhythmic journey via a drum circle experience that explores the drum as a tool for creating unity, self-expression and well-being. The presentation will introduce basic rhythms that lend themselves well to the circle experience. What are you waiting for – come have fun and drum!
About the Presenter
Lisa Colleen is an educator, artist-in-residence presenter, drum circle facilitator, ICA-certified life coach and personal growth workshop facilitator. For over 15 years, she has focused on bringing rhythm and wellness programs to schools, special needs and senior living communities, and other support communities. She is the founder and principal of LC Rhythm Events, a high-energy consultancy that applies rhythm, movement and neuroscience to the art of reframing perspectives for release, regulation, health and well-being. She is also the Director of Program Development at Bongo Boy Music School in Indianapolis. Since earning a graduate certificate program in Applied Educational Neuroscience from Butler University in 2021, she has expanded into consulting on life-enrichment programming for senior communities and presenting professional development workshops for preschool and elementary school educators. lcrhythmevents.com
For more information on the series, contact Julia Shildmyer at 317.819.3516 or JShildmyer@TheCenterPresents.org.
