The Fabulous Armadillos’ live music experience, “What’s Going On? Songs from the Vietnam Era,” routinely sells out venues across the Midwest.
In fact, when the Minnesota-based band first premiered its tribute to the songs of the 1960s and the people who lived throughout the divisive and historic era, with a special focus on Vietnam Veterans, at the St. Cloud Paramount in 2018, the show was originally booked for three nights – but it sold out so quickly the band had to add a matinee.
The band calls the concert its “most talked about and important show” they have ever produced, and it’s being offered to Iron Range audiences for free June 20th at the Hibbing High School Auditorium.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN) has organized the free concert as a kick-off to the arrival of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s “The Wall That Heals.” The nation’s pre-eminent Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica will arrive on the Iron Range the following day (June 21st), will be constructed June 22nd, and will be free and open to the public 24 hours a day starting June 23rd at the Chisholm Football Field until it closes at 2 pm June 26th.
UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay said she learned of the band and its Vietnam show from local veterans. UWNEMN has been working closely with local Vietnam veterans and veterans of other eras through its United for Veterans program to bring The Wall That Heals to the Iron Range and to plan programming while it is here.
“I’ve been told more times than I can count how great this concert is and what a great fit it is to set the stage for The Wall That Heals,” Shay said. “It’s entertaining and family friendly, but it’s also incredibly moving and impactful. It’s not to be missed!”
“What’s Going On? Songs from the Vietnam Era” incorporates live music, live narration, and video to provide a multi-media deep dive into the 1960s, early 1970s, and the Vietnam War. Through song and imagery the concert examines the tumultuous time period but concludes on a note of hope and inspiration for a better tomorrow.
This concert is free and open to the public; no registration or tickets are needed. Doors open at the Hibbing High School Auditorium at 5:30 pm Monday June 20th, and the concert begins at 6:30 pm. Volunteers are needed to assist The Fabulous Armadillos carrying gear before and after the concert. Click HERE to learn more.