Eastern and David Foster present 'Take Me to the River All-Stars Live'
An evening of New Orleans music to benefit community
Willimantic, CT (12/18/2025) — Eastern Connecticut State University will host "Take Me to the River All-Stars Live" on Jan. 10 for a special evening of funk, soul, and rhythm celebrating the vibrant musical traditions of New Orleans.
The concert will bring an all-star lineup of musicians to benefit two local anti-hunger organizations: Willimantic's Covenant Soup Kitchen and Eastern's Shawn's Cupboard food pantry.
When/Where:
- Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7:00 p.m.
- Fine Arts Instructional Center Concert Hall
The concert brings together legendary artists Cyril Neville, Omari Neville, Ian Neville, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr., Jelly Joseph, Robert Mercurio, Joe Ashlar, Brian Richburg Jr., and filmmaker Martin Shore.
Local music legend David Foster, the concert's executive producer, noted the caliber of musicians on the ticket, led by three members of the R&B/soul legends The Neville Brothers.
"Every member on stage is a first-rate, top-of-the-heap musician," said Foster. "It's a real feather in the cap for Eastern and the entire community to have them here. They're going to create an upbeat, Mardi Gras-style jazz festival atmosphere, and every penny raised will go toward addressing food challenges in the area.
"It's going to be a fabulous evening in Eastern's Concert Hall," he added. "Acoustically and visually, there isn't a bad seat in the house. If you want to see a world-class show in a world-class auditorium, put Jan. 10 on your calendar."
The concert is executive produced by Foster with support from Shaboo Productions and the Lester E. Foster & Phyllis M. Foster Foundation.
Eastern President Karim Ismaili said, "We are thrilled to partner with David and Marilyn Foster and Shaboo Productions to bring this exciting concert to Eastern and the Windham community. ... That it also serves as a benefit concert to address food insecurity makes it especially meaningful during this season of giving."
Tickets and Proceeds:
- Tickets are $50.
- Purchase tickets: www.easternct.edu/concert
- Proceeds benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen in Willimantic and Shawn's Cupboard, Eastern's on-campus pantry for food-insecure students.
###
Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving upwards of 4,000 students annually on its Willimantic campus. A residential campus offering 41 majors and 68 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal arts foundation grounded in a variety of applied learning opportunities. Ranked among the top 25 public institutions in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its 2025-26 Best Colleges ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review 15 years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
Media Attachments
Eastern Connecticut State University
Michael Rouleau, (860) 465-0172, rouleaum@easternct.edu; universityrelations@easternct.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Major prison arts exhibition showing at Eastern Connecticut State University
- Eastern receives $2.25M federal grant to strengthen student success efforts
- Student-owned business brings new 'purpose' to downtown Willimantic
- Local college student takes center stage as emerging director
- Tomorrow: Eastern's 'Day of Giving' to feed hundreds of community members
- Theatre: Eastern presents 'The Burial at Thebes,' based on Sophacles' classic tragedy
- Media Advisory: Eastern's 'Day of Giving' returns on Nov. 26
- For immediate release: Eastern holds first land acknowledgement ceremony
- Eastern launches new cybersecurity minor
- 'Spanish for Business': Community celebration to recognize student work with local businesses