Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Congo Cabaret: That's Entertainment, Hosted by Muley the Mule

January 22, 2017, is fast approaching and with it comes the Congo Cabaret: That's Entertainment.  This variety show hearkens back to the days of vaudeville.  The twist?  This show is hosted by none other than Muley the Mule and Friends!

The event is created/produced/directed by Joel Chapman, one of the counselors of church's mental health center, and is meant to help raise funds for the food program at First Congo.

You can buy your tickets in person after services on Sundays with a check or cash, in the Global Goods Store with credit, or log into www.firstcongo.com, click on DONATE, and when buying your ticket list how many seats you need when buying the $40 family package (up to 4 seats) or the $25 single seat ticket.  You can also buy single seat tickets for others who might not be able to afford it otherwise.

Seating is limited to only 100 people, and as of this writing over 1/3 of those seats have been sold!  Don't wait, buy your ticket now!

We will have performances by Brennan Villines, Pastor Cheryl Cornish and Mark Allen, Sibella, Prof. Randy Rushing, and a bunch more surprises.  Also, you know our history: Being hosted by Muley the Mule and Friends ANYTHING could happen!!

The press release is below the video (which works on some browsers, or CLICK HERE.)



(Poster by Joel Chapman)
First Congregational Church, fondly known as “First Congo”, in the Cooper-Young
Neighborhood, is presenting “That’s Entertainment”—a big evening of dinner cabaret to benefit the social justice ministries of the church. On Sunday, January 22nd, with supper beginning at 5:30 and the show starting at 6:00, there will be a wide array of semi-professional and professional performers to brighten a winter’s evening, raise funds, and gladden the hearts of children and adults.


Hosting the cabaret is Muley the Mule and Friends—a fabulous troupe of puppeteers who not only will introduce the acts, but will perform and bring some surprises as well. Check them out at muleythemule.com. Some of the artists scheduled to appear are Dr. Randal Rushing, Professor of Voice at the University of Memphis’ Scheidt School of Music who will “channel” the likes of Hank Snow and Merle Haggard. Pastor Cheryl Cornish and her guitarist husband, Mark Allen, will play the music of PDQ Bach. You don’t want to miss that.


Director of the show and tenor, Joel Chapman, and baritone, Jonathan Devin, will join to sing the haunting “Lily’s eyes” from “The Secret Garden.” Duo Sibella will perform some of their original songs, and song stylists such as David Winter and ZB Davis will
represent the blues and musical theatre genres. The music director for “That’s Entertainment” is rising pop singer and composer, Brennan Villines, who recently gave a wow big band performance at Playhouse on the Square and who will sing a selection from his 2015 album, “Free.” Check him out at brennanvillines.com.


Tickets are $25 for singles, $40 for a family up to four, and include a delicious spaghetti supper. There will be a cash bar for beer and wine. The cabaret takes place in First Congo’s new Hub where approximately 400 people per week are fed a hot lunch and where clothing and toiletries are available in the clothes closet and pantry.

The Hub includes a stage where it is hoped coffee house and cabaret productions will become a regular part of the First Congo community outreach.


Tickets must be pre-paid and can be claimed at “will call” the evening of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the church, 1000 S. Cooper St., by check, cash or credit card. Or, go to firstcongo.com and click on the “Donate” button. Be sure to indicate your payment is for “cabaret” and clearly indicate the type of tickets you are purchasing: singles, family plan, or a combination. We have to know the total number of seats you are purchasing. Please leave a phone number in case we have questions.