August 15 @ 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Canal Era Music Performance
Don’t miss the culminating performance of our two-part Canal Era music series with Of Thee I Sing — and it’s completely free to attend!
About the Performance
Performer Audrey Johnson brings Indiana’s Canal Era to life in this captivating one-woman show. Through actual historical songs and stories, the program journeys through early American settlement along the Wabash River, the building of the Wabash & Erie Canal, and the culture and daily life of the people who shaped this region. Vivid imagery, engaging dialogue, and over ten onstage costume transformations make history feel immediate and alive.
You’re Part of the Show
This performance is designed for everyone — no experience or preparation needed. Nearly every song invites the audience to sing along on the choruses, and Audrey will teach each part, complete with fun hand motions, before every song. Audience members are also welcomed onstage during two special selections for moments of participation that are joyful and accessible for all ages.
The Grand Finale
Attendees of the August 8 workshop helped compose an original song celebrating the theme How Our Pioneer Ancestors Inspire Us — and this performance is where that song comes to life. The full audience will join in singing it together as the show’s finale.
Why It Matters
Canal Park is home to the only remaining navigable segment of the Wabash & Erie Canal in Indiana. This performance is a first-ever opportunity in our 50-year history to celebrate Canal Era music as a window into our shared local heritage.
A Q&A session follows the performance. Attendees are also invited to complete a feedback survey for a chance to win Canal Park merchandise and Of Thee I Sing branded items.
This program is made possible in part by The Arts Federation, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.
