INDEPENDENCE — The Independence Historical Museum and Art Center will present the popular Meadowlark Lounge on Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 ($25 at the door) and includes beer, wine, and light snacks. Tickets for museum members are $15. Tickets can be purchased online at: ihmacmuseum.org and scan the QR code on the poster.
Performers this year include Katie Bardwell, a 21-year-old singer-songwriter based in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Dillon T Kuehn, a 19-year-old musician from Independence, Brian Leedy, a regular performer at Uncle Jack’s in Independence, and S.C. Olson, a 22-year-old musician based in Oklahoma City.
Dillon T. Kuehn, 19, graduated from Independence High School in 2024 and is one of the youngest songwriters to perform at Meadowlark Lounge. In school, he was an athlete and wrestled, played baseball, football, and ran track. He was also interested in music and was a member of the band, choir, and the Indy Ensemble select choir. He has won several talent competitions in the community and at school with his singing and guitar.
“I was always interested in music, even as a young kid,” Dillon explained. “I could tell you every song on the radio and recite the lyrics, too,” he laughed. “I have a lot of extended family who are musicians. Some of them have been members of the area group, Backroads Band.”
Dillon cites Johnny Cash as an early influence on him. He started playing and writing his music in the 6th grade and is continuing that dream. Right now, he is a welder by trade but hopes someday to make his living in the music business.
Sponsors for Meadowlark Lounge include Midwest Real Estate, Mr. Reid’s Workshop, Magnolia Scents by Design, John Lay Truck and Auto Sales, Sektam Independence, FirstOak Bank, The Tree Man, Independence Heating and Air, Microtel Inn & Suites, Independence Chamber of Commerce, KGGF Radio and McHugh Video Production.
In other events, The 37th annual Quilt Show exhibit is slated for August 19-29. This biennial event showcases quilters and their works in seven categories: pieced, hand-quilted; pieced, machine quilted; appliqued, hand-quilted; appliqued, machine quilted; antique legacy quilt, at least 40 years old; small quilted (miniature, crib, or wall hanging); and miscellaneous.
The entry fee is $10 per quilt and cash prizes totaling $600 will be awarded.
“We are excited to host this event again at the museum,” said chairperson Lisa Richard. “The artistic creations that our area quilters produce are unique and remarkable. We also hope that those with legacy or family heirloom quilts will enter too.”
The contest is open to anyone but previous winning quilts are not eligible. The complete rules of the contest are available on the ihmac.org website. The deadline for entry will be Aug. 12 and a brunch reception and awards will be presented on Aug. 19.
IHMAC hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. For more information call the museum at 620-331-3515.
