The Hormel Historic Home will host an evening of past, present, and future of Austin High School music and art at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21.

This event is a rare concert and art viewing opportunity, with the proceeds benefiting the Austin High School Music Department. The event is free, but donations to the Austin High School Music Department are encouraged.

The event is in honor of the late Blair Lawhead, an AHS alumnus who became a professional violinist on Broadway in New York. He was the first inductee into the AHS Music Hall of Fame, and he often reflected on his AHS education as being the catalyst for his professional career. Blair was also an avid art enthusiast.

The event will feature an exclusive opportunity to listen to Bobby Z, drummer for Prince and the Revolution, speak about his musical experiences with Prince and how they built the band that went on to win a Grammy. Bobby Z will also give a live performance.

The event will also feature AHS alumnus Ellen Rockne, who played “Cossette” in the Los Angeles and San Francisco productions of “Les Miserables.”

The concert will also feature AHS alumni and faculty. Brock Lawhead, Austin High School’s first AAA Award recipient, will join Richard Larson, founder of the Austinaires program, for an Austinaires All-Star performance of former and current AHS students, including Ellen Rockne, Michael Veldman, Arden Haug, Christine Larson, Eleanor Hinchcliffe and others.

Finally, attendees will have the opportunity to view the artwork of rising AHS artist Tyler Quitmeyer, the Minnesota Jr. Duck Stamp Contest and Congressional Art Contest winner. Other art displayed will include Andy Warhol’s depiction of Prince and Louise Fishman’s feminist abstract expressionism inspired by Blair Lawhead’s violin playing.

This fantastic opportunity will be available in Austin, Minnesota — one night only — as part of our Austin ArtWorks Festival.