“If Van Morrison isn’t coming to your town, Moondance is the next best thing!” according to the Dallas News.
 
Moondance: The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Concert will be performed live on stage at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 12 in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro. This is the fifth concert in the Deane Center’s indoor fall entertainment series being sponsored by Ward Manufacturing and C&N. 

This marks the third time Moondance has performed in October in the Coolidge Theatre. The first time was six years ago in 2018 and the second was three years ago in 2021.
 
“We put this show together twelve years ago in 2013 because Van Morrison is a popular singer/songwriter who rarely performs in our country,” said Vinnie Brandi of Galaxy Entertainment, producer of the Moondance tribute concert. “When he does, it’s usually a short run,” Brandi added. “People don’t get to see ‘Van the Man’ in person much anymore compared to other performers who are constantly on tour.”  
 
Born on Aug. 31, 1945 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the 79-year-old Grammy Award-winning Morrison released both his 39th studio album “You’re Driving Me Crazy” and his 40th, “The Prophet Speaks” in 2018.
 
In 2019, he released his 41st studio album, “Three Chords and the Truth”; in 2021, his 42nd, the 28-track “Latest Record Project, Volume 1; in 2022, his 43rd, “What’s It Gonna Take? and in 2023, his 44th studio album, “Moving On Skiffle and his 45th, “Accentuate the Positive.” 
 
A professional musician since the late 1950s, Morrison plays guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums and saxophone. Before going solo, he first gained national attention as the lead singer for the band Them formed in 1964. 
 
This Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has never failed to impress music lovers around the globe. “Rock and roll doesn’t get any better than Van Morrison,” said Brandi. 
 
During the Oct. 12 concert, the audience will hear Morrison’s classic rock songs like “Brown Eyed Girl” and “Domino,” legendary tunes like “Tupelo Honey” and “Into The Mystic” and others, such as “Moondance,” “It Stoned Me,” “Wild Night,” and “Caravan.” Also included will be “Bright Side of the Road” from Morrison’s 1979 album “Into the Music;” “Cleaning Windows” from his 1982 “Beautiful Vision” album and “Days Like This” from his 1995 same titled album, Brandi explained.
 
“Don’t expect a lot of talking during this show,” Brandi said. “Van isn’t much of a talker and neither is Ed,” referring to Ed Moran who portrays Morrison and is the lead vocalist in the show. “The audience can count on hearing little tidbits during the performance, such as the stories behind some of the songs,” Brandi noted. “A very impressive and realistic portrayal of Van Morrison…a must see,” according to the Hawaii Reporter.”
 
Moran, “An incredible re-creation of the Irish legend,” writes the LA Times, is backed by a five-piece band who play the same instruments as Morrison. Members are: Joseph Torra on keyboards; Dana Welts on guitar; Vinnie Brandi on drums; Dan Broad on bass guitar and Aaron Dean on saxophone. Welts and Broad are Moran’s backing vocalists. 
 
Seating is cabaret style at tables. The concert is BYOB with audience members encouraged to bring their favorite snacks and beverages and sit at a table with family and friends.
 
Admission is $30. For tickets and to reserve a table, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220. 
 
For more information about the fall series, call the Deane Center at 570-724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com.