Grammy Award-winning singer Melissa Manchester performs in St Joseph Thursday night as part of the Missouri Western State University Centennial Art Series. The show begins at 7 p.m. with performances by the Griffon Junior Singers, under the direction of Darren Verbick and Ashley Kempt, and the Missouri Western Faculty Jazz Ensemble.

All proceeds will benefit the Missouri Western State University Centennial Capital Campaign.

Earlier in the day, Ms Manchester will be the featured speaker at the YWCA Women of Excellence Awards in St. Joseph. That event starts at 11:30am at St Joseph Civic Arena. Officials at the YWCA say the theme for the annual luncheon this year will be “Writing Our Song.”

The organization says music is “woven into the warp and woof of the YWCA,” and that their century-old building has been the stage for recitals, concerts, children’s voices, and even singing in the shower.

For information on YWCA event, visit their Web site here.