Media Release: NEA Big Read, Southern Illinois Event — Chris Vallillo performs Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road
For Immediate Release
Media Contact
Carolyn Deane, Program Director, Artspace Southern Illinois
phone: 618-457-5100
Historic Stories of the Underground Railroad Take Center Stage in Free Community Performance
Carbondale, IL - October 4, 2026 — As part of Artspace Southern Illinois’ National Endowment for the Arts Big Read events, we are pleased to co-host a free musical event taking place at John A. Logan College with partners Herrin City Library and Carbondale Public Library. The event features renowned Illinois singer/songwriter, roots musician, and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, Chris Vallillo. This powerful musical performance features the songs, stories, and struggles of the Illinois Underground Railroad. The show features rare first-person accounts of freedom seekers who passed through Illinois. Vallillo extensively researched the subject using primary source documents. He highlights stories such as John and Mary Little, who traveled on foot 140 miles to Chicago, and George Burroughs, a Black Canadian who worked on the Illinois Central Railroad, where he helped smuggle escapees to freedom. Vallillo combines these powerful stories with historic songs sung by the enslaved to inspire and share knowledge among themselves.
Chuck Benya, CEO & Executive Director of Artspace Southern Illinois, said. “Chris is a master at combining music with significant, untold stories, delivering excellent entertainment along with important insights into our shared history.”
This event is part of Artspace Southern Illinois National Endowment for the Arts Big Read events. Artspace Southern Illinois is a 2026 National Endowment for the Arts Big Read grant recipient and presents programming for the region in partnership with five regional libraries. The featured book is, Harriet Tubman – The Road to Freedom. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. On the web at: https://www.arts.gov/
Chris Vallillo is co-presented by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau. Road Scholar speakers travel throughout Illinois sharing free, dynamic presentations about literature, philosophy, theater, local history, film, music, politics, and more, at no cost to host organizations. The program enables local nonprofit organizations to present free-admission cultural programs to their communities.
Event Details
Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road
FREE & Open to the Public
Date: Saturday, October 10
Time: 2:00 pm
Location: John A. Logan College O’Neil Auditorium—700 Logan College Dr, Carterville, IL 62918
Presenter: Chris Vallillo, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar
About Artspace Southern Illinois
Artspace Southern Illinois is a nonprofit cultural arts organization serving the southern Illinois region with offices in Carbondale, Illinois. Founded in 1987 as a grassroots effort, Artspace Southern Illinois has grown to serve people from communities across the region, showcasing the arts through three dedicated venues and a network of partnerships. The organization offers services and resources to independent artists, provides grant funding for the cultural arts, and offers opportunities for people to experience and participate in the cultural arts, including in underserved communities and areas where it can have a significant impact. Artspace Southern Illinois receives support from the Illinois Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Humanities, Good Chaos, City of Carbondale, and generous donors throughout the region.
Illinois Humanities is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that spark conversation, foster reflection, build community, and strengthen civic engagement for everyone in Illinois. Founded in 1974, we are the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities and supported by state, federal, and private funds. Stay connected with Illinois Humanities on Facebook,Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @ILHumanities.
Media Asset Link: Video and Photo of Performer on the NEA Big Read Events Page: https://www.artspacesouthernillinois.org/eventscalendar/big-read