Ft. Scott’s Liberty Theatre is proUd to announce “The Midnight Special,” its 2006 New Year’s Eve special event. Featuring great food, live music, special libations, door prizes and full onstage “swamp décor,” this celebration is not to be missed.

With what many are now calling “The Jewel Of Southeast Kansas,” the Liberty was recently restored to its original glory, with one notable exception: modern enhancements in technology. The Liberty features state-of-the art sound reinforcement and lighting; it is fully equipped for multi-media recording (video & audio); and its total stage footprint has been compared in size to other national venues, including Chicago’s House Of Blues. These recent upgrades to the gorgeously appointed 500-seat venue has helped it quickly gain a reputation among touring acts – both up-and-coming, and national – as one of the premier performance venues in the United States.

The renaissance was the vision of local businessman Jim Smith and his partners; the question is why they decided to buy and renovate the old theatre in the quaint – but relatively small market of – historic Fort Scott? Community pride, for starters. According to Smith, “Fort Scott is a great place to live, and has some beautiful old buildings. We felt that in buying and restoring the Liberty, not only would it fit in with the existing architecture, it would also help stimulate local businesses surrounding the theatre and put our town on the map on a national level. You wouldn’t believe all the new people from around the country we’ve met since we committed to this project – the word is definitely getting out.”

After making their smash debut at the Liberty last May, Creedence Again – widely regarded as the world’s premier CCR tribute band – returns to help ring in the New Year. Carried by the blistering vocals of Dan McGuinness (as John Fogerty), audiences are treated to a mystical ride of some of the greatest Americana music ever recorded, performing songs like “Proud Mary,” “Who’ll Stop The Rain,” “Fortunate Son” and the signature piece of the evening - “Midnight Special” (performed immediately after the midnight countdown). The Liberty is also showcasing its theatrical skills, constructing a full-set “bayou swamp” onstage set to help create the perfect “Born On The Bayou” atmosphere.

Recently added to the bill is Lonesome Halos, featuring Nashville-based harmonica virtuoso Tim Beattie. Beattie’s lighting-fast harp licks have been compared to those of John Popper’s “Blues Traveler”; Beattie also contributes great singing and lap steel. The Halos will present a special “unplugged” performance to bring in the New Year, pulling out both originals cuts and great classic songs such as “Midnight” by Red Foley, “King Of The Road” by Roger Miller and “Route 66” by Bobby Troupe, to name a few.

Included in the ticket price is a special NYE menu, featuring delectable culinary delights by Phat Brothers BBQ, including: Bayou Brisket, Well-Pulled Pork, Sassy Smoked Chicken, "Go To Heaven" Baked Beans, "Straight To Hell" Deviled Eggs, Awesome Slaw, plus Peach & Cherry Cobbler. Adding to the BBQ menu is more bayou “flavor”: Jimbo’s Gris Gris Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya. Revelers are also invited to “Taste The Bayou” with the “Green River Gator Bite Swamp Juice” cocktail special.

Show is all ages, 21+ with ID for alcohol service; General admission is $30 advance, $35 at door. There is also limited availability for reserved seating and group packages (pricing varies, contact the Liberty Theatre for details).

For those wishing to stay overnight in the Ft. Scott area, there are a number of hotels, motels and bed & baths available in the area.

Doors open at 7:30PM; For more information, contact the Liberty at 620.223.4060 or toll-free: 1.888.484.3542. Info is also available online at: www.FSLibertyTheatre.com; www.CreedenceAgain.com or www.LonesomeHalos.com.

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