RICHMOND, Ky. — This is not just another stop on the calendar. It is the kind of booking that gets people talking across the entire county.
Pop star Jason Derulo is set to perform at the EKU Center for the Arts in Richmond on Friday, April 10 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Kentucky University is calling it one of the biggest artists ever to come to campus, promising a full-scale live production built around Derulo’s massive catalog of hit songs.
⭐ A Massive Get for Madison County
That is a big deal for Richmond, but also for Madison County as a whole. Derulo is not a niche act or a throwback curiosity. He is one of those rare pop names that still lands instantly with a wide crowd, thanks to universally recognizable hits like “Whatcha Say,” “Ridin’ Solo,” and “Trumpets.” EKU’s announcement highlights his undeniable global reach, noting his dozens of multi-platinum certifications and tens of billions of streams worldwide.
For a community this size, bringing in an artist with that kind of name recognition is a real get. It gives Richmond the kind of headline-grabbing event more often associated with larger markets, while giving local fans a chance to catch a major live show without making the drive to Lexington, Louisville, or Cincinnati.
EKU has also tied the blockbuster concert to recent upgrades at the Center for the Arts, noting that those facility improvements are exactly what is helping the university attract higher-profile entertainment for both students and the general public.
🎭🎶 A Packed Weekend for Local Entertainment
Even if Jason Derulo is not your thing, this is still shaping up to be an incredibly strong weekend for live entertainment around the county.
Down in Berea, “Finally” A Broadway Revue is running at The Spotlight Playhouse from April 3 through April 12, offering a very different, highly localized kind of night out for musical theater lovers. Meanwhile, on Saturday, April 11, the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble is scheduled to perform a fantastic free concert at 7:00 p.m. in Gray Auditorium at Presser Hall.
So whether your weekend tastes lean toward a global pop concert, a Broadway-style community revue, or live Appalachian bluegrass, Madison County is going to have some excellent options.
But there is no question what the biggest marquee event is. Jason Derulo coming to Richmond is a major concert story for this area, and one that signals EKU is aiming much bigger when it comes to live entertainment. For local fans, that is exactly the kind of development worth watching.
🎟️ Upcoming Events in Berea & Beyond
🎭 Theater & Performance at The Spotlight Playhouse
(Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com)
- “Finally” A Broadway Revue (The Spotlight Players) — April 3–12
- The Booking Committee (The Bluegrass Players) — April 17–25
- Disney’s Finding Nemo KIDS (Ages 4–11) — April 24–26
🎶 Music & Concerts
- Jason Derulo Live (EKU Center for the Arts) — Fri., April 10 at 8:00 p.m.
- Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble Spring Concert (Berea College) — Sat., April 11 at 7:00 p.m.
🌿 Community, Arts & Outdoors
- Good Friday Service (Berea Baptist Church) — Fri., April 3 at 12:15 p.m.
- Churchill’s Spring Market (Churchill’s, Berea) — Sat., April 4 at 10:00 a.m.
- Easter Eggstravaganza (Lake Reba Park, Richmond) — Sat., April 4 at 11:00 a.m.
- Easter Sunrise Service (Berea Baptist Church) — Sun., April 5 at 7:00 a.m.
- Tasty Tuesdays (Irvine-McDowell Park, Richmond) — Tuesdays in April at 5:00 p.m.
- Richmond Rotary International Dinner (Carl D. Perkins Building) — Sat., April 11 at 6:00 p.m.
- Red Oaks Forest School Art Club (Forestry Outreach Center) — Sat., April 11 at 10:00 a.m.
- RECHARGE: Foster Care Summit (Lexington, KY) — Sat., April 18
- Mushroom Inoculation Workshop with ASPI (Forestry Outreach Center) — Sat., April 25