2026 SPOTLIGHT SERIES @ LINCOLN SQUARE THEATER NEXT THING SMOKIN' & SPECIAL GUEST BACKSTABBIN' BETTY

2026 “SPOTLIGHT SERIES” – We are super excited to kick off our new “SPOTLIGHT SERIES”, Presented by: McDonalds, Speed Lube, Air King, McLeod Trucking, and Cromwell Media, which focuses on the local talent but has a huge reward in the end for the band and the fan! The first season will showcase 13 bands from the central Illinois area and quite simply, the band that has the most ticket sales at the end of 2026, per box office report, will ultimately be thewinner! This band will earn a $6000 advertising package to be used for whatever they would like, $10,000.00 cash prize payout, and an opening slot for a national act of their genre of music for the 2027 season at the Historic Lincoln Square Theater. The winner will also be crowned “King of the Hill” and will advance to the sophomore year with bragging rights and just may have a bounty on them. They can win again! The whole idea is for the local talent to be able to play the historic stage of the Lincoln Square Theater and also play over big sound and lights, giving them a concert setting experience! Each band will also be given equal representation, marketing, and advertising to give them all a fair shake at the contest. It is also up to the band to think “outside the box” and promote themselves the best they can to also sell more tickets, as this is how the winner will take the grand prize package! This is going to be an exciting series for 2026! “Shining A Spotlight On The Local Talent”
Show #6 – ‘NEXT THING SMOKIN’ – based out of Peoria, IL. Friday July 31st, 2026! Next Thing Smokin’ is a country music band. Special Guests, Backstabbin' Betty Wide Spectrum Music Vibe from Canton, IL opens 7-7:40!
For more information on Next Thing Smokin’, like and follow them on FB.
Doors will open at 6:00 pm with show starting precisely at 7:00.
DON’T MISS OUT! For more information call: 217-454-4583
Details
Date: July 31
Time:
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Venue
Lincoln Square Theater
141 N Main St
Decatur, IL 62523 United States