The Missouri River Festival of the Arts celebrates 50 years of artistic excellence August 20-23in Boonville. Artistic Director David Halen returns to Thespian Hall to honor the Golden Anniversary of the Festival with outstanding musicians and performances, featuring renown conductor Leonard Slatkin. Slatkin is former conductor of the St. Louis Symphony, The National Symphony of Washington DC, the Detroit Symphony, and the Paris Philharmonic.He is the recipient of 7 Grammy Awards and continues to conduct orchestras all over the world.

Thursday, August 21: Musical Milestone . . . A Celebration of 50 years!Susie Yang and Erik Harris perform “Duet for Cello and Bass,” by Rossini.Mia Kim is the featured soloist in “Piano Quintet in A, (Trout) by Schubert.