Stocker Arts Center welcomes two amazing performers to our stage on a double bill – Raul Midón and Mandy Harvey. Raul Midón “Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter and guitarist Raul Midón has earned renown as one of music’s most distinctive and searching voices – “a one-man band… who is spiritually connected,” according to The New York Times, and “an eclectic adventurist,” in the words of People magazine.” The New Mexico native has released eight albums since 1999 and his ninth studio album, “Bad Ass and Blind” was released on March 24, 2017. His guitar playing is a syncopated, flamenco- and jazz-infused wonder in which bass, harmony and melodic lines fly from the fretboard in a way that seems to belie the fact that all the music is being produced by just two hands. If that weren’t enough, Midón busts out his improvisational mouth-horn technique, in which he creates a bebop “trumpet” solo entirely with his lips, earning himself a spontaneous burst of mid-song applause from the audience in the process. It’s the sort of performance that led the Huffington Post to describe how “he plays with such freedom and joy that his hands smile.” Mandy Harvey Her message is universal….Hope, Dream, Believe, no matter what… Mandy Harvey is a deaf American singer/songwriter. A Vocal Music Education major at Colorado State University, Mandy lost her residual hearing at age 18 due to a connective tissue disorder, and left the program. She pursued several career options, but returned to music in 2008. She has made tremendous impact by way of “America’s Got Talent” having reached the finals; was Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer Winner; and in addition, CNN’s “Great Big Story” captured over 10 million hits on social media; Burt’s Bees signed her up for their “Remarkable Women” campaign; and NBC Nightly News profiled her. Mandy just released her first book Sensing The Rhythm, Finding My Voice In a World Without Sound, with a message of helping others to realize their dreams and pursue their hopes. Though her hearing loss is profound, her timing, pitch and passion are perfect. With support from friends, family and her faith, Mandy continues to find joy in the music.