By Staff
Two fine arts grants, which have been awarded to the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA), will bring more than 38 hours of vocal and instrumental entertainment to the Grand Old City this summer.
Vickie Phillipson, program director of the DDA and Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, said she is pleased to announce the receipt of $9,000 in grant monies, which will be used to fund the popular Thursday evening Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, as well as vocal and instrumental entertainment at the July 28-30 Dowagiac Fun Fest of the Chamber of Commerce.
Phillipson said the arts council, through the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, awarded a $2,000 mini-grant to the DDA to provide partial funding for this year's program.
Funding for the mini-grant program through the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, which comes from state and federal tax dollars, depends almost entirely on legislative appropriations, which in recent years have witnessed cutbacks.
Approximately 10 to 15 percent of MCACA monies come from the National Endowment for the Arts.
In awarding the $7,000 grant to the DDA, the board of directors of the St. Denys Foundation said, "We feel, as you do, that the fine arts are an important part of our city. As such, we appreciate all that the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority contributes to the community." St. Denys Foundation supports four charitable areas of interest.
In addition to the arts and art educational programs, the foundation funds environmental programs, particularly the preservation of natural areas, open space and areas having special natural beauty or significance.
The foundation supports educational programs, including capital contributions and scholarships, as well as supporting libraries and supplemental learning programs.
The foundation is also interested in health programs, including hospice and other care programs, and scholarships and training in preventative medicine.
Phillipson said the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series opens its performance season on Thursday, June 2, as it features the Round Oak Cornet Band, under the direction of Jonathan Korzun, chairman of the Fine and Performing Arts Department of Southwestern Michigan College, where he is also director of bands.
Thursday evening concerts begin at 7:30.
However, Phillipson said, during festival week, July 28-30, evening performances begin earlier and end later in the evening, as multiple performers are featured.
Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating at the Beckwith Park.
The 11-week concert series also features: Light Fusion Trio, June 9; Fonn Mor Irish Band, June 16; Otsego Jazz Ensemble, June 23; Tuxedo Junction, June 30; 4th Avenue, July 7; Grand Rapids Accordion Ensemble, July 14; Art Gomperz Band, July 21; Battle Creek Pops Ensemble and Old Moonlighters, July 28; Renaissance String Quartet, Aug. 11; and Moments Notice Barbershop Quartet, Aug. 18.
New this year, Phillipson said, a concert will not be held on Thursday, Aug. 4, due to the Cass County Fair.
In addition, a rain date is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 25, should any of the concerts be cancelled due to inclement weather.
During the July 28-30 Dowagiac Fun Fest, fans of the concert series will want to attend the special five-hour performance Friday that opens at 5 p.m., featuring back-to-back performances of Afrikan Village Drum and Dance Group, Kalamazoo Bag Pipe Band and Sophisticated Swing.
Phillipson said one of the most popular performers of the concert series, Lake Effect Jazz Big Band, has been moved to festival week, as it concludes the three-day summer festival with a special two-hour performance Saturday, July 30, beginning at 6 p.m.
To receive a concert schedule, call the Chamber of Commerce and DDA at 269, 782-8212. The public can also access the concert schedule online at www.dowagiacchamber.com.