By Kevin Hart
Photo Credit: Springfield Area Arts Council / Official Website
The Springfield Area Arts Council is announcing the recipients of its 2021 Community Arts Access grants in Sangamon and Menard counties.
From SAAC:
“Community Arts Access grants are given in conjunction with the Illinois Arts Council Agency and the City of Springfield. The grants provide the opportunity for local arts agencies like the Springfield Area Arts Council to distribute state funds in their own service areas according to local needs. The program is designed to give the community more access to the arts, especially among under-served populations.”
Here are the recipients:
The new kid on the artistic block is the nonprofit Creators of Art, Music and Poetry, or CAMP. The brainchild of local musician Jamie Merideth and brought to fruition by his own hard work and some input from music columnist and veteran performer Tom Irwin, CAMP strives to promote the creative branches mentioned within its name – art, music and poetry. The endeavor has also benefited from the help of Sheila Walk of the Springfield Area Arts Council, Brian Crowdson of Crowdson Creative and The Legacy Theatre s Scott Richardson, who created their logo. After a successful debut show in November, they have put together another program featuring six live-recorded acts showcasing some amazing local talent. This show has an indie theme and the lineup of artists include poets Liz Huck and Vertrell Yates, Jessica Knight from the band Looming, Ren Nickerson and Mark Beanblossom, who make up the musical duo Idle Oath, solo artist Kate Laine and visual artist Jeff Williams. Check it out on th
By Kevin Hart
Dec 31, 2020 5:37 PM
Like so many events this year, First Night had to make some changes to keep its yearly tradition going for its 34th year. In terms of performing, there are usually live concerts from local theaters like the Muni and the Theatre Centre among other local acts. There are also live demonstrations from local artists. Then at midnight, a fireworks show. This year there will also be performances from around the country, we will also see acts from Monterey, California and St Petersburg, Florida.
First Night Springfield will begin at 8:00 P.M., and a fireworks show from St. Petersburg will bring the countdown to midnight. This virtual production is being created by Brian Crowdson; the evening’s hostess is favorite local actress, Aasne Vigesaa. Felicia Olin and Karen Nickerson created the promotional material.
First Night welcomes new year online
Angela Bauer, abauer@myjournalcourier.com
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When Springfield Area Arts Council considered plans in the spring for its New Year’s Eve First Night event, it wasn’t clear the year would finish on a high note.
“Earlier on, in the spring, we wondered if we could manage,” said Sheila Walk, the council’s executive director. “So many of our live programs during the summer … those all got COVID-canceled or pandemic-postponed, whatever term you want to use. The board and I talked about whether we should try something. We decided, ‘Yes, it’s our holiday tradition. It’s our 34th year. COVID isn’t going to stop this.’”
“As the Arts Council approaches its 45
th anniversary in 2021, we’re giving First Night Springfield to our community at no charge,” says Sheila Walk, Executive Director. “To keep artists and audiences safe, several of our programs were COVID-cancelled this year, but we’re keeping this holiday tradition alive.”
Like so many events this year, First Night had to make some changes to keep its yearly tradition going for its 34th year. In terms of performing, there are usually live concerts from local theaters like the Muni and the Theatre Centre among other local acts. There are also live demonstrations from local artists. Then at midnight, a fireworks show. This year there will also be performances from around the country, we will also see acts from Monterey, California and St Petersburg, Florida.