The arts in Sidney and Shelby County
By Sherrie Casad-Lodge - For the Sidney Daily News
Prior to its conversion to the Sidney Municipal Court, one of the columns on the Monumental Building stage bore the remnants of several playbills promoting visiting performers such as Sweeney, Alvido, Gorman & Goetze, Model Minstrels. Retired Sidney Municipal Court Judge Don Luce made sure the playbills were saved while the photo of the Monumental Building Opera House and stage were taken by Todd Acker in 1995 before the building’s renovation.
Courtesy photo
By early 1900, several bands had been formed/disbanded and averaged anywhere from five to 24 men playing a variety of manufactured or homemade brass/percussion instruments. Over the years, bands (including an all girl group) have gathered on the steps of Shelby County’s historic courthouse to offer melodious musical numbers, a tradition that the Sidney Civic Band continues today. Originally organized in 1977 under the direction of Fr