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Norwood Village Green Concert Series draws nearly 17,000 people

Posted 8/31/18

To the Editor: On Sunday, August 5th the Norwood Village Green Concert Series completed its 45th Anniversary Season with a dynamic and memorable performance given by The Battle of Santiago. The …

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Norwood Village Green Concert Series draws nearly 17,000 people

Posted

To the Editor:

On Sunday, August 5th the Norwood Village Green Concert Series completed its 45th Anniversary Season with a dynamic and memorable performance given by The Battle of Santiago. The Toronto based band, comprised of 3 native Cuban drummers/singers, and 4 Canadian rock musicians performed a fiery mix of Canadian rock. Cuban chant, and irresistible cross rhythms. Combined with the August 2nd incredible performance given by 4 time Grammy nominated Joey DeFrancesco and his fabulous accompanying musicians, these two season ending concerts capped off a celebratory season for the venerable series. Collectively with the other 14 concerts, the 2018 edition of the series kept the mission of the Norwood Village Green Concert Series alive and well. The mission of this non-profit is “to impact our home communities via inspiring and spirit-uplifting public outdoor performances in a community setting and free to the public.”

In 2018 16,885 people attended the concerts. Cumulative attendance is now at 647,219 while the series has presented 733 performances over its lifetime. Attendees in 2018 included students from Norwood-Norfolk and Colton-Pierrepont Elementary Schools. In fulfilling its education mission the series continued to present the annual St. Lawrence County Music Educators Pop Choral/Stage Band Festival as well as sponsoring guest artist Darmon Meader’s workshops for Crane Youth Music.

In 2018 the series was made possible by three underwriters, Mort Backus and Sons for The Grieco Sisters, the Sweetgrass Foundation for The Gibson Brothers and other acoustic performers, and the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation Touring Program with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts for René Marie and Experiment in Truth.

A Northern New York Community Foundation grant helped the series overcome a glitch its traditional and long-time New York State Council on the Arts funding expected to be restored in 2019 and beyond. National Grid helped fund the All Star Big Band with Darmon Meader’s outreach with a Crane Youth Music performance and workshops and Vanaver Caravan’s EarthBeat for students from Norwood-Norfolk and Colton-Pierrepont Elementary schools. That program consisted of folk dances from around the world, including Rumanian stick dances, English “Rapper Sword,” French Canadian and Cape Breton step dancing, Appalachian Clogging, South African Gumboot Dance, Philippine Igorat Sun Dance, dances from Bulgaria, India, Brazil, and Spain, original stick dances, body percussion and stomp dances.

In 2018 expenses totaled $59,752. Artists’ fees and technical support personnel accounted for $47,454 or 79.4%.

All expenses were met thanks to the above underwriters and grants. This income was supplemented by donations from many individuals, organizations, and businesses that supported the series with their donations in excess of $23,000. Other supplemental support included $10,633 from the pass the bucket. These two categories exceeded budget expectations as did earned income (ticket and raffle sales), yielding $2,895. A substantial working balance was realized insuring the series has start up moneys available as the series begins planning for this 46th annual season.

The Norwood Kiwanis club provided a concession component.

The series sound system has evolved over the years and as the season progressed it was perfected thanks to Andy Van Duyne with assistance from Scott LaVine, Mr. Van Duyne has dealt with almost all of our performers, from the 18 Grammy award winners over the years, to middle and high school students, and everybody in between. He’s there when the equipment is working well, and is a great trouble-shooter when problems arise. The series could not function without him and he’s been there for 40 years as a volunteer and performing musician. Most of the time Mr. LaVine sits with him and provides further technical assistance, including subbing for Andy. Andy Van Duyne is an in-demand musician and occasionally substitutes are needed. We were also blessed with the skills of Rob Zolner and Marcus Alvarez who have provided smooth transitions. When percussion is needed by touring performers the series calls on Steve Manders. In 2018 Steve provided drums for Michael Ode, Joey DeFranceso’s drummer and The Battle of Santiago.

Rain sites were used twice, (The Doty’s with Joe K. Walsh and Mary Ann Casale with Tas Cru). The series used the Norwood-Norfolk Auditorium with the assistance of building and grounds supervisor Ed Penney.

It expected to use it a third time for René Marie so on Saturday, June 21st at 9 pm the beloved Steinway Grand was tuned by Tom Whitesell. Mr. Penney made sure the building was opened. As it turned out the Sunday weather improved and the concert took place outdoors. I have made use of the nicely tuned piano on the stage by playing it several times afterwards. When the students begin the school year they will benefit. Thanks Ed and Tom.

An element of the René Marie concert was a round table workshop with René and Renewal House staff and clients. Due to the nature of the event there was no publicity. It was held in the Parish Hall of St. Andrew’s. I am grateful for René Marie and Renewal House’s participation and also grateful for Msg. John Murphy’s permission to use this facility as our “green room” throughout the season.

The series gave opportunity for 280 local student and professional musicians, while at the same time 34 world-class, international and national performers were also featured. Of further note the series has presented performers from every continent on the globe over the years. In 2018 the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia were represented.

The series received public funding from the Town of Potsdam, the Village of Norwood, and the National Endowment for the Arts. These funds totaled 14.7% of all income and were recognized previously by other means. Private funds accounted for 85.3% of its funding.

Joseph M. Liotta

Norwood Village Green Concert Series president and founding program director