BY ADAM ATKINSONNorth Country This Week

MASSENA – Donations are needed to keep the Massena summer concert series afloat. 

Concert series organizer Christine Paige, who also runs the Norfolk concert series, is asking for community and corporate support for the annual summer concert series program at Springs Park. 

“The problem is at this point we are not getting in any donations,” Paige told North Country This Week. 

The organizer estimates that about $7,000 is needed to underwrite the 12-concert series, but has only received $600 in donations to date, consisting of a $500 donation from SeaComm and a $100 donation from Dr. Edmund Zysik Jr.

Paige has sent out around 100 letters to various organizations and parties asking for financial support for the summer music series. 

But the money is not flowing in to pay the performance budget. 

Twelve shows are planned for the concert.

The schedule includes:

• June 8 – Tap to Toe Studio of Dance
• June 14 – Tracer James
• June 22 – String Soulstice
• July 12  – Contraband
• July 13 – Playback
• July 24 – New Horizons Concert and Swing Bands
• July 26 – Lacey Stoddard-Peets
• July 29 – The Tas Cru Band
• Aug. 2 – 1 Voice
• Aug. 10 – Larry Ebere
• Aug. 17 – Margarita Mike & The Coconutz
• Aug. 23 – Fritz’s Polka Band

“My plan is to move them all to Norfolk (summer concert series) if the donations don’t come through,” Paige said. 

Paige said the series may get funding from the state arts regrant program, but those grants won’t be announced for a few weeks.

In the meantime, she is actively seeking donations from the public. The series features six sponsorship levels: Under $50 student level, $50+ Soloist, $100+  String Quartet, $250+  Chamber Orchestra, $500+  Marching Band and $1000+  Symphony Orchestra.

All donations will be listed in the series’ season program. Donations of $500 or more will be featured on a giant banner that will be displayed at every concert.

Make your check payable to:  St. Lawrence North Country Community Foundation Inc. and write Massena Concert Series in the memo line.

Mail to: Christine Paige 7238 State Hwy 56, Norwood, NY 13668

Paige said the series also needs volunteers to help stage the concerts and pass the donation bucket at the events.

Paige can be reached at 315-244-7787 for more information.