Arts organizations celebrate legacies and the future
Written by Christine Senack | | christine@senackandassociates.comThree non-profit organizations held events showcasing their arts programming and honoring those who are dedicated to continuing the presence of art in the community.
WGTE Public Media held a special concert at Murphys’ Place to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the public radio show, Jazz Spectrum 91. The event also honored Fritz Byers, the show founder and host, who brought great jazz music to the region and educated the community on the art form.
ACGT's Marc Folk with his work at "Artomatic 419!"
The tribute concert and celebration featured the UT Jazz ensemble accompanied by renown saxophonist, Sonny Fortune. The event was made possible by support of several local businesses including: Murphy’s, University of Toledo, the Optical Shop and Toledo Audiology/Ear, Nose and Throat.
The Toledo Ballet’s “Révérence” gala celebrated 70 years of dance at the school and in the community. The special event also honored Marie Bollinger Vogt, founder of the Toledo Ballet. In 1939, Vogt started the dance school and ballet company, which has touched the lives of tens of thousands of young dancers as well as countless community members through performance and education programs.
The anniversary of the Toledo Ballet was marked by well-deserved praise, commendations and proclamations from government officials. Perhaps the most distinguished accomplishment is that the Toledo Ballet has not missed a Nutcracker performance in its entire 70 year history. This makes the company’s performance the longest running annual performance of the Nutcracker in the nation.
“It was Marie’s resolve and ability to overcome any impediments that kept those productions uninterrupted from year to year,” said Bob Bell, president and CEO of the Toledo Symphony.
Révérence chairwoman, Condessa Croninger said that the event raised an estimated $57,000 which will be used to start a special endowment fund to honor the legacy of Vogt to perpetuate the legacy of dance in our community.
The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo held the third Artomatic 419. The event is an opportunity for local artists, in all different stages of their careers, to share their talents, new ideas, current projects and artistic collaborations within the community. This is a free event for artists as well as patrons of the arts.
Generous individuals and businesses sponsor the grassroots event making it possible and keeping the admission and exhibition space free. There were 20 companies providing cash and in kind support of the event including: the Oliver House, Markey’s Audio Visual, and Above the Shop Studios. Artomatic 419 has two more open Saturday event dates, April 25 and May 2. Visit artomatic.org for more information.
Christine Senack is a Toledo-based consultant helping non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals work smarter together for the greater good of our community. On occasion she also presents the TMZ Report on FOX Toledo News First at 4. Connect with her on www.facebook.com or follow at www.twitter.com/csenack
Upcoming Events
May 2 Paw Hoorah. Enjoy cocktails and your gourmet grazing delights while bidding on hundreds of silent auction items at. Proceeds benefit Planned Pethood’s low-cost spay/neuter programs. Tickets are $60 with a cash bar. Country club casual attire. Call (419)826-fixx or visit plannedpethood.org for more information.
May 16 Raise Some Cash. Back for a second year, this event is organized by members of Augsburg Lutheran Church to benefit the Feed Your Neighbor pantry in the 43612 zipcode. The will be held at the Blarney and features several popular local bands, and each act is slated to perform at least one song by Johnny Cash. Casual attire. $5 cover charge. For more information call 419.410.1117.
