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During a recent lively conversation about government
spending, a guy told me that we need better bridges before we need to pay
somebody to sing. I, of course, agreed wholeheartedly with him — what
good would it do if a bridge is out and no one can come hear free music?
His obvious delight in my answer was a bit frustrating to me, considering
how little support, from the government or any other quarter, many worthy
artists actually receive. Why, for example, are art programs in schools slashed
while sports budgets soar? It’s the priority of the majority that
rules — meaning that warring teams bent on victory outweigh peaceful
artistic endeavors of students. I understand that, and so do many others.
That’s why private individuals devise creative ways to raise money to
support the arts. One central-Illinois community came up with an
interesting and fun idea for a fundraiser. Illini Central High School, in
Mason City, brought the Count Basie Orchestra to the Arlee Theater last
February and drew enough interested patrons to near double the budget of
the school’s music department. Now the Mason City folks are at it
again, raising cash for budding musicians at a benefit concert featuring
the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with conductor Buddy Morrow at 7 p.m. Oct. 13.
For the $25 price of admission you get to enjoy a night of fabulous music,
help out a small local school’s music department, and spend time in
the historic Arlee Theater (originally built in 1936 as a movie house). For
more information, call 217-482-9999. Struggling to make it as an artist is especially
difficult when you’re only 13 years old. Matthew Woodson, an
eighth-grade honor student at Grant Middle School, is reaching for the
stars, but, as he and his parents have discovered, somebody must pay the
tab for chasing down a dream. Woodson, who studies at the John Robert
Powers School of Acting in Chicago, was one of a select few chosen from
more than 700 who auditioned to attend the International Presentation of
Performers (iPOP!) in Los Angeles the first week of January 2008.
Woodson’s talent is real and rare, and the iPOP event will give him a
wonderful chance to display his gifts to movers and shakers in the
entertainment industry — but plane tickets and accommodations
don’t come cheap. Yes, we’re asking for sponsors to help the
kid along toward his big break in show business. If you’re interested
in helping out, call the Woodson family at 217-787-1250 or check with any location of the Sangamon
Schools Credit Union to make a donation to the Matthew Woodson iPOP fund. Now that we’ve emptied your pockets to support
the local arts scene and artists, you can go see that free Celtic-music
concert that was originally scheduled for August but postponed in
expectation of a rainstorm that never showed up. The event has been
rescheduled for 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in Washington Park. Bring your
umbrella and lawn chair.
Contact Tom Irwin at tirwin@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in Oct 4-10, 2007.
