A bright moon glows above the Fox Park stage during an August 2013 Arts in the Park performance by Dr. Groovy and the Soul Surgeons. (Photo by Jen Boardman)
Submitted by Mary Allen
Long before the sky stayed light into the evening, long before the snow melted, long before the trees budded, committee members for Arts in the Park were scheduling bands and planning improvements and special events for this summer season.
Now it’s finally time.
Community members can start enjoying the fruits of their labor on Wednesday, June 4, and right on through August.
Besides the great music at these free concerts each Wednesday and Thursday in Fox Park, AIP will again feature local artists’ works and sell refreshments on these evenings.
As is tradition, the Wednesday concerts will feature the LaPorte City Band, a fixture of the city for 135 years. The band is directed by Chuck Steck. WNLP will post its musical schedule prior to each Wednesday concert. Then each Thursday, a variety of great bands will offer music of all types.
Some committee members (left to right) Roy Langford, Dave Russell, Kitty Wolfe, Lisa Smithson, Dr. Scott Simerlein, Jane Langford, Marilyn Savich, Nanda Danitschek, and Vicki Kelver plan and prepare for the new Arts in the Park season.
Each concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater. Bring your lawn chair, your blanket, your picnic, your kids, and your parents and enjoy these lovely evenings under the trees.
Here’s this summer’s lineup:
June 4: LaPorte City Band
June 5: Elwood Splinters Blues Band
June 11: LaPorte City Band
June 12: Dr. Groovy & the Soul Surgeons Farewell Concert. Groovy Subs will be available for this concert. Get your advance sandwich tickets at Kabelin’s, Subway, Roxy, LaPorte Savings Bank, Pine Lake Realty, Hawkins Print Shop, or an Arts in the Park committee member.)
June 18: LaPorte City Band
June 19: Middle of the Road Band
June 25: LaPorte City Band
June 26: Valleyaires Barbershop Quartet
July 2: LaPorte City Band
July 3: Cripple Creek. For this concert, the venue will move to Stone Lake Beach for a beach party!
July 9: LaPorte City Band
July 10: Eric Lambert & Friends
July 16: LaPorte City Band
July 17: Me & the Boys
July 23: LaPorte City Band
July 24: Meet the Beetles!
July 30: LaPorte City Band
July 31: Hobart Area Concert Band (Wolffgang Singers 6:15-6:45)
Aug. 6: LaPorte City Band
Aug. 7: Snyder Family Trio
Aug. 13: Jeff Brown Jazz
Aug. 14: HiFi2WiFi
Aug. 20: LPHS Marching Band & Color Guard
Aug. 21: Windiana (tribute and memorial concert)
Aug. 27: Methodist Praise Team
Aug. 28: Tom Milo Big Band
Kitty Wolfe has been active in the AIP program since its inception. Under her efforts the program has added volunteers and expanded a base of donors willing to improve the area around the Dennis Smith Amphitheater. Greater funding allows for even more high-profile bands. Donations are always welcome.
Wolfe’s daughter, Lisa Smithson, also works to oversee a smooth-running program and encourage growth. She and other members schedule talent.
Dave Russell lines up artists who display their works at the Art Pavilion each week. Artists who would be interested should contact him at 362-7949 or artsintheparklaporte@yahoo.com.
Reigning LaPorte County Poet Laureate Dr. Scott Simerlein schedules poets who present their works before the featured bands play.
Other committee members are Charity Shouse, Carter Perry, Bill Wolfe, Mary Allen, Marilyn Savich,Vicki Kelver, Paul and Gloria Thode, Nanda Danitschek, Mary Kay Steele, Ashlie Otis, Sue McConnell, Jamie Biggerstaff, Karen Long, and Jane and Roy Langford.
For more information on AIP, visit http://www.artsintheparklaporte.com/