“WHAT A JOY TO BE PART OF THE LANCASTER FESTIVAL”

BY: JACK L. BLANKENSHIP

    LANCASTER FESTIVAL CORRESPONDENT AND VOLUNTEER

    Breathe and breathe real slowly, Jack.

    Wise words I kept telling myself over and over during those ten magical days. Not many people in the Fairfield County community would get a rare opportunity to be a major part of a huge celebration event. For over 25 years, the Lancaster Festival has held its summertime events here in Lancaster. Year after year, towards the end of July the Festival has served this community with the best of the arts, national and local entertainment. Who would believe two ladies like Eleanor Hood and Barbara Hunzicker had a dream to bring a little summertime fun by bringing music into town? Twenty-five years later, Hood and Hunzicker has a big network of support like artistic director Gary Sheldon and executive director Lou Ross. What make this whole event work are the many volunteers throughout the community who gives endless support every year.

    I happen to be one of the lucky volunteers to take a part every summer during the Lancaster Festival. As part of the local newspaper Lancaster Eagle Gazette, this correspondent has been privileged to interview one of my favorite country singers Kathy Mattea and other national acts that came to town to entertain. Yet my chance to contribute to the Festival has been more than a reporter. Over six years ago, I came to then newly appointed executive Lou Ross with an idea that seemed like a long shot. Support the local talent by giving them a rare chance to share their original written poetry or sing their music with acoustic musical instruments before a Festival audience.

     For a few years, adults and children read their poetry at Rising Park during “Poetry in the Park.” Changes had to be made when Lou Ross and I discovered we had to divide the children and adults into different programs, mostly due to the age difference.

     Pure magic began to happen when we started a writer’s workshop for the children at the main library downtown. First we started an open mic night for the adults at the former Campus Cup, then Coffee Ward and Art and Clay on Main. Currently we’re holding the program at the Spaghetti Shop. Six years later, local children and adults during Festival time have become superstars like this year’s Saturday headliners The Temptations and country singer Lee Ann Womack. Man! Throughout the six years, I have been blessed to be able to see children and adults be in the spotlight during the Lancaster Festival.

     With a little help from Becky Shaade, Youth Director of Fairfield County District Library, I was able to see very hard working children improve their creative writing skills during the four day workshop. Rewards for Becky Shaade and I were many as we saw eleven children share their writing on Thursday, July 30 with a Festival audience. I still laugh myself silly when I remember hearing Jacob Holton reciting his funny poem “Dogs.”

     True talent has no age limit and on Friday, July 31 during the Open Mic Night at the Spaghetti Shop, the magic didn’t stop when I heard the local musicians Joe Armstrong, Brandon Shull, 12, who played a violin like a future Lancaster Festival Orchestra member, and Cathy Fisher. Be still my heart, Cathy Fisher still gives me goose bumps every time I recall hearing her sing “Summertime” from the musical “Porgy and Bess.” Open Mic Night for over six years as an annual Lancaster Festival event and held the third Friday of every month at the Spaghetti Shop. I couldn’t do the program without the support of the Spaghetti Shop owners Tim and Tammy Gordon, my co-host Stan-the-Man and my sound engineer Dan Rouch.

     Lancaster Festival! What a concept! I pray it will never end. Throughout the 25 years, I have seen national entertainers like Ben Vereen, Roberta Flack, Kenny Loggins, and this year’s headliners The Temptations and Lee Ann Womack. And the best part of all, I have seen local entertainers year after year grow as better performers. As I went backstage with my youngest son Michael to see Lee Ann Womack as a surprise birthday present for him, I wondered what it would be like if this community didn’t have an outlet for the arts and music. Probably it would be a world full of silence and lots of boring summers. So as one of the lucky volunteers, I hope you follow the advice of one of Lee Ann Womack’s crossover pop songs, “I Hope You Dance” for another 25 years.

     As for me, I’ll keep saying, “Breathe and breathe real slowly, Jack. I think I’ll need an oxygen tank I’m ready to help all I can for next year’s Lancaster Festival.”

Lee Ann Womack closes Festival with Style

Ok. I did learn something. The heavy rains in the late afternoon on Saturday threatened to shut down the Lancaster Festival without the closing headliner concert with Lee Ann Womack. But, I didn’t panic. Rather I patiently waited. The rain stopped, the sun even came out a little. At concert time, it appeared the rains would hold back, so I went, armed with a jacket, umbrella, and sensible shoes instead of sandals, to the concert site at Ohio University-Lancaster.  I felt a few raindrops at the end of the concert, but the rains held off. I didn’t get left out in the rain as I did on Wednesday.

I like some country music, but I’m not what you would call a huge fan. I love Lee Ann Womack’s hit song, “I Hope You Dance,” so I was looking forward to seeing her perform. I enjoyed the concert. Dressed casually in slacks and nice fuchsia blouse, she joked about singing a lot of songs about drinking and bars. She opened with “Solitary Drinking,” then took the audience back to honky tonk with “One’s a Couple, Two’s a Crowd,” and to her native East Texas with “Never Again Again.”

Lee Ann chatted easily with the audience. She received a cheer from the crowd when she correctly pronounced Lancaster. Since she gave the right pronunciation, I figured she can’t be too bad. I liked the song she wrote, “20 years and 2 husbands ago” and her first number one hit, “I’m the Fool in Love with the Fool Who Loves You.”  I especially liked her rendition of the old spiritual “Wayfaring Stranger,” featuring the steel guitar. I found it both haunting and moving.

I was very impressed with Ms. Womack’s band. I especially liked the guy on keyboard. When she sang the pop standard, “You Don’t Know,” the keyboard player was awesome, playing with a jazzy bluesy kind of vibe. She stepped aside and let him play a long solo.

And, as always, the Festival Orchestra accompanying Ms. Womack was wonderful. They played with her on “I’m Going to Love Tonight” and “I Hope You Dance.”

The few raindrops did not budge me from my seat for the fireworks finale. Wow, what a way to end the Festival. The Lancaster Chorale’s ensemble 10 Voices sang patriotic songs with the orchestra while the skies were lit up with the fantastic fireworks display. At the end, a lawn display was set with a 25 in the middle.

So was the closing of another year of the Lancaster Festival.

 Bravo to the Festival organizers and staff. Well done.

Community Chance to Shine on Closing Saturday

One of the thingsI enjoy about the Lancaster Festival is the chance to enjoy the talents of musicians from all over the state, country and world. What I find especially enjoyable is listening to local bands and choirs who may not be professionals, but know how to give a good performance.

The last day of the Festival showcases local groups in the downtown square. There are a number of activities, especially for the children. The Lancaster Junior Women’s Club provided various arts and crafts for the little ones.  The Lancaster Summer Youth Band, under the direction of Judy Rehrer, was fun. This band, for the past 21 years, has offered young musicians grades 5 through 9 a chance to perform as a band in front of an audience. My daughter, Heather, played the saxophone in the band one year. At that time it was only for students in grades 5 and 6. Mrs. Sandy McCoy was the director at that time and encouraged Heather to be involved in the summer band. I always enjoy listening to the Lancaster Community Band, also under the direction of Mrs. Rehrer. Judging from the reaction of the audience, they also enjoyed the variety of music.

Saturday was the first time I heard One Voice perform. I have always thought barbershop style of singing was cool. It was interesting to hear an all-female barbershop chorus. The 30 member group, under the direction of Mary Jo Stratton, had that tight distinctive harmony as they sang familiar songs that included Broadway, big band standards and patriotic songs. I really enjoyed their rendition of I Believe and Somewhere Over the Rainbow. One member read a quote during the latter song that was inspirational. I don’t remember all of it, but a part, as close as I can recall, went as follows – “Don’t be afraid to give too much, laugh too loud, or love too hard. Don’t be afraid that your life may come to an end, rather that it has never begun.”  So true. I think I may have to check on how to join that group.

Mom and I heard the Reynoldsburg Community Band, so we decided to stay to hear them again this year. They are quite good. Under the direction of Christopher Dent, the band played mostly military marches, patriotic music and big band standards. They started off by saluting each branch of the military and asked veterans to stand as they played each individual signature song. The band also played music by Ohio composers. I particularly enjoyed the two songs by James Swearington, a Columbus composer. They played a song commissioned by the LHS Band Boosters in tribute to September 11. I remember my daughter played it when she was part of the Lancaster Band of Gold. Mr. Swearington was at the high school to conducted a city-wide workshop and performance.

All in all, it was a good way to close out the downtown activities for the Festival until next year.

Arnett Howard Birthday Bash a Blast

If you wanted to find someone you haven’t seen for awhile, all you had to do was go downtown to the Festival’s 25th birthday party thrown by Arnett Howard and Friends. It seemed like over half of Lancaster was down there to celebrate and party. There was wall to wall people on Broad Street from Main Street almost back to Wheeling Street. There were a number of people sitting in the area by the gazebo, over in the veteran’s park, and anywhere someone could fit a  chair or blanket. My mom, daughter, and I along with my sister and her husband and kids had to sit across the street in front of the fountain with other people because there was nowhere else to sit. I think the only open space was the roped off area  around the stage. The only free space in front of the stage was filled with people dancing to the music.

I heard more than several people say that it was good to finally have Arnett Howard downtown where he belongs. I agreed that the Festival is not the same without him partying with people in the streets of downtown.

And he did not disappoint.

Arnett, as always, knows what music to play and interacts well with the audience. He and his band played a wide mix of music – reggae, jazz, blues, pop, Top Ten. Whatever he played, the people loved. Couples danced on the slow songs, parents danced with their kids, even little tots bounced to the music while holding their parents’ hand or finger. It was hard not to move in some way. When he played “Red Red Wine” the crowd helped him sing. The biggest roar from the audience came when they recognized the opening notes of  “Hot Hot Hot.”

The band members appeared to have as much fun performing as we were listening. It was a treat for me to hear saxophonist Mike Roberts again. He was pretty awesome with the Inner City Blues on Thursday. I definitely enjoyed seeing Darryl Murray on violin. Darryl graduated with my brother from Lancaster High in 1970 and I graduated with his sister. He and his family are musically talented. He plays with the Festival Orchestra. I have also seen him play during the local Celtic Festival. So it was great to see him playing a different style of music.

With all the people concentrated in that area, there seemed to be little if any problems. Everyone was dancing with people they may not have known, they were smiling, laid back, and in no particular hurry. After the band’s break, Mom, Heather and I managed to find space near the front of the stage when some people left early. It was fun to watch the people. I got a real kick out of watching the man making the lemon shakeups. He was mixing and shaking to the beat of the music. He later said it made his job a lot easier and enjoyable.

Thank you, Arnett for the fun time. Mom had a really good time as did the scores of people who came out Friday night. We are looking forward to seeing you. Lord willing, the same time the same place next year.

Rising Park Day Caters to Kids

I had already attended several Festival events on Thursday, but, after a small breather, I decided to go to Rising Park and see how  the events over there were going. The skies continued to look dark and menacing, but so far, no rain.

There were still a good number of people at the park. A lot of parents with younger children, as well as couples and older people enjoying the events and the beauty of Rising Park.

When I arrived, young aspiring dancers who are students at local dance studios showed off their talents on stage in front of the main shelter house. My mind went back almost 20 years ago when I bought my then little daughter to Rising Park Days. Baker’s School of Dance sponsored a dance workshop for little dancers in grades 1 through 4 or 5. The workshop also served as a type of audition for prospective students. Heather insisted on taking part and actually was invited to attend the dance studio for lessons. She ended up taking ballet and tap for three years. Her dream was to be in “The Nutcracker.” She was actually much much better at tap.

I missed storytellers Mike Offutt and Bob Ford who entertained the crowd earlier. Mike likes to get kids up and play in his kitchen band, so I can imagine how eager the kids were to play wacky instruments. There were still plenty of children involved with the available arts and crafts, and climbing and playing on the play equipment.

Again, time roiled back for me as I recalled years past and how much Rising Park Days has changed and grown. Back then there were “stations” of activities all over the park and the main entertainment took place at the big shelter house on the hill closest to the pond. The Festival organizers had shuttles that ran back and forth from the parking lot and playground area to the shelter house. They even had two places where you could get free ice cream bars and popcorn. There was also a smaller crowd. My daughter and nieces loved to go every year. They loved the arts and crafts table and looking at the animals from the nature center. I had fun watching them take part in the available activities. Of course, as with all kids, they eventually gravitated to the playground and interact wiht the other kids.

I guess not too much has changed. There are more acts and entertaining things to help keep the kids occupied, such as the Columbus Crew Soccer Tour which gives the kids a chance to show off their soccer skills. I think it’s nicer that the activities are contained in the lower part of the park. Either way, with me out there childless and with only the company of my dog Chloe, I learned that Rising Park Day is not just for kids. It tends to bring out the little kids in all of us.

By the way, when I left and had only been home for less than 30 minutes, the skies once again opened and poured down for the rest of the night and early morning hours. I prayed for a sunny and clear day for the big bash downtown Friday night.

Blues Band livens downtown

After attending the writing workshop at the library, my friend Jack and I decided to stop further downtown and get something to eat. He mentioned that all week, the longest line has always been in front of Madison Bar and Grill. Mike does have the best fish sandwiches in town as far as I’m concerned. I was always stopping in their little place of business on Madison Avenue for my dad, who had to have one almost every Friday. I haven’t had one of their fish sandwiches since Dad passed away last July, so when Jack mentioned it, I knew it was long overdue to enjoy one.

Anyway, while there, Mike Smith and Harry Rawlins was warming up the audience and to introduce the day’s noon act, the Inner City Blues Band, based in Columbus.  Again, my boyfriend, Gene, said he knew the members and said I would enjoy them. So I was happy when Jack decided to listen to them for awhile before he went home.

The group were awesome. The bass player was in the audience tuning and warming up. As the other members of the band began to play, he walked around among the people closer to the stage as he played. It only took the middle of the first song for people to tap their feet or dace in their seats. I was smiling when I saw a lady wearing a bright red tropical shirt dancing through the crowd. I smiled even bigger when I saw that she had Harry Rawlins dancing a little bit.

The skies darkened and I felt a few rain drops, then the sun came out a few times and it was really hot, but not as hot as the band. I was not going to let a few raindrops keep me away this time! The female vocalist was really good, singing with the traditional gutsy bluesy sound with a wide vocal range, especially on “Fussin and Fightin.” Leon Robinson on drums was great and Nick Sonye smoked the guitar, but I really enjoyed Mike Roberts on saxophone. He danced as he blew that horn. I especially liked when he sang the lead on “Big Legged Woman.” They all sang vocals, trading between leading and background. I also enjoyed “You Gotta Go,” “Treat Me So Cold,” and “Nothing to Lose.”

I’m glad the rain held back or I think I would have been crying the blues if I had missed this entertaining and fun band.

Rhyme and Shine Workshop Inspires Young Writers

In case you may not have noticed, I am a fan of the written word. I love to write and think it’s so cool how a combination of letters make up words and words make up sentences, all which makes it possible to express one’s thoughts, feelings and emotions. 

My friend, Jack Blankenship, is also a fan of the written word. As a poet and author of 17 poetry books, he has the passion to pass the same love for writing to young students in elementary and junior high schools. Jack started a writer’s club at North School with the help of the late Mary Good years ago, and later spread it to other elementary schools. He then came up with Poetry in the Park. The attendance was few, but Jack didn’t give up. A few years later, he pitched the idea to Festival director Lou Ross, who supported him and made it a part of the Lancaster Festival. It was received well during Rising Park Day.  This year was the most successful for the event.

Along with Becky Schaade, youth services coordinator for the Fairfield County District Library, Jack held a four-day workshop for aspiring young poets. The workshop was held at the library beginning on Monday.  Using the book, “Words, Wit, and Wonder: Writing Your Own Poetry” the 11 students who attended learned several tools and tips for writing. On Thursday, the public was invited to listen to their finished product.

Best friends Katy Hoyd, 11, student at West School, and Delaney Jacob, 10, of Bloom Carroll said they had fun and learned a lot about writing poetry.

Katy said she has had stories in her head since she was about 8 years old, but this was the first year she has attempted to write poetry.

“I used to be scared of talking in front of people. My teacher encouraged me to write and share it with the class so I wouldn’t get scared,” Katy said. “I learned I like to write, but I really like to share. I really like to get up there (in front of people)  now.”

Katy said she worked on several things during the workshop, but her favorite poem was written at the spur of the moment this morning.

“My mom was saying this morning how much she loves coffee, so I thought of this poem.”  The poem is as follows at the permission of Katy and her mother:    

          “My mom loves coffee/especially on Monday/Its one of her favorite things./But I know she doesn’t/love it more than me.”                                                                                    

Delaney said Jack as very interesting and that she learned a lot from him and Becky. They agreed they would do it again next year.

“I learned that all poems don’t have to rhyme. You just do what you want,” said Ashley Wicks, 9, who attends Medill School. “Its more about getting your feelings out and expressing yourself.”

Ashley is the first person in her family who writes. She plans to continue to write although she would like to eventually become a doctor.

Jacob Holton, 10, gave Jack, Becky and the workshop a thumbs up. He wrote a poem about dogs.

“I learned a lot here, I learned I can write about whatever I want,” Jacob said. “This has inspired me to write more.”

Jack Blankenship said they would more than likely continue with this same format next work since it seemed to be the most successful. He and Becky said they turned away adults who were interested, and may expand a workshop to include adults next year.

“This has been a good platform of expression for the kids,” Jack said. “The kids learned poetry in school. The library and the Festival supports and offers a summer experience where they will be able to go back to school better prepared.”

Congratulations to all the young writers who participated. I wonder how many will become successful published authors. I guess all I can say is ……..to be continued!

Left Out in the Rain Again

I was so looking forward to the Hotel California concert Wednesday night. I’ve always been a fan of the Eagles – love, love, love their music. Despite the rain throughout the day, the sun came out and I said I was going to go and have a good time. I was already upset with myself because I let the light rain shower keep me from going downtown to hear the Afro-Rican Ensemble downtown. My friend is a jazz musician and knows most of the guys in the group. He highly recommended to me that I go. I didn’t think about sitting in the bandstand to stay dry.  Anyway.

I was running a little late, so about 8:15 p.m. I was getting ready to head out the door. My mom said the sky was really black. I looked out and said “oh no, here it comes.”  A few minutes later I heard the thunder. A few minutes later came the deluge. It poured down accompanied by lightning and thunder. Everyone, including me, said, “aren’t you glad you didn’t go and get caught up in the storm.”  Well, yeah!

It reminded me of the few other storms during past Festivals.  I remember when GaryMorris was headlining. That was cut short when a severe storm with possible tornado blew through. I was actually halfway to OU-L when that storm came and I was able to turn around and get home safely before the worst of it hit. I was at the concert site when Manhattan Transfer performed. The Festival Orchestra played “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” from Disney’s “Fantasia” when another bad storm hit. We laughed and said Maestro Gary Sheldon brewed up a storm with that number.  The audience was told to head for cover because a tornado was sighted outside of Baltimore and the storm was heading straight for OU-L and that side of Lancaster. I was parked nearby so I – along with many people – ran for the car and left while others headed inside the college.

What I should have done was remembered the rainstorm that hit when Ben Vereen performed at OU-L the first time. I was there and left because it rained and stormed hard. A rain date for the next day- Sunday – was set, so I went home thinking I would see him then. After all, it was forecast to be a much better day. The next dayI picked up the paper and saw here Ben decided to go on with the show after a delay. Granted the audience was tiny by that time. However, the ones who stayed were treated to a performance that is still talked about by the hardy souls who stuck around! The only thing that kept me from feeling too bad was when he return a few seasons later. Or however long it was.

When I picked up Thursday’s paper and saw where Hotel California performed after a 50 minute delay even though the crowd diminished, I thought – “Oh my, I was left out in the rain again!”

To those of you who stayed and partied – I’m glad you had a good time. Just, please, don’t tell me what I missed!!!

Temptations party at Lancaster Festival

When I was a young teen of the 1960s and early 70s, the Motown sound was the sound to not only listen to, but to emulate. Several other neighborhood girls and I wanted to be the Supremes while my brothers and their friends wanted to be the Temptations. They spent countless hours in the basement singing to the 45s and imitating the steps and moves of the famous singing group.

All this and more came to mind Saturday night as I finally got to see the  timeless group at the opening headlining concert at Ohio University-Lancaster Wendel Concert Stage.

I was worried that the afternoon thunderstorms and rains would cancel the concert, but many prayers were answered and the sun came out, as did the scores of people.

My friend and I got to the concert site a little early and watched the people gather with food, chairs, blankets, and an attitude to have a good time. Maestro Gary Sheldon and the Lancaster Festival Orchestra set the tone for a nostalgic evening by playing pieces from five previous seasons. “Pictures at an Exhibition” from season 14 was never played by the orchestra because severe weather caused everyone to scatter for safety. It was worth the wait. My favorite piece was OU professor Mark Phillips’ “Stand Up and Swing,” a jazzy version of the OU fight song, “Stand Up and Cheer.” I only felt bad because I broke OU protocol when I didn’t stand up during the song. GO BOBCATS!!  Maestro Sheldon ended the first part of the evening with Straus “Champagne Polka” after he asked the audience to raise their glasses in a toast to 25 years of Lancaster Festival.

When the Temptations took the stage with “How Sweet It Is,” audience members flocked to the stage to dance and sing the familiar songs. The songs included, “Papa was a Rolling Stone,” “I Wish it Would Rain,” Just My Imagination,” “Get Ready,” and “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”  The group, in classic style, including purple suits and lavender shoes, worked up a sweat with their from-their-soul singing and dancing. It was so good to see the only remaining original Temptation, Otis Williams still grooving after 48 years and 57 albums.

The group asked the audience to light up their cell phones, candles, and whatever else and wave them since they did not have party lights to hang up. Looking over the crowd, the sight was awesome. They good-naturedly kidded among each other and bantered with the audience. On the slow romantic songs, the men were encouraged to look at their ladies, tell them they loved them, and kiss them.

My man complied!  Thank you sweetie.

Of course, it would not be a Temptations performance without, what they called their national anthem – “My Girl.”

As they left the stage, each member of the group graciously shook hands with the fans who were lucky enough to get close to the stage. I’m glad I was lucky enough to see them in person.

It was worth the wait.

Candlelight Concert

Just a short distance from the laughter and rock music, there was a quiet, peaceful musical  oasis within the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church.

The church was a beautiful setting for the concert. The lights were dimmed and, as in St. Mary, the acoustics allowed each note to be heard, even at the quietest pianissimo. The church was filled and I joined others to enjoy the event from the balcony.

For the past 12 years, the Veronika String Quartet have performed for the Lancaster Festival. I’m embarrassed to admit, this is the first time I have attended one of their concerts. After tonight, I can’t believe I have missed out on something special.

The Veronika String Quartet was formed in 1989 at a musical college in Moscow. They have received top awards in international competitions in Russia, Australia and the United States. It’s easy to see why. Each member of the quartet is an accomplished musician. As an ensemble, they played as one. Holly Oberle, organist for the First Presbyterian Church was magnificent with the quartet when she played Adagio for Organ and Strings by Tomaso Albinoni. Judith Lynn Stillman played the piano brilliantly when she joined the Veronika Quartet on Shumann’s Quintet for Piano and Strings Op. 44.

Bravo! It’s better late than never!