Parkfest undergoing changes

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The women of the Greencastle Civic League have announced the 19th season of Parkfest summer concert series.

Parkfest festivities occur in the Bob Flannigan bandshell at Robe Ann Park on Tuesday nights throughout the summer months. These evenings in June, July and August are flooded with local talent.

All performances are free and open to the public. This has been a way for the Civic League to give back to the Greencastle community.

This year there are a few added twists to the Parkfest Greencastle has come to know and love. Thanks to the creative flair of Bobbie Lancaster and Rachel Stewart, musicians will be required to submit materials beforehand in an effort to attract local, unheard talent.

Garage bands, high school bands, solo artists, those who like to sing in the shower for fun, any genre and any age are all encouraged to visit the Civic League's website and view the artist submission requirements.

Past performers are asked to submit materials as well, but these musicians will be asked to follow the same criteria as newbies to Parkfest. In years past there have been rather lengthy wait lists of individuals who want the opportunity to perform at the park. No one will be singled out in an effort to attract new talent.

There will be 10 scheduled performances during the concert series. New to Parkfest this year is "Super Tuesday." These concerts will include not just one band, but multiple performances. This was devised with the hope that more singer-songwriters will be afforded the opportunity to perform.

Vendors are also encouraged to contact Lancaster or Stewart. Food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, farmer's market vendors and others are being asked to make this event bigger and better.

Lancaster and Stewart are co-chairing the Parkfest committee this year. As new members to the Civic League in 2011, these women jumped all over the opportunity to revamp Parkfest.

Lancaster recently relocated to Greencastle from Bloomington. She is a folk singer by trade, having been in the music business over a decade. Her expertise will be a great asset to the Parkfest committee, its overall organization of musicians, flow and presence in the area.

Stewart grew up in Greencastle during what she considers to be the most pivotal time for high school bands. She is a graduate student by day, but is very in tune with the undiscovered talent in the Greencastle area.

Other Parkfest committee members include Jana Boggess and Amy France. These women aren't new to Civic League, but are new to the Parkfest team itself.

The committee encourages anyone and everyone who has a passion for music to visit the Greencastle Civic League's webpage for more information.

"It is our hope that we can give budding artists an outlet to perform in public." Stewart says.

Artists and vendors are asked to visit greencastlecivicleague.org for more information. Details, band press kit materials, chairperson contact information and more are listed under the "Events" tab at the Civic League website.

Information regarding new changes can also be obtained in paper form at City Hall, the Putnam County Library and the Music Center.

Artist submission deadline is Thursday, March 1. All materials must be postmarked by this date.

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  • I think it's a good idea to shake up the line-up. It would be interesting to hear some new music. Not necessarily young musicians, but new ensembles that have not been part of Parkfest in the past. Wonder if this means a clean sweep of the status quo or just some adjustments to the existing list. There are plenty of worthy musicians in our community who haven't had the chance there.

    -- Posted by thinkpositive on Thu, Jan 26, 2012, at 1:58 PM
  • Thinkpositive: i don't think we should turn a could shoulder to the youth if they're good. Obviously these women aren't going to book an unworthy artist or a group that can't perform well so why should age be a factor? There needs to be something for everyone's musk taste which is why for years the parkfest was so dull from time to time. They want more than 10 people to attend so every demographic needs to be pleased at some point. One week someone you might enjoy will perform, and the next week something I'd be more inclined to listen to would perform and so on....

    If they just try an please the 20 people that came to watch in pervious years they will not draw in a new or larger crowd. up until now you could hear crickets in between performers songs, not singinging/dancing/clapping or even an enthusiastic fan in the crowd. With that being said I say rock on. This town is filled with amazing musicians with no place to play. I just hope they don't try pleasing the middle aged locals again and book 5 weeks of women's choirs..... And I know they wont

    -- Posted by coltsalltheway on Thu, Jan 26, 2012, at 3:24 PM
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