Archive for June, 2011
Fifty artists featured at Midsummer Arts Faire
Jun 22nd
Past creations on display at a previous Midsummer Arts Faire
The eighth annual Midsummer Arts Faire will be held Friday through Sunday, June 24-26, in Quincy’s Washington Park, located at Fifth and Maine.
The free juried fine arts faire will be held rain or shine from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Great entertainment, great food and, of course, great art will be available all three days.
Fifty artists have been accepted to this year’s faire. The artists offer a variety of media including watercolors, clay, fiber arts, jewelry, photography, glass and mixed media. Artists will display and sell their original art and be at their booth throughout the faire to talk with patrons.
The success of an event like the Midsummer Arts Faire is because of community involvement. One of the best ways to support the faire is to buy Art Fare gift certificates. Available in increments of $25, Art Fare certificates may be used to purchase any of the art at the Midsummer Arts Faire. Your support means the Midsummer Arts Faire can continue to be a great event for Quincy for many years. Call 779-2285 or e-mail mafdirector@gmail.com to purchase your Art Faire certificates today.
The youngest members of the family can take part in free children’s art activities held during faire hours Saturday and Sunday.
The entertainment at this year’s faire will keep your toes tapping and hands clapping. The faire kicks off once again with the popular Blues in the District concert on Friday night from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The rest of the weekend features a variety of musical acts from around the region including the Irish Rag Tag Players, Esther Moore, Cheeks McGee and the Brigham Young University men’s a cappella group, Vocal Point. The theatre department of Quincy University will present a special production Saturday afternoon. Thanks goes to WQUB 90.3 FM for sponsoring this year’s entertainment.
The Taste of Quincy Food Court will feature Historic Quincy Business District favorites The Butcher Block, Pop’s Pizza and Sydne’s Café & Catering. Back by popular demand, Madonna House will serve lemon and strawberry shake-up drinks. The Food Court will be open during all faire hours including Friday night’s Blues in the District concert.
Tickets are now available for A Midsummer’s Brunch on from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Join Honorary Chairs Blaine and Cindy Strock and the Board of the Midsummer Arts.
New this year, the brunch will be held at Brix Wine and Cheese just across the street from Washington Park. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Faire and help continue to support art programs in area schools through our Young Collectors Gallery Grant Program.
The $25 per person donation includes brunch and one complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary. Advance reservations are appreciated.
Visit www.artsfaire.org or call (217) 257-0721 for more information.
Blues in the District is finally here
Jun 8th
You’ve waited a long time, but it’s finally here.
One of Quincy’s most attended events is back for another year. Blues in the District, a free series of blues concerts, will be held in Quincy’s Washington Park on seven Friday nights this summer. Pack up your lawn chairs, blankets and coolers and head downtown for wonderful music, great food and time with family and friends. New hours for all concerts this year are 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The series opens Friday, June 10, with Grady Champion. Champion is a young blues singer and harmonica player, who has been compared to Sonny Boy Williamson and people can hear why on his album “Payin’ for My Sins.” The album includes a version of “Don’t Start Me to Talkin,’” that really shows his high-energy singing and hamonica playing. His revved up, soulful vocalizing and the charm and insight he brings to his songwriting can be heard in numbers like “My Rooster is King” and the classic-sounding tale of infidelity entitled “You Got Some Explaining to Do.”
The corporate sponsors for this concert are TNT, GREDF and the Mid Summer Arts Faire. Additional sponsors are Bank of Quincy, Awerkamp Machinery Company, Celia’s Gifts & More, Circle Sewer Service, Joe & Janet Conover, Karen Peters, Klingner & Associates, Quincy Landlord Association, SGL Motors, Titan Wheel, Western Catholic Union, Charles Rollins, Riddell Noble and Bower & Associates.
The food vendor is TNT and friends serving up barbecued pork, chicken, brat, cheeseburgers and big hot dog baskets with a choice of two sides (baked beans, potato salad or chips) or sandwiches, sides and cookies sold separately. Beverages will be available at the Pepsi wagon.
