Godspell Junior at Savin Rock Festival

The cast of Godspell Junior will be performing at the Savin Rock Festival this weekend. Come cheer on the kids as we take the stage at the following times:

Friday - 7:45pm, directly after West Haven Idol performance
Saturday - 7:45pm
Sunday - 12 noon

Our Friday and Saturday evening performances are 15 minutes long and will give you a taste of what we are doing. We are excited to appear right before the evening's main event. On Sunday afternoon, however, we are one of the main events, appearing for 30 minutes right before Infinity Project. In case you do not know, one of Infinity Project's founding members is Rob Granoth who plays Jesus in our production of Godspell Junior.

So come support the West Haven Summer Youth Theater at the Savin Rock Festival!

Godspell Junior
August 6th and 7th
7pm
Carrigan Middle School
20 Tetlow Street
West Haven, CT
Advance tickets $5 adults, $3 children 4-12 and seniors, 3 and under FREE
$7 & $5 at the door

Tickets available at the door, from any cast member, or by calling Paul Scanlon (932-2102) or Rosemary O'Brien (479-3522).

Amazing!

Let me begin this blog entry with a quote from one Buzz Lightyear: "To Infinity, and beyond!" That's how members of the West Haven Council on the Arts feel, right now.

Hot on the heels of learning that we received $194K in stimulus money, we were astonished and amazed at the subject of a press conference held in the parking lot of the currently empty, Masonic Temple building on Center St. On that rainy Tuesday of April, 21, 2009, the City was given a gift from Yale University of $500k in support of the Arts Center planned for the space. Mayor John Picard and Associate Vice-president of Yale, Michael Morand, presented the check to WHCA President, Paul Scanlon in front of a large gathering of city officials and arts supporters who braved the elements to witness the event.

Although the day was damp, the mood wasn't. Everyone present felt the warmth of a bright future with the realization that this project has support, not only locally, but regionally as well, from one of the greatest educational institutions in the world. Although previous ties to Yale have been mainly through sports and science, the university itself is a leader in arts education and promotion. Their gift and vote of confidence will surely help to change the face of West Haven, artistically, socially and economically. West Haven Cultural Arts Center will be the first arts related project for the city but , undoubtedly, not its last. To further envelope everyone with the feelings of warmth and hopefulness, Nicole Frechette performed an inspiring rendition of LeeAnn Womack's, “I Hope You Dance” for the appreciative crowd.

But the story doesn't end there...

On Friday evening, May 1st, West Haven Council on the Arts held a fundraising dance at Westwoods Ballroom, (the old IA Club on Chase Lane). The event had the dual purpose of raising awareness of the NEW Arts Center and money to support the performances, exhibitions and programs that will call this location "Home."

The theme of the dance was "Family Arts Night," because the Arts Center is being created for every family in West Haven and it garnered much support from The Democratic Town Committee, The Downtown Merchants Association, local businesses and private citizens who gave WHCA advertising space in their storefronts, gift baskets for raffle prizes and their presence at the event. The night was quite successful with nearly 200 adults and children in attendance. Congratulations to the WHCA Events Committee and committee Chairperson, Cathy Granoth.

We would like to thank local entertainers Michael Rea and Steve Miller for their contributions as MC and magician/ juggler, respectively and Ken Cox for his moderation of the craft area that was created for the young and the young-at-heart. They kept the "kids" engaged and very entertained. Our two bands, Infinity Project and Stars of Gold had everyone grooving all night long. Stars of Gold's appearance was a gift from the Savin Rock Festival Committee. (Thank you Ed O'Brien, Tracy Morissey and the entire SRF committee.) Thank you to Mickey and the entire staff at Westwoods Ballroom. (Mickey, We're sorry that you couldn't attend. We hope that your procedure went well.) Thank you to all of our Prize Basket donors; each district of the Democratic Town Committee, Nancy Rossi, Marianne Callahan, Rosemary O'Brien & Alan Alfonso, Infinity Project, The Granoth Family, The Murillo Family, Kevin & Michelle Davignon, Yale School of Music and The Shubert Theatre for your generous donations. A special note of thanks must go to Ms. Callahan for making sure the raffle prizes were as beautiful and enticing as they could possibly be. Thank you to Paul Scanlon, Cathy Granoth, Rosemary O'Brien and the entire Murillo family whose tireless efforts made sure that word of this event got out to the entire city. We are fortunate to be backed by friends and town leadership who truly recognize the important part The Arts play in growing a community.

West Haven Council on the Arts is dedicated to providing to the talented artists of West Haven, a forum in which to display those talents. Even though $700k is but a fraction of the total amount needed to complete the building project, it is a fantastic sum of money and is, in the words of Paul Scanlon, "Amazing!"

As always, we invite you to be a part of this journey. Become a member of West Haven Council on the Arts at any time by writing to us at artswh@aol.com or come see us at Rita's Italian Ice at 25 Ocean Avenue in West Haven (the Baybrook area) on June 17th. We will be there scooping ices ad ice cream between 3PM - 6PM and Rita's will be donating 15% of all sales between the hours of 12PM - 10PM to WHCA.

West Haven receives $194G in stimulus aid for arts center

The city has received $194,409 in federal stimulus funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for downtown revitalization efforts.

Mayor John M. Picard said the city plans to use the Community Development Block Grant funds, part of the government’s $10.1 billion Recovery Act program, to rehabilitate the exterior of the old Masonic Temple on Center Street for the future West Haven Cultural Arts Center.

The money will pay for various improvements to preserve the architectural integrity of the nearly century-old building, including a new roof and windows, the removal of an underground oil tank, as well as the re-pointing of the building’s chimney and other brickwork, said Ralph A. Paolillo, manager of the Community Development Administration, which oversees the city’s allotment of CDBG funds.

“This project will create construction jobs, will improve a key structure in our downtown, will support our long-range plan to develop the building as an arts center, and will foster economic development within the central business district,” Picard said.

The city also will use the money to restore the building’s columns and doors and to install security fencing and lighting.

According to HUD guidelines, the city, which received the grant award March 6, will have 120 days to bid the project and do the work.

Planning and Development Commissioner Eileen Buckheit, who supervises CDA, said she expects the project to start immediately.

The Masons of Annawon Lodge 115 sold the downtown building to the city in 2007 for $650,000, mostly financed with a $550,000 state grant. The 15,022-square-foot building was turned over to the city free of asbestos after abatement work that virtually gutted the building.

The exterior front portico of the two-story temple resembles the Greek period with ionic ornament capital columns with architrave and pediment details that continue as a cornice and fascia for the building.

Courtesy West Haven City Notes (March 16, 2009)

Bill #5918 Requests $1.2 million For Arts Center Restoration

State Representative Paul Davis (117th district) introduced a bill which will go in front of the State Commerce Committee this Thursday, Feb. 5th at 11 a.m. The bill, House Bill 5918, seeks 1.2 million dollars for the restoration of the Cultural Arts Center on Center street.

Paul attended Kevin's presentation in front of City Council in January and I see this action as a direct result of that meeting. Congratulations and well done!

Rosemary and Barth will represent us and speak in favor of bill 5918 at the public session in Hartford this Thursday. They will share the experience at our meeting Thursday evening, February 5th at 7 p.m. in the basement of City Hall. There will also be city officials speaking in favor of the bill.

I urge all reading this to contact your local representatives and ask them to submit testimony in favor of House Bill 5918. Mention the public hearing this Thursday. More information and local Reps contact information can be found at the following site: cga.ct.gov

West Haven Summer Youth Theatre Performance on August 7th and 8th

On August 7th and 8th, theater-goers will be treated to the second season of the West Haven Summer Youth Theatre. Group 1, children ages 10yrs - 13yrs, will perform You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, while Group 2, ages 14yrs - 18yrs old, will perform the Andrew Lloyd Webber/ Tim Rice opera, Jesus Christ Superstar.

The West Haven Summer Youth Theatre, sponsored by the West Haven Council on the Arts and a block grant from the West Haven Community Development Department, got underway on June 23rd. Almost 30 children took part in their auditions. Since then, cast members have been rehearsing their parts, as well as learning the behind the scenes duties that most of us never think about when we see a show. Their 6-week investment culminates in their performance which takes place on August 7th and 8th, at Carrigan Middle School in West Haven. The show will begin with Group 1 performing songs from You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, followed by Group 2’s performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.

West Haven Council on the Arts would like to thank the West Haven Board of Education for making Carrigan Middle School available for the theatre program, as they did last year. Our goal is to present this program at its permanent home in The West Haven Arts Center in the near future.

WHCA Member to Perform at Savin Rock Festival

Rob Granoth and his band Infinity Project have agreed to be the opening band of the Savin Rock Festival. The band hits the stage at 5:30pm on Thursday, July 24, 2008.

Rob, who is the band's drummer, is a student at Bailey Jr High School and member of West Haven Council on the Arts. He and his bandmates Larry Shea (guitar, vocals) Mike Gendreau (bass, vocals) and vocalist Jason Corn have been playing together since 2007. They've scored high marks with fans, family and us through their talent and their community spirit. They recently participated in a successful fundraising event for the CT Children's Hospital.

"Infinity Project's name was at the top of the list when the SRF Committee approached council members for entertainment suggestions, not just because of Rob's affiliation with WHCA but because we know the public will be treated to a performance of the highest caliber." said council president, Paul Scanlon. The council is very proud to be associated with such exceptional talent and such a fine group of teens.

When he was asked if the band would kick off the festivities Rob said this, "Absolutely! We love playing and this is a great way to reach a wider audience. We work hard to be the best we can be and want everyone to know that."

To learn more about the band and other arts council projects or to become a member yourself, stop by our booth at the festival. Members will be on hand from Noon until 4PM on Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th.


WHCA

Mother's Day Luncheon at City Square

Dear readers,

This Spring saw WHCA hard at work organizing and producing a fantastic event that was held on Mother's Day in City Square. (A cabaret style Mother's Day Luncheon)

Council member Daniel Juarez secured the entertainment and Greg Giaquinto (Giaquinto's Deli) provided the food for a spectacular program. WHCA members handled the hosting duties with council president, Paul Scanlon, as the Master of Ceremonies. Both the food and entertainment were superb. As I said earlier, the Giaquinto family provided a delicious buffet. All the mother's and their loving families were teated to the dynamic sounds of The Sentinels sentinels-sounds.com, a doo wop group from Stamford who performed two sets of music for an appreciative audience of about 75 people.

For those of you that aren't yet familiar with it, City Square is the beautiful courtyard behind Gold Works on Campbell Avenue perfectly suited to outdoor Arts events. You'll be hearing a lot more about this space as the city and WHCA stage more productions there.

That's it for now. The Summer is shaping up to be very active, too, so come back soon for more council news and events.