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Ice cream social at 6 p.m. precedes choir, dancers

Thursday, May 29, 2008 10:52 AM EDT

Like a favorite gathering place for families, Beckwith Park in downtown Dowagiac will soon be bustling on Thursday evenings, as this community's popular summer concert series opens its 13th season.

Underwritten for the first time by Huntington Bank, the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series officially opens next Thursday, June 5, with Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band, under the direction of Jonathan Korzun.

"Since the onset of our outdoor fine arts program, many individuals have made the popular vocal and instrumental series a Thursday evening tradition for their families," said Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Dowagiac Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, who coordinates the program.

"Since many of these folks go south for the winter, opening night feels much like a homecoming, as music enthusiasts return to the central business district, gathering in lawn chairs around the Haggin-Wimberley Bandstand."

In mid-February, Huntington Bank manager Cindy Rolback announced plans for Huntington to fully underwrite this year's $6,000 outdoor performance program, which traditionally opens the first week of June.

The Dowagiac bank is part of a $54 billion regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

Through its affiliated companies, Huntington has more than 141 years of serving the financial needs of its customers.

"Huntington's hometown spirit and its generous heart are sure to shine bright this summer upon our performing artists and audience," Phillipson said. "Hometown, heart and honesty are what Huntington Bank demonstrates at its 600 regional banking offices across the Midwest."

"Huntington is excited to be involved in this year's concert series," Rolback said. "As a local bank we like to support local organizations, as we make sure we're involved in the community on all levels."

"We look forward to our new partnership with the DDA and Chamber of Commerce, which co-sponsors the fine arts program. Both organizations are a wonderful part of growing this community. As a bank invested in people, Huntington is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of our community's cultural arts," Rolback said.

Phillipson said the Beckwith Park Summer Concert Series each year attracts a loyal and returning audience of music enthusiasts from Dowagiac and surrounding communities.

"Eighty-nine percent of the individuals who participated in the on-site survey at the conclusion of last year's performance schedule, rated the Beckwith Park Concert Series as being excellent, while written comments touted it as one of the best programs of its kind in the area."

Phillipson said while the concert series is scheduled to officially begin next week, a sneak preview of music and dance, entitled "Get Jazzed - Summer is Coming," will be presented tonight.

The May 29 event, which opens with a complimentary ice cream social at 6 p.m., features the new select vocal ensemble from Dowagiac Union High School, under the direction of Jeff Robinson, and members of Positively Dance of Dowagiac, who will perform from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This evening's ice cream social, hosted by Caruso's, the DDA and Chamber, is one of three that will be served this summer in conjunction with Dowagiac's outdoor entertainment schedule.

In addition to Southwestern Michigan College Brass Band, which officially opens the concert series on June 5, this year's outdoor fine arts program is pleased to present: the Irish and Celtic music of Fonn Mor, June 12; the Keith Scott Trio on June 19, specializing in the blues; Otsego Jazz Ensemble and vocalist Ian Brown on June 26, along with the ice cream social, hosted by Forest Glen Assisted Living; Schlitz Creek on July 3, specializing in bluegrass; The Skeletones on July 10, specializing in rhythm and blues, gospel and jazz; the Lake Effect Jazz Big Band on July 17; the Goldmine Pickers on July 31, featuring bluegrass, jazz, folk and Irish music; the tight, four-part harmony of Local Motive on Aug. 7; the one-man band of Carl Payne on Aug. 14, featuring Celtic music; and the Old Moonlighters on Aug. 21.

Phillipson said during the July 24-26 Dowagiac Fun Fest, three back-to-back performances will be presented on Thursday evening, July 24, featuring Positively Dance at 5 p.m., followed by the Lighthouse Chorus at 6 p.m. and Fonn Mor at 7:30 p.m., with an ice cream social presented by the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant.

On festival Friday, July 25, evening entertainment opens at 5:30 p.m., featuring the dance students of Miss Michele and Company, followed by the Kalamazoo Bag Pipe Band at 6 p.m. and trumpeter Yves Francois and his quartet at 7:30 p.m.

Phillipson said Francois will also appear at a special encore performance at 9:30 p.m. at Wood Fire Italian Trattoria, located across the street from the park.

Although this week's performance begins at an earlier time, concerts presented during the official summer series open at 7:30 p.m.

In case of inclement weather for any of the performances, Aug. 28 has been set aside as a scheduled rain date.

To receive a concert brochure, call the Chamber of Commerce and DDA at (269) 782-8212.

The public can also access the concert schedule online at www.DowagiacChamber.com.

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