Arts on the Allegheny has kicked off its annual fundraising campaign to ensure the music keeps flowing along Kittanning's Riverfront Park this summer.
This will be the nonprofit's eighth year hosting a free performance series at the John P. Murtha Amphitheater. Although the group won't announce who will be performing until May, co-chair Mary Ann Valasek said there are at least three events planned.
“There will be a variety — we're going to do our best to make it as diverse as possible,” Valasek said.
Last year's lineup included performances along the riverfront by the honky-tonk gospel sound of Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives, and the rock 'n' roll band Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes. The group also sponsored an indoor performance by folksinger Elizabeth von Trapp in Ford City.
This year, folks won't have to wait until summer to attend a free dance performance by Verb Ballets of Ohio. Rainy weather washed out the contemporary dance troupe's July performance, so Verb has rescheduled and will perform indoors at the 10th Street Station in Ford City in March. Students of Center Stage Dance Studio in Ford City will be the opening act at that performance.
Co-chairs Valasek and Candace Graff said they have gotten great feedback from past performers and concert-goers celebrating together under the stars along the Allegheny River.
“It's just a great gathering spot and gives us a chance to welcome people from far and near,” Valasek said.
And the crowds seem to get larger each year, Graff said.
“It's a reason to gather and talk to people and eat,” she said. “Performers love the venue — they love the intimate crowd participation.”
But Valasek and Graff said hosting free concerts is only possible because of the support the group has received from borough officials and employees and through monetary donations from individuals and businesses.
“There's never a glitch with parking, street closures and trash collection,” Valasek said. “There's so much harmony. This is a community effort.”
Corporate and individual sponsorship starts at the $500 level, but any amount of money is welcome, Valasek said.
“If we want to keep the music flowing, we need sponsors and donors,” Graff said. “Without them, we wouldn't be able to do this.”
Brigid Beatty is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-543-1303 or bbeatty@tribweb.com.
