Cultural Commission

CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 May 22, 2023 Minutes of the Meeting Meeting called to order by Chairman Harvey Center at 6:30 pm with Commissioners: John Cooke, Cheryl Hill, Ed Moore, Perry Price, Gregory Smith, and Coordinator Gregory Wencek. Absent: Mary Burke, John Cherry, and Alma Faham. Attending from the public: Siubhan Fallon. Presentation of Minutes The Minutes of the April meeting were presented. A motion by GSmith to accept the minutes as presented, seconded by PPrice. Passed by unanimous voice vote. Correspondence EMail: various Commission projects (literary contest, poet laureate, make music day, field work archive) Reports on DCC sponsored events ● S.L. Richter Association for the Arts - Richter Arts Spring Series ○ Margarita Rovenskaya - Richter Arts Spring Series April 30⋅3:00 – 5:30pm ○ Andrew Levine & Friends May 7⋅3:00 – 5:30pm HCenter: the concerts were good. ○ Billy Michael May 14⋅3:00 – 5:30pm ○ Metamusic May 21⋅3:00 – 5:30pm ● Jane Jacobs Walk - Danbuy Architecture May 6⋅10:30am – 12:00pm ● Danbury Concert Association ○ American Brass Quintet, May 21⋅3:30 – 5:00pm ● Literary Contest Awards ceremony May 18⋅6:00 – 7:30pm Danbury events not sponsored by the Commission ● Danbury Music Centre ○ Charles Ives Birthplace: American Icons, Past & Present - Community Band May 13⋅3:00 – 4:30pm HCenter: The event was ‘packed’. A Cool, dry day. American music. The conductor, Albert Monticalvo, explained each piece before it was played. ● Danbury Museum ○ Guided Tours of 4 Danbury Museum Historic Buildings on our Main Street campus ○ Guided Tours of the Ives Homestead ○ The outdoor exhibit panels are installed ● CoDA - Fine & Applied Arts Program Danbury Schools Saturday, May 20⋅11:00am – 4:00pm ● Music at the Ridge DAVID ROTH in Concert May 7⋅4:00 – 6:00pm ● Danbury Railway Museum Partnered with New England Train Museum ● City Center Danbury ○ Tastes of Danbury - March 1 – April 30, 2023 ○ Easter Festival - CityCenter Danbury Sunday, April 9⋅1:00 – 2:30pm ● Palace Theater Danbury ● Galleries ○ Gallery of the Visual and Performing Arts Center WCSU Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension ○ Gallery at Still River Editions 128 E Liberty St. ■ The Ladies: Leslie Singer, APRIL 8 - JUNE 30, 2023 Minutes of the Meeting Page 1 of 5 Approved: June 26, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 ○ in VIEW project Main Street Danbury ● WCSU ○ Marat/Sade - WCSU Dept. of Theatre Arts Friday, April 21⋅8:00 – 9:30pm Weekends, until May 1, 2023 Upcoming events See addendum Coordinator’s Report 1. Jane Jacobs walking tour May 6th tour started at 10:30 AM a. Included a dozen participants. 2. Literary contest awards May 18 a. 6 of the 10 winners attended. b. Anticipate participation from WCSU, the MC: Tom Zarecki and Dr. Clements next year. 3. CoDA - I was unable to attend the event at DHS 4. Project with Derek Poitr - no participants 5. Meeting with Brigid Guertin a. Walking tour in September - a riding tour on the trolly looping along Main, White, Deer Hill b. Collaboration with funding to replace the work out signs on the Museum in the Streets exhibit as part of The United States Semiquincentennial is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies in 1776. c. Danbury Street fair with CityCenter Danbury is June 3. Is there a Commissioner who can lead the showing of the Federer mural & let Adele Annesi in for her reading at 1 & 3 6. Open House Day June 10 the office will be open for the Federer mural showcase. We are listed on the CT Visit publicity website and other promotional outlets promoted by the State. 7. Make Music Day progress a. Websites for information and for signing up at https://www.makemusicday.org/danbury/ b. The event will start at 11:00 A.M. and conclude at 9:00 P.M. on the Ives Green. c. Map available and John is trying to get the restaurants and businesses to do specials or something outside. 8. Website renewal due June 23. $242.48 which I pay and get reimbursed. 9. I will be attending the Creativity Helps Humanity Thrive Workshop Thursday, May 25 ⋅ 6:00 – 8:00pm with the Danbury Museum sponsored by the Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut 10. The Commission now may post events on the CAWC calendar. It is a partially automated process. They will import the raw data and I will have to edit it and provide an image for each. ONLY Commission produced events will be allowed (not grant events). 11. Commission projects a. Make Music Day in June b. Sidewalk Chalk Art with CityCenter in July Appeals from Community groups: 1. Danbury International Festival $5,000 Sandra Ferreira-Molina, Deputy CEO The Danbury International Festival (DIF) is an annual initiative organized by the MOSAIC Coalition consistent with its vision to build an inclusive and equitable society in the State of Minutes of the Meeting Page 2 of 5 Approved: June 26, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Connecticut. The City of Danbury has endorsed the festival and assured the MOSAIC Coalition of its support for the implementation of the intercultural event which is scheduled to take place from July 29-30, 2023. The goal of the Danbury International Festival is to promote diversity among residents of the great City of Danbury through the exchange of historical and contemporary ideas and forge mutual understanding, and respect for all cultures. 16 organizations have signed on, to date. 2. Musicals at Richter $8,050 Robert Bria, Executive Director Presenting the 2023 Season: The Addams Family and The Music Man. This year’s request is to cover production costs: Publicity photography, Publicity videography, and Facilities rental. Renovations of the lawn area are going well. The Plan is to add a new element each year. Last year was the stage and this year will be the “wings” superstructure, which will eventually support the lighting trusses and the roof. These facilities updates are funded by loans, private donations and other grants. The request from the Commission is for this year’s performances. The Richter Park Authority charges Musicals a per person fee for each attendee. Old Business 1. Designs for Danbury Discussion tabled until the June meeting due to the absence of AFaham. 2. Poet Laureate for the City a. Danbury Poet Laureate Selection Panel - Dr. Clements is willing to participate Applications will be accepted from July 15, 2023 through September 15, 2023 New Business 1. Budget allocation of unspent funds a. Website $242.48 Moved by EMoore that the grant awarded to the Danbury Concert Association be increased by $1,000. Seconded by PPerry. DISCUSSION: The Danbury Concert Association request was cut significantly and this additional award can increase their ability to fund programs. AMENDMENT: CHill requests that the amount be split between the Concert Association Deepti Nagaraja who’s art program was also greatly reduced. Both EMoore and PPerry have no objections. CALLED: Motion to increase the grant allocations to the Danbury Concert Association and Deepti Nagaraja by $500 each passed by unanimous voice vote. Moved by PPerry to authorize the Coordinator to increase the grant award to the Music Centre with any remaining balance when the final budget amount is confirmed. Seconded by CHill DISCUSSION: Following the reconciliation of the Commission budget with the Finance department. CALLED: The motion to increase the grant award to the Danbury Music Centre by an amount to be determined by the Coordinator, following Finance reconciliation, is passed by majority voice vote. Action on Grant Requests: Danbury International Festival $5,000 for the Danbury International Festival June 29 -30. Minutes of the Meeting Page 3 of 5 Approved: June 26, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Moved by GSmith to grant $3,000 to the Danbury International Festival, a showcase for diversity. Seconded by CHill. DISCUSSION: HCenter: Which artists are paid? SFerreira: All organizations will receive a stipend to assist their participation. The MOSAIC Coalition did not want to impose a financial burden for participation. CALLED: Motion to grant $3,000 for Danbury International Festival passed by unanimous voice vote. Musicals at Richter $8,050 for the 2023 summer season. Moved by CHill to grant $8,050 to Musicals at Richter 2023 season of two musicals. DISCUSSION: This request is much lower than previous years and is close to past grant amounts awarded. This group has been providing entertainment to Danbury since 1985. CALLED: Motion to grant $8,050 to Musicals at Richter for the 2023 season passed by unanimous voice vote. Other Business 1. JCooke thanks to the judges of the 2023 literary contests for donations of their books to the first place winners in Short Story and Poetry categories. He will send a thank you letter to each. 2. The Coordinator is unavailable to lead the presentation of the Federer Mural during the Danbury Main Street Art Festival June 9. Any available Commissioners are asked to participate. The Coordinator will provide notes. Motion to adjourn at 7:45 Made by JCooke. Passed by Unanimous voice vote. NOTE: Corporation Counsel has provided the Clerk's office with the following... Current as of 3/16/20: Effective with Gov. Lamont's Executive Order No. 7B issued on 3/14/20, the requirement of public attendance at all meetings of public agencies is suspended. Meetings are to be held remotely by conference call, videoconference, or other technology, provided that (in summary): 1) the public has the ability to view or listen to each meeting or proceeding in real time by phone, video or other technology. Therefore the Commission office had set up a video conference call which started at 6:15 on Monday evening. Commissioners and the public connected to Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 841 4695 6119 Passcode: 816120 One tap mobile: Dial by your location +19294362866,,84146956119 # US (New York) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) Meeting ID: 841 4695 6119 Passcode: 816120 Meeting ID: 841 4695 6119 Passcode: 816120 If the Zoom video connection is lost, call the backup phone conference at 1 605-475-4120 Access Code: 816120 The meeting started at 6:30 and was not recorded by the Commission. Minutes of the Meeting Page 4 of 5 Approved: June 26, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.  CITY OF DANBURY CULTURAL COMMISSION 256 Main Street Danbury, Connecticut 06810 203 797 4508 Upcoming events Addendum Downtown Chowdown - CityCenter Thursday, June 1⋅11:30am – 3:00pm Trailer Box Gallery Weekly on Thursday, until Jun 30, 2023 Juan Bordes ​Sculpture 12 Francis J Clarke Circle- Bethel Ct. * Spring 2023 Member Art Show - Richter Association for the Arts Still River Editions Saturday, June 3 until Jun 4, 2023 The Ladies: Leslie Singer 100 Aunt Hack Road, Danbury, CT APRIL 8 - JUNE 30, 2023 128 East Liberty Street, Danbury, Connecticut Street Festival - CityCenter Danbury Saturday, June 3 Western Connecticut State University Main Street Danbury, CT Concert on the Green - CityCenter Danbury Saturday, June 3⋅7:00 – 10:00pm Bi-Weekly on Saturday, until Jul 8, 2023 *Events sponsored by the Commission Ives Street Danbury, CT A Little Bit Country… A Little Bit Rock & Roll - Mad Hatters Chorus Saturday, June 3⋅7:00 – 8:30pm First Congregational Church 164 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, CT 06810 Greek Experience Festival June 9 – 11, 2023 Weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Clapboard Ridge Road Danbury, CT * Roger Post Quartet - Richter Arts Spring Series Sunday, June 11⋅3:00 – 5:30pm Richter Art Center 100 Aunt Hack Road, Danbury, CT Make Music Day - Cultural Commission Wednesday, June 21 Main Street Danbury, CT & Internationally Music at the Ridge Sunday, July 2⋅4:00 – 6:00pm Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury 24 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, CT Minutes of the Meeting Page 5 of 5 Approved: June 26, 2023 NOTE: Additional and supporting information can be found in the files at the Commission office.