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HAAC announces spring schedule of events

©2003 Homer Index

by Mike Warner

The Homer Arts Advisory Committee (HAAC) has announced its fourth annual
spring schedule of events and is seeking financial support from the
community to ensure the organization can continue to offer programs in the
future.

The calendar kicks off with the community choir concert and Arts in Public
Places exhibition Thursday, May 1, at 7 p.m. at the Community House.
The community choir will perform in concert and local artwork from area
students will be displayed.

Choir rehearsals begin March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Community House. The group
is open to anyone in the area. If you cannot make the first rehearsal, or if
you have questions, you are asked to contact choir director Ron Di Salvio.
HAAC is seeking entries for the Arts in Public Places exhibit. The event is
open to all students - including those students who are home schooled - in
grades K-12.

Artwork is due by Friday, March 28. The work will be judged April 3 and
winning entries will be framed and matted prior to the May exhibit. Wining
entries will be "leased" for a year by area businesses and displayed in
those establishments.

"The format for the concert and Arts in Public Places will stay the same as
in the past," Di Salvio explained. "We will have music interspersed with
awards."
The next event will be the community band's "Armed Forces Tribute Concert"
Sunday, May 18, at the Community House.

Rehearsals will be held every Monday at 7 p.m. in the high school band room
beginning March 17. The band is open to musicians of all ages.
For more information, contact director Duane Sitkiewicz at 542-2814.
HAAC's Summer Theatre program will present "Our Town" June 10th and 11th
at 8 p.m. in the Community House. The format will change this year. In the
past, the summer performance was aimed at students, but this year director
Cheryl McMeeking is opening auditions to anyone in the community 16 years of
age or older.

"Cheryl wanted to do 'Our Town,' and that requires some adult roles," Di
Salvio explained. "So this will be more of a community theatre experience."
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m in the Community House,
beginning April 15, and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. beginning
April 19.
For more information, contact McMeeking at 517-869-2170.

Di Salvio said the downward economic spiral has meant grant money for HAAC
has been curtailed, so the group is counting on the community to help fund
future programs.

"We have enough money left over from last year to do our spring events, but
after that we need to find other funding," Di Salvio pointed out. "We are
trying to develop a relationship with the United Arts Council of Battle
Creek to become a member agency next year, which would secure some funding
for our spring and fall schedules. But we will still need the help of the
community, as well."

Di Salvio said HAAC has an annual budget of about $20,000. That includes
directors' fees, program art work, advertising, purchasing music and
printing the "Sketches" art magazine.

Persons or groups wishing to make a financial contribution to HAAC may call
the Homer Area Community Foundation at 568-3495.

The public is invited to become involved with HAAC. The group's next meeting
is March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Community House.