Last year’s inaugural event drew more than 1000 people from across Northeast Ohio. The Arts Jam is a showcase for the performing and visual arts and features more than 100 artists and performers, highlighting music, dance, drama, the visual arts and even a poetry reading! The day will include performances, workshops and many family-friendly activities such as face painting, acrobatics, storytelling, juggling, the popular Graffiti Wall for kids and much more.
All afternoon events are free or of nominal charge. “Last year’s Arts Jam was such a success – we were delighted by the number of attendees and received wonderful feedback about the quality of our artists. We’re happy to be able to sponsor this event again and hope to make it a continuing part of the Chardon arts calendar,” said Madelon Horvath, president of the Geauga Council for Arts and Culture.
There will be live music on the Gazebo stage all afternoon, with local folk icon Alex Bevan headlining the music program. Bevan, a Madison resident, first appeared on the Cleveland music scene in the late 1960’s, and has performed as an opening act for such headliners as the Earl Scruggs Review, Pure Prairie League, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Jimmy Buffett, Livingston Taylor, and Billy Joel. Appearing with Bevan at the Arts Jam will be Akron duo Shivering Timbers, Spoon2Soon, and string band Mr. Haney. Chardon’s own Jasmine Dragons will perform. All afternoon events are free to the public.
The Jam will continue into the evening hours with a special performance at the historic Geauga Theater, “The Artist Within.” This original showcase performance will feature local artists who also have ‘day jobs.’ It will be hosted by actor, radio personality, and Chardon native Jim Blum, and will explore how creativity touches all of us. Tickets to the evening show are $8 and can be obtained at the box office or online.
Many local merchants who participated in last year’s Arts Jam will do so again in 2014. Venues such as Beans Coffee Shop hosted poetry readings and ‘dueling dulcimers.’ More than 15 local merchants are expected to open their doors for performances during the 2014 Jam. Financial sponsors for the 2014 event include The Burr Funeral Home and the Junction Auto Family. “Getting Chardon Square businesses involved in the Arts Jam is a natural way to build synergy between the business community and the arts. A vital cultural life is just as necessary to a great community as are a strong economy, a beautiful physical environment, and great schools. Arts Jam is a real addition to Chardon,” said Chardon Square Association President Tom Bryant.
Arts Jam is a collaboration between the Geauga Council for Arts and Culture, the Geauga Lyric Theater Guild, and Chardon Tomorrow. The organizers welcome volunteers to help with planning and execution of this year’s jam. For more information, visit the website, and contact the Jam via email at: info@chardonartsjam.org
June 21, 2014
12 pm – 9:30 pm
Author: Jenny Hershberger
Jenny Hershberger was born and raised in Geauga County, Ohio. Since graduating from Marietta College she has worked as a free-lance photographer and graphic designer. Recently Jenny has become a published author, writing “Single and Content, a Journey from Despair to Delight”. She has traveled extensively throughout the USA and to several foreign countries.