The
Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA)
today announced the recipients of its new Vibrant Communities grant.
Ninety-three entities received more than $300,055.00 in funding.
Earlier this year, the Georgia
Legislature allocated funds to Georgia Council for the Arts to increase the
reach of arts grants across the state. This grant was available to
organizations in counties who did not receive an FY16 Project or Partner Grant.
GCA received 109 applications requesting $353,766 from 65 counties across the
state. Applicants included libraries, schools, arts centers, cities, historical
societies, community theatres, Boys & Girls Clubs, etc.
“We believe that all communities in
Georgia have great art, inspired artists and visions for the way in which local
art can bolster community and economic development” said GCA executive director
Karen Paty. “GCA is grateful to all of those in state leadership that
enabled us to increase the breadth and reach of our funding to support the
incredible work happening is communities throughout the state.”
Georgia Council for the Arts uses
Peer Review Panels to adjudicate applications following National Endowment for
the Arts (NEA) precedent. Peer Review Panels include GCA Council members;
fellow professionals who are experienced in the arts discipline or type of
grant being reviewed; or are Georgia citizens with a record of arts activities,
experience, and knowledge.
Toccoa received $1,680 in funding to
be used toward a concert featuring Francine Reed at The Schaefer Center. This
concert is part of Toccoa’s “Flames Fest.” This new event will honor “The
Famous Flames” and will begin with a concert by Milkshake Mayfield February 11.
On February 20, the St. Matthias Episcopal Church will host a showing of
“Selma” involving area churches.
The Francine Reed concert will be finishing
off the month long event by performing on March 3 at 7:00 p.m. Born in Chicago and raised in Phoenix,
Arizona, Francine Reed has had a passion for singing since her early childhood.
She began singing professionally with her family's gospel group when she was
five. After marrying young, the everyday
struggles of life kept Reed from pursuing her dream of singing full-time until
her children were older. Fortunately, she was able to sing in local jazz clubs
and at various functions in Phoenix. She became known for her powerful voice
and commanding stage presence, and delivered an eclectic blend of jazz, blues,
and R&B. She was often the opening act for such headliners as Miles Davis,
Etta James, Smokey Robinson, and the Crusaders. In the mid 1990s, she decided to pursue a solo career and moved to
Atlanta, Georgia. Here she recorded her debut solo album, "I Want You to
Love Me," which featured a duet with Lyle Lovett. Her follow-up,
"Can't Make It On My Own," featured a duet with Delbert McClinton.
The success of these early works resulted in nominations for the prestigious
W.C. Handy Award. (Blues Song of the Year and Soul/Blues - Female Artist of the
Year - 1997). Reed is perhaps best known for her
performances of the classic blues song "Wild Women (Don't Get the
Blues)," written in 1924 by Ida Cox. Ida Cox was born in
Toccoa. A recording of this song appears on Reed's albums, I Want You to
Love Me, I Got a Right!...to Some of My Best, and Blues
Collection; as well as on Ichiban Records Wild Women Do Get
the Blues and Lyle
Lovett's
Live in Texas.
Francine
Reed has become one of Atlanta's most treasured artists and continues to expand
her fan base at venues around the country. For several months out of the year,
she performs in Seattle or San Francisco, appearing as the Chanteuse for Teatro
ZinZanni. She describes the avant-garde production as "Cirque du Soleil
meets dinner-in-the-round, on acid." Reed continually blesses audiences
with her amazing vocals and vibrant personality; she is truly a musical
experience that should not be missed.
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