By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
The Bowling Green Arts Council is hoping to establish a new event on the city’s arts calendar.
Friday, June 10, the council along with Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department will host Art in the Park on the grounds of Simpson Garden Park, 1291 Conneaut Ave., from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
This is the event’s second year. Art in the Park is intended as a low key summer night’s excursion, said Jacqueline Nathan, president of the arts council. “The original thought was it’d be plein air (open air) painting and music in the park.
“The arts council wanted to have some signature event and work with the community.”
Paintings will set up their easels throughout the park, capturing the early summer beauty in paint.
In its second year, the event has added elements. This year, thanks to the sponsorship of the Montessori School and the Parks and Recreation Department, there will be interactive activities for children organized by the Montessori staff.
Adults will also have a chance to work on a community stain glass project with the guidance of noted stained glass artist Gail Christofferson. The finished work will be displayed at the community center.
Theater will be presented in the amphitheater. The Black Swamp Players will present a short one-act play, “The Spot,” by Steven Dietz at 5 and 6 p.m. “The Spot” is a satirical look at how political campaign managers approach their candidates’ TV commercials.
Horizon Youth Theatre will present an excerpt from its upcoming musical production “Honk!” at 5:30 and 6:30. The show is a modern adaptation by Anthony Drewe of the Hans Christian Andersen story “The Ugly Duckling.”
Musicians will be stationed and strolling throughout the garden. Performing will be the Grande Royale Ükulelists of the Black Swamp (GRÜBS) with Sheri Wells-Jensen, Jason Wells-Jensen, Anne Kidder and Geoff Howes and the Root Cellar Band featuring Lucy Long and friends.
Also playing will be students from the Bowling Green State University’s Doctor of Musical Arts in Contemporary Music. Derek Emch, clarinet, and Michiko Saiki, vocal, will perform “Hmmm, Nah.” Performing solo will be Nick Zoulek, saxophone, and Aaron Hynds, tuba.
Biggby’s and arts council members will provide refreshments.
Nathan said that the event was scheduled for a Friday evening so “people could come after work and would be a nice evening stroll.”
This event is sponsored by Bowling Green Arts Council and Bowling Green Parks and Recreation with additional support from Montessori School of Bowling Green and the BGSU Fine Arts Galleries and BGSU College of Music.
