There may not be performances on stage right now at Memorial Auditorium, but this month a significant and long-awaited improvement was completed. The gold traveler stage curtain, circa 1960s, was replaced earlier with a new black curtain, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Dawson-Boyd Arts Association, Dawson-Boyd School District, community donors and a grant from Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.

“We are delighted to see this new curtain installed,” says performing arts director Luanne Fondell. “The gold curtain may have fond memories for generations of people, but it was very worn out!” According to Fondell, the curtain had been mended many times and had also lost its fire-retardant properties over time. When researching the project, other improvements were required as well. For example, all the “dog chains” used to hang the existing front curtain were no longer acceptable.

Dawson-Boyd Arts Association launched the fundraiser campaign to replace the gold curtain last November during the annual Give to the Max Day for non-profits in Minnesota. Later in the winter, Fondell wrote a grant to Southwest Minnesota Arts Council through its Equipment & Facilities Improvement grant program.   The $10,000 grant was awarded in March and the Arts Association began working with Centre Stage Manufacturing in Sauk Centre to order the curtains. The process of dying and sewing the curtains took approximately twelve weeks. DBAA previously worked with Centre Stage when the back stage curtain was replaced in 2010.

Others who have helped with this project are audience members who designated gifts to this curtain project and also contributed to the “coffee bowl” in the lobby during performances. “Our thanks to every single person who helped with this project,” says Fondell. “Each donation makes a difference when big projects like this are done. We can’t wait to use it!”

The Dawson-Boyd Arts Association recently received a $4,000 Equipment and Facilities grant from Southwest Minnesota Arts Council for the purchase of a new digital sound board and an input-output rack to accommodate more microphones and more monitors for performing artists. This new equipment increases the capabilities of Memorial Auditorium as a performing space and has already been used in recent productions the auditorium.

This activity is funded in part with a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council made possible by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Harpist Stephanie Claussen of St. Paul will present a concert this Sunday, January 11 at 3:00pm at Memorial Auditorium in Dawson. Claussen, a recipient of an Arts Tour Minnesota grant through the Minnesota State Arts Board, is touring to five cities in Minnesota to present a concert, along with a question and answer session and optional harp lessons for interested musicians.

Claussen specializes in Early and Renaissance harp music. She earned her Bachelors of Music in Performance at the University of Minnesota under the instruction of Kathy Kienzle, principal harpist of the Minnesota Orchestra. She has performed with numerous symphony orchestras and collaborated as a folk and Irish harpist at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Her diverse repertoire includes classical, folk, pop, sacred and early music for the harp.

There is no charge to attend this concert.

We are so excited and thankful to announce the Dawson Liquor’s Annual Wine & Beer Tasting…

Saturday, November 22, 2014 6:00-8:00pm
Dawson VFW Tickets: $20 in advance $25 at the door

Live music by Ross Anderson & Pete Lothringer
Proceeds to benefit Dawson-Boyd Arts Association Memorial Auditorium “Stairs to the Stage” Campaign

Tickets available at: Dawson Liquor Store Dawson City Building Minnwest Bank Dawson Co-op Credit Union Memorial Auditorium Box Office

For call us at 320-769-2955 ext. 246

Give to the Max Day is fast approaching! On this day, Minnesotans support non-profit organizations through online giving. GiveMN.org makes it so easy! Click here to support the work of the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association. Your donation is greatly appreciated!