Colorscape Chenango pays unique homage to longtime director
NORWICH – As thousands as out of towners mingle with locals during this year's 22nd annual Colorscape Chenango Arts and Music Festival, a familiar sight will hang an updated shingle in honor of the Festivals former long-time Director, Peggy Finnegan.
Formerly known simply as “West Park Stage,” and arguably the center of the Colorscape scene for more than two decades; the stage will now be aptly known as “Peggy's Stage.”
The recent dedication by Colorscape Chenango board members comes on the heels of Finnegan's 22-year commitment to Colorscape.
“The Colorscape Board of Directors wanted to honor our longtime, outgoing Executive Director,” said Board President Melissa DeCordova in a release.
“Throughout the festival’s 22 years, she has pretty much had her hand in all aspects of Colorscape Chenango. From fundraising, public relations, publicity, and graphic design, to contracting with music and culinary vendors and managing the artists, Peggy has kept the festival growing strong, and for many, many years did so as a volunteer.”
From early on at the organizations first meeting in 1993,Finnegan has been working in the service of Colorscape. A volunteer “runner” for Founding Director Julie Borden during the first festival in 1995, Finnegan secured a position as Visual Arts Coordinator, later joining the Board in 1996.
“This was a learn-as-you-go experience,” said Peggy, “since I don’t believe I’d ever even attended an art festival. I had a lot of help, however, and I felt I’d found my niche.”
From there, Finnegan would serve as the event's Executive Director beginning in 1998, leading organization through the process of becoming an independent not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)3 in 1999 and 2000. With the exception of an earlier unrealized attempt at retiring, Finnegan served as Executive Director until retirement in Dec. 2015, when new ED Donna Dvoracek was appointed by the Board after an extensive search.
Colorscape added on the second performance stage in West Park in 2013 with the idea of promoting professional dance and music genres not featured on the Fest's NBT Main Stage – including drumming, opera, and jazz. And while Finnegan won’t be singing and dancing on the stage that bears her namesake, the dedication will serve as homage and cement her place in Colorscape Chenango's history for years to come.
Colorscape Chenango 2016 Peggy’s Stage Performance Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. – Meena Conant Singers
11 a.m. – Phoenix Project Dance
Noon – Taz Yanink – Jazz Musician
1 p.m. – Martha Ryan-Tango/Ballroom Dancers
2 p.m. – Phoenix Project Dance
3 p.m. – L.J. Gates
4 p.m. – Drumzzone
Sunday, Sept. 11
11 a.m. – Hilby
Noon – Rob Norris
1 p.m. – Martha Ryan-Tango/Ballroom Dancers
2 p.m. – Meena Conant Singers
3 p.m. – L.J. Gates
Formerly known simply as “West Park Stage,” and arguably the center of the Colorscape scene for more than two decades; the stage will now be aptly known as “Peggy's Stage.”
The recent dedication by Colorscape Chenango board members comes on the heels of Finnegan's 22-year commitment to Colorscape.
“The Colorscape Board of Directors wanted to honor our longtime, outgoing Executive Director,” said Board President Melissa DeCordova in a release.
“Throughout the festival’s 22 years, she has pretty much had her hand in all aspects of Colorscape Chenango. From fundraising, public relations, publicity, and graphic design, to contracting with music and culinary vendors and managing the artists, Peggy has kept the festival growing strong, and for many, many years did so as a volunteer.”
From early on at the organizations first meeting in 1993,Finnegan has been working in the service of Colorscape. A volunteer “runner” for Founding Director Julie Borden during the first festival in 1995, Finnegan secured a position as Visual Arts Coordinator, later joining the Board in 1996.
“This was a learn-as-you-go experience,” said Peggy, “since I don’t believe I’d ever even attended an art festival. I had a lot of help, however, and I felt I’d found my niche.”
From there, Finnegan would serve as the event's Executive Director beginning in 1998, leading organization through the process of becoming an independent not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)3 in 1999 and 2000. With the exception of an earlier unrealized attempt at retiring, Finnegan served as Executive Director until retirement in Dec. 2015, when new ED Donna Dvoracek was appointed by the Board after an extensive search.
Colorscape added on the second performance stage in West Park in 2013 with the idea of promoting professional dance and music genres not featured on the Fest's NBT Main Stage – including drumming, opera, and jazz. And while Finnegan won’t be singing and dancing on the stage that bears her namesake, the dedication will serve as homage and cement her place in Colorscape Chenango's history for years to come.
Colorscape Chenango 2016 Peggy’s Stage Performance Schedule:
Saturday, Sept. 10
10 a.m. – Meena Conant Singers
11 a.m. – Phoenix Project Dance
Noon – Taz Yanink – Jazz Musician
1 p.m. – Martha Ryan-Tango/Ballroom Dancers
2 p.m. – Phoenix Project Dance
3 p.m. – L.J. Gates
4 p.m. – Drumzzone
Sunday, Sept. 11
11 a.m. – Hilby
Noon – Rob Norris
1 p.m. – Martha Ryan-Tango/Ballroom Dancers
2 p.m. – Meena Conant Singers
3 p.m. – L.J. Gates
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