“Here we go again,” said the front door of the Capitol Arts Center. “Another Kentucky Acoustic Music Festival (scheduled for Saturday, September 28, at 7 p.m.)… another bunch of locals trying to find a way keep me open.”
“I gotta hand it to these folks,” the door continued. “They have put a new roof over my head and an new HVAC system to keep me cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and I’ve been waiting for some new art work in the Houchen’s Gallery and there it is! Just like old times…”
The old Capitol door is right; recent efforts by Warren County, the owners of the Capitol, and SKyPAC, the managers of the facility, are helping this iconic landmark get the attention it needs. As you walk through the front doors, recent efforts are easy to recognize, and a new season of films and music was announced at last month’s Capitol Celebration. While the city is working to revitalize the downtown area and has focused on improvements to sidewalks and accessible parking, Warren County and SKyPAC have continued their efforts to preserve this important and historic downtown structure.
Karen Hume, former director of the Capitol, said she is excited to see “her old friend” get the attention it so badly needs and continue the tradition of offering a wide variety of the arts and entertainment in Bowling Green. Hume remembers with fondness Glen Campbell performing with Orchestra Kentucky on the Capitol stage.
“Mr. Campbell walked right up to me after his sound check, introduced himself and asked for a tour!” Hume said. She remembers how he talked about how “wonderful the sound was” in houses like the Capitol, just the kind of venues he said he played early in his career. Hume also remembers little kids peeking through the Capitol doors waiting to get in and see a movie.
The recent Capitol Celebration hosted by Covella Biggers at 440 Main brought together longtime supporters for a chance to browse old scrapbooks, sparking memories of events and renovation efforts that started around 1980. Lynn O’Keefe, SKyPAC Board member and longtime Capitol supporter, has worked to bring attention to the continuing needs of the Capitol.
“The iconic marquee has been a visible sign of the community’s commitment to preserving the past while the current upgrades and programming point to a vibrant future,” O’Keefe said. She also pointed out that “cities around the country try to invent what we have preserved. Let’s celebrate and enjoy it.”
Tom Carto, CEO for SKyPAC, recently announced the addition of the Library’s Winter Solstice Concert featuring Skip Cleavinger and Rebecca Baumbach on December 21 and the 20th Anniversary Jambodian Bash, a fund raiser for the Son Rhea Foundation. Tony Lindsey, founder of Son Rhea, reports that they are celebrating the Jambodian Anniversary by “expanding the festivities with a concert at the Capitol followed by a jam at La Gala on December 28.”
This 4th Annual Kentucky Acoustic Music Festival will feature three bands… The Golden Age, The Mt. Victor Revue and Bowling Gypsies.
The Golden Age (this year’s headliners) is a new Nashville based band that features Matt Menefee and Bryan Simpson, previously with the critically acclaimed Cadillac Sky. Matt and Bryan are back making bluegrass that is “equal parts preservation and rebellion.” Anxious to play this year’s Festival, Bryan wants a chance share their new music – “now it’s time to go take it to the streets” and “feel psyched about that adventure.” About their music, Bryan says “we just paint what makes us buzz within…. we’re a little nervous about its unveiling. If we weren’t it would probably just be some tired retread. But this dares to be something. Its own thing.” Fueled by truly original voices like Monroe, Hartford, Skaggs, Grisman and Fleck, they have merged their talent and wisdom into a stage show that entertains both the heart and the head. The Band features Matt Menefee/banjo, Bryan Simpson/mandolin, Billy Contreras/fiddle, Geoff Saunders/upright bass and Seth Taylor/guitar
The Mt. Victor Revue is a local string band that tries to capture the essence of songs from a variety of different styles. There is no way to put the Revue into any genre – they play covers from artists ranging from The Four Tops to Elton John to Nathaniel Rateliff &The Night Sweats, along with original songs from the various band members, and all with a bluegrass slant. The Revue consists of Ernie Small/mandolin and vocals, Chris Durbin/banjo and vocals, Eddie Mills/upright-acoustic bass, Joel Whittinghill/fiddle, Bob Zoellner/accordion and melodica, and Bruce Kessler/guitar and vocals. Fueled by the diversity of styles and the camaraderie of the band members, along with their love of performing, Mt. Victor Revue shows are always lighthearted and fun.
Bowling Gypsies is a Bowling Green based group that draws influences from Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and Hot Club of France. The group connects with fans of gypsy jazz around the world, sharing unique string music written for jazz but informed by the “Django” tradition. The Band has a universal appeal with Sasha Strunjas/ guitar, Joel Whittinghill/fiddle, Eddie Mills/bass, Chris Stewart/fiddle and Armin Hasanagic/guitar. Eddie Mills reports that “Sasha brought gypsy jazz to Bowling Green” and concertgoers are going to experience an “incredible show!”
The Capitol door says “help find ways to keep me open!” and reminds us that proceeds from ticket sales and sponsorships from this year’s Kentucky Acoustic Music Festival will be used to ensure the Capitol continues to be a part of our history and remains central to the downtown Bowling Green culture.
Tickets are available at the SKyPAC ticket office, by calling 270-904-1880 or online at www.theskypac.com.
