Two Meetings Left

The Celebration of the Arts (COTA) held its bi monthly general meeting at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA on Monday August 6th to plan their 35th Annual Jazz and Arts Festival which is scheduled to be held September 7th - 9th. A great deal of excitement filled the Inn as the dreams and preparations explored during the past few months are soon to be realized. A large number of Jazz Lovers as well as musicians attended the meeting in order to share and learn of the wonderful things to anticipate in this year’s event.

The meeting began with the announcement The Celebration of the Arts’ Camp Jazz has completed and proved to be a success with many young people’s interest in music and  the development of their musical abilities enhanced by the experience. It was also mentioned there are thoughts of expanding the Camp to a two week program. Studies will be conducted to explore this possibility. Please Explore The Celebration of the Arts’ Camp Jazz Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/Campjazz for more information about the camp and to learn how to participate next year.

This was followed by a special announcement relating to the COTA Board of Directors. Jazz Saxophonist “Sweet” Sue Terry has been asked and agreed to sit upon the board as its newest member. Her love for the musical form and the festival along her expertise in numerous pertinent areas relating to putting such an event in place provides a great deal of potential as COTA continues to grow while seeking to improve upon itself in the coming years. All who were present congratulated both Sue and the board for securing an even brighter future for the festival.

It was also announced COTA will soon be seeking submissions for their Music Motif Exhibition to be held at The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA. The juried exhibition will begin on Friday September 7th (the festival’s opening day) at 6pm and will continue displaying the works until September 16th. Artists living in the Monroe County, PA area are encouraged to submit their musically themed pieces which can be presented in all types of media for judging by a panel of 3 jurors with awards given out. Please feel free to keep an eye on the COTA Website to learn when they’ll begin accepting submissions and to view their guidelines.

In other news, the cover art of the upcoming CD titled, “Bob Dorough Duets” featuring Bob singing alongside many jazz talents such as Nellie McKay, Vickie Doney, Nancy Reed, and Donna Antonow was revealed. A special CD Release Party will be given at the Deer Head Inn. Information relating to the CD may be gained by exploring its facebook page at www.facebook.com/BobDoroughDuets.

The mission of The Celebration of the Arts (COTA) is to present and to support the art of jazz in all its forms and historical breadth through youth education, performing arts presentations, scholarship opportunities, and community outreach throughout the Pocono area. Their next general meetings are  scheduled to be held at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap on Tuesdays August 21st and September 4th beginning at 7:30pm. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Monday August 6th meeting in The COTA Meetings 2012 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150798121170421.468319.636000420&type=1&l=1ee42dedac.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend the general meetings as all ideas are welcomed.  Those who wish to serve in the various committees and staff assignments are also encouraged to attend. Besides helping a wonderful festival become something even more wonderful, participating in its endeavors is a lot of fun. Please Explore The Celebration of the Arts Website at www.cotajazz.org or call 570-424-2210 to learn how you can become a volunteer and to learn for more information all about COTA has to offer.