The Shape of Jazzy Things To Come

The Celebration of the Arts (COTA) held its general meeting at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA www.facebook.com/deerhead.inn on Monday May 12th to plan their 37th Annual Jazz and Arts Festival which is scheduled to be held September 5th - 7th. A small group of music and art lovers gathered at the Inn to lend their ideas and to learn more about the annual three day event. However, the physical size of the gathering did not reflect the enormous dedication they had for the festival nor did it measure the degree of excitement the attendees shared as preliminary reports of how the festival will be enhanced this year were given.

The first of these reports related to how the music schedule for the festival was progressing. Already, at this early stage, a number of groups and individuals have sought to be a part of this year’s festival. The committee involved with the scheduling announced the performance sets will be of a longer duration this year with groups smaller in personnel performing due to budgetary considerations. The idea of having the opportunity of listening to a band or individual for a longer period of time intrigued many who were present.

Another report announced The Celebration of the Arts will have a presence during Delaware Water Gap’s upcoming Founder’s Day Celebration scheduled to take place on Saturday June 28th. The day commemorates the settlement of the town by Antoine Dutot in 1793. This was exciting news as it means information about the festival and all it offers will be made available to the many who will attend the event. The excitement inspired some talk about creating a presence at other Summer festivals taking place throughout the Monroe County of PA. There will sure to be more discussion on that during future meetings.

As interesting and exciting all this was, the most astonishing revelation was that of the poster for this year’s festival has been created by Tim Helman. This came as a very enormous surprise to those who have been a part of the festival for several years as the poster normally doesn’t come into being until a few weeks prior to the event taking place. It was mentioned there is some detail work that remains to be added to the poster before it can be distributed, but it was wonderful to be presented with an image manifesting the dreams many have had regarding this year’s festival since last year’s event concluded.

Many more topics were shared and discussed until the meeting came to its conclusion. However, the adjournment did not vacate the Inn as many lingered in order to share more conversations about the festival and how their lives were in general. The next general meeting scheduled to be held at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap will be on Monday June 9th beginning at 6:30pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this and all future meetings as all ideas are welcomed and opportunities to participate as a volunteer are provided. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Monday May 12th meeting at The COTA Meetings 2014 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152423759645421.1073741897.636000420&type=1.

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. Please Explore The Celebration of the Arts Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/COTA-Celebration-Of-The-Arts/234094683405815, their Website at www.cotajazz.org, or by calling 570-424-2210 to learn how you can become a volunteer and to learn for more information all about COTA has to offer.