COTA is a Many Splendored Thing

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 June 9th to plan their 37th Annual Jazz and Arts Festival which is scheduled to be held September 5th - 7th. A sizable gathering of friends who shared the love for the musical form and the camaraderie it inspired slowly began to form as the commencement of the meeting grew nearer with every minute that past. The din of reacquainting conversations filled the room until a gavel was enthusiastically struck so news and thoughts regarding this years festival could be explored.

The first item on the agenda was the official revealing of the new COTA Poster created by Tim Helman. The remaining detailed work which was discussed during the meeting in May was now completed and it was announced some preliminary distribution of the poster can now begin. Several members of the company eagerly approached those who were in charge of the task of mapping out areas where posters would be placed so they could participate in the process of sharing the word about COTA with others.

Other announcements made during the meeting included information for those who would like to support the festival by purchasing advertising space in the event’s program so one can share one’s information with the many who will read it of the online availability to do so. It was also announced advanced tickets to the festival are available to be bought online at a discount. Those who wish purchase advertising space and/or discounted tickets are encouraged to visit the www.cotajazz.org website which has been recently redesigned and contains a great deal of information relating to the festival.

As if this exciting news wasn’t plentiful enough, there were still more announcements to greet the ears of those who eagerly awaited to hear them. They included an $18,000 Grant that was received by the Hughes Foundation, endeavors to create an enhanced presence in the realm of internet social mediums, the ability for those who wish to support COTA through their purchase of non festival items through www.smile.amazon.com, and a spot in the food court that is currently is open for a non profit organization who would like to share their culinary skills with festival goers.

However, the grandest of all of the news that was shared was that of COTA obtaining an official office space which is located in The Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA. The office (at the time of the meeting) consisted of a number of unpacked boxes filled with items awaiting to be placed upon shelves and other areas so they could be viewed in awe by those who would visit and/or perform the administrative functions needed to bring another wonderful festival year about. A great deal of excitement filled the room as desires to visit the space once it was “moved into” was shared in exuberant whispers.

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 July 14th 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 volunteers are provided. You’ll find more photographs taken during the Monday June 9th 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.