Band festival adds

The 16th annual Great American Brass Band Festival has added a few new events and changed at least one location of a tried-and-true part of the celebration.

The June 9-12 festival, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 visitors to Danville, is recognized year after year by the Southeast Tourism Society and the Kentucky Tourism Council as one of the top summer events in the Southeast. 

This year’s festival will feature some of the world’s top virtuoso soloists, including trumpet player Vincent DiMartino and euphonium player Steven Mead. Bands play on three stages from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Centre College Main Stage. 

The majority of events are free.

The traditional Chautauqua tea that kicks-off the festival Thursday afternoon will have a new location. Two Roads Café will host the educational program. On Thursday night, the season premiere of Danville’s summer stock theater will be held at Pioneer Playhouse.

On Friday, the band history conference will bring scholars and fans together, this year to examine the influence of virtuoso soloists.

On Friday night, a couple of new events give people a variety of choices. More than 30 hot air balloonists take to the sky in the festival’s traditional Great American Balloon Race. In case of rain, there will be a free public screening of “The Music Man.” 

A gallery hop downtown is a new activity, and Rhythm and Brass will play at Old Owl Tavern at Beaumont Inn. 

When the festival begins in earnest Saturday morning, anyone who is hungry can take advantage of a new festival event — a pancake breakfast at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church — before the New Orleans-style parade down Main Street in Danville. The parade ends at the Main Stage on the Centre College lawn. 

Saturday’s festivities continue with the Great American Picnic, with prizes for the most festive and elaborate table decorations. Tables are judged according to various categories such as Most Patriotic, Most Humorous and the Julia Child Award with prizes awarded to the participants.

Festival-goers meander between the tables sharing in the fun. Each table seats eight people, and they enjoy the prime location in front of the stage. Set up begins at 5 p.m. and judging starts at 6 p.m. Bands play until 11 p.m.

A fireworks display caps the night of fun.

Sunday morning, an ecumenical worship service sponsored by Danville-area churches features inspirational brass band music and a community choir. Afterward, encore performances by the festival bands continue throughout the day at the Centre College Main Stage.

A special surprise is in store for souvenir collectors this year, who will have more than a memento to take home, but a real piece of art. The 2005 commemorative poster features the work of nationally-known painter Sheldon Tapley, whose vivid and energetic still-life paintings traditionally sell in the five-figure range. 

The poster’s composition presents a timeless picnic scene, with the trademark glass pitcher often featured in Tapley’s recent works. It also includes a selection of antique brass instruments, from the collection of virtuoso trumpeter Vincent DiMartino. 

A resident of Danville, Tapley serves as the Paul L. Cantrell Professor of Art at Centre College, where he has taught since 1983. Tapley has donated use of the painting to the festival, and the original art will be on display at Danville ’s Community Arts Center during the festival. Festival organizers plan the 2005 poster as first in a series of fine art posters designed by the numerous artists living in and around Danville.

A quilt with squares made from T-shirts from past Great American Brass Band Festivals will be given away at this year’s event. Tickets are $2 each or $3 for five. Jack and Martha Distler of Louisville made the quilt. They have made similar quilts, but this will be the last one. Tickets are available at McClure-Barbee House before the festival and at the welcome center during the festival. The quilt is on display at McClure-Barbee House until the festival and will be at the welcome center during the festival.

This story ran in the Advocate on May 22, 2005.