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"connecting JAZZ with West Michigan " |
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Our Mission: "To connect jazz performers and composers with audiences and the community, presenting performances and educational activities which celebrate our musical heritage." |
Incorporated in 1994 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, then Lakeshore Arts Connection, Inc. has had some twists and turns in it's history. It was originally formed to present jazz in the Saugatuck/Douglas community, but supported general art as well . Before we changed our name, we sponsored three Jazz Celebrations (1996-1998), the Art-a-Loan Project, Saugatuck Chamber Music Festival and educational performances in local schools. We received a grant from the Greater Grand Rapids Arts Council in 1996 to help fund jazz education workshops for our first Jazz Celebration. This event also included featured music at various locations throughout Saugatuck.
In 1999, the Saugatuck Jazz Series included a fund-raiser featuring local residents reminiscing about music and dancing at Saugatuck's Pavilion. A rare recording of a 1961 Duke Ellington performance in Saugatuck was played to coincide with Duke's Centennial Celebration performance.
The year 2000 featured diversity as a theme for our Performing Arts Series which included jazz, Brazilian Jazz, Folk music and Tex-Mex.
In 2001, at the advice of one of our board members, we decided to focus on our passion: JAZZ! We changed our name to Lakeshore Jazz Connection, Inc. (LJC) -- what a difference a word makes! This has given us the focus we need. Until 2007, we have presented 3 -5 concerts a year and received grants from the Michigan Humanities Council to help fund some of our concerts.
After our 10th anniversary in 2006, the board voted to take a breather and have 2 concerts and re-evaluate our purpose, both artistically and as a community function. LJC decided to hold our two events during 2007 at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts. SCA will handle ticket sales, technical needs, help with advertising and provide ushers. SCA also will have a 400 plus seat theatre. We are really excited.