The Trustees of the Academy of Richmond County, on behalf of the Porter Fleming Foundation, on Thursday announced grants for the 2010 Westobou Festival.
In doing so, the curtain was lifted on performances planned for the 10-day event in September.
The foundation will provide $220,255 in grants this year. Recipients include:
- $25,000 to the Augusta Opera to produce an evening with Leah Partridge. Partridge is an acclaimed soprano with New York's Metropolitan Opera and a native of Lincolnton, Ga.
- $25,000 to 12 Bands of Christmas to bring "a household name" to the festival, according to Executive Director Joe Stevenson. Proceeds from the rock, pop or soul show will benefit the organization's pediatric cancer cause.
- $25,000 to the Augusta Players to stage a concert-style production of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar . The production will feature video projection and stars from the touring production.
- $25,000 to the Morris Museum of Art to present a concert featuring bluegrass legend Del McCoury and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. The acts will perform individual sets and a joint set.
- $20,000 to Art Factory to stage Drift , a work initially presented at the Kennedy Center. The piece was choreographed by Augusta native Cassie Meador and is based on the changes that have happened to a plot of land on Washington Road.
- $12,000 to Mary Pauline Project to present an exhibition and week of open studio presentations by six internationally known and regionally based artists, including Ed Rice and Philip Morsberger.
- $12,000 to the Paine College Museum Initiative to present the touring Nina Simone project Nina: No Illusions, No Escape . The tribute to Simone will feature a music performance featuring a 30-piece orchestra and 100-member choir, and a visual art exhibition, featuring works by more than 60 artists, including painter/actor Billy Dee Williams and renowned South Carolina painter Jonathan Green.
- $12,000 to Matthew Buzzell and Coco Rubio to present a screening of Andy Warhol screen tests with live accompaniment by Dean Wareham and Britta Phillips, best known for their work in the now-defunct band Luna.
- $10,000 to the Arts and Heritage Center of North Augusta to produce a Cajun Cabaret , which will feature live painting and a performance by the Juilliard Jazz Ensemble.
- $10,000 to the Augusta State University Foundation to produce a jazz program featuring local ensemble Pulsar and acclaimed jazz artists Ralph Alessi and Ravi Coltrane. Ravi Coltrane is the son of music legends John and Alice Coltrane.
- $8,000 to the Columbia County Civic Orchestra to present a concert featuring the orchestra and ragtime pianist Ethan Uslan providing the soundtrack for Laurel and Hardy films.
- $6,000 to the North Augusta Cultural Arts Council for a commissioned piece by Larry Clark, to be performed by the Savannah River Winds.
- $4,000 to the Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society to present a concert by the Cavani String Quartet.
- $2,500 to the Clay Artists of the Southeast to present a 50-60 artist exhibition and a hands-on workshop featuring noted artist Eva Kwong.
- $1,200 to the Author's Club of Augusta to present an evening of music and dramatic readings, inspired by the history of Augusta.
The Westobou Festival will take place Sept. 16-25.
Kathi Dimmock, the executive director of the festival, said more acts would be announced later.
The Porter Fleming Foundation was established in 1967 to celebrate art, culture, science and education in the Augusta area. In 2005, Shirley Fleming left the bulk of her estate to the foundation. Proceeds from that trust fund the Westobou grants. This year, $220,255 will go toward Westobou festival performances.
Grants are awarded through a grant proposal process. Interested organizations submit proposals to the trustees and grants are given on the basis of originality and cultural impact.
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