7 events recommended for funding by Cultural Commission

The Cultural Commission on Monday made its annual recommendation for funding Carson City’s culture and arts events.

Seven organizations were present to pitch their events and show off their work as they vied for $26,315 in funding through the redevelopment revolving fund.

All seven events were funded. The money asked for exceeded the budget so the commission cut each request by 11 percent after all the applicants scored highly based on several criteria.

“I feel like 11 percent cut across the board is the most fair thing,” said Karen Abowd, commission member.

The recommendation now goes to the Redevelopment Authority for approval at the Board of Supervisors’ June 6 meeting.

The following events are being recommended for funding:

Wild Horse Productions’ production of Disney’s “Frozen, Jr.,” the scaled down staging of the Broadway musical based on the 2013 animated film. The money would in part be used for a package of projected backdrops available for the show. As part of its presentation, 16 children performed a minute-version of one of the songs. The commission recommended $3,715.89.

The Brewery Arts Center’s Traditional Celtic Music Series, which has moved from the BAC’s Maizie Harris Jesse Black Box Theater to its Performance Hall due to demand. The series is put on by Joe and Kathy Bly, who volunteer their time, and tickets sales pay for the performing artists so the request was made to help market the series. “We want to make it a destination,” said Kathy Bly. The commission recommended $3,570.83.

The commission recommended $2,785.99 to fund the Proscenium Players Inc.’s 2019-2020 season. The 54 year-old theater company is the second longest running in Nevada, said Jeff Basa. The players put on three productions a year, dramatic readings and technical workshops. As part of its pitch, a performer did a one-minute recitation from the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

The Carson City Symphony’s new LatinXpressions series of four concerts was allocated $4,265.15. The series brings together symphonic music with Latin music performers, including Mariachi Plata. “It’s a great new event that will serve an underserved population,” said Terri McBride, commission member.

The Jazz & Beyond festival is in its 16th year and will feature 60 acts this summer. The event is held citywide throughout August and most performances are free, said David Bugli, president, Mile High Jazz Band Association, Inc. The event is organized by volunteers. “We believe the musicians should be paid and that’s our biggest expense,” Bugli said. The commission recommended $4,314.75.

The Sierra Nevada Ballet is staging “Twelfth Night - A Ballet Noir” on Aug. 10 at the Carson City Community Center’s Bob Boldrick Theater, and in Reno’s Pioneer Center and at the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival in Sand Harbor. The money requested would help cover the cost of hiring professional dancers and marketing the event. The commission recommended $3,868.39.

Pinkerton Ballet requested funds for its annual production of “Nutcracker Ballet.” The application was to help defray the costs of music and marketing. “We would love to continue to hire a live orchestra,” said Molly Walt, president. The commission recommended $3,794.