Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Dixon, Illinois puts out Welcome Sign to Street Performers.


The Dixon Mayor's Office has given the green light, and blessing has been secured from Dixon Main Street, and Dixon Arts Promoter, Phillip LeFevre is ready to impress. LeFevre has been working on putting the necessary elements in place for Dixon's Downtown National Historic District, to become an exciting place of street performances. " I think with all that's happening now , in the way of art venues and events downtown, bringing in street performers makes a lot of sense,". LeFevre said. LeFevre went on to say, " there are several groups and individuals that have started great art projects downtown, and I want to build on the courageous and impressive efforts of these people." LeFevre says that with so many restaurants now filling up Dixon's Downtown, the foot traffic is there to make the Street Performer Project a success. Once really coolRestaurants began moving downtown several years ago, and once the Riverfront Project on The Rock River National Waterway was completed, the arts began to become more and more a fabric in Downtown Dixon's Dynamics. " There is no question that word is spreading of Downtown Dixon becoming this rural region's center for art and entertainment." says LeFevre. While he is not at liberty to be specific, LeFevre says that in the next 12 to 18 months some major, "game changing" art projects are going to unfold. "These projects will lift Dixon to the status of " small art town," and they will be wonderful news to art lovers across a large area," said LeFevre. As for the Street Performer Project, the curiosity draw will help increase downtown foot traffic, help bring more attention to the amazing expansion of the art scene, and will be a unique activity for tourists.  "These street artists will make downtown even more exciting and vibrant , " LeFevre said. There will be a short application project, which is free, for interested performers. Each performer will be allowed to collect donations. Working with Dixon Mayor, Jim Burke, and Main Street Director, Josh Albrect, the areas downtown where street artists will be allowed are: the riverfront plaza, each corner of First Street, The parking lot at First and Peoria, and Peace Park (next to the Historic Performing Arts Theater. LeFevre has become a member of a National Busker Association which will be a great resource in unfolding this new downtown initiative. Lefevre is going to initially promote heavily on college campuses. "There are so many incredibly talented young women and men at the college level, making Illinois colleges aware of Dixon's welcoming of street performers is a logical first step,"
Said LeFevre. LeFevre believes the success or failure of the project will hinge on successfully promoting Dixon as a viable and vibrant place for street artists. The goal is to have the Street Performers start bringing their genre of art to the downtown at the next years April Second Saturdays Art Happening. From that point on, Second Saturdays, Downtown festivals, Dixon City Market on The Riverfront, and eventually each Friday and Saturday night April through September will be the times for street performers to set up. LeFevre says, " Next Spring, and throughout the summer, downtown will be buzzing with musicians, artists, jugglers, story tellers, magicians, puppeteers, and the list goes on." This is another way for Dixon to bring different artistic genre's to its rural population often times not exposed to a lot of art. Once the Street Performer Project has established a firm footing downtown, a yearly busker festival is planned. The street artists that take up little stages downtown will compliment events that take place at Rosbrook Musician Studio, Dixon Stage Left Performing Arts Lounge, the art exhibits downtown, and any activity at the Historic Performing Arts Theatre. LeFevre ended his comments saying, " the ripple effect is in high gear that is making, and will more and more continue to make, Dixon a small arts community, Street Artists add another level of vibrancy to this unfolding metamorphosis."
Here is contact into for Dixon's Street Performer Project:  Facebook page is Dixon,Il Street Performer Project, email, MyJetta1923@icloud.com, Phone, 802-379-8251.

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