Dogwood Festival features ‘Our Hills Are Alive’ theme
COSHOCTON – Spring is slow to unroll this year but a harbinger of the season, the Pomerene Center for the Arts’ Dogwood Festival, begins Thursday, May 1, right on time. For the 29th year, the Coshocton community will come together to celebrate the visual, literary and performing arts.
The theme of this year’s Dogwood Festival, “Our Hills are Alive,” plays off the Triple Locks Theater production of “The Sound of Music” but alludes to the lively cultural and artistic life in Coshocton County. Phil Cogley, a Columbus, musician, underscored this reality when after performing at the Pomerene he commented, “Thanks for introducing me to the wonderful world of Coshocton. I’d never have known you have such a hotbed of culture over there if you hadn’t gotten in touch.” There is a lot to explore for residents and visitors alike.
The 2014 Dogwood Festival, a community celebration of the arts, kicks-off at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, May 1, at the Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum with the release of a limited edition printing of two historic poems, “The Butterfly Ball & The Grasshopper’s Feast” by William Roscoe. The release also marks the first anniversary of Commonwealth Americana. (Almost coincidently, an insect subtheme has surfaced giving an entirely different connotation, with some humor, to “Our Hills are Alive.”)
A new Festival addition, The 5K Urban Art Walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 3, 2 to 5 p.m. The path wends a way through downtown Coshocton, across the three rivers, to Roscoe Village with stops at six arts venues. A selection of food will be served at each stop to keep walkers (or drivers as the case may be) energized. Well-behaved dogs and children are welcomed and encouraged. As with most festival events, the 5K Urban Art Walk is free.
The annual Dogwood Festival box lunch concerts will take place on the court square at noon, Monday through Friday, May 5-9. The concerts, which feature ensembles from county and city schools with lunches sold by local restaurants, provide an excellent opportunity to enjoy being “out” for lunch. Attendance celebrates young musicians at the end of the school year when they are at their most polished.
Dogwood Festival Schedule
Thursday, May 1, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast | limited edition book release at Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum
Friday, May 2, 5 to 8 p.m. – Katydids, Fireflies and other Insects | children’s concert and art making activities at the PARK space
Friday, May 2, 8 p.m. and select days thru the 17th and 3 p.m. May 18 – “The Sound of Music” at Triple Locks Theater
Saturday, May 3, 2 to 5 p.m. – The 5K Urban Art Walk
- Pomerene Center for the Arts exhibiting “Our Hills are Alive” insect inspired locally designed furniture, glass, forged sculpture, prints, and paintings. Festival hours – 1 to 5 p.m. daily
- Mercantile on Main, one of 10 shops out of over 3,000 nationwide, featured in the Spring 2014 edition of “Quilt Sampler” Magazine. Hours – Monday – Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- The Frame Shop, “The Elements” a show of local artists. Hours – Monday – Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Commonwealth Americana, seller of art and fine crafts made in Coshocton County. Hours – Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Ohio State of Mind, a newly opened shop featuring Ohio made arts, crafts and foods. Hours – Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Johnson-Humrickhouse Museum exhibiting “Prized Possessions,” personal treasures and rarely seen pieces from the museum’s collection. Hours – Noon to 5 p.m. daily ($4, free for Artwalk and book release)
Sunday, May 4, 3 p.m. – Douglas Cleveland | two organs played in one afternoon by one of the nation’s finest young organists at Presbyterian Church
Monday, May 5, 7 p.m. – Poems and Stories | Listen and read your own with the Write on Writers Group of Coshocton at Pomerene Center for the Arts
Thursday, May 8, 4 p.m. – Our Hills are Alive | Stories & activities for children and families. Register by Thursday, May 1 at Coshocton Public Library
Monday, May 5 – Friday, May 9, Noon – Concerts and Box Lunches on the Court Square
Monday: Sacred Heart Children’s Choir | Lunch by Oscar Rose
Tuesday: Coshocton Jazz Reservation | Lunch by Medbery Marketplace
Wednesday: River View Jazz, Caribbean Drum & Certified Gold Ensembles | Lunch by SportZone
Thursday: Warsaw Honor Choir | Lunch by English Ivy
Friday: Ridgewood High School Jazz Band and Chorale | Lunch by Buehler’s
Throughout the Festival – Documenting the Landscape | Paintings of local farms by Megan Lightell at Oscar Rose Casual Dining
Category: Arts & Entertainment
