Pictures from Lite Listener Lunch and Jazz in July

John Morgan and the Belin Quartet warm up before Jazz in July



Downtown Library Lawn - Jazz in July




Lite Listener Lunch - Nollen Plaza

Jazz in July

This week’s Jazz in July performance was an awesome blend of the sweet, yet mellow, sounds of the Quartet paired along with the jazz club styled John Morgan on saxophone, Steve Charleson on Bass, and Pete Simonson on percussion. John Morgan arranged the music, a conversion of classic jazz tunes with the strings that reminds you musicians are not divided by genres. They were simply there to play together and make great music. Each musician’s style shown through, and I think everyone really enjoyed it; I know I did.

On a personal note I’d like to thank everyone for enduring my first experience with public speaking. For those of you who missed it, it was a disaster, at least in my mind. I’d like to thank all of you who comforted me in saying it wasn’t that bad, that it was a learning experience, and it can only get better from here. I can now look back with a smile on my face.

I hope to see all of you that came out during the summer for our last performance this Friday for our final performance of the 2009 concert series the library lawn. This is our “Animals Allegro” Children’s Concert, complete with an “instrument petting zoo”, ice cream treats, dancing, and much more. I’m looking forward to it. Bring out the little ones and have a great time with us.

Looking forward to seeing you all there,
Jason Link
Junior Intern for the Belin Quartet

CMA Hits the Juice!

Civic Music Association's own 1st Vice President was featured in this week's Juice. Click here to read the entire article. I would have to agree...We are definitely Des Moines best kept secret!

In other news, I have spent the last week printing our Season Tickets for the 85th Anniversary Season.

Here are some awesome numbers I would like to share:

New Subscribers: 51
Total Households with Subscriptions: 190 - UP from 164 last year!
Total Subscriptions sold: 340 - UP from 300 last year!

These numbers tell me a couple of different things. 1) People are excited about our programming for the 85th Anniversary Season. CHECK IT OUT 2) The increases made to our marketing budget have paid off. 3) People are spreading the word and we are becoming one of Des Moines best deals in arts entertainment.

Are you waiting until August 1 to buy a single ticket to a show? You might want to reconsider. Almost the entire center section of the main floor is sold out and the side sections are going fast. If you subscribe before single tickets go on sale, you can still snatch up some good seats. Not that Sheslow really has a BAD seat!

In addition to your subscription, CMA Memberships are available for only $50 (includes two adults) Membership Benefits include:

• Priority Seating
• Free Valet Parking at all Concerts
• 30% off Artist CD's at all Concerts
• Season Preview CD
• Downtown/Drake/East Village Merchant Discounts
• Free admission to ALL "Meet the Artist" Receptions in the 09/10 Season