The City of Cedar Rapids’ mobile band shell, which has brought entertainment to the community for nearly sixty years, has just about reached the end of its life.
For thirty of the those years, the Band Shell has been the home of KCCK’s Jazz Under The Stars, and faced with the potential loss of this valuable community asset, KCCK has been a big part of the campaign to replace the band shell.
General Manager Dennis Green co-chairs a fund raising committee that includes members of the City Band Commission (The Municipal Band and KCCK are two of the biggest users of the current band shell), and representatives of the community.
The new band shell will sit up higher for better visibility, have electronic setup, and an integrated lighting system.
“The Municipal Band and KCCK are two of the biggest users of the band shell,” Dennis says. “But we certainly aren’t the only ones. Walkathons, neighborhood festivals, and other organizations also use it. Facilities like the McGrath Amphitheater are a great addition to our community, but we think being able to bring music to local parks is really important.”
It will cost about $150,000 to replace the band shell. As of this writing, $22,000 has been raised from donors who heard about the campaign at Municipal Band concerts. The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, and the Hall Perrine Foundation have committed $20,000 and $50,000 respectively.
Dennis is enthused by the community support.
“We only have a little over $60,000 to go. I think we might be able to wrap this up by the end of Jazz Under the Stars.”
Committee members will have brochures available, and also be ready to take donations, at each Jazz Under The Stars concert. You can also donate online at www.getonthebandwagon.org.