The Skyway Conference Jazz Festival takes place throughout the day, Saturday, November 7 at the ECC Arts Center. College jazz bands from throughout our conference will be here for performances, clinics and competition.

She’s right! Cocoa Cabana’s chocolates are soooo delicious.

Why are we so excited about Fall for the Arts? Here’s a great response from Cindy, our fabulous technical director.

Piano Stairs

Steve Duchrow

Director of Performing Arts – Elgin Community College

Monday, October 5, 2009 | Dane Anderson

“The Preservation Hall Jazz Band was the perfect band to close the Wildflower Center stage at the Austin City Limits Music Festival Sunday. With pure delight emanating from the dancing audience, the eight-piece band brought the full magic and history of New Orleans music to life with energy and passion that underscores music as the universal language that tames even the mud-caked beasts.

Many in the audience were unable to contain themselves in chairs and rushed to the front of the stage to dance and sing along as the first few tunes caught fire. In sweat-soaked grey suits and ties, the band members grinned at the audience and smiled at each other, happy for the chance to share their music with fans who really love the genre.

The band started out hot and ended steaming, with a rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “Ol’ Man Mose,” and their own versions of essentials “Tailgate Ramble,” “Shimmy,” “Sugar Blues” and “Mama Don’t Want .” Standouts included Walter Payton singing “Shimmy” with his head thrown back, eyes closed and a grin across his face during pauses. The man and the music conjured up every ghost great of New Orleans past in memory.”

This band doesn’t just play American roots music, they are American roots music. 

Steve Duchrow

Director of Performing Arts Elgin Community College Arts Center

10/16/09 – McKinney/Dallas, TX
“I hadn’t even gotten back from the Veterans Hospital with The Blanks visiting them, when there was an email thanking us for thinking of those who served our country. The Blanks were more than gracious, respectful yet fun in a delicate environment. The show audience was thrilled with knowing they visited a hospital, and their show was infectious and I was inundated with ‘when are they coming back?’

“From the time they arrived in McKinney, to the time they left for the airport they were gracious, funny, on cue and in sync with each other and the audience. They made me remember why I do what I do, from the Veterans Hospital visit to the meet and greet and it was a no hassle show from start to finish.”

David Taylor, Director
McKinney Performing Arts Center

I will keep you posted on which hospital we work with here on January 23, 2010 when they visit Elgin.

Steve Duchrow
Director of Performing Arts – Elgin Community College

When they visit a community, they also include a free visit to a local hospital. I just saw something about this on a recent visit today. I will post more on this  later.

Steve Duchrow 

Director of Performing Arts – Elgin Community College Arts Center

We look forward to seeing you, your family and your friends at the ECC Arts Center for a jam-packed afternoon of fun and creativity.

Hands-on projects, art, food, music, dance, prizes and more await you and your family at Fall for the Arts, a free event for the community in celebration of Elgin Community College’s 60th anniversary. All arts activities are free; please bring cash for food.

Check out some of the cool things you can see, hear and do! Complete details are included in our Fall for the Arts Visitor Guide!

• Radio Disney joins us for a special hour of games, dances and prizes!
• Dozens of mini performances all day long!
• Haunted House (ages 8 and up) all day long!
• Build your own sculpture
• Decorate your own chef’s hat
• Make your own drum
• Make your own candy
• Special performance previews by Cirque Voilà!
• Magician
• Face painting
• Old time radio show
• Drumming circle
• Monster make-up
• Storytelling sessions
• Dance performances
• Free popcorn and free cotton candy

Food for sale includes:

• Pizza from White Cottage Pizza
• Churros and paletas
• Hand-crafted chocolates from Cocoa Cabana

Commentary below by Tim Malone
Assistant Professor of History and Political Science
Elgin Community College

When considering presidents of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt (who despite being dead for almost 65 years remains known by his initials, FDR) is one of the “big three.” Historians typically rank FDR in either second or third place on the list of “best” presidents behind Lincoln (always number one) and sometimes Washington. In a 2000 survey, FDR was voted the most influential American of the 20th century by a landslide, which was exactly how he won his four presidential elections.

Almost by definition, FDR’s victories in four straight presidential elections (1932-44) make him the most popular and successful politician in American history. And since the Constitution was changed after FDR’s death to prohibit a person from being elected more than twice, this distinction is apt to last.

What accounted for FDR’s popularity and success? Perhaps it was the times. FDR became president during the depths of the Great Depression (1929-41) and his program, known as the New Deal, helped the country recover and fundamentally changed the relationship between Americans and the federal government. FDR was president during most of World War II (1941-45), the greatest conflict in history and the war from which the victorious United States would emerge as the dominant, globe-straddling superpower.

To a certain extent, the times do make the leader, but FDR’s popularity and success were also based on his personal qualities. That he was the very personification of confidence and optimism is often noted. Despite his upper class background he possessed the common touch. His radio broadcasts called “Fireside Chats,” with their intimate feel, redefined the relationship between the public, politics and the media. Certainly FDR was a master politician. For example, his coalition included both white southern segregationists and African Americans—quite a feat.

Despite the passage of almost 70 years, Americans today, to a remarkable degree, still live in a world created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

We respect the variety of opinions and political dispositions held by our patrons and hope that the commentary above provides you with food for thought.