“At Lopez Center we are fortunate to be able to have several performances each year that would seemingly be out of the price range for a Community Center of our size. I was recently asked how we could get a performer like April Verch, who performed at the opening ceremony of the winter Olympics in 2010, to come to Lopez Center” Assistant Director Robert Harrison said. “We are fortunate to have a working relationship with Orcas Center and San Juan Community Theater to create attractive block booking incentives to artists.  With the power of our block booking collaborative we have been awarded two grants for the 2015-2016 season from the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) helping to make the concerts financially feasible.”

WESTAF administers the TourWest grant program that provides subsidies to arts and community organizations for the presentation of out-of-state touring performers and literary artists. It is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). In addition to providing financial support for performances, performers that receive the grant must also provide a free educational workshop for our community.

There are two upcoming performances at Lopez Center that are, in part, made possible by the WESTAF/NEA grant. On Thursday, September 17th, the April Verch Band, show above,  will perform at Lopez Center at 7:30 p.m. There will be a free hour long Ottawa Valley Stepdance Workshop at LCCA presented by April Verch from 4 to 5 pm, ages 10yrs to adult.

On Friday, October 2nd, BodyVox Dance Company will perform REVERIE at the Center at 7:30 p.m. They will also be hosting a free dance workshop at LCCA from 4 to 5 p.m. that day as well.  For more information please visit our website at www.lopezcenter.org.