Summer may feel like a long way off but when the ground does thaw, locals can look forward to another hot summer of tunes in Galva’s Wiley Park.
But it was announced on Tuesday that the Galva would be one of 18 American towns to be part of the Levitt AMP Music Series once again.
They are now eligible for up to $25,000 in a matching grant and the Galva Arts Council is soliciting donations of money, time or resources.
The Foundation says they aim to “strengthen the social fabric of America” and their philosophy is that happens through transforming underused public spaces into gathering places where the community can enjoy live music.
The council says the 2019 series aims to “deepen community engagement” by creating a “weekly communal celebration.”
John Taylor, one of the lead organizers says it certainly brought together the Galva and larger community last year when sometimes hundreds would show up for the Sunday night shows.
“One of the things I think that was unique with Galva was that it was completely put on by volunteers. There was no one who was paid involved in the production of it. Whereas I think all of the other sites that received had at least some paid staff.”
Taylor told WGIL in October that another series of concerts would be held in the town’s Wiley Park this summer, regardless of whether or not they again got funding from the foundation that sponsored the shows last year.
He says that more of the same should be expected in 2019. “just a good time in the park, and good music, and food, and just a good excuse to go hang out with your friends and family and enjoy the evening.”
Every Sunday for 12 weeks last summer, area residents, sometimes numbering in the hundreds would show up to socialize and enjoy a number of nationally touring acts.
Galva is one of the smallest towns that were chosen for the series. Also receiving a matching grant are small towns like Earlham, Iowa to Santa Fe, New Mexico and our own state capital, Springfield.
The Levitt Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants over the last decade for these types of music series.
