Arts grant comes through
Staff writer
A $20,000 grant from Kansas Arts Commission will help finance several programs in Peabody through July 4.
Sunflower Theater director Susan Mayo was delighted that funding for Peabody Arts Alive Series came through after President Donald Trump earlier ordered cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts, which provides about half of Kansas Arts Commission’s budget.
“Their funding from the National Endowment for the Arts for programs this year also came through,” Mayo said. “It looks like the NEA will be funded again in the current federal budget. We are ecstatic that legislators are showing support for arts funding as it directly impacts our lives here in Marion County.”
The first program will be Jopara Ensemble, created by Paraguayan musicians Ramiro Miranda on violin, Irene Diaz on cello, Alejandro Avila on piano, and Aleia Gonzalez on guitar.
Jopara will perform at 7 p.m. Friday outside Peabody Township Library, 214 N Walnut St. If weather is bad, the group will perform at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 213 E. Division Ave.
“Jopara” is in Guarani, the native language of Paraguay. It represents a blend of harmonies and rhythms.
The ensemble combines traditional elements of Paraguayan music as well as classical and more contemporary elements to create a unique and dynamic sound.
Audience members are being encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic dinners, and beverages and check out the library porch.
Porcupine Tea Company will offer Paraguayan food for sale, and Southside Creamery will be open until 8 p.m. with sandwiches and ice cream.
Other events scheduled in the Peabody Arts Alive Series include:
- Spam carving with Erika Nelson, 11 a.m. Oct. 11 in the Ann Potter Room of Peabody Township Library.
- Jim “Mr. Stinky Feet” Cosgrove as part of Peabody’s Dec. 6 Come Home for Christmas celebration.
- McPherson Brass Band, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
- St. Paul’s Kaffeehaus and Open Mic, 2:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
- Arise Gospel Choir, at a March date to be announced, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
- Kansas cowboy poet Ron Wilson, 7 p.m. April 18 on the porch at Peabody Township Library. If weather is bad, the presentation will be moved to the library’s Ann Potter Room.
- South Kansas Symphony, 7 p.m. April 27 at Peabody-Burns High School gym.
- Justicia Inc. Ballet Folklorico de Topeka, 3 p.m. May 3 at a venue to be announced.
Renowned public artist Erika Nelson will create sculptures for downtown based on a unique framework firework the Peabody 4th Fest Committee created.