Friday,
June 3rd the streets of downtown Kalamazoo were buzzing
with people eager to view and enjoy the art of local artists
at the Art Hop, sponsored by the Kalamazoo Arts Council.
The Kalamazoo State Theatre hosted local
metal sculpturist Lewis
Tardy for the event. The theatre fountain was running,
the organ was shining and the people were excitedly climbing
stairs to join his sculptures on a stage that has hosted
everything from vaudeville to Alice Cooper. Patron’s
raved of the wonderful presentation complete with professional
stage lighting.
Warm summer breezes and a feeling of community
welcomed patrons to the theatre. The response was overwhelming
with an estimate of over 200 attendees. One “hopper”
noted that after visiting the theatre he left and then returned
later with friends to share the experience with them. Adult
& children were able to experience the intimate feel
of the theatre from a performer’s standpoint while
looking at Tardy’s 12 piece sampling on stage.
Despite the official ending time of the Art
Hop being 9 PM the State Theatre left its doors open until
nearly 10 PM to accommodate the large number of patrons
still enjoying the artwork and conversing with Tardy.
All in all a night under the State Theatre
star lit sky was a tremendous success ending with Mr. Tardy
selling one piece and allowing over 200 people into the
theatre to experience the 78 year old theatre in its full
beauty! |
