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John Kascht, whose work is collected by the Smithsonian Institute’s National Portrait Gallery and whose drawings have appeared on the pages or covers of almost every national publication (TV Guide, Rolling Stone, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, LIFE, The New York Times, etc) is partnering with Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival.  Kascht, who makes his home in the Wayne County area, will give a multimedia presentation about his art. The free program examines how he creates his caricature portraits, and will include anecdotes from a career spent illustrating musicians, actors, politicians and other notable figures.  It will be held at The Cooperage in Honesdale on June 12th at 7pm (doors open 6:30).

In addition to the presentation, Kascht is developing a poster that will represent the last 100 years of American music history.  The poster will be available for purchase at Roots & Rhythm on Saturday, June 20^th.  The artist will also be on hand to personally sign each one.

“We are so honored to have someone of John’s status in the art world be a part of our festival,” said Roots & Rhythm 2015 Chair Brian Fulp. “His work is outstanding—you really have to check out his website!”

See Kascht’s phenomenal drawings of Conan O’Brien, Bill Murray, Whoopi Goldberg and more at www.johnkascht.com.

Photo: John Kascht at work. Photo by A. Greg Raymond

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If you’re a fan of “Pickin’ on Nashville,” you aren’t alone! The album won a Country Music Association Award for the Kentucky Headhunters in 1990 and garnered a Grammy for the band the same year for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. And this year, 2015, the Kentucky Headhunters will headline the 10^th annual Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival in Honesdale.

 

“This band has been around since 1968, and they can really rock—we are excited to have them for our 10^th anniversary,” says Brian Fulp, chair of this year’s festival. “And we thank Randy Kohrs, our Music Coordinator, for securing them.”

 

Also signed up for the June 20^th date: Grammy nominated and Blues Hall of Fame inductees Professor Louie and the Crowmatix! New York’s Village Voice called the band, “a tasty mix of rhythm and blues and rock & roll. Americana at its best.”

 

That’s what Roots & Rhythm is all about, folks! Stay tuned for the rest of the lineup for the big 10^th anniversary show as Randy seals the deals!

 

For more information about the headliner, visit http://kentuckyheadhunters.net.  Listen to their music and grab a seat on the lawn in Central Park, Honesdale on June 20, 2015. See you there!

 

(Honesdale, PA, December 17, 2014)… It’s being described as “a great 10th anniversary present!” by the organizers of the Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. The Festival was just awarded a $10,000 Challenge America Fast-Track grant from the National Endowment for the Arts’ Art Works program. It was their first time applying for the honor.

 

“To say I’m elated is an understatement,” said Jamie Stunkard, the Roots & Rhythm board member who submitted the grant. “It’s just a great honor for the Festival and the community.”

 

The Challenge America program is geared to offer support to small and mid-size organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations, and according to Stunkard, Roots & Rhythm really met the criteria. “We’re rural, we’re wheelchair accessible, and we’re free, so that people of any income level can attend and enjoy.”

 

Festival Chairman Brian Fulp agreed—this grant was a natural fit. “When we started Roots & Rhythm we wanted to combine music and arts and offer it to a community that may not have otherwise had the opportunity to experience it,” said Fulp, adding “I’m excited about the grant, but I’m also inspired by the community that embraced the opportunity we offered with Roots & Rhythm and helped us grow.”

 

Roots & Rhythm was one of 919 nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Art Works grant this fall.  NEA Chairman Jane Chu said, “I’m pleased to be able to share the news of our support through Art Works including the award to Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival. The arts foster value, connection, creativity and innovation for the American people and these recommended grants demonstrate those attributes and affirm that the arts are part of our everyday lives.”

 

The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival draws more than 5,000 people each year from all across Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The festival unfolds on a Saturday in June with local bands on Main Street in the morning and, in the afternoon, a solid lineup on the main stage in Central Park of four or five bands from around the country.

 

Stunkard hopes this award will open doors to more funding opportunities. “We had to provide a lot of material to support our application,” said Stunkard, “including three years of video clips of the musicians, musician biographies and several lengthy essays. We also had to show our funding structure for the past and going forward.”

 

While the NEA grant is sizeable, both Stunkard and Fulp say it’s just a portion of what’s needed to mount the Festival each year. Roots & Rhythm is possible largely because of local sponsors.

 

“Roots & Rhythm would not be possible without the support of our local benefactors,” explained Fulp. “This year, we plan to celebrate our 10-year history and our relationships with our sponsors. We want to make Roots & Rhythm bigger and better than ever, and we want them on board.”

 

The Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival in 2015 will take place on June 20, 2015 – rain or shine.  Mark it on your calendars and check the website, www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com , often for updated information.

 

Contact: Lisa Champeau 570-253-8631

champeaulisa@gmail.com

Deborah Bailey,  570-251-1512

 baileyd@ptd.net