ivory perry park concert series |
A Commitment to FREE Family Fun The Ivory Perry Park Concert Series was born out of a desire to showcase talented St. Louis musicians, to bring life back to an urban park, and to involve the community in the process. In 2003, three nearby church (Union Avenue Christian Church, Pilgrim Congregational Church – United Church of Christ, and Westminster Presbyterian Church) teamed up with newly elected alderman Frank Williamson to begin working on the first Ivory Perry Park Concert Series. Other community organizations such as SPUD (the Skinker, Page, Union, Delmar Association), neighborhood stabilization officers, the Union Avenue Association, and many local businesses quickly came on board with their support. Four local scho A family-friendly theme, with free family fun at its core, was established in that first year with specific activities planned for the youngest members of the community. The goal has always been for the community to enjoy a St. Louis summer evening with wonderful, free music in a clean, safe park. Ivory Perry Park is a 10-acre park located in St. Louis' far-western central corridor. The park was formerly named Visitation Park after the school and convent that stood for more than 70 years at the corner of Cabanne and Belt. The neighborhood is still known as Visitation Park. In 1989 the park's name was changed to honor the grass-roots activist, Ivory Perry, who had just died. Mr. Perry was a civil rights activist who also worked to obtain screening and treatment programs for children exposed to lead paint. Biographer George Lipsitz commented: “Ivory Perry was the most collectively minded person I've ever met. He understood the basic ways in which our destinies are intertwined. He spent the minutes and hours of his life trying to make us see how much we need one another. He found ways of connecting people with one another, and in the process he brought out the best in each of us.” Our First Two Seasons — In Case You Missed Them in 2003, We Brought Them Back in 2004 Denise Thimes opened the inaugural season in June of 2003, and kicked off the second season in June 2004. Known for her engaging, versatile voice, Ms. Thimes drew great crowds to Ivory Perry Park. Folks from 33 zip codes attended in 2003, including six different zip codes from Illinois.
St. Louis' August heat couldn't stop the steam-rolling talent of Kim Massie. Recognized for her versatility, she belts out the blues, plays with the soulful sounds of R&B and gospel, and blends the rhythms of jazz. Hometown Legends Bring it Home in 2005 The third season of concerts featured the talents of “Hometown Legends.” Fontella Bass kicked off the third season with a soulful mix of R&B and gospel music performed with her signature style. Bennie Smith – “Dean of St. Louis Guitarists” – took the stage by storm in July, performing St. Louis-style blues with vocalist Erma Whiteside. Willie Akins, St. Louis' “Legendary Jazz Master,” messmerized the crowd in August along with vocalist Erika Johnson. Bringing it home, St. Louis style, proved to be a big hit in 2005. Hometown Legends 2006 Gaslight Square Legends, Mae Wheeler, Jeanne Trevor and Gene Lynn opened the 2006 season to a great crowd and wonderful weather. Bennie Smith returned in July for an evening of crowd-pleasing blues. A highlight was the community-art portrait presentation to Smith that had been started the year before at his concert. Little did we know that he would pass a few months later. August brought Willie Akins and his saxophone for a night of jazzy enjoyment and relaxing.
|
ols – Clark Accelerated Academy, Mitchell Elementary School, The New City School, and Soldan International Studies High School – also have supported the development of the Series. 
Entertainer Charles Glenn brought his vast wealth of talent to the Ivory Perry Park stage to create unforgettable evenings in July. His three-octave range allows him to hit those high notes and engage his audience in a wide variety of music.