Berks Arts hands out honors; three shows booked for Santander venues [Spotlight]

Mar. 26—Berks Arts has always made sure to thank volunteers and icons in the Berks Arts community, but this year took the party up a notch by having all the recipients together for a special event.

The first Berks Arts Awards night was held Thursday at the DoubleTree by Hilton and included many awards as well as a performance led by bassist Gerald Veasley. Other performers included Art Sherrod Jr. on saxophone, Tim Hutson on drums, Bobby Lyle on keyboards, Tony Grace on percussion, Rob DeBoer on keyboards, JJ Sansaverino on guitar and Albert Rivera on saxophone.

"It's a time for sponsors, donors and civic leaders to come out for a night of gratitude and recognition," said Justin Heimbecker, executive director for Berks Arts. "We wanted to put a spotlight on organizations and individuals who have contributed to such a vibrant arts community."

Traditionally, the awards were given out at different times and as part of concerts or events, but Heimbecker said it would be more fun to have everyone together for recognition by civic leaders and peers.

The Frank Scott Award was given to the Reading Musical Foundation. That award is a lifetime achievement award that has traditionally been given to a person, but this year honors an organization that plays a significant role in the musical history of Berks County.

"RMF has done so much to support the arts," Heimbecker said. "Specifically, jazz education for young people. We want to make sure that the next generation of musicians are there. We want to pay it forward and RMF has done just that."

The John Ernesto Volunteer of the Year award was given to four longtime volunteers. Genie Barlow has served as a ticket taker and usher, Justina Green has volunteered as a ticket taker and usher, David Kurzweg has been a production and stage manager and Joe Malone has volunteered in production and as a stage manager.

Volunteers are chosen from all areas of the festival and Heimbecker said the Jazz Fest could not survive without them.

"We chose two from the back of the house who are usually behind the scenes and two from the front of the house," Heimbecker said. "We have 250 or 300 volunteers and we really rely on them."

Heimbecker said he's impressed with the breadth of the volunteers, too, saying, "This exists because of all facets of this community."

The coveted Pagoda Award was given to Craig Poole, president of DoubleTree by Hilton, who Heimbecker said joins a list of "giants in the community."

Heimbecker said that all you have to do is look around the city and you will see why Poole was chosen.

"Who is more supportive of the arts than the DoubleTree," he said. "They support the free concerts in the summer and it is clear there is a connection between where the arts are and how Craig supports and champions that."

Heimbecker added that Poole ran a jazz club in the Pittsburgh area.

"So, jazz has a special place in his heart," he said.

A special award was also given to Gary Spencer, a longtime Berks Arts employee.

"If you put in 30 years you deserve some recognition," Heimbecker said.

The invite-only party also spotlighted some of the other programs such as the student art program and grant programs, and Heimbecker hopes to make it an annual event.

"We have some grand ideas that we hope to build on in the future and this was all full of gratitude and celebration," he said.

Music

Santander Arena and the Santander Performing Arts Center have announced that tickets are on sale for three more upcoming shows: Grupo Firme on April 16 at the arena, and Blackberry Smoke on June 20 and Loreena McKennitt on Oct. 26, both at the SPAC.

Grupo Firme is a Tijuana, Mexico-based band that won a Latin Grammy for Best Banda Album in 2021 for "Nos Divertimos Lo Grando Lo Imposible." The group's success continued in 2022 with a stadium tour throughout the United States and Mexico called "Enfiestados y Amanecidos."

Southern rockers Blackberry Smoke celebrated their 20th anniversary as a group in 2021 with the release of the album "You Hear Georgia," which pays homage to the band's deep respect for its roots. Across the album's 10 songs, Blackberry Smoke continues to embody Georgia's rich musical legacy as they have for the past two decades, honoring the people, places and sounds of their home state.

McKennitt is well known as a composer and singer. In a recording career spanning more than two decades, she has received critical acclaim worldwide for her eclectic Celtic music, and earned gold, platinum and multi-platinum sales awards in 15 countries across four continents. She has sold over 14 million albums with a catalog that includes seven studio recordings, three seasonal recordings, a live in-concert DVD and two DVD documentaries. She's won two Junos, Canada's premiere music award, gotten two Grammy nominations, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriter's Hall of Fame on March 8.

Tickets for all three shows are on sale at ticketmaster.com.