Levitt Amp Trenton Music Series provided a highlight of the summer
New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra completed the Levitt Amp Trenton Music Series Thursday.
The Trenton Downtown Association event closed under gray skies and a minimal threat of rain although those conditions did not deter music lovers pressed into Mill Hill Park for a summer music finale enhanced by George Handel, Johann Sebastian Bach and Antonio Vivaldi.
Call this the night New Jersey Capital Philharmonic Orchestra music director Maestro Daniel Spalding went for baroque.
My apology, although understanding what occurred during the Levitt Amp Trenton music series should deliver frivolity.
Levitt Amp-inspired Thursday nights in Trenton delivered fantastic music acts, food, fun and hopes for a 2018 run.
“It’s been a great experience and really rewarding to see this event grow,” Joe Kuzemka.
“The move to Mill Hill Park and the day of the week change from Saturday to Thursday all played a role in an effort to tap into a different market.”
TDA contracted Kuzemka of The Rockhopper Creative as event coordinator. The Trenton native has delivered successful city ventures including a Punk Rock Flea Market while serving as creative director for Artworks’ 24-hour “Art All Night” event.
Kuzemka noted thar diverse music genres attracted similar crowds as Levitt Amp Trenton delivered a musical cornucopia of jazz, hip hop, funk, Afro-beat, blues, rock, soul and classical.
TDA Executive Director Tom Gilmour explained efforts to incorporate community building during the tenweek series.
“We had “Community Spotlight” each week, highlighting a Trenton non-profit organization,” Gilmour said.
TDA added food trucks which Gilmour said gained popularity as the Series progressed.
Trenton produced high notes in regarding initiatives established by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation which awarded $375,000 in matching grants to 15 U.S. nonprofits.
Trenton has received a $25,000 Levitt Amp grant for each of the past three years as TDA followed through on the Foundation’s commitment for cultivation of community pride.
Other objectives included enrichment of lives through the power of free music and an illustration of the importance and value of vibrant public places.
Gilmour, Kuzemka and TDA have minimal time for rest as they prepare another grant application.
“It’s a very competitive process that includes community participation (via) online voting,” Gilmour explained.
Grant applications were made available in late June and must be filed by Oct. 2.
Online public voting stretches from Nov. 1-20 followed by a Levitt review process from Nov. 21-Dec. 31.
“We enjoyed great support from the public and co-sponsors: New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Group and the New Jersey Council of Arts,” Gilmour said.
“The Levitt grant remains a key component for the future. We need to work hard to get the vote out.”
Voters determine 25 finalists.
The Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation will announce site winners on Jan. 2, 2018.