ARTS JAM 2008:
A BENEFIT FOR SCHOOL ARTS AND MUSIC

Sunday, February 24, 2008
2 - 5pm at St. Cecilia Music Center

Arts Jam 2008 will be held Sunday, Feb. 24 at St. Cecilia Music Center from 2 to 5 p.m. The seventh annual benefit will raise money for Grand Rapids Public Schools music and art programs.

Last year’s event raised more than $15,000 to fund small grants for GRPS music and art teachers to pay for needed supplies, and also funded scholarships for GRPS students to attend summer music and art camps.

This year's event includes a two-hour concert featuring some of the area's top musical artists. Host and performer is renowned singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles. Others on the bill include folk/bluegrass favorites Nobody’s Darlin’; piano-cello duo MacRaven (Roger MacNaughton and Steve VanRavenswaay); classical/Afro-Cuban jazz combo Trio Aparicion; pop band Bless You Boys and jazz group Java Jive.

Arts Jam 2008 also will host a silent auction featuring fancifully decorated mirrors and small benches created by professional artists, teachers and students. A lavish reception will follow the concert.

Admission to both the concert and auction is $20 for adults, $5 for students and $40 for a family of four. Tickets are available from the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids at 459-2787.

Arts Jam is presented by GRPS Arts Advocates, an affiliate of the Student Advancement Foundation, in partnership with St. Cecilia and the Arts Council. Sponsors include The River 100.5 FM and Kendall College of Art and Design.

CONTACT: Grand Rapids Public Schools Arts Advocates
Julie Powell (616) 819-2156
John Hartel (616) 828-6280