Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction
CSPS Hall's First Signature Fundraiser
CSPS (Czech and Slovak Prudential Society) Hall hosted the Art Soul and Blues Brunch and Silent Auction on Saturday March 7th from 9:30AM-12:00PM. The event was CSPS’s first signature fundraiser. It featured an art auction with works of art by local artists, a brunch prepared by Julia’s Kitchen, and musical performances by Jefferson Highschool’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Iowa City based Blues musician Kevin Burt.
CSPS began in 1988 as an independent performance art company helmed by Mel Adringa and F John Herbert. Adringa and Herbert rented CSPS Hall from Service Press & Litho Company owner Robert G. Prucha for $550.00 per month until the flood of 2008 after which they bought the building and spent 6 million dollars renovating it. Over the last thirty years CSPS Hall has hosted over 3,000 concerts and 500 art exhibits.
Eastern Iowa Arts Academy Executive Director Heather Wagner grabs food from the buffet table before sitting down to enjoy enjoy music from the Jefferson Highschool Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and Blues artist Kevin Burt. Wagner has worked at the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy for fourteen years.
CSPS Co-founder Mel Andringa tells an attendee about one of his art works during the Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction. Andringa sold one of his paintings for one thousand dollars during the auction.
Cedar Rapids resident Russ Keast bids on one of the pieces of art work available for sale during the silent auction at CSPS Hall on Saturday March 7th. Keast is a regular attendee of the events at CSPS Hall and enjoys both the art and artistic performances on display there.
Sherry Petersen from Cedar Rapids takes a look at some of the artwork on display during CSPS Hall’s Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction on Saturday March 7th. Petersen had previously taken a Tango Dance Class at CSPS Hall.
CSPS Executive Director Jason Zbornik introduces the Jefferson Highschool Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Zbornik has worked for CSPS for the last two years.
The Jefferson Highschool Vocal Jazz Ensemble performs as the opening act before Blues Singer Kevin Burt takes the stage during the Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction at CSPS Hall on Saturday March 7th.
Iowa City based blues singer, and Iowa Blues Hall of Fame member Kevin Burt performs All Along the Watchtower originally by Bob Dylan during the Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction at CSPS Hall on Saturday March 7th. Burt is a self taught musician that now performs anywhere between three hundred and twenty five and four hundred shows per year.
Kevin Burt performs an original song about being a father and watching his kids grow up. Burt will be making the trip to San Francisco to perform at Biscuits & Blues on March 13th and 14th next before coming back to Cedar Rapids to perform during the Never Miss a Sunday Show at the Old Neighborhood Pub on March 29th.
CSPS Board of Directors member Amy Johnson introduces CSPS Co-founder Mel Andringa before announcing the winning bids on on the rest of the works of art at the end of the Art and Soul Blues Brunch and Silent Auction at CSPS Hall on Saturday March 7th. People can sign up to volunteer as Greeters, Bartenders, Ushers, Lighting Techs, or Soundboard Operators at CSPS by visiting their website or clicking on this link CSPS/Volunteer.
All photos will be available for purchase upon request. In order to request photos send an email to cobbwildphotography@gmail.com.