HANCOCK COUNTY — 2018 was a great year in the arts for Hancock County, and plenty of events already are on the arts and entertainment calendar for 2019. We look back on a year in the arts, and look ahead to what the new year has to offer.
Dancers line up for good cause
The operative word for 2018 was “new,” as several new events had Hancock County talking. In May, the Women’s Resource Center played host to its first-ever fundraiser: “Dancing with the Stars.” The event, held at St. Michael Catholic Church, raised more than $4,000 to support the Women’s Resource Center’s mission of connecting women and families with resources to help them become economically independent.
Eight contestants, including Chief of Police Jeff Rasche, Fire Chief James Roberts and Hancock County Prosecutor Brent Eaton, competed in a series of line dances taught by Senior Center volunteers Lupe Carnes and Betty Kremer.
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The contestants wore a variety of costumes — Roberts in full fire gear, Rasche in a Billy Ray Cyrus mullet wig for a dance to “Achy-Breaky Heart” and others in cowboy hats and boots for the line-dance style competition — which only added to the fun of the evening.
In the end, Noelle Russell pulled her 77-year-old father, David Steele, to the floor for the final dance-off — a swing dance. Russell and her father had taken swing dance lessons together, and, as they say, stole the show. “Dancing with the Stars” 2019 is slated for May 10.
Teams race beds to raise funds
Spirits refused to be dampened by rain at the Forty and Eight’s Four-Post 400 Bed Race Challenge in September. Six teams with their custom-made beds raced against each other in a double-elimination tournament for a 3-foot tall trophy and bragging rights.
Following a dramatic safety violation disqualification (the offending team rounded the turn-around barrel from the wrong side), the police department’s Team Glidewell — named for former Police Chief Charlie Glidewell, who had died earlier in the week — came away as winners.
The Forty and Eight veterans honor group raised $1,400 to support its nursing scholarship program.
Organizer Dennis Dunn, with fingers crossed for sunny weather, has scheduled the 2019 Four-Post 400 Bed Race Challenge for Sept. 7.
Artists battle with paint brushes
September was a busy month as Fortville’s Main Street Arts & Music turned painting into a spectator sport with the first-in-the-state Art Battle International. Twelve artists, some local and some coming from as far away as St. Louis and Detroit, competed against each other for the honor of moving on to a regional competition. In two groups of six, artists had 20 minutes to create a painting while music played and the audience circled around the artists shouting encouragement and enjoying the artistic process. The competition, which drew more than 100 spectators, was followed by a silent auction of the paintings with the proceeds going to fund the establishment of an art gallery in Fortville. Former Greenfield-Central art teacher Sandy Hall won the Fortville Art Battle and went on to reach the final round in the Chicago Art Battle in November. Main Street Arts & Music will host Art Battle, the rematch, in April.
Lip Sync War earns rave reviews
Another soon-to-be annual event — the Lip Sync War — brought in more than $2,800 for Upsilon chapter of Psi Iota Xi. Six teams competed in three rounds for a $500 donation to the non-profit of their choice. Local “celebrities” such as auctioneer Wayne Addison, Judge Scott Sirk, members of the CrazyLake Acting Company and Mayor Chuck Fewell moved lips (and hips) to songs including “Hound Dog,” “R-E-S-P-E-C-T,” “Lady Marmalade” and “Shake It Off.” In the spirit of fun, the performers donned wigs and costumes and demonstrated some fancy footwork in their effort to take home the top prize. Wayne Addison came away with a $500 donation to the Friends4Jessica Foundation, while NineStar’s David Spencer (and two dancing skeletons) took home the People’s Choice award for his rendition of “Monster Mash.” Organizers were so pleased with the audience turnout and the response that the 2019 Lip Sync War is already on the calendar for Sept. 14.
Everything old
is new againIn December, Friends of the Theater revived an old tradition — the holiday variety show — as a fundraiser for the Ricks Centre for the Arts. Performing-arts groups from across Hancock County lent their talents to a full house for a night of music, singing, dancing and holiday fun. Groups such as Wilkerson Dance; Mt. Vernon High School’s Locked Out choir; the New Palestine Intermediate School hand chime group; the Hearts Ablaze cloggers; and the Brandywine Wind concert band helped to raise more than $3,200 toward the renovation of the theater’s aging marquee. The event also featured a sale of fresh-baked cookies from the Butterchip Bakery, a cash bar upstairs courtesy of Griggsby’s Station and visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. With the success of the event, Friends of the Theater is already planning for next year.
