15th annual Colorscape Chenango this weekend

NORWICH – The creative talents of countless musicians and artisans will paint downtown Norwich this Colorscape weekend with the hues of their diverse crafts, drawing thousands of spirited patrons to the free festival.

In what has grown to be a sensation of the arts over the last 15 years, the paths of East and West Park in the City of Norwich will be adorned with dozens of tents holding the visual delights of more than 93 juried artists Saturday and Sunday.

For their final year, the towering Greco-Roman columns of the Chenango County Courthouse will set the stage for the event as it steps bear the weight of the nine professional gospel and folk entertainers set to play throughout the weekend. A new, permanent pavilion-style stage is scheduled to be built in the opposing East Park by next year’s 16th annual event, dramatically altering its traditional layout.

Colorscape music coordinator for the last 11 years, Ken Millett, says he’s convinced this year’s festival will “break all our records, whatever they are.”

He’s not alone either. Colorscape’s Executive Director for the last 10 years, Peggy Finnegan, agrees.

“This year we have more juried artists in the show than we’ve ever had,” she said.

Finnegan added that eight of the juried artists were new and another 16 were participating in the show for only their second year.

Millet pointed to the fact that, for the first time since he’s became involved in the event, all the area’s hotels were already booked – another positive indication.

“Usually I can call the day or two before and there’s something somewhere, but not this year. Apparently a sagging economy is a great thing for a free festival,” he joked.

The two also noted the highest number of food vendors and non-profit groups vying for space at the event.

In the past, organizers have an estimated 15,000 people attended Colorscape and they hope for an even higher number this year.

Night Eagle Productions, Millet’s business, recruited musical performers to this year’s event that it had not been able to attract in past Colorscapes, including acclaimed headliner, The Horse Flies. The group has received raves from critics at The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and The New Yorker.

Another group new to the Colorscape scene this year is the Canadian duo sensation, Dala. Their music videos have aired on MTV, CMT and Bravo. “These girls sell five, ten thousands seats at a time in Canada and were secondary acts invited on main stage at the Newport Folk Festival, which is totally unheard of and the folk festival in the country,” said Millet.

As the rhythms fill the air, an array of artisans will have their works on display – including ceramics, digital media, drawings and pastels, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, sculpture, watercolor paintings, wood and more.