By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – The 2016 Wabash FAME Festival artfully celebrated the culture of Indiana Saturday at the Honeywell Center. Students attended workshops and gave recitals in the Honeywell Room, but the big difference over last year was the increased use of Legacy Hall, otherwise known as the old gym. It was used Saturday for school choirs and vocal groups as well as three performances by 15 members of the Peru Amateur Circus and for a drum and dance circle by the Miami Nation of Indiana.
Speaking of the two latter groups, there was a big contingency from Miami County this year which included Zak Tschiniak playing the music of Cole Porter in the lobby. Ringmaster for the Peru Amateur Circus, Bruce Embrey.
Student displayed art filled the lobby and dancers from the Playhouse Studio of Dance and the Wabash Valley Dance Theatre took turns with performances on the stage of the Ford Theater. Despite the amazing weather outside, the attendance increased over last year’s draw of 1,600 and Director Judy Ward sums up what the day is all about for the kids.
The Festival ended, as it did last year, with a musical performance written by 4th graders from area schools. Manchester University’s Tim Reed worked with the students to synthesize music they wrote on their iPads. The musical medium was jazz and three pieces of music entitled the “FAME Suite” was debuted by Reed and the Ft. Wayne Jazz Combo. Reed on what it was like helping area kids compose.
Playhouse Studio of Dance interpreted the piece during the performance. Director Ward told MiBash News that the lobby renovations still going on in the Honeywell Center lobby did not effect the festival. MiBash News has created a short video of many of the highlights of the festival which can be seen below.