A group called the Santa Cruz Advocates for the Arts is seeking to raise funds in order to launch the Charles Mingus Hometown Jazz Festival and to establish the Charles Mingus Memorial and Performance Park, both in Nogales, Ariz., where the late bassist/composer was born. Toward this goal, the SCAA has launched a Kickstarter campaign with the hope of rising $16,500 by March 5. Pledges for the project are being taken at Mingus or visit Kickstarter and search for Mingus. All the money must be raised or the SCAA will receive none of the pledged funds.
The city of Nogales has agreed to donate land and to provide basic infrastructure and other donations of materials and services have been made, but the SCAA still needs to raise several thousand dollars to build the monument for this public/private partnership with Nogales. The memorial will have mosaic art designed by the town’s mayor, Arturo Garino, who will supervise local students in creating the mosaic. It also will be a performance facility with a small stage and seating area. The SCAA and the Nogales will present a groundbreaking ceremony during the festival weekend and will unveil the finished Mingus Memorial on his birthday in 2013.
The festival will take place on both sides of the US-Mexico border in Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, featuring the Claudio Roditi Quintet and others.
Group Raising Funds for Mingus Festival and Park
Kickstarter campaign seeks to raise $16,500 by March 5