Starry Nights adapts to economic challenges

As reductions in statewide funding continue to slash school budgets, the Sisters Starry Nights Benefit Concert Series remains committed to raising vital funds to uphold the quality of education provided in Sisters schools. The series, which has raised close to $1 million for the Sisters Schools Foundation, is currently on hiatus as organizers work to streamline the event's format to adjust to changes in the music business and local economy.

The series has traditionally consisted of two or three concerts in the late-winter-spring time frame, with renowned artists donating their time in support of programs at all three Sisters schools. The event, which began in 1997, has been spearheaded by a volunteer planning committee led by co-chairs Jeri Fouts and Susan Arends, and sponsorship chair Novella Swisher.

Over the years, a stellar roster of performers have traveled to Sisters and graced the high school stage, donating their time in support of Sisters schools.

Many businesses and individuals have provided support, anchored by title sponsors Ray's Food Place and Taylor Northwest, and presenting sponsor Bank of the Cascades. Sell-out shows, sponsor contributions and the efforts of hundreds of volunteers have made Starry Nights productions a fundraising success, with $950,000 in net proceeds raised to date.

With the economic downturn, event organizers have found that changes in the music industry have made it more challenging to secure artists to travel such a long distance to perform a donated show. In addition, artists' paid shows and tour schedules leave them with less time to spend in the Sisters Country, and they are not able to take advantage of the amenities available to them through some of the event sponsors.

"We have had many wonderful artists express interest in coming to Starry Nights, only to find that in the end they are unable to commit because they've booked a spring tour or their management isn't supporting the idea of them giving up a potential income-producing weekend for a charity performance," said Starry Nights co-chair Jeri Fouts. "In past years, we would be able to get an artist to commit six to eight months out and plan our marketing and sponsorships well in advance. Now, we may get an artist on board, but with much shorter notice, and so we need to streamline our Starry Nights format to be able to move more quickly."

In past years, artists such as Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Keb' Mo', John Hiatt, Kim Carnes, Rodney Crowell, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Hal Ketchum have performed on a donated basis.

Given the shifts in the music business, Starry Nights plans to continue to recruit artists for shows, but not always on the traditional winter-spring schedule of past seasons.

There will be an additional focus on looking at tour dates in the Northwest in an effort to secure a stop in Sisters if an artist is already in the area. That might mean Starry Nights shows on week nights, as opposed to the typical Saturday night Starry Nights format.

"In future seasons, we may just book a single show rather than the two- or three-show series of the past," said Starry Nights sponsorship chair Novella Swisher. "If we can invite someone to make a detour to Sisters when they are already in the region, we will put together a Starry Nights show, calling upon sponsors to help with the unique needs of that show."

To continue its mission of raising funds for the Sisters Schools Foundation, the Starry Nights brand has expanded to include other event productions aimed at supporting local schools.

In August, Starry Nights volunteers produced "A Starry Summer Night" at Aspen Lakes, featuring dancing under the stars to the music of the popular High Street Band and a silent and live auction. In October, Starry Nights presented a special performance of A.R. Gurney's play "Love Letters" starring veteran actors Gregory Harrison and Linda Purl at the Tower Theatre in Bend. The two sell-out events raised a combined $40,000 in net proceeds for the Sisters Schools Foundation.

"We will be looking at special Starry Nights events to complement the ongoing concerts we will produce," said Starry Nights co-chair Susan Arends. "We are already planning a very special Starry Nights holiday concert, with details to be announced soon."

Starry Nights will provide advance announcements about upcoming events by e-mail. To be added to the Starry Nights e-mail list or update your e-mail address, contact Novella Swisher at [email protected] For more information about Starry Nights, the Sisters Schools Foundation and what the community can do to support local schools, visit the Sisters Schools Foundation Web site at http://www.sistersschoolsfoundation.org.