Galva, Illinois, will come alive this summer with music, as a free 10-week concert series is being held once again in Wiley Park. The recipient of a 2019 Levitt Foundation AMP grant, music organizer John Taylor in partnership with the Galva Arts Council is intent on enhancing the lives of his fellow residents and transforming his city into a community destination for others.
Each Sunday from June 2 to Aug. 4, live music will be performed starting at 6 p.m. The format includes an opening act followed by a featured musical group. There will be something for every taste here, as the musical genres are wide and inclusive, spanning not just rock, jazz, and bluegrass, but also diverse sounds including zydeco, Celtic, and traditional Swedish music.
Mortimer and Mimi Levitt started the Levitt Foundation in 1963. Their vision was of “an America filled with thriving public spaces, creating community and human connections that extend into daily life.” Giving others the opportunity to listen to free, live music is essential to their goal. Galva was one of 18 small- to mid-sized towns and cities in 2019 to receive this funding.
Listen to the conversation here with organizer John Taylor about how he obtained the Levitt AMP grant, why community events such as this deepen our sense of engagement and bring us closer, and how it takes literally a village — 75 volunteers and a collection of business and private donors — to pull off this type of event.
You can access the full schedule here. Food and drink will be available for purchase at each concert. Bring some lawn chairs and prepare for a great time!
