A Conversation with Stan DeWitt
by Lynne Finley
(Special to LongBeachCulture.org)
The Grace First Concert Series began with the idea that a venue for live music on the east side of Long Beach would be a good addition to the city’s existing cultural opportunities. Now preparing for the fourth season, Stan DeWitt, Grace First’s music director and an accomplished musician himself, looks forward to the opportunity to once again bring a variety of concerts to the community.
LBC: What is the Grace First Concert Series?
Stan DeWitt: It is a series of concerts through the season held at Grace First Presbyterian Church. We wanted to create a venue in this part of Long Beach where people could attend a concert like this and not have to worry about parking, driving or even the cost of a ticket. Some of the concerts are sacred music, but others cover a large gambit of styles of music. We have tried creating a series that anyone in the community would enjoy.
LBC: Is there a cost?
Stan DeWitt: Although there is no specific cost for any concert, there will be a free will donation opportunity.
LBC: Who are some of the artists you have had in the past?
Stan DeWitt: We have had a wide variety of artists’ styles in our three seasons. We have had classical artists such as Wojciech Kocyan, pianist, and the Nevsky Vocal Ensemble from St. Petersburg, Russia. Dewey Erney is a crowd favorite, so we have jazz concerts as well. And we have rock bands that appear in the series as well. Last year Clementine gave a fabulous performance.
LBC: What are some of the upcoming concerts?
Stan DeWitt: The highlight of this season for me is Laurence Juber who will be here on April 5, 2008. Laurence was the guitar player for Wings and is probably one of the world’s foremost acoustic guitarists. We also have concerts by Gerry Schroeder, jazz piano; Trevor Davis, local songwriter; and another jazz concert by Dewey Erney. We also have two choral programs this season.
LBC: That is quite a variety. Tell me the specifics of the first concert this season.
Stan DeWitt: Our first concert will be October 20, 2007, and it features the church’s own band led by me doing a concert of uplifting and spiritual songs. Most of the songs in the concert were written by members of the group including myself, Lisa Jackert and Bruce Ford. What’s really exciting about this concert is that it’s part of a drive we have here at the church this year to help out Habitat for Humanity. We’ve been sending groups of people all summer long to work on Habitat for Humanity projects. So 100% of the money raised from this concert will go directly to Habitat for Humanity.
LBC: How do you feel about the Long Beach cultural scene, and how do you think your concert series is adding to the scene?
Stan DeWitt: I feel like there are some tremendous venues in this city for live music, but most of them are centered in a few neighborhoods. Downtown has the Terrace Theater. Cal State Long Beach has the Carpenter Center, and there are clubs around. But I feel like what we are offering is a great place for smaller concerts of any style that are affordable and easily accessible to people living on the east side.
The Grace First Concert Series is held in the sanctuary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, at the corner of Los Coyotes Diagonal and Studebaker Rd. For more information, contact Stan DeWitt at 562-420-3393.