Page 15 - 2018 Mar-Apr Art-i-facts

Frost Van den Boom, PA The Licorice Sticks.
Bloomin' Arts The Licorice Stick-

Festival It's Not Just Candy

March 4 & 5, 2018 “Licorice Stick” has been a nickname for the clarinet, used by

famous clarinetists like Benny Goodman and Pete Fountain. The
The Frost Van den Boom, PA Bloomin' Arts Festival is a Licorice Sticks are also a clarinet ensemble of members from the
juried Fine Arts festival and is Bartow's premier event Lakeland Concert Band. Organized three years ago to share the
of the year. It is held on the first full weekend each melodious harmonies of the instrument, the Licorice Sticks are
March. Originally called the Spring Art Festival, it has directed by Jim Jackson, a Florida Southern College graduate
evolved into one of the top festivals in Central Florida with a degree in music education and concentration in clarinet.
and features artists from all across the country.
The goal of the Licorice Sticks is to share their love of music. The
The festival is a collaboration of the Bartow Art Guild, musicians have variety of backgrounds from retired architect,
Bartow Chamber of Commerce, and Main Street Bartow. music professor, teacher and Disney employees to retired band
Event Co-Chairs, Michel Githens and Lara Fredericksen, directors and businessmen. They all enjoy the camaraderie and
coordinate an all volunteer staff and workers consisting the opportunity to develop their musical skills. The ensemble’s
of members from all areas of the community. These music is varied as well. Jackson chooses trios, quartets and
are dedicated, hard working volunteers and truly the quintets of classical and popular music with some standards
backbone of the event. thrown in as well. The Licorice Sticks also share this love of music
throughout the community. They can be heard playing at assisted
The festival events include: living centers and at Lakeland Regional Health. Recently, they
Over 100 artists have been entertaining patrons of the Lakeland Concert Band in
Car Show (Saturday Only) the lobby before the concerts.
RV Show (Sunday)
Quilt show The clarinet evolved in 1690 from the Chalameau, the first
true single reed instrument. Johann Christoph Denner and his
Flower Show son added two additional keys which increased its range, and
Student Art Show improved the mouthpiece and bell. The name, clarinet, came
Bicycle Race about from its sound that was similar to an early form of the
Huge Kids Activities Tent trumpet, a clarinetto, Italian for “little trumpet.”
Entertainment On the Green
Sunday afternoon Free Concert The clarinet, with a range of over three octaves, is an instrument
Original Artwork Raffle (Bartow Art Guild tent) suited to play a variety of musical styles from classical to jazz. It
Food Trucks was one of Mozart’s favorite instruments. He composed many
Caricature Artists pieces highlighting its versatility. By the mid-1900’s Artie Shaw
and others brought the clarinet to the forefront, featuring it in their
The festival takes place along several blocks of beautiful, big band swing music.
historic downtown Bartow and local businesses and
restaurants are open to welcome festival goers. So, the next time you enjoy a licorice stick from the candy store
keep in mind the sweet sounds made by Lakeland Concert Band’s
Learn more: www.bartowartguild.com. own “Licorice Sticks.”

Art-i-facts • A Publication of the Polk Arts Alliance 15