The Charles Ives Authority for the Performing Arts honors the memory of one of America's greatest music composers and Danbury native, Charles Edward Ives (1874 - 1954), by providing a nationally recognized forum for the performing and creative arts. The Ives contributes to the quality of life in our community by: 1) Providing access to the performing arts and high quality entertainment, 2) Expanding the range of cultural experiences to appeal to a broad spectrum of tastes and interests, and 3) Celebrating cultural and ethnic diversity.

Description:
The Ives is a non profit organization which, for more than 20 years, has produced an annual Summer Concert Series at the Ives Concert Park - a beautiful 5,000 seat outdoor amphitheater located on the Western Connecticut State University's Westside campus in Danbury, CT. The Celebrity Series has recently featured Jackson Browne, BB King, Melissa Etheridge, Lyle Lovett, The Beach Boys, Hall & Oates, Frankie Vallie & the Four Seasons, Sheryl Crow, The Irish Tenors, Julio Iglesias, Al Green, Peter Frampton, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, The Manhattan String Quartet, and many more. The Fine Arts & Family Series includes Shakespeare performances, children's theater, a Family Fair which is a multicultural celebration of the arts featuring the Ives Festival Orchestra. Ives also hosts the annual Irish Festival, Ecuadorian Festival, Latin Music Festival and will launch an annual Renaissance Festival for 3 consecutive weekends beginning Memorial Day weekend 2010.

History:
The idea of The Ives Concert Park was conceived in 1974. That year 7,000 people came to Danbury to hear Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas and the American Symphony Orchestra perform an all Ives program at the Danbury Fair Grounds. Today, through the dedication of so many who have shaped its history, The Ives has become a nationally recognized center for the arts that attracts ever-growing audiences to its highly acclaimed Summer Concert Series.

Contact person: Phyllis Cortese, Executive Director, (203) 837-9227, (email)

Address:

University Boulevard, WCSU Westside Campus Danbury, CT 06810 (See a map)

Directions:

From I-84 East or West, get of at exit 4 and take a right. Travel just over a mile and arrive at the intersection of Lake Ave. Extention and University Boulevard (across from Super Stop 'n Shop). Turn. . . (more)   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Southeast NY,   Walk distance (in minutes): N/A   Nearest Bus Stop: HART, 10 minute walk