With evening storms covering most of the area, there wasn’t much chance of seeing stars in Valparaiso last night – with one exception: the 4th annual Stars Over Valpo concert to benefit local radio station WVLP 103.1 FM.
Gregg Kovach, executive director and station manager at WVLP organized the event, one of WVLP’s biggest fund-raisers of the year.
Click here for more photos from the event!
“A few years ago, we had lost a different fundraiser we had at the time, called the Run/Walk. Paul Shriner, the station founder and I were discussing other ways to make money to keep the station going. Paul had the idea to host an event featuring local musicians to replace the Run/Walk that we just lost and that became Stars Over Valpo.”
Musicians donate their time and talent, playing just one song before turning the microphones over to the next act, in a sort of musical revue-style program.
“We usually raise roughly $4,000 each year from this event,” said Kovach. “That’s about 15% of our annual operating costs. We’re hoping to get a little bit more than that here tonight, but we have not raised the ticket prices since we started, and the seating hasn’t changed, so returns are limited, but 100% of the proceeds go to benefit the station, so it’s a tremendous help.”
Kovach said that they have no problem finding local musicians willing to donate their time to benefit the station, even rotating the lineup from one year to the next, so audiences don’t get bored with the program.
“The exceptions are Buddy Pearson, who has opened here every year,” said Kovach. “He’s a session bass player and member of local band Freek Johnson, and we will again be closing with local band Ripley Street, just as last year, but the rest of the lineup is completely different.”
Notable musicians joining the lineup this year included Chris and Megan Marolf (owners of Old World Market in Valparaiso), Patti Shaffner, Melissa Welch, and Freek Johnson keyboardist Waz (Walter Lizek), among many others.
Musical styles ranged from folk to rock to blues and even some country.
“The artists change quick – one song and done – so, say a certain member in the audience isn’t a fan of one artist’s type of material, they change quickly, so it’s always different, always entertaining,” said Kovach.
They even welcomed a non-musical act this year, in young comedian Margeaux Berner, daughter of Eric and Katie Berner. Margeaux performed an outstanding routine of stand-up comedy. Her stage presence, comedic timing and complete ease of delivery wowed the crowd, who broke out in not just laughter, but enthusiastic applause for the Valparaiso grade-schooler.
“This is a natural fit for radio. These musicians are local, they’re our friends. They’re people that we see dining in restaurants in the area, they’re people we know and they’re incredibly talented, so that’s what makes this so special and such a success,” said Kovach.
Teri Jones, local Valpo resident enjoyed the show.
“I came last year and it was just great,” said Jones. “I’m friends with Reggie and Paul Shriner and they recommended it, so I came last year. This show is just amazing. My favorite so far here tonight is Patti Shaffner, and little Katie Berner was just geat.”
Judging by the laughter and applause, the concert was a tremendous success, with VU’s Duesenberg Recital Hall nearly filled to its 170 seat capacity. The performers were largely acoustic, using just a few amps and microphones, and needed little else, with the intimate venue and its acoustic-tiled ceiling providing outstanding sound quality for the performers.
As the concert wound down and fans exited the hall, the rain continued outside, but inside, the stars shone very brightly tonight indeed.
For more information on WVLP 103.1 FM, visit their website!