For Immediate Release                                                                     

Contact John Berky
john@sscsummerwind.org
860 688-5098

$200,000 in Donations Assures Return of SS&C SummerWind's Outdoor Concert Series This Summer

Grants from Hartford Foundation for Public Giving and Griffin Land will now allow for construction of new outdoor facility at Windsor concert site

WINDSOR Thursday, May 27, 2010 - The SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center announced today that it has received more than $200,000 in funding to begin construction of a new concert tent to replace the snow-damaged tent from 2003.  Organizers said the funding will enable them to present an outdoor concert series this summer for the first time since 2004, when a remaining portion of the tent had to be taken down.

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving awarded a $150,000 grant to SS&C SummerWind to aid in the construction costs, while Griffin Land has donated $50,000 for the facility's capital and operational budget.  Peter DeMallie, president of the SS&C SummerWind Board of Directors, said these two donations "will now ensure us of a great 2010 outdoor concert season."

"These grants could not have come at a better time for us. We have been planning for a great comeback season, and now with the available funds to construct the outdoor facility once again, SummerWind is on for the summer of 2010," Mr. DeMallie said.

"We have been working on and preparing for our comeback season for five years, and these grants assure us now that our time has arrived," SS&C SummerWind Executive Director John Berky said. "We have talent lined up for the 2010 summer season our biggest challenge was securing the funding to rebuild the facility. Now that this has been accomplished, we are off and running."

The new tent, while visually and acoustically similar to the old tent, will make use of the existing pole structure as well as reinforced concrete below ground to allow for the tent to be removed each year at the end of the season.  The venue can accommodate more than 1,400 people under the tent with an additional space available for nearly 2,500 people to sit on the graded-lawn, allowing a view of the stage from all locations

SS&C SummerWind has also received a matching grant offer from Mary and Bill Stone through their Sage & Dice Foundation.  The grant will be used to match funds raised by the SS&C SummerWind up to $500,000.  For information on how to donate to the SS&C SummerWind, people are asked to contact John Berky or visit the web site at www.sscsummerwind.org.

The 2010 summer season will mark SS&C SummerWind's return to the outdoor music arena and will feature four Grammy Award-winning acts, beginning with blues guitarist Robert Cray on Aug. 7.  For more information about the upcoming season, including additional acts and ticket information, visit www.sscsummerwind.org. 

About SS&C SummerWind
SS&C SummerWind Performing Arts Center is New England's premier outdoor music venue.  Located in Windsor, Connecticut, the venue is set on 10 landscaped acres in a park-like setting featuring state-of-the-art acoustics.  World-class programming features Jazz and American popular performers on weekend evenings.