Merry Lee Cross and Shaun Hayes of BHHS Pro Realty Sponsor DCCA BBQ & Blues

DCCA BBQ & Blues sponsors Merry Lee Cross and Shaun Hayes of BHHS Pro Realty with DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan. 

Darke County Center for the Arts recognizes Merry Lee Cross and Shaun Hayes of BHHS Pro Realty for their sponsorship of the annual fun-filled fundraiser “Barbecue and Blues,” set for Friday, July 13 on the spacious lawn at the Greenville Public Library, 520 Sycamore Street. According to DCCA Executive Director Andrea Jordan, DCCA thanks Merry Lee Cross and Shaun Hayes of BHHS Pro Realty for sponsorship of the event and is grateful for their support of the arts in Darke County, monies generated from the fundraising event will help enable our organization to bring high quality performing artists to our community.”

Gates for “Barbecue and Blues” will open at 6 p.m. Music will be provided by the Doug Hart Band and special guest Austin “Walkin’ Cane,” playing from 6:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Featured BBQ food vendors include Main Street Greenville businesses The Coffee Pot, Merchant House, and Romer’s Catering, and local food truck favorites Kona Ice and Nacho Pig; wine will be for sale as well as micro brews from Moeller Brew Barn.

According to DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins, Doug Hart and his band blend the blues with rock to create a passionate, soulful sound. “Doug has earned several awards in Blues Challenges around the region; his dynamic, energetic style will really get our “Barbecue and Blues” crowd jumping,” Mr. Rawlins said. Mr. Rawlins also stated that special guest Austin “Walkin’ Cane” has won quite a local following due to several previous performances for DCCA. “This Clevelander sounds like an early blues singer from the Delta; his story-telling abilities pull audiences in and his smooth baritone keeps them listening and leaves them begging for more,” Rawlins explained.

Additional sponsors of the event include Matt and Angie Arnold, and George and Becky Luce and Matt & Mindy Steyer. The event venue is provided by Greenville Public Library; other sponsors are Erwin Brothers, Rumpke, and the John R. and Miriam H. Knick Fund. Proceeds from “Barbecue and Blues” support DCCA programming, helping make possible DCCA's Arts In Education program as well as the Family Theatre Series and a summer theatre residency by Missoula Children's Theatre.

Tickets for the event are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under; food and drink are not included in the ticket price. A limited number of reserved tables are available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, “Barbecue and Blues” will move inside Henry St. Clair Memorial Hall. Although tickets will be available at the gate, DCCA strongly recommends purchasing them in advance. Tickets & tables can be purchased by contacting the DCCA office at 937-547-0908. Tickets are also on sale at Greenville Public Library, Readmore's Hallmark, and Darke County Welcome Center.

Darke County Center for the Arts presents and promotes performing and fine arts encouraging cultural enrichment. For more information about “Barbecue and Blues,” or DCCA's upcoming 2018-2019 Season contact the DCCA office at (937) 547-0908.