The Gateways Music Festival is getting a $20,000 grant from the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation.
The money was sought by Assemblyman David Gantt, who says that festival, which features classical musicians of African descent, provides an entry way to the stage “on which a person is not seen just as a demographic, but for their musical abilities."
Nearly 100 musicians, professional and amateur, from throughout the country participate in the multi--day festival . They perform in a variety of musical settings in venues that range from Rochester City Hall and Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre to schools, houses of worship and private homes. All of the events are free. The total audience has grown to more than 6,000.
Last year, the festival marked the 20th anniversary of its founding. The 2015 festival will be August 11 through 16.
A not-for-profit ,all-volunteer organization Gateways has no paid staff and depends on grants and private contributions to fund its operations.
