By Nana Amma Intsiful //
On Sept. 19 and 20, Sky Stage celebrated its 10th anniversary. Both nights featured performances by artists from the Frederick community and around Maryland. Sky Stage is located at 59 S. Carroll Street.
Sky Stage was a boarded-up property in downtown Frederick. It was a pre-Revolutionary War building that was damaged in a huge fire that happened in 2010 and has no roof.
In September 2016, the property was transformed into an outdoor amphitheater and named Sky Stage.
Heather Theresa Clark, who works in art, architecture, and public interventions, led the remodeling that turned the building into an outdoor amphitheater.
The Frederick Arts Council works with Sky Stage and helps provide different forms of art to the community, such as poetry, music, drama, classes, events, and more. Community members can participate and share their talents.
Louise Kennelley, executive director of the Frederick Arts Council, said one thing that makes Sky Stage special is that it is driven by the community for the community.
Sky Stage is also artist-driven, with artists contacting the Frederick Arts Council to suggest shows. People also come with other ideas for the theater throughout the season. Another reason why it is so special is the creativity in Frederick.
“It is also important to Frederick to raise awareness about the talent here and grow that talent,” Kennelley said.
Some artists who performed for the anniversary are from the local Frederick community and outside of Frederick. Silent Old Mtns. performed at Sky Stage 10 years ago and again five years ago.
Carly Harvey, a blues artist who appeared on “The Voice,” also performed. Noah Tiles, a young and upcoming experimental artist and performer, performed for the first time at the event. Nan-Ana, Royalty, and Paulie Boy are a few more artists who performed.
There are a lot of people in the community who help make the Sky Stage what it is today. Kennelley said it takes a village to help and pitch in. Rusty Hauver, a business owner and lifelong Frederick County resident, and his wife have donated to Sky Stage for 10 years.
Kennelley hopes Sky Stage continues for as long as the community wants it.
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