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LUCY-DESI MUSEUM - May 15, 1996


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The Post-Journal, May 15, 1996 -

 

Name Change Is A Sign Of The Times - "Change is the only constant in life." These words of wisdom inspire dread and bring comfort, depending upon where one finds oneself in the process. As the Arts Council launches the sixth annual festival to honor Lucille Ball and her contribution to the world of comedy, those words have brought dread, comfort and excitement.

 

After six years and one name change, from Lucille Ball Festival of New Comedy, to the less-cumbersome LucyFest, why would we cheat ourselves out of the name recognition we've been building?" went one lament. The reasons to keep the name 'LucyFest' were many and legitimate. But so were the reasons to change.

 

For Lucy fans, 'LucyFest' never quite met their expectations of a weekend solely about Lucille Ball. That was never the intention of the festival - and this was the source of much discussion of how to market a festival that had Lucy at its center - but also encompassed so much more.

 

This year, for the first time, the Lucy fans who wanted a weekend just about Lucy will find exactly what they are looking for at the 'Loving Lucy '96' convention to be held in Burbank, California, in mid-July (20th). The auction of items from Lucy's estate that were donated to the Arts Council - to promote growth and change in the festival and contribute to the creation and on-going operation of a museum to honor Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz - will take place at that convention. The auction will still benefit the museum and festival in Jamestown, at the same time providing a highlight for the convention.

 

As mentioned, the reasons for letting go of 'LucyFest' were many. The confusion inspired by two events centering on Lucy prompted the Arts Council to make the change in name and focus that had been under discussion since the '95 festival, Memorial Day weekend will see the grand opening of the Lucy-Desi Museum, (Pine Street location until 2005) a one-of-a-kind, permanent tribute to the first couple of comedy. Suddenly the focus was no longer just a three-day festival to celebrate Lucy and new comedy, but rather a national attraction with two festivals 'bookending' the summer season. The new comedy element was moved from the May weekend to the third weekend of September (20, 21) - to close out the summer season. This move gave new focus to both events, with a celebration of Lucy and Desi and their contribution in May, and the element honoring Lucy's new comedy in September with the Gravity Free Film and Video Competition. Dread, Comfort. Excitement. The changes mean growth, new direction and focus. With the focus on the Lucy-Desi Museum, it became an obvious extension to celebrate Jamestown, Lucy's hometown. Our hometown. So, 'Hometown Celebration Weekend' fits. It's not as snappy as 'LucyFest' - but gives us time. Change is the only constant!", published this date in 1996.

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The Post-Journal, Jamestown, NY - May 15, 1996:

 

The Post-Journal, Jamestown NY – 'Lighten Up!' A Bright Addition - The 'Lighten Up! Festival of New Comedy, featuring the sixth annual Gravity Free Film and Video Competition will be September 20, 21. In the past, this festival has been part of the Lucille Ball Festival of New Comedy in May. It has been so successful that it has earned its own time slot! The Gravity Free Film and Video Competition, sponsored by Paragon Cable, is part of the Lucy legacy as a way to encourage new comedy in the medium that Lucille and Desi revolutionized. Until Desilu and the ('I Love Lucy') series, most television was aired live or preserved on kinetoscope. Rather than move to NY to shoot the episodes, Desi used a three-camera system and actually filmed the episodes, and the genesis of the 're-run'. Gravity Free continues that tradition by encouraging filmmakers to produce comedy 'shorts' - or pieces of 30-minute duration or less. A panel of up to ten experts preview all submissions and narrow the field to four finalists; who then appear at festival and compete for the Juror's Award.

 

On Saturday evening, September 21, following the awards ceremony and viewing of the winning piece(s), a special headliner event, with American Comedy's Best Standup Comedian for 1995, George Wallace, will take place,” published this date in 1996.

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