History of the Musicians Association
The Musicians Association was founded in 1991 and is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Our first task as an organization was to raise $60,000 to construct the Mandan Band Shell, along with a flag display and a flower garden. Our status as a non-profit allowed us to apply for federal grant dollars to fund music events and performers in Bismarck-Mandan community. Each year we receive approximately 25% of our budget from the ND Council on the Arts, along with grant funding from the City of Mandan and support from local businesses.
Our Mission Statement
“to provide leadership to create, promote, and fund activities in the community that foster live musical entertainment, enhance the abilities and interests of musicians, and to champion programs the “support live music for life."
Summer Concert Series
The Summer Concert Series consists of one-hour concerts at the Dykshoorn Park in Mandan on Monday-Thursday evenings. The forty concerts begin the second Monday of June and continue through the third Thursday of August. Some 300 artists perform during the summer, and each is paid a stipend from our $10,000 budget. The concerts are open and free to the public. Our summer attendance for the concerts is approximately 10,000 “music lovers." The Summer Concert Series is organized and hosted by members of the Musicians Association Executive Council. The first concerts began in 1994.
Music Performance Fund
In 2009, our Association Board and members identified a need for “live entertainment” in care centers and nursing facilities and created the Music Performance Fund. In cooperation with the directors of local care centers, the program created funds for musicians who provide an hour or more of entertainment at local senior care facilities. The care facility provides funding for the program as well as our Association, so that residents of area facilities can enjoy “live entertainment.” In recent years, these funds have been exhausted by early to mid-December. As care facilities for seniors continue to grow in our area, there will be a greater need for funds to support this program.
Kaleidoscope Variety Show
Kaleidoscope began with the idea of one of our members in 1996, and today has grown to a patriotic, variety, musical, comedy show that includes some 100 participants. The show features a 16-piece Kaleidoscope Band, Kaleidoscope Choir, Kaleidoscope Chorus Line in the style of the Rockettes, and various local performers. This variety show is held at the Mandan High School Auditorium the last Wednesday and Thursday in June as a kick-off of the Mandan Rodeo Days Celebration.
Vern Cermak Band Shell
Our Association has inherited the responsibility of maintaining the Vern Cermak Band Shell in Dykshoorn Park, which is used for the Summer Concert Series. The Association includes funds in its budget each year toward the maintenance and upkeep of the facility, such as painting and repair. The Association also provides and staffs the sound equipment that is required for the Summer Concert Series.
Waddingham Memorial Scholarship Awards
The Waddingham Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who wish to attend summer music, art, or dance camp at International Music Camp on the US/Canadian border. Students from Burleigh, Morton, Emmons, Oliver, and ___ counties who attend IMC are eligible to apply. To apply, visit the IMC website. The Musicians Association is grateful to the Lloyd Waddingham, Sr. Family for the creation of this fund.
To donate to the Waddingham Memorial Scholarship, contact us at [email protected].
Buggies-N-Blues
Buggies-N-Blues is a classic car show started in 1993 by the Musicians Association with involvement by nine local car clubs. This event has grown to be a major attraction in the Bismarck-Mandan area, drawing some 25,000-30,000 spectators to enjoy the day viewing the 300+ classic cars that line Mandan’s Main Street. The day also provides businesses the opportunity to display items for sale along Main Street. Spectators can also enjoy food and beverages provided by vendors, music in the park from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and other attractions. This event is free for all those who wish to display their vehicles as well as free to the “families of spectators”. Buggies-n-Blues is held in early June with a street dance at Burlington Northern Park on Saturday evening, followed by the Classic Car Show on Sunday.
In 2018 after 25 years of involvement, the Musicians Association sold its inventory and the rights for Buggies-n-Blues to the Mandan Progress Organization, thus terminating our time and investments in this event.
Wild West Grill Fest
In 2010, the Musicians Association teamed with The Mandan Progress Organization to host the first Wild West Grill Fest held the third weekend of August. This event featured grilled food provided by local eateries and entertainment designed for families at prices families could afford. There was also live entertainment in the city park from noon until midnight. The success of the event was evident with an attendance of over 5000 for the two-day event. Wild West Grill Fest was discontinued during Covid and has since been resurrected.
The Musicians Association was founded in 1991 and is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Our first task as an organization was to raise $60,000 to construct the Mandan Band Shell, along with a flag display and a flower garden. Our status as a non-profit allowed us to apply for federal grant dollars to fund music events and performers in Bismarck-Mandan community. Each year we receive approximately 25% of our budget from the ND Council on the Arts, along with grant funding from the City of Mandan and support from local businesses.
Our Mission Statement
“to provide leadership to create, promote, and fund activities in the community that foster live musical entertainment, enhance the abilities and interests of musicians, and to champion programs the “support live music for life."
Summer Concert Series
The Summer Concert Series consists of one-hour concerts at the Dykshoorn Park in Mandan on Monday-Thursday evenings. The forty concerts begin the second Monday of June and continue through the third Thursday of August. Some 300 artists perform during the summer, and each is paid a stipend from our $10,000 budget. The concerts are open and free to the public. Our summer attendance for the concerts is approximately 10,000 “music lovers." The Summer Concert Series is organized and hosted by members of the Musicians Association Executive Council. The first concerts began in 1994.
Music Performance Fund
In 2009, our Association Board and members identified a need for “live entertainment” in care centers and nursing facilities and created the Music Performance Fund. In cooperation with the directors of local care centers, the program created funds for musicians who provide an hour or more of entertainment at local senior care facilities. The care facility provides funding for the program as well as our Association, so that residents of area facilities can enjoy “live entertainment.” In recent years, these funds have been exhausted by early to mid-December. As care facilities for seniors continue to grow in our area, there will be a greater need for funds to support this program.
Kaleidoscope Variety Show
Kaleidoscope began with the idea of one of our members in 1996, and today has grown to a patriotic, variety, musical, comedy show that includes some 100 participants. The show features a 16-piece Kaleidoscope Band, Kaleidoscope Choir, Kaleidoscope Chorus Line in the style of the Rockettes, and various local performers. This variety show is held at the Mandan High School Auditorium the last Wednesday and Thursday in June as a kick-off of the Mandan Rodeo Days Celebration.
Vern Cermak Band Shell
Our Association has inherited the responsibility of maintaining the Vern Cermak Band Shell in Dykshoorn Park, which is used for the Summer Concert Series. The Association includes funds in its budget each year toward the maintenance and upkeep of the facility, such as painting and repair. The Association also provides and staffs the sound equipment that is required for the Summer Concert Series.
Waddingham Memorial Scholarship Awards
The Waddingham Memorial Scholarship is awarded to students who wish to attend summer music, art, or dance camp at International Music Camp on the US/Canadian border. Students from Burleigh, Morton, Emmons, Oliver, and ___ counties who attend IMC are eligible to apply. To apply, visit the IMC website. The Musicians Association is grateful to the Lloyd Waddingham, Sr. Family for the creation of this fund.
To donate to the Waddingham Memorial Scholarship, contact us at [email protected].
Buggies-N-Blues
Buggies-N-Blues is a classic car show started in 1993 by the Musicians Association with involvement by nine local car clubs. This event has grown to be a major attraction in the Bismarck-Mandan area, drawing some 25,000-30,000 spectators to enjoy the day viewing the 300+ classic cars that line Mandan’s Main Street. The day also provides businesses the opportunity to display items for sale along Main Street. Spectators can also enjoy food and beverages provided by vendors, music in the park from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and other attractions. This event is free for all those who wish to display their vehicles as well as free to the “families of spectators”. Buggies-n-Blues is held in early June with a street dance at Burlington Northern Park on Saturday evening, followed by the Classic Car Show on Sunday.
In 2018 after 25 years of involvement, the Musicians Association sold its inventory and the rights for Buggies-n-Blues to the Mandan Progress Organization, thus terminating our time and investments in this event.
Wild West Grill Fest
In 2010, the Musicians Association teamed with The Mandan Progress Organization to host the first Wild West Grill Fest held the third weekend of August. This event featured grilled food provided by local eateries and entertainment designed for families at prices families could afford. There was also live entertainment in the city park from noon until midnight. The success of the event was evident with an attendance of over 5000 for the two-day event. Wild West Grill Fest was discontinued during Covid and has since been resurrected.