By Staff
Nicknamed a modern-day Pied Piper, John "Doc" Morrissy will entertain children and adults at the upcoming July 24-26 Dowagiac Fun Fest "Celebrate the Music," as he brings The Great American Street Organ Jubilee to The Grand Old City.
The one-man, family-styled variety show is built around the delightful music of an old-fashioned hand-cranked street organ, similar to instruments that have been in existence since the 1700s.
The Great American Street Organ Jubilee is part of 40 hours of continuous entertainment, featured during Dowagiac's 18th annual summertime bash, which is sponsored by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.
According to Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), funding for Morrissy's street-corner performances is being provided through a grant the DDA received from the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, which serves Cass and Berrien counties.
Phillipson said the $1,500 grant will also fund other children's entertainment and educational workshops that include: the three-hour on-site interactive educational workshop by the Curious Kids Museum of St. Joseph; the marionette performance by Steven's Puppets; four on-site interactive educational programs for children on Michigan wildlife by Sarett Nature Center of Benton Harbor; two performances by professional mime Debbie Loyd of Dowagiac; and two performances by Charles Apsey of Stevensville, who portrays Jo Hobo the Magical Clown.
This is the first year for the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, located in Buchanan, to provide grant funding to the festival through its Youth Advisory Council and the Youth Endowments.
The Great American Street Organ Jubilee will present four 30-minute performances on Saturday, July 26, at 11 a.m., and at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Phillipson said each of Morrissy's shows are different, which allows him to captivate the hearts of young and old throughout the day.
Morrissy said hand-cranked organs were often used by street performers during the 1700s and 1800s, before they nearly vanished from the entertainment scene during the early-1900s.
For true music enthusiasts, who were incessantly bombarded by out-of-tune instruments, the sound became cruel and unusual punishment."
Phillipson said street organ music is just part of Morrissy's performance.
Morrissy's performance also includes sing-alongs and dances such as the Hokey Pokey, the Limbo, the Chicken Dance and the Macarena. He will perform magic tricks, fire-eating and story telling, and will host children's games and contests. During some of his shows, he will transform children into a band of kazoos, as they accompany him on the street organ.
Morrissy, who has toured the United States and Canada, performing before live audiences and on television, will also make balloon sculptures for festival-goers in between his scheduled performances July 26. Phillipson said Morrissy is said to be one of the funniest balloon twisters in the Midwest, where one of his favorite creations is his parade of connected balloon hats.
Morrissy of Melrose Park, Illinois, began performing magic when he was seven. He is a winner of the coveted Golden Wand Award, presented to fewer than 30 magicians world-wide by the International Academy of Performing Arts for superlative achievement in the performance of magic.
Morrissy describes himself as a modern-day Pied Piper because of the way children follow him around. He has a gentle style of humor that children, parents and grandparents seem to enjoy.
Dowagiac Fun Fest also brings to the Grand Old City: the amusement rides and midway of Family Fun Tyme; the Vertical Challenge Climbing Wall; Starwalk children's games; summer sidewalk sales with community, commercial and craft booths; a festival food court; the third-annual Star Search Talent Show; PAL's three-on-three basketball tournament; Steve's 5K and 10K Run and its Children's Fun Run; Mini Grand Prix racing; the Grocery Cart Challenge hosted by Harding's Friendly Market and Pepsi; the Fire Department's Picnic-style Dinner on Friday evening; and the Lion's Club pancake breakfast on Saturday.
Dowagiac's summertime bash is sponsored by: Drs. Charles Burling and Jonathan Gillesby, Felpausch Food Center, 1st Source Bank, Franklin &Son, Leader Publications, McDonald's Restaurant, Mennel Milling Co., Q-92 Radio Station, Southwestern Michigan College, Waste Management of Michigan, the St. Denys Foundation of Dowagiac and the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation of Buchanan.
Advance, discounted tickets for unlimited children's amusement rides are now on sale at the Chamber of Commerce office, located in the train depot, at a savings of 30 percent. To obtain a full schedule of events or to register for sidewalk booth space, call the Chamber of Commerce at (269) 782-8212.