Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana is known for its breathtaking views and exciting recreational opportunities. Now, the Town of Culver is unveiling a project that will make it a hub of art and culture for the community—the Damore Amphitheater. The grand opening will be held on Thursday, July 12th at 6:30 p.m. at Culver Park: 819 E. Lakeshore Drive.
The vision for the Damore Amphitheater began in 2015, when the town conducted a Parks and Recreation community survey. Feedback showed that Culver residents wanted more outdoor activities and local arts programing. Culver Park has been the site of past summer concert series. In response to the survey, a new project was envisioned to continue bringing arts programing to the area.
This project was funded through a combination of grants and community donations. The Marshall County Community Foundation generously supported the project with a $25,000 grant. Additionally, in May 2017, Culver launched a crowdfunding campaign for the project. The campaign was conducted through Patronicity as a part of the IHCDA’s CreatINg Places grant. This program would allow Culver to receive a $30,000 matching grant from IHCDA if the town was able to raise $30,000. In just over a month, Culver not only met, but exceeded the goal, raising $45,885 from around 200 donors.
According to Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist, “The Damore Amphitheater will be a beautiful venue for all kinds of events including outdoor concerts, shows, and presentations. Its open design will also give the audience a view of Lake Maxinkuckee. Thanks to our recent Stellar designation, the Culver Beach Lodge just next door to the amphitheater is getting some long-awaited renovations. Together, these projects will really enhance Culver Park and improve quality of life in our community.”
The grand opening for the Damore Amphitheater was originally to take place earlier in June and was rescheduled due to weather. The event will feature a ceremony, reception, and live music from the Kevin McDaniels Band. Community leaders and major donors will be in attendance. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Jonathan Leist, town manager at 574-842-3140.
