Nenad Bach's 3rd Dubuque visit
My name is Cynthia Nelms-Byrne, Dubuque, Iowa. I represent Nenad Bach as his agent, an honor I came by after knowing and promoting him during the year since I met him. He is an unusual man, known internationally and especially in Croatia, with a unique talent for composing and performing music. His first visit to Dubuque was during the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in 2014 to promote an inspiring documentary film about his journey from Croatia to the United States, produced by Victor and Stephanie Zimet of Home Team Productions.
Nenad so fell in love with Dubuque, the city and its people, that he wrote a song called "I Feel Dubuque," which premiered at this year's Julien Dubuque International Film Festival to wide acclaim.
He is coming back to play with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra at their Arboretum Concert on June 28, 2015. He will present three songs, including "I Feel Dubuque," which not only promotes and honors the city, but which is fun and can be something in which the whole audience can participate. This song will be on Nenad Bach's next CD, which means it will be heard all over the world. The song in the video presented in this campaign is called "I Will Follow You," and he will also be performing that song with the DSO, along with "Everything is Forever."
What We Need & What You Get
We need $1,500 to pay Nenad's travel expenses and to archive the performance with a video and still photos, so the performance is not lost to history.
The first ten people to contribute $25 or more will receive a CD of Nenad's - either "Everything is Forever" or "A Thousand Years of Peace." Those giving $100 or more will receive an "I Feel Dubuque" Tee-shirt and their choice of a CD or the DVD documentary about Nenad called "Everything is Forever." The DVD is also about war, peace and rock and roll, family, love of country and humanity, and World Peace in One Hour. For $300 you may enjoy Nenad's company by taking him to breakfast before he leaves Dubuque on June 29th, available for one contributor only.
The Impact
The impact Nenad Bach has made on our city has been tremendous already. After this year's (2015) film festival, he was featured widely in the local press. Here's a quote: “I wrote it [the song] because I felt strongly about Dubuque,” he said. “I’m talking about Dubuque for long time with all of my friends, wherever I go. People ask me sometimes, ‘Why do you like so much Dubuque and all of this?’ And I said, ’65,000 people, symphonic orchestra, imagine that.' I went to the artistic community … and food co-op. All of these things are impressive. (Dubuque) is in a high tide (that) brings all the boats up, not just the yachts.”
Nenad's return will promote Dubuque, our artistic community, and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. Aside from some Dubuquers, I think he is the world's biggest fan of our city. That's amazing, considering he has visited much of the world.
Challenges
It's always a challenge to ask people to contribute funds. But Nenad made such an impact and met so many people who were immediately charmed by him that I feel confident that we can raise the funds. He is a person of singular determination, and I have learned to be determined along with him. One thing he says is: "if the answer is 'no' then ask again."
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute money, perhaps you can help get the word out to some people who may be able to donate or spread the word about this tremendously fun concert coming to Dubuque on June 28, 2015 at the Dubuque Arboretum. As well as Nenad Bach, the orchestra will feature Caroline Curtis with the orchestra and playing a solo piece, and Robert Byrne (full disclosure - my husband) conducting one piece as the winner of the "Pursuit of the Podium" fundraiser for the Symphony.