Groovefest Soirée Art Auction to Raise Funds for Founder’s Medical Expenses
The Soirée Art Auction fundraiser is scheduled for February 13th at Artisans Gallery and has been reframed to offset medical expenses for the festival founders. Tim and Lisa Cretsinger have made the difficult decision to cancel Groovefest Music & Art Festival of 2016 due to the ongoing health issues of Tim Cretsinger. The volunteer Groove Crew is proceeding with the fundraiser, planned in November 2015, and will contribute proceeds to the Cretsingers.
Tim Cretsinger was diagnosed with throat cancer on Dec. 12, 2013 and the road has been long and arduous for the festival founder. The aggressive treatments of chemotherapy and radiation have taken a treacherous toll on his body. Tim has lost his voice and the ability to swallow, receives nutrients solely from a feeding tube place in his abdomen, suffered through pneumonia, and recently was diagnosed with Bells Palsy which resulted in having his left eye sewn shut.
The Soirée Art Auction will take place at Artisans Gallery, located at 94 W. Center St. in Cedar 
City, from 4:30–6:30 this Saturday, Feb. 13th. There will be music, mingling, and most importantly, a chance to buy art in a silent auction, raising funds to help the Cretsingers through this time of major medical costs. Artists Brian Hoover, Andy Marvick, Carrie Trenholm, Jeff Hanson, Steve Yates, Diane Walsh, and April McPherson have already dropped off their donations and many more are expected.
If you would like to contribute art work to the cause, donations are being gathered at Artisans Gallery this week during business hours—noon to 7:00 pm. Future fundraising events include the Groovefest Support Show on May 14 at Mike’s Tavern in Cedar City. Details of all future events can be found at facebook.com/GroovefestAmericanMusicFestival
About Groovefest Music & Art Festival
Groovefest Music & Art Festival was born in Oregon in 1993—the passion project of Tim and Lisa Cretsinger, owners of record store Groovacious. In 2000 the Cretsingers moved to Cedar City, Utah and shared their store and the festival concept with Southern Utah. Groovefest Music & Art Festival is a unique arts experience for Cedar City. The festival is now a seven day celebration of the arts and includes Groovekids, LitFest, Campfire Concert in the Canyon, kick-off ,and after hours concerts, two-days of free music, art and food in Main Street park, and workshops for all community members! The festival is staffed by community volunteers and financially supported by local businesses, which makes this a true community effort and a wonderful experience for young and old alike.
Visit www.grovefestutah.com
