Helping keep the arts alive 'There is nothing like seeing a live artist'

By AMY MAY

The Daily Inter Lake

It was white gloves and formal dresses that first attracted Cathie Bell to the world of live community arts and entertainment, but it's the indescribable feeling in her stomach that keeps her dedicated to the cause.

When Bell was a teenager in Casper, Wyo., her high school choir director arranged for girls who were interested to work as ushers at community concerts.

Gloves and formal dresses were required.

"We never would have been able to afford a ticket otherwise," Bell said. "It was really something special."

Today Bell, 77, works to keeps the arts alive as the president of the oldest performance organization in the Flathead Valley.

The Flathead Valley Concerts Corporation, formerly Community Concerts, has been producing live shows in Kalispell for more than 60 years.

The national community concerts effort began during the Great Depression when communities needed entertainment and musicians needed jobs.

Today the program offers smaller communities the opportunity to view world-class performers for a heck of a deal.

This year an adult membership, which includes admission to four different concerts, costs $45.

Despite the ticket value, Bell said, it is a challenge to keep the organization afloat from year to year.

For a number of seasons membership has remained stagnant at about 500 members.

Bell said an increase in other concert facilities such as the Majestic Valley Arena and the O'Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish give Flathead Valley residents more choices in entertainment.

Despite the small membership, the Concerts Corporation continues its mission to bring music and the arts to the community.

According to Bell, a number of tickets to each show are given away to area students. In addition, featured performers sometimes stick around to give workshops at schools.

The future of the organization weighs heavily on Bell's shoulders since she hopes to retire from her post as president someday soon.

Bell and her friend and colleague Carolyn Pfrimmer, who serves as membership drive chairman, both planned to step down last year.

"But here we are," Pfrimmer said. "We're both still here."

Pfrimmer herself was recruited into Community Concerts by Bell more than 30 years ago.

"I never would have done it without her," Pfrimmer said of Bell. "Every organization needs someone like her to get things done. Without Cathie, we would be in danger of losing the organization."

Bell has had two stints as president, 1988-1997 and 2001 to the present.

But with four children and a growing number of grandchildren, Bell has her sights set on traveling and soon reducing her volunteer responsibilities.

Bell knows that new leadership could reinvigorate the organization, but letting go can be a scary thing.

"We need new blood," she said. "But once you let go, then who knows what will happen?"

In the meantime Bell continues to give her time and effort to bringing the arts to the Kalispell area.

In her 40 years with the group, Bell considers her greatest contribution as the purchase of the 9-foot Steinway piano used by a number of performers from around the Flathead Valley.

In 1989 the piano cost $29,000, an amount that took years to raise.

"It was a gift to the community," Bell said.

To Bell there is nothing better than seeing a world-class musician use that piano. And as she begins to think about handing over the reins to a new generation, Bell can't imagine not being there to hear the music.

"There is nothing like seeing a live artist who is so talented. You can't get that on a CD," she said. "There is some kind of personal connection between the artist and the audience."

She said with a grin: "I just love that feeling!"

Reporter Amy May can be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail at amay@dailyinterlake.com