Instead, the festival is still stayin’ alive.
The free festival will be heavy on the tribute acts — returning favorites and new shows honoring the Bee Gees and Michael Jackson.
“We didn’t have quite as much money to work with,” Moore said. “We had hoped to pull all the stops out, but some funding didn’t come through.”
Despite the lack of a national headliner — festivals under Moore’s leadership have featured such notable names as Duke Ellington, John Legend, Blake Shelton, Trisha Yearwood and even the Village People — the 2013 lineup is still sure to please.
Last year, the Eagles tribute band Hotel California drew a crowd of close to 6,000, Moore said. Other tribute acts have been greeted by large crowds as well.
“That’s what our audience loves and turns out for,” he said. “We get big, big crowds for them.”
The 2013 festival also marks the return of two community-produced musicals. This summer’s offerings include “The Wizard of Oz” and “Footloose.”
Moore will retire at the conclusion of this year’s festival — which runs June 13 to July 20 — and already has assumed the title of director emeritus. David White is the arts council’s new executive director.
“The festival is Chris’ legacy,” Tim Rowe said.
Rowe is the arts council’s director of marketing, but was heavily involved in local theater before going to work for Moore.
“This festival has consistently offered admission-free entertainment that’s accessible to all ages,” Rowe said. “It’s completely accessible. This festival breaks down all the barriers to being able to see and appreciate the arts in our community.”
Below is the schedule for the 47th annual Summer Arts Festival.
Unless noted, shows are held rain or shine at the Turner Pavilion in Veterans Park, 250 Cliff Park Road. Admission is free.
June 13: Who’s Bad: A Tribute to Michael Jackson, 8 p.m., as part of Rib Fest weekend
June 14: Phil Dirt and the Dozers, 8 p.m. (Rib Fest weekend)
June 15: The Motown sounds of the Dayton group Touch, 8 p.m. (Rib Fest weekend)
June 16: Mad River Theater Works, 2 p.m., at the Springfield Center for the Arts at Wittenberg
June 16: Springfield Symphony Orchestra, 8 p.m.
June 19: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, 8 p.m.
June 20: Urban Jazz Coalition, 8 p.m.
June 21: Parrots of the Caribbean (Jimmy Buffett tribute), 8 p.m., with the Parrothead Party in the Park at 5 p.m.
June 22: Night Fever: The Tribute to the Bee Gees, 8 p.m.
June 23: The Young Lions, a jazz ensemble from the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati, 2 p.m., at the arts center
June 27-30: “The Wizard of Oz,” 8 p.m.
June 30: Teenage singer-guitarist Noah Back, 2 p.m., at the arts center
July 1: The U.S. Army Field Band and Chorus, 8 p.m.
July 2: Russian folk groups Moscow Nights and Golden Gates, 8 p.m.
July 3: Hotel California: The Original Tribute to The Eagles, 8 p.m.
July 5: Yesterday: The Beatles Tribute, 8 p.m.
July 6: Cirque Zuma Zuma, 8 p.m.
July 7: Hayseed Project Farmers Market, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the arts center, with music by the Tarheel Boys and Wild Carrot
July 7: Singer-songwriter Susan Werner, 8 p.m.
July 8: The Dark Star Orchestra (Grateful Dead tribute), 7 p.m.
July 12: Springfield native Griffin House, 8 p.m.
July 13: Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago, 8 p.m.
July 14: The Gary Geis Dance Company, 2 p.m., at the arts center
July 17-20: “Footloose,” 8 p.m.
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