Sykora Likes What's Happening Uptown
March 6, 2008
By JOSEPH SITARZ
Index-Journal Features/Accent Editor
Greenwood, SC - As part of the Greenwood community, Andy Sykora is excited about what’s happening in Uptown Greenwood and the area’s arts scene. He’s also glad he’s part of it.
Closer to home, Custom Audio and Lighting, operated by Andy and his wife, Janet, has plenty to keep the the company busy. Tonight, Custom Audio and Lighting is providing the sights and sounds for Music on Maxwell at Jon O. Holloway’s studio and gallery on Maxwell Avenue in Uptown Greenwood.
|
Tonight’s performance features Jesse Harris, who penned the Grammy Award-winning tune “Don’t Know Why” sung by Norah Jones. Opening is William F. Gibbs. He was named Greenville’s Best Songwriter for 2007.
Holloway opened his studio on Maxwell last summer and the work he’s done renovating a former auto parts shop is being used as an example of what can be done as part of the Emerald Triangle Project in Uptown.
“I’m really excited about what’s happening Uptown. He’s bringing in world-class talent into his space. It’s great you don’t have to go to Greenville or Columbia,” said Sykora, who provided sound and light for The Everybody Fields with opener Haley Shaw, Music on Maxwell’s first performers. |
Andy and Janet Sykora
|
The Emerald Triangle Project, which includes Greenwood Community Theatre, The Museum and The Arts Center at the Federal Building, has encouraged the revitalization of Uptown Greenwood. The three sites have either been renovated or are in the process of renovations.
“Myra laid a great deal of the ground work,” Sykora said of former GCT artistic and executive director Myra Shaffer. “Now, with the technology capabilities, it’s great what they’ve been able to do.”
We do a lot of smalltown festivals all over the Southeast in the summertime. It’s really neat seeing Greenwood evolve. People will appreciate it when they see the change,” Sykora said.
|
|
“Jon’s studio is world class,” Sykora said. “It’s like something you’d find in New York. It’s very tastefully done. The space is great.”
The concert series has attracted a lineup of talented performers to a setting that’s not the norm around here. What Holloway and Nick Hyduke, who has worked getting the performers, want to establish is a space for listening to music in an intimate setting.
“The first one was a learning experience,” Sykora said. “They want to have a listening room.’” |
The Everybody Fields show was a test on how well the space, on the second floor of the gallery, would work for concerts, and to see how the concertgoers would perform. Holloway’s space includes an outdoor patio where food and drinks can be served. The first show had space for eating and drinking on the second floor.
Some changes will be noticeable for tonight’s show. Concertgoers will have to use the back stairs or elevator to go to the show. There will be curtains and drapery to cut off the “listening room” from the more active spaces where food and drinks will be served.
“It’s going to be a happening place,” Sykora said. “People will be able to go out back and not miss the show. There will be video and plasma TVs downstairs. We’re going to shoot the show and let it be in other areas. We’ll just pump it into other areas. People can still be with the food and the wine and still not miss anything.”
That will create a space for people who want to hear or see the performers, but still allow them to socialize without disturbing the performers and those who want to listen in an truly intimate setting.
Sykora, who has logged many miles across the Southeast and points beyond, said he’s really happy with what’s happening in Greenwood.
“The downtown arts is important,” Sykora said. “I’m glad to see things getting done. I’ve seen towns that are highly successful. They’re not successful without having a well-developed arts section.”
Businesses look for towns offering arts, Sykora said, adding companies want to settle in places with well-rounded opportunities.
“I’m really excited,” Sykora said. “I love working close to home. It’s certainly nice.”
Sykora has tried to become less hands-on when it comes to physically putting things together. He’s trying to concentrate on the sales side of the business now. He and Janet have two boys, Andrew, 16, and Derrick, 12.
Janet isn’t a quiet member of the business. The Newberry native is the owner of the company. Andy, who moved to the area in 1977 after living in Georgia and having been born in Florida, is president.
“She does sales support. She helps design the shows,” said the 41-year-old. “She does every bit of the accounting.”
People are surprised when they find out where the business is located.
“We’ve traveled all of the place. We don’t have to do what we do from a big city,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
The first Music on Maxwell concert was lucrative for Custom Audio and Lighting. It also drove home the fact Greenwood can be a player in the arts world. Greenville artist Ric Standridge attended The Everybody Fields show in January and talked with a member of the Custom Audio and Lighting crew.
The result was a job working with Standridge on a project at Fluor Field at the West End, home to the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team.
“It’s a fundraiser,” Skyora said, noting the project will combine audio and visual with the artistic talents of Standridge.
“It’s so cool we can attract someone from Greenville to come to Greenwood. I never would have meet him without this,” Sykora said. “That’s great for Greenwood. I’m excited about helping Jon out. I like working with Nick. They’re great guys.”
# # #