Catalyst Interview Series: Carla DeLoach
What do the Governor’s Club, Whole Foods and Railroad Square have in common? They’re all unconventional venues hosting performances during Tallahassee Music Week!
As part of our ongoing Interview Series, we caught up with former KCCI Community Catalyst Carla DeLoach to learn more about the April 3-12 festival:
KCCI Tallahassee: How did the idea for Tallahassee Music Week come about?
Carla DeLoach: Originally it was (KCCI Catalyst) Rick Minor’s vision, but as the group worked together, Tallahassee Music Week morphed into what it is today. The group helped tweak the idea to help make it bigger and better. I’ve been in the arts and cultural business forever; it’s my passion and I thought Tallahassee Music Week would be an excellent way to showcase the city that I’m proud to call home.
KCCI: What performances are you most excited about?
CD: That’s a tough one because there are so many diverse performances – I wish I could see them all! If I could choose a top three… one that gives me goose bumps is the FAMU Jazz Ensemble, they’re going to be performing outside on the steps of the Tallahassee Democrat, April 7, a Tuesday afternoon. I’m also excited about the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra, I can’t wait to see all the hardworking kids perform! And then there’s the Railroad Square Kick-Off on April 3 that will host 12 different performances in the All Saints neighborhood.
KCCI: You mentioned the Tallahassee Democrat. Are there any other unexpected venues you can tell us about?
CD: Several! Publix, Whole Foods, Tallahassee Nurseries, the C.K. Steele Plaza, the balcony of the Governor’s Club… there’s even one in the parking lot of an attorney’s office downtown.
KCCI: So pretty much all around town?
CD: Yeah! We go from Southside to Killearn to Midtown to FSU’s campus and beyond!
KCCI: What was your greatest takeaway as a KCCI Community Catalyst?
CD: I observed a group of people who truly wanted to be there, a group whose strengths came out, a group that collaborated well. It was the opposite of those dreadful group projects people remember from middle school and high school. Everyone was prepared to work together and help!
KCCI: What qualities make for a great KCCI Community Catalyst?
CD: A great Catalyst is open-minded; a person who appreciates other’s work; an accountable person who follows through. It’s also important to have support from those around you because at the end of the day, it’s for the betterment of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee Music Week, a KCCI initiative, rocks the Capital City April 3-12. The weeklong event launches Friday, April 3 at Railroad Square Art Park.