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Cityfolk director leaving
John Harris, who stabilized and has steered the folk arts-presenting organization Cityfolk through hard times over seven years, is stepping down as executive director.
“But I’ll be here until July 5, through the annual Cityfolk Festival,” Harris, 47, said Tuesday, Jan. 19.
“The first reason for my decision is that my wife, Natalie, has been hired as executive director of the Louisville (Ky.) Coalition for the Homeless. Also, my dad died in September. My mom, who lives in Kentucky, is alone now. We want to be closer to her.”
Harris came to Dayton from the Whitesburg, Ky.,-based folk arts cooperative Appalshop.
Cityfolk planned to begin an immediate national search in hopes of hiring his successor by the start of the 2010 festival, which will be July 2-4 in downtown Dayton.
“John has helped us maintain and enhance Cityfolk’s ability to offer the very best in ethnic and cultural traditions in some very challenging economic times,” board chairman Jerry Brunswick said. “His desire to stay through the festival means we will maintain continuity of leadership in a critical time of planning, execution and fund raising.”
Harris said he is proud of new programs, including Culture Builds Community, Cityfolk has implemented during his tenure. “We have also brought a lot of great music here to share cultural traditions with the people of the community. At the end of the day, that’s the main reason we’re here.”
For more information about Cityfolk, call (937) 223-3655 or go to www.cityfolk.org.
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