Local musician James Brant plays tunes for the crowd at Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pa.

Local Performing Artists Entertain Crowd at Victory

BY SHAWN PROCTOR

Craft art met craft beer on July 22 when Victory Brewing Company in Downingtown, Pa., hosted a special first-time showcase of local artists called “Victory Collaborative.” The result: an unexpected treat for an energetic crowd.
“My personal highlight was the appreciation that came from the audience. I think they loved it!” said Christine Yurick, business administrator at Victory. As a writer and musician, she both organized the two-hour event and performed an excerpt from her untitled novel-in-progress.
“We surprised an audience that didn’t come with expectations of seeing performances,” said Bill Covaleski, brewmaster and president of Victory. “In a larger sense, we support creativity of our customer base because they allow us to enjoy creativity in terms of the products we make.”
Overall 12 artists presented songs and spoken word pieces, ranging from harp, singing and classical guitar to prose and poetry. The diversity of genres offered something for everyone, including the participants themselves.
“It was a great opportunity for local artists to come to the place they love to drink beer and share their work with the others that have the same interests,” Yurick said.
Richard Bryant, who played Beatles songs on acoustic guitar with Dan Dickeroff, even received an impromptu curtain call. “It feels good when the crowd enjoys your music,” he said. “It is great to know that all the practice makes a difference.”
Covaleski closed the event by reading several haiku that were penned by Victory employees. One of his own included this celebration of beer brewers:

Single-celled or many
we labor to create
liquid art!

Afterward he mused about the long-standing relationship between fine art and beer, “Alcohol consumption can be mind expanding; it allows the mind to wander. Writers have always appreciated this quality.”
Based on the positive feedback, Victory plans to host additional Collaboratives twice a year.