It all started over a cup of coffee with four people in January 2001 in Dawson.
Those four people wanted to get concerts and other performances into the community, so they started to raise money. That was how the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association got its start.
"We just rolled up our sleeves and started working," said Luanne Fondell, one of the members of DBAA.
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The Dawson-Boyd Arts Association is celebrating 10 years of bringing shows to the area with 10 performances this season. One of the returning acts is American English —?A Complete Beatles Tribute.
Since that time, the D/B Arts Association has put on 100 performances. The first performance at Memorial Auditorium was in fall 2001 with the group Riders in the Sky, Fondell said.
"It was sold out and was amazing," Fondell said.
Fondell said the Dawson-Boyd Arts Association started with the renovation of the Dawson-Boyd High School and the addition of Memorial Auditorium.
"That's what prompted the forming of the organziation," Fondell said. "When it was launched, people were ready for it and people responded to it."
There has been upgrades to the theater in the last decade and recently, the organization received a Legacy grant through the Southwest Minnesota Arts and Humanities Council and the to make improvements to the stage curtain and lighting.
Four of the concerts are coming to the area because of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Minnesotans voted for Nov. 4, 2008, which includes the Neal and Leandra concert in October and the Minnesota Orchestra in April.
"That amendment is really making a difference in our part of the state," Fondell said.
To celebrate a decade of existence, the D/B Arts Association is bringing 10 performances to the Memorial Auditorium stage.
"This season, we tried to do a mix of old favorites and new music," Fondell said.
Kicking off the season is the 34th Infantry Division "Red Bull"?Band at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25. Fondell said the concert is free.
Neal and Leandra will perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2 during the Arts Meander weekend.
One of the returning acts to Memorial Auditorium is American English - A Complete Beatles Tribute on Oct. 31.
"That's the group that's asked about the most,"?Fondell said.
Prudence Johnson will perform "Minnesota's Greatest Generation: The Golden Age of Radio" on Friday, Nov. 19. The concert is free becaues of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
"She'll be singing songs that were popular during World War II and the '40s," Fondell said.
DBAA's annual meeting concert Dec. 4 will feature Montevideo/Milan-based group Home Made Jam.
"They play every instrument under the sun," Fondell said.
For Winterfest on Feb. 5, The Danger Committee will perform, Fondell said.
"They juggle knives and do all sorts of dangerous things," Fondell said.
Rounding out the season is the "The Bikinkis"?A?New Musical Beach Party!" on June 25.
"It's a show that focuses on music of the '60s and '70s," Fondell said.
Fondell is grateful for all the people possible that helped the D/B Arts Association grow and stay alive. She said the audience has grown during the years.
"What I feel is we're fortunate to have all the support of the community, the business sponsors and the audience," Fondell said.
To see a schedule of the upcoming concerts, visit www.dawsonboydarts.org.