'Beer' benefit supports aspiring PAA artists

The PAA (Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates) held the second annual Vintage Wine and Fine Beer Expo last Wednesday at the Clarion Hotel in Ann Arbor. The gathering drew 33 winery and 26 brewery companies, both Michigan producers and importers.

Sponsors packed the reception room. PAA director Bonnie Long McLaughlin said "We had plenty of potential (sponsord), but the room was too small to fit more."

More than 300 varieties of specialty beers and vintage wines from around the world were available for sampling along with food provided by fine restaurants.

The expo was a benefit to raise money for aspiring artists of the Great Lakes region. "The PAA is aimed at supporting artists that can't support themselves," said PAA Administrative Associate Amanda Stanger-Read. Because the PAA is a non-profit organization, its only requirement for receiving benefits is that these artists live in the Great Lakes area.

Several attempts have been made by the PAA to send its performers to the UMS (University Musical Society) at the University of Michigan, but with little success. Events at the University primarily feature well-known musicians.

But the organization is still young, and it hopes to build in size and increase its sponsors in the future.

The PAA has been able to book musicians at various colleges and universities in the Great Lakes region and in Florida, Texas and Alabama.

Last October, the PAA broke even in profits with the first Vintage Wine and Fine Beer Expo. "We are hoping to increase our profits in the years to come; it takes time, but we are very excited about what we have already accomplished," McLaughlin said.

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