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Chapel to present ‘Hymns for A Jazzy Sunday’ concert

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Lynne Dugan

Residents and visitors are invited to a special concert this weekend at the island church.

The Captiva Chapel by the Sea will host “Hymns for A Jazzy Sunday,” featuring Lynne Dugan on keyboard, on March 17 from 4 to 5 p.m. The performance is free and open to the community.

The Rev. Dr. John N. Cedarleaf explained that the chapel has an events committee now.

“We did one last month,” he said of the concerts. “So this is something new.”

On Feb. 17, MBI-recorded singer-songwriter Austin Church – who wrote the song “God’s Locomotive” after attending an island service – did a benefit performance for F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva. About $2,000 was raised from donations and the sale of hand-made pottery bowls.

“We had a very good turnout,” Cedarleaf said.

This month, the chapel’s organist and music director will take the stage.

“She’s going to be a soloist,” he said, adding that this one will not be a benefit concert.

Dugan will perform well-known hymns and new sacred songs, all arranged by contemporary composers in jazzy styles. Some include Larry Shackley, Michael Hassell and Teresa Wilhelmi.

“She’ll be taking hymns and arranging them in a jazz-type setting,” Cedarleaf said.

A graduate from the Conservatory of Music at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio, Dugan earned a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in organ performance. Active as a church musician, theater pianist and public school teacher, she has been the chapel organist and music director for 12 years.

“She also arranges and sets up the guest musicians,” he said.

Cedarleaf noted that the concert will be less formal than the weekly services.

“I think she wanted to do something different,” he said. “She’s going to be outside – and it’s a lighter type of thing, so it’s not a formal classical concert.”

The church will have chairs set up.

“So you don’t need to bring your own,” Cedarleaf said.

Following the performance, a reception will take place on the parsonage back porch. Since he started serving the chapel, Cedarleaf has hosted a party on the porch on the third Sunday of every month.

“If people want to, they can come over for food, drinks, sunset and all that fun stuff,” he said.

Cedarleaf noted that the committee will likely plan more events next season.

“It’s something we want to do as part of the community,” he said.

Parking will be available on site.

“Everyone’s welcome and encouraged to attend,” Cedarleaf said. “Meet some folks, or see some of your neighbors and friends.”

For more information, call 239-472-1646 or visit www.captivachapel.com.

The Captiva Chapel by the Sea is at 11580 Chapin Lane.