Fannie Mae Duncan Sculpture Dedication

A committee of local community members has been working for several years to celebrate the life and work of local legend, Fannie Mae Duncan. Fannie Mae was the owner and driving force behind the Cotton Club, an integrated jazz nightclub that thrived in downtown Colorado Springs during the 1950’s and 1960’s, until it was closed to make way for urban renewal. Fannie Mae and her Club were known for their inclusive and inviting motto “Everybody Welcome!”

The dedication of the bronze sculpture, created by artist Lori Kiplinger Pandy, will be celebrated at 10AM on Saturday, October 26th, in Studio Bee at the Pikes Peak Center in downtown Colorado Springs. The dedication will be followed by a free music festival for the public in Studio Bee. Here is the schedule of events:

Dedication Ceremony

9:30AM Colorado Springs Conservatory Jazz Ensemble will perform as guests arrive
10:00AM Dedication Ceremony begins in Studio Bee

• Everybody Welcome–Kay Esmiol
• National Anthem–Kate Johnson
• Remarks by John Suthers, Mayor of Colorado Springs
• Remarks by Longinos Gonzalez, Vice Chair of El Paso County Commissioners
• Sculpting a Legend–Lori Kiplinger Pandy, Sculptor
• Fannie Mae’s Historic Significance–RMPBS Producer/Director Kate Perdoni
• Lessons from a Legend–Dr. Regina Lewis, PPCC professor
• Introduction of the FMD Statue Steering Committee Members
• Fannie Mae’s Family–Claudean Bragg-Brooks, Fannie Mae’s niece
• America the Beautiful–USAFA Cadet Gospel Choir

Music Festival

10:30AM-2:00PM inside Studio Bee, immediately following the Dedication Ceremony
Performances in the following order by:

• Coronado High School Jazz Band
• Triple Play
• Tidal Breeze
• Tony Exum, Jr. with Stephen Watts of Dotsero

Fannie Mae Duncan Statue Committee:
Kathleen Esmiol, Judy Casey, Pam Marsh, Sharyn Markus, Cindy Walsh. Claudean Bragg-Brooks (Fannie Mae’s niece), and Lou Mellini

Dedication Committee members:
Laura Davis, Jean Feist, Shirley Martinez, Terri Pederson, Peggy Shivers, Linda Weise and also the Fannie Mae Duncan Statue Committee members