Local music fans will once again descend upon downtown Jamestown to show their support for music and arts education in Chautauqua County. The ninth annual Local Music Showcase (LMS) is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 8, at nine participating venues with all proceeds once again going to Infinity Visual and Performing Arts.
"(The) LMS is our biggest fundraiser of the year, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support instruction costs at Infinity," said Infinity executive director Shane Hawkins.
Hawkins adds that each year LMS is only made possible through collaboration between local businesses, musicians and volunteers.
"This event would not be possible without the support of the local venues, business owners, local musicians, sound technicians and the team of over 50 volunteers that donate their time each year to make this event possible." she said. "All of the nine participating venues this year and many of the performers and volunteers have been strong supporters of LMS every year. It's a wonderful community effort to support arts education and local music, and a terrific night of local entertainment."
Because LMS is the program's single biggest fundraiser of the year, support from the entire community is crucial, especially with repeated and wide spread funding cuts to arts and youth programs the past few years.
"It's important that the community understand that much of our program relies on donations and fundraising efforts like this one," said Hawkins. "Currently, just .042 percent of our operating budget comes from government-related sources, while nearly 10 percent comes from fundraising events like LMS. Obviously, we want to encourage anyone in the community who wishes to support arts education to try and make it out to at least one LMS venue this year."
THE LINEUP
A total of 40 acts will be participating in this year's LMS at nine different downtown venues. Participating venues are: Mojo's, Shawbucks, The Pub, Labyrinth Press Company, Forte, The Wine Cellar, Suburban Blend, The Reg Studio Theater and Infinity Arts Cafe.
Musical acts are: GAHU Drum Ensemble, SYMBA, Bowling Kids of America, Collective Groove, Weeirdo Drum Ensemble, Nick Kilpatrick and Sara Rafaloski, Bill Ward, Mike Brunacini, Brian Hanna, Cryptic Yeast, Andy White, Claud Schuckers, I am Frankie Scrapmetal, The Elektra Kings, Oliver Burdo, the Haunted Heart Band, Tara Lamont Eastman, Crippled Fingers, Doc & Bill, Steel Rails, Sean Lander, Joey Cobra, Higher Ground, Thee Audience, Voodoo Brother, Smackdab, Beyond the Illusion, Hi-Fidelity, Lion Avalanche, Otis, Oxenwings, DJ80N3, Rat Ivy, Hot Stenographer, The Bogarts, Blind Society, Amber Lee & The Hallow Society, Cindy Haight & Paul Liuzzo, Andy Conti and Gary Peters, Jr.
A complete lineup of all acts and corresponding venues can be found online at www.infinityperformingarts.blogspot.com. Event posters listing the lineup can also be found throughout downtown and at participating venues the day of LMS.
The cost to attend LMS is $10, which will pay for an all-access wristband that will get attendees into any and all participating venues. Pre-sale event tickets can be purchased at Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center at 115 Third St. and exchanged for wristbands the evening of the event. Wristbands can also be purchased the day of the event at participating venues.
For more information, call 664-0991 or visit www.infinityperformingarts.org.