A five-block radius became the happening music district of Jamestown where more than 50 artists and bands shared their acoustic strings, rock jams and classic instrumentals – compelling audience engagement in the 13th Annual Local Music Showcase.

This fall tradition is the significant yearly fundraiser for Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. that is dedicated to building the resiliency of community youth by providing unique opportunity through the arts. Thirteen different venues provided nonstop live music including Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge; Forte; the Infinity Arts Cafe; Jamestown Skating Products; Jones Valhalla Restaurant; the Labyrinth Press Company; Mojo’s Music Bar; Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio; Shawbucks; the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts’ Studio Theater; The Pub; The Q Sports Bar and Night Club; and The Wine Cellar.

Andy Conti brought party on the deck feel to the Infinity Arts Cafe with a 67 sound complemented by Chris Raffa, Bass and Kevin Millward, Cajon. Conti’s bio notes that he has been kicking around the Jamestown music scene for about 20 years, playing covers and some original material.

“Islands in the Sun,” by Weezer featured a nice rolling bass line by Raffa where Millward kept the beat on the box drum. Conti has a clean acoustic style with pure vocals. The guys smiled and chuckled with one another after pulling off “Eleanor Rigby,” by the Beatles. Conti played the ukulele that his wife purchased for him at Christmas. The Infinity Cafe block box venue afforded great sound and atmosphere for the start of the Showcase Tour.

Kris Meekins at Phoenix Rising had a nice mix of acoustic guitar, harmonica and crisp vocals. This clean-cut guy baseball cap, Henley and shorts played and sung some Neil Young including “Heart of Gold” and Old Guy.” People enjoyed the reflection tunes where some even held hands along the walls paired with incandescent lamps of many varieties.

“This showcase has the most musicians we have ever hand, states Shane Hawkins, executive director of Infinity. Our goal is $10,000 this year, and in the past we’ve raised between $7,000 and $9,000. The Wine Cellar, according to Travel Advisor, is number 15 out of 20 things to do in Jamestown. Last night they staged a alternative rock duo Big Lunch, located in Nashville with their hearts rooted in Jamestown consisting of Ben Bracey, Vocals/Guitar and Chelsea Peebles, Drums.

The packed venue was tough to negotiate as the raw vocals of Bracey sang There is a house in New Orleans – “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals. Many head boppers and knee benders seemed to appreciate the alternative rock style of Big Lunch often hollering and hooting especially when Peebles joined in basic percussion on her rock kit in “Helter Skelter,” by the Beetles including lyrics – “You ain’t no lover but you ain’t no dancer.’

Will Russell and Doc Hamels teamed up to share their brand of acoustic music including folk, rock, Americana, Celtic and some original work as Russell and Hamels featured in the tranquil space known as The Phoenix Rising Wellness Studio, which promotes wellness in mind, body and spirit through individual and group programming with community connection and integration.

Russell contributed a nice depth of vocal resonance with a deep fade off which added an interesting effect to their run. Hamels often sang back up and effective harmony on songs such as “Sweet Mary,” by the Byrds where he added an additional acoustic layer on the mandolin. Both men where proficient on the acoustic guitar with Russell adding some cool effects to their Celtic selections

Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. is more than a program. It’s noted to be an experience for the body, mind and soul; a chance for youth to become immersed in music, the arts and learning, to take creative risks, and to discover their infinite potential. “The fundraising received (from this Showcase) is always used to support private and group instruction for our students,” according to Hawkins.

John Merino, a known philanthropist with significant success in organization and administration associated locally with the Wellman Building; Jamestown Gateway Train Station; The Connection; Facade Implementation; and The Gebbie Foundation has also performed and written songs for over four decades performing in the Showcase at Jones Valhalla Restaurant. This restaurant carries the 106-year traditions of the Jones Family noted for great atmosphere, good food and friendly relationships.

Merino’s relaxed-Khaki-leg-crossed-style was very pleasing with impeccable acoustic style and compelling vocal coloration where was the storyteller for each song that added a more personal connection. He sang “Aiden Follow,” written for his son and played a syncopated ragtime solo written for his daughter entitled, “Allison Rag.”

Merino highlighted the different virtues of guitars whether small body preferred for its brilliance or large body potential for in greater bass response. He switched back and forth often and acknowledged that the damp weather impacted his tune and joint arthritis. Graham Riggle, audio technician, intricately mixed each song which highlighted the dynamic acoustic string action and the cool lows sung in Merino’s lower register, which were the highlight of the acoustic and vocal performances of the showcase.

Brazil Craft Beer and Wine Lounge Brazil was the venue for the acoustic artist Jacob Swanson who chose to forgo the soprano sax to demonstrate his aggressive and intensive style of hard down strums with bass note highlighted on the upstrum. Swanson’s song selection ran the gamet from Swedish folk songs to angry political rants from the catalogs of Bob Dylan and Ani Difranco.

It was exciting to see people walking around in the music district and later enduring the heavy down pour with umbrellas, but there was a lighter happier mood as people filtered in and out of venues according to their preferred music style. The artists would often greet new people and thank those moving on between songs creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

Follow Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Inc. on Facebook and Twitter. Additional contributions maybe made @ infinityperformingarts.org.