The Unforgettable Fire
What: The Unforgettable Fire: A Tribute to U2 and Irish Rock (UMC Fundraising Concert)
Where: Community Arts Center, 220 West Fourth St. Williamsport, Pa 17701
When: Friday and Saturday, March 18th & 19th 2011 at 7:30pm
Cost: $10.00 Advanced and $15.00 Door
Tickets: Community Arts Center Box Office, The Uptown Music Collective, Alabaster Coffee and K&S Music
Contact: Jared Mondell (jared@uptownmusic.org, 570-329-0888, uptownmusic.org)
Ireland's rock music is characterized by its close association with the decades-long conflict between Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants that has rocked the island, as well as by fighting between Northern Irish nationalist groups and factions loyal to the British government. From this environment of conflict and bloodshed emerged some of the most evocative and inspiring rock music ever performed, and the stirring lyrics and powerful choruses of artists like U2 have revolutionized the way the world thinks about the power and potential of rock n' roll. The Unforgettable Fire: A Tribute to U2 and Irish Rock is a full-scale theatrical performance to be presented by the students of the Uptown Music Collective St. Patrick's Day weekend, March 18 and 19 at 7:30pm, on the beautiful stage of the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. This performance will be produced by Rob Steele, Executive Director of the Community Arts Center. The concert will feature upwards of forty student performers between the ages of thirteen and eighteen performing the music of such influential Irish rock acts as U2, Van Morrison, Thin Lizzy, Damien Rice, Sinead O'Connor, the Cranberries and more.
The flexible and talented students of the Uptown Music Collective will perform this music with an eye toward loyal and accurate reproductions of the original bands' distinctive sounds, and with the theatrical flair characteristic of Collective performances. By performing the concert on the weekend of St. Patrick's Day, a holiday that celebrates the lineage and legacy of the Irish community, they hope to pay tribute not only to the amazing Irish rock musicians who authored the music to be performed, but also to the contributions the Irish have made to this area and to this nation.
Established in April of 2000, the Uptown Music Collective (a 501c 3 non profit school of music) has developed a reputation as the premier source of music education in the area, with an enrollment of over 130 students. Offering private lessons at all levels on guitar, bass, drums, keyboards and vocals, as well as classes and workshops in music theory, songwriting, and styles such as the Blues, Jazz, Classical and Rock. The primary age range of the Collective is 10 – 18 yrs old, but is open to all ages and levels. Along with private lessons, the UMC offers a myriad of programs including its flagship Performance Program. This program educates students about the ins and outs of major and minor performances, including direction, production, preparation and technical aspects of the performances. The program brings outstanding student run performances to the area, including most recently The Orchestral Rock Project, a collaboration between the Collective and the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra.
“It has been a true honor to work with the talented, enthusiastic, and creative students of the Uptown Music Collective on the Unforgettable Fire project. I have been inspired by their “can do” attitude and absolutely fearless approach to bringing this difficult production to the stage. The students on the production team are another shining example of what young people can accomplish when they are empowered to do what they know in their heart they can do,” says Steele.
“Unforgettable Fire,” will feature performers between 12 and 18 years of age who have been preparing for this performance for well over two months. Along with the live music, there will be accompanying video and dance presentations as well as a powerful light and sound show organized by the students themselves. As with all Uptown Music Collective performances, the students are not only the performers, but also direct the show. There is also a group of younger students who will serve as stage technicians, spot light operators and video operators.
The student leadership committee for this show includes: Brianna Pete, 18, Montoursville Area High School; Collin Dennen, 18, Sullivan County Area High School; David Clark, 18, Montoursville Area High School; Alex Hines, 17, Jersey Shore Area High School; Tess Clutter, 14, Williamsport Area High School; Samantha Via, 16, Loyalsock Township High School; Nuria Hunter, 17, Williamsport Area High School; AJ Robbins, 13, Loyalsock Township Middle School; Gabe Stillman, 15, Williamsport Area High School; Katie Kahn, 15, Williamsport Area High School; Shannon Cantor, 16, Loyalsock Township High School and Tess Marshall, 16, Loyalsock Township High School. The leadership committee is under the supervision of Uptown Music Collective Executive Director, Dave Brumbaugh. “I've been wanting to do a tribute to U2 for a few years now. When the Community Arts Center offered us the weekend after St. Patrick's Day for our 2011 spring show, I knew that this was the perfect opportunity to bring it to the stage. Add Rob Steele as producer and the music of other artists like Sinead O'Connor, Thin Lizzy and Damien Rice to the mix and this has all the tell-tale signs of being the best Uptown Music Collective show to date,” says Brumbaugh
“Unforgettable Fire” is sponsored by The Fairfield Auto Group, M& T Band, The Via Family and The Rockoff Family. Tickets for the performance are $10.00 in advance and $15.00 at the door with the proceeds benefiting the Uptown Music Collective. Tickets are available at The Uptown Music Collective (848 West Fourth St., Williamsport) and The Community Arts Center Box Office (220 West Fourth St., Williamsport) as well as Alabaster Coffee (410 Pine Street, Williamsport) and K & S Music (1116 West Southern Ave, South Williamsport). For more information about, The Unforgettable Fire: A Tribute to U2 and Irish Rock, or the Uptown Music Collective, check out www.uptownmusic.org or call 570-329-0888.
Quotes From Students >>>>>>>
"The music of Ireland is unlike any other, oftentimes there is sadness in the music that makes it beautiful. I can't wait to pay respect to the artists with this show." - Nuria Hunter, 17, Williamsport Area High School
“I think that The Unforgettable Fire will be one of our most creative and unique shows we’ve ever done!” – Katie Kahn, 15, Williamsport Area High School
“This show is huge; it’s unlike anything we have ever done. The songs are great and the audience is in for some major surprises.” – Gabe Stillman, 15, Williamsport Area High School "The music of Ireland is unlike any other, oftentimes there is sadness in the music that makes it beautiful. I can't wait to pay respect to the artists with this show." - Nuria Hunter, 17, Williamsport Area High School
“The Unforgettable Fire is drawing so much excitement and buzz around the Collective. Everybody here is so eager to learn more about the culture within it. The vocals are outstanding and the instruments are approached in a variety of different ways. There is so much positive energy swirling around the Collective that it’s not impossible to not catch the Irish Rock fever and you can be sure the audience will catch it too.” – Dylan Rockoff, 16, Loyalsock Township High School
Dave Strickler Comments On The Unforgettable Fire
The Uptown Music Collective wishes to thank Dave Strickler for his kind words of support and encouragement. The following letter appeared in today’s issue of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. It is because of incredible community supporters like Mr. Strickler that we are able to do what we do.
Uptown Music Collective
848 West Fourth St.
Williamsport PA 17701
(570) 329-0888
jared@uptownmusic.org
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