1980s rock bands that were known as “Hair Bands” such as Van Halen, Mötley Crüe, Guns and Roses and Poison, just to name a few, will be saluted by the Uptown Music Collective in a fundraising concert to be presented at the Community Arts Center on Saturday, January 29, 2022, beginning at 7:30 p.m. This is the Collective’s “People’s Choice” show, the result of fans casting their votes in the summer of 2021. All proceeds from this concert will be going to support the school’s scholarship fund, as well as its class and workshop initiative, which is offered free to all students.
“Our students are thrilled to perform this exciting music,” said Dave Brumbaugh. “We are so lucky to have the ability to create fundraising events like Nothin’ but a Good Time that feature the ‘product’ of our programs — our student’s musical, performance, and leadership skills — and to share them with the community that chose the theme and also supports us,” UMC founder and executive director, told Webb Weekly. He added, “This is the first time the school has dived into this genre of music.”
“The people’s choice performance has become an annual fundraising event for the Uptown Music Collective,” said Jared Mondell, assistant executive director of the Uptown Music Collective. “This year, ‘80’s Hair Bands were the community’s top choice after several rounds of voting in the Collective’s 2021 People’s Choice online voting event, winning out by a narrow margin over a virtual who’s who list of modern and classic rock or pop performers. Our students are extremely excited to bring this music to life on the CAC stage while raising money for the school!”
Nothin’ but a Good Time will feature Collective students who have been diligently preparing for this event for more than two months. Along with the music, there will be a professional-grade 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. A group of younger students, or “Tech Monkeys,” will serve as stage technicians and spotlight operators. The cast for the show is drawn from the Uptown Music Collective’s much-heralded Special Performance Group 1.
This show is co-directed by Uptown Music Collective students Leah Batman (Laurel Springs School) and Stephanie Nappi (PA Cyber Public School). The show’s leadership committee consists of UMC students Billy Bellino (Danville Area High School), Izzy Butters (Loyalsock Township High School), Abby Colone (Loyalsock Township High School), Chase Cowden (Loyalsock Township High School), Connor Evans (Williamsport Area High School), Ben Feuerstein (Lewisburg Area High School), Gabreon Godin (Williamsport Area High School), Sage Gurski (Danville Area High School), Jossian Lilley (Loyalsock Township High School), Cassidy Lutz (Loyalsock Township High School), and Luke O’Brien (Loyalsock Township High School).
“My parents grew up going to concerts of these bands, so I grew up listening to this music,” Nappi said. “When the show idea was solidified, I became so excited to get to work. This show is very energetic, and I am so excited for everyone to see all the hard work we are putting into it.”
“This show has seen about ten different setlists, lots of bands, and, after many decisions and long leadership meetings, I think the final product is going to be killer,” Batman said. “This show is unlike anything the Collective has done before!”
According to the Uptown Music Collective website, their mission and goal that states in part is “to provide exceptional modern music education grounded in traditional educational principles. Our program engages students through an emphasis on modern genres such as rock, pop, country, blues, rhythm and blues, and funk. Still, our students appreciate all music, gleaning from their studies the importance of proper technique, discipline, respect, teamwork, responsibility, communications, community, and leadership.
“As they embrace an ownership of their craft, our students are positioned to lead and support their younger and/or less experienced peers. This cycle of learning, combined with our professional staff and teachers, has grown into a family of musicians who are all committed to our highest ideas – community, leadership, integrity, and music.
This show is sponsored, in part, through partnerships with Geisinger’s Janet Weis Children’s Hospital, Hudock Capital Group, and UPMC North Central PA.
Additional partners and sponsors for this performance include Chartwell Hotels, KFC Williamsport, Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, The Kiessling Group of Janney Montgomery Scott, UPMC Health Plan, Lycoming College, Woodlands Bank, Marco Technologies, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, FASTSIGNS, Pennsylvania College of Technology, Pepsi, The Hartman Group, and Java Momma, Inc. Media sponsors include Backyard Broadcasting, Lamar Advertising, 92.1 WSQV, NorthCentralPa.com, The Graphic Hive and Engage Media.
Tickets for the performance, which are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, are available through the Community Arts Center box office and website. For details about the show, visit uptownmusic.org/hairbands or call 570-329-0888. Check out the Collective’s official Facebook page, as well as other Collective social media outlets.
