News

Steve Swanson to MC portion of the Local Music Showcase

Published: 9/9/2004

Steve Swanson (right) poses with Ron Graham (left) of the Infinity Music Project at a recent concert in the floating stage of the bemus bay pops.

Playing club dates since he was 13 years old, Steve Swanson has performed with bands up and down the East coast. From Maryland to Miami ... Texas to Tennessee and the Bahamas.  He´s performed as keyboardist with Ben E. King of the Drifters, Smokey Robinson, Sandy Duncan, Manhattan Rhythm Kings just to name a few. He earned his Bachelors/Masters Degree from Fredonia State University.   

Composer/singer/songwriter/record producer/Public School Music teacher/ High School and Elementary Band & Chorus/Church Organist/Choir Director Steve will MC the first half of the day for the Local Music Showcase to benefit the Infinity Arts Program in September.   

Sponsors of the event include the Chautauqua Region WORD, ChautauquaAMP.com, the Bemus Bay Pops, 106.9 KISS FM, AllSound, House of Harmony, Italian Fisherman, Surf Club, Village Casino, Shaggy´s,  Bemus Bay Coffee, Kwik Kopy, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Sysco Cash and Carry, Arthur R. Gren distributors, Bemus Point Inn, Hare ´n Hounds, A Trusted Name, and others.   

Over 20 top local music acts will perform on six stages, with all proceeds going towards music instruction for the more than 150 Chautauqua County kids in the Infinity Performing Arts Program at the Chautauqua Region WORD´s Local Music Showcase to in Bemus Point, NY on Sunday, September 12 from noon until midnight   

"It´s truly amazing how the music community is coming together to support these young musicians. I´m very proud that this idea is taking shape." said event coordinator Michael Salamone. "Our local music scene is supporting the future of our local music scene."   

The Infinity Performing Arts Program is an after-school and weekend activity program that provides Chautauqua County students the opportunity to learn a musical instrument (including voice) and to perform and record. The Infinity Learning Lab is located prominently on East Third Street in downtown Jamestown. The lab consists of a large rehearsal and recording stage. Currently the program serves over 150 Chautauqua County youth.    With only a month to go until the event, the line-up is most impressive featuring: 10,000 Maniacs, Cheese, Infinity Performing Arts Students and Instructors, La Roux, Little Dirty Goat, Mainstream Jazz Quartet, MerV, One Hot Cup, Owen, From Here to Madrid, Phantasm, Rick Redington, The Derbines, Jackson Rohm, Michael Salamone, Karen and Rob Suber, Smackdab, Bill Ward, many area jazz musicians, and still more are to be announced soon.   

"This outpouring of support is staggering for lack of a better word," said Infinity Parent Shane Hawkins. "This effort will pay off... hopefully financially for the program and instructors in the short view, but also in the big picture and future - the potential of the children in the program and what they will grow up to create and give back to the community and music world."   

Vending of all sorts will be on hand, with the proceeds also benefiting the Infinity program. The highlight of the vending area will certainly be the first ever Bemus Point Chowder-Fest. 

Many local restaurants will be participating by making different kinds of chowders to be on sale along side baked goods, beverages, T-shirts, and CD sales-again, all benefiting Infinity.   

Businesses that would like to help the students of Infinity by participating in this event should call 716.445.5079. Tickets for the Local Music Showcase to benefit Infinity are only $10 and are available for pre-sale starting August 1st through the Reg Lenna Box Office, 116 East Third Street, Jamestown, 14701, reglenna.com, or 716.484.7070. The first 100 pre-sale tickets will receive a free CD from a local recording artist, title chosen at random.   

For more information visit the event´s official website at: www.3thick.com/musicshowcase.

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