Perfect weather will greet Williamsport Welcomes the World August 21, 2013 By MARK MARONEY (mmaroney@sungazette.com) , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save | Post a comment |             As Williamsport Welcomes the World downtown between 5 and 9 p.m. Friday, Mother Nature will be in a cooperative mood. The skies are expected to be clear with no chance of rain, giving more opportunity to see large crowds as the streets fill with the aroma of vendors' food and the gleeful sound of children taking part in free activities mixes with melodic and soulful sounds of musicians' performances. The street fair, with its homespun music, vast amounts of entertainment and special events, such as baseball Hall of Fame inductee and former Milwaukee Brewer Robin Yount signing autographs, enriches the Little League experience, said Justin Simpson, city recreation director. It gives those who have attended the games and visit our city a chance to congregate downtown and see their baseball heroes - young and old alike - while mingling with crowds," he said. Mayor Gabriel J. Campana said the festival and the expected good weather will be an opportunity to showcase the downtown, bringing out more families to see the free entertainment and try the different varieties of food. The mayor said he, his wife and their children thought up the idea of holding the street festival in conjunction with Little League World Series during his first term in office and the idea took off. Outside conditions are expected to be made-to-order, according to Craig Evanego, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in State College. After Thursday's 50 percent chance of showers leave, a high pressure system swoops into the Susquehanna River valley and will stay through the world championship game on Sunday, Evanego said. Friday's high temperature is expected to reach 81 degrees, with a low that night dropping to a comfortable 52, he said. For baseball fans, the appearance and autograph session with Yount will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. outside the former bank building at West Fourth and Pine streets, Simpson said. The signing is sponsored by the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. Williamsport Welcomes the World draws more than 50 vendors (some food and some arts and crafts) who line the curbs and streets from William to Market streets along West Fourth and Pine streets, according to downtown merchant and City Council member Bonnie Katz, who is also a member of the city's special events committee. Entertainment will be provided by local talented musicians, some who are part of the Uptown Music Collective, Katz said. Several bands and solo artists will perform at both the main stage, near William and West Fourth streets, and at the community park stage, near Market and West Fourth streets. On the main stage performers expected include Mallory Scopa, Kimberly Adair and Soulful, Urban Souls, Blackstrap Blues and Gabe Stillman. At the community park stage, Morgan Patterson, Tess and Nuria, Sean Roberts and Sean Strickland are scheduled to perform. Eddy Ray, a magician, will do tricks in the street near West Fourth and Pine streets, and the YMCA Zumba dancers also will be at that location, Simpson said. Several free children's games will highlight a Kid's Zone set up along West Fourth, near Pine Street, he said. The activities include a dunk tank, two bounce houses, an obstacle course and sidewalk art. Several downtown merchants will have Williamsport Welcomes the World pins available. ” - Mark Maroney

Sun Gazette

Summer Music Fest Uptown Music Collective to hold free concert August 1, 2013 Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save |             The Uptown Music Collective will present its annual free Summer Music Festival on Sunday at the Brandon Park Bandshell. The day's festivities will begin at noon with clinics, children's activities, food vendors and music performances, and will culminate at nightfall with a preview of the upcoming collaboration with the Milissa Augustine Dance & Fitness Academy entitled "Hot Fun in the Summertime. The day's music will feature performances from area bands and artists, including Clouds Make Sounds, Kimberly Adair and Soulful, Maverick Vicars and Maitland, as well as the annual Collective Summer Student Recital, in which Collective students are featured performing songs of their choosing in full-band arrangements. In addition to these performances, the day also will feature free clinics from area musicians and music professionals, including Article Photos PHOTO ILLUSTRATION PROVIDEDThe Uptown Music Collective will present its annual free Summer Music Festival on Sunday at the Brandon Park Bandshell. Sean Farley, owner-operator of Williamsport's premier guitar shop, Guitarley's. Chris Bovard, guitarist of area blues band The Blind Chitlin Kahunas. Steve Adams, pianist/organist of multiple bands including Jazzin' and Adams, Stetz and Haynes. Chalie Holmes, jazz bassist and Jim Schade, jazz drummer. Throughout the day there will be raffles and giveaways, including gift certificates from the Uptown Music Collective and other local businesses. The grand prize, given away at the end of the day, will be a brand new electric guitar, ticket holders do not need to be present to win. Free activities for kids will be offered by Collective students, parents and volunteers, including outdoor games and bracelet making during the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. Food vendors, including Acme BBQ and the Hard Times Cart also will be on hand. This is a family event designed to engage all ages of children and adults through a combination of exciting activities and high quality live music. The Uptown Music Collective Summer Music Festival has become a summer tradition in the city and each year is one of the most anticipated music events of the summer. The primary entertainment throughout the afternoon will be the school's summer recital, presented by current UMC students in full-band configurations. Recitals feature the schools younger students. The summer recital is a much anticipated performance event for the students of the Uptown Music Collective, many of whom have been preparing for months for this opportunity to perform to parents, friends, and the Williamsport community. The day also will include a special sneak preview of the Collective's upcoming collaboration with the Milissa Augustine Dance & Fitness Academy entitled, "Hot Fun in the Summer Time. The performance will be held Aug. 16 and 17 at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St. The show will feature "summertime tunes" by artist including Bob Marley, The Beach Boys, The Black Eyed Peas, Sly and The Family Stone. All songs will be accompanied by choreographed dance performed by the students from the Milissa Augustine Dance & Fitness Academy. For more information, contact Jared Mondell at the Collective at 329-0888 or visit www.uptownmu sic.org. ”

Sun Gazette

Music fans get ‘educated’ at festival October 21, 2012 By JOSEPH STENDER - jstender@sungazette.com , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save | Post a comment |             Eight groups from different musical genres had the audience at the Community Arts Center tapping their toes, singing along and out of their seats dancing during the inaugural Downtown Billtown Music Festival Saturday. As the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra belted out its first selection, Bill Van Campen and the rest of the Billtown Blues Association saw its dream of an all-inclusive music festival in the city come to fruition. We've been trying to do this for about two, three years," said Van Campen, blues association president. Article Photos MARK NANCE/Sun-GazetteAlison, Richard, and Joseph Paul perform country-pop Saturday during the first-ever Downtown Billtown Music Fest. But after pitching the idea to Rob Steele, executive director of the CAC, Van Campen said it all came together. And although the organization hosts its annual Billtown Blues Festival, it wanted to give all local musicians, no matter their genre, an opportunity to perform. We thought that as an organization that we could branch out with the Community Arts Center and not just do blues but showcase all kinds of music," Van Campen explained. He added that it also "made sense," since he believes blues is the "roots" of all music. Blues is the basis of a lot of music," Van Campen noted. And with so many different types of music, all involved believed that there would be a good "cross over" for fans. I think it's a great idea," said Mark Doncheski, banjo player for Stained Grass Window, "because a lot of time they'll say, 'I don't like that music,' because they don't know if they'll like it. Cindy McNeil, of Montoursville, said she was there to hear some "good music. I've loved music from the time I was little," she said. Charlie Moore, harmonica player for Doug McMinn Blues Band, said the festival was a way to get a lesson about all types of music. That's great," he said. "If you only had one type of food to eat, you'd get bored. ... If they just came for one band, they'll get educated. Audience members agreed that some heard music at the festival that they wouldn't have otherwise. To hear the music you're getting to hear today, you'd have to go back to the 80s," said Wes Strayer, of South Williamsport. He and his wife Karen said they hope this will get local music "out there," into the public. I think it should be educational. You've got everything from bluegrass to heavy metal," said Doug McMinn, lead vocalist of Doug McMinn Blues Band. He added that the opportunity to play in a venue like the CAC is exciting, as well. The big excitement is getting to play on a big stage," McMinn said. Doncheski agreed about the venue. I'm happy they wanted us. Places like this are absolutely wonderful," he said. Kimberly Adair, leader of Kim Adair and Soulful, said it doesn't matter the size of the stage, she still gets nervous. But she added that she's excited about the opportunity to perform at the festival. Van Campen is hoping that the event will become an annual concert, but it depended on how the area took to it. Larry Switzer, of the city, thinks as more people learn about it, the festival will be a success. I think it will grow," he said. It's always been a big music area," said Karen Strayer. ” - Joseph Stender

Sun Gazette

Area’s musical talent on display today at CAC October 20, 2012 By JOSEPH STENDER - jstender@sungazette.com , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save | Post a comment |             With a chance of scattered showers and temperatures in the upper 50s today, area residents still can enjoy different genres of music at the first-ever Downtown Billtown Music Festival in the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., starting at 4 p.m. Doors to the event open at 3 p.m. with the first act, the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra, starting at 4. The event will feature eight acts, each of which will perform a 40-minute set. Music will range in style from gospel to metal. The concert is being brought to the city by the Billtown Blues Association, the CAC and the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of the collaborative effort to truly celebrate the boundless musical talent that makes our valley a wonderful place to live," said Rob Steele, CAC executive director. While the performers are set, Bonnie Tallman, blues association secretary, said the organizers have been working on the technical side of the show the past week. Mainly we've been working on the production and the technical components of the show, getting everyone's technical needs in place," she said. Tallman added that having so many different styles of music involved was hard work but they wanted the event to appeal to everyone. It's actually a bit of a stretch to produce a show that has such diversity. I felt it was important because it's just the way it is. It's how it is in Williamsport," Tallman added. Those who purchase tickets will receive a wrist band, which will allow them to come and go from the CAC as they please without having to pay for admission each time, Tallman said. Steele added that he's looking forward to seeing the excitement from both the public and performers. I can't wait to see the energy exchange between the performers on the beautiful stage and their friends, families, and fans ... in the audience," he said. And as the event approaches, Tallman added that the organizers have done their best work in producing the show and hopes the community appreciates it. We're treating this concert like this could be Bruce Springsteen and it wouldn't be treated any differently," she said. Schedule of performances: JAZZ 4 p.m. -Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra/Sextet - featuring Eddie Severn (trumpet), Dick Adams (sax), Mark Lusk (trombone), Steve Adams (piano), Bobby Leidecker (drums), Tim Breon (bass) BLUES 4:50 p.m. - Doug McMinn Blues Band - featuring Doug McMinn (vocals, sax, guitar, clarinet), John "JTBlues" Thompson (vocals, piano), Willie Ort (guitar), Charlie Moore (harmonica), Bill Stetz (bass), and Joel Vincent (drums) GOSPEL and SOUL 5:40 p.m. - Kim Adair and Soulful - featuring Kimberly Adair (vocals/piano), Keith Kavanaugh (bass), Jerome Bennett (drums), Jim Williams (guitar), Tom Ritter (guitar), Monique Mobley/Diane DeVaughn/Richard Ridley (Background vocals), Belton Mobley (sax), Shane Wittman (2nd keys) INDIE FOLK 6:30 p.m. - Mal Scoppa and John Shively - featuring Mallory Scoppa (vocals, guitar), John Shively (mandolin, guitar, fiddle) BLUE GRASS 7:20 p.m. - Stained Grass Window - featuring Mark Doncheski (banjo), Bob Knorr (guitar), Rick Marcera (mandolin) , Ken Shafranko (dobro), and Doug Ward (bass) POP/COUNTRY 8:10 p.m.- Alison, Richard, and Joseph Paul - featuring Alison (vocals, guitar) and Richard Rupert (vocals, guitar) and Joseph Hauserman (vocals, percussion) CLASSIC ROCK, ROCK 9 p.m.: Clyde Frog - featuring Torey Harding (vocals, guitar), Dylan Rockoff (vocals, guitar), Garrett Gaetano (bass), Tess Marshall (vocals), and Chris Kohler (drums) METAL 9:50 p.m. - 44MAG - featuring Jesse Roedts (drums), Jason Miller (bass), Josh Welteroth (guitar), Pat Cioffi (guitar), and Jared Mondell (vocals) ” - Joseph Stender

Sun Gazette

First Ever Downtown Billtown Music Festival October 11, 2012 By JULIE REPPERT (jreppert@sungazette.com) , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save |             The first Downtown Billtown Music Festival, showcasing a variety of local musicians covering different musical genres, will be held from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St. The Williamsport area is bursting with musical talent and the festival aspires to be just one more welcome addition to showcasing that talent to the community. Hosted by the Billtown Blues Association and Community Arts Center, the event will be held in conjunction with Daniel Pearl World Music Day, according to a previous report by the Sun-Gazette. Article Photos PHOTO PROVIDEDMal Scoppa and the Tall Tales will perform at the Downtown Billtown Music Festival. Those scheduled to perform at the festival include blues artist Doug McMinn, who will be accompanied by other area musicians; the newly formed Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra, which will feature a sextet of musicians; Alison and Richard Rupert and Joseph Paul Hauserman of Alison Wonderband fame, who will cover a variety of musical genres; gospel and soul from Kimberly Adair and Soulful; metal band 44MAG; American roots music by blue grass band, Stained Grass Window; Indie folk singer, guitarist and lyricist Mal Scoppa with her band, the Tall Tales; and Clyde Frog, featuring originals and classic rock covers. The festival idea had been a topic for discussion with the Blues Association for about three years, according to Bonnie Tallman, blues association secretary. (We wanted) to produce a multi-genre musical event to celebrate the local abundance of talented local musicians," Tallman said. "When the idea and concept was roughed out and approved by our board, we immediately started fine-tuning our plan. Tallman said the association festival committee, along with Rob Steele, CAC?executive director, made a list of local musicians who they wanted to see play in the festival. From that list, they narrowed it down to acts they believed would bring a musically diverse sound to the stage and generate a fun and interesting experience for the audience, Tallman said. We wanted to present a broad range of musical styles," she said. "covering a lot of musical diversity, which we consider to be a Williamsport treasure. Alison Rupert, along with her husband Richard and friend Joseph Paul Hauserman, will perform during the festival. Originally formed in 1974, Alison and Richard put together a country-rock band, later becoming The Alison Wonderband. Hauserman joined on as drummer in 1990, Alison Rupert said. We three Wonderband alums occasionally reunite 'unplugged' for very special events like this one," Rupert said. "We've always loved playing the Community Arts Center, and we're honored that Bonnie Tallman invited us to be part of the Downtown Billtown Music Festival. It's fantastic that our Williamsport area is so full of musical talent and takes pride in showcasing it. The Wonderband toured the East Coast, opened for acts such as Ernest Tubb, Pam Tillis and Richard Marx and recorded five albums of original music in a variety of genres, including pop, rock and country, according to Rupert. It was 2001 when the Wonderband was placed on hiatus after life on the road took its toll, and they turned to individual creative projects, Rupert said. The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra also is on the bill. Six musicians of the complete 17-member orchestra will perform together at the festival. Those members include Dick Adams, Steve Adams, Tim Breon, Bobby Leidhecker, Mark Lusk and Eddie Severn. A native of Oxford, England, and Williamsport resident since 2008, Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra trumpet player and founding member, Eddie Severn, is looking forward to the festival performance. I like the challenge of bringing in musicians from the local area together," Severn said. "Perhaps this is something different than what the city has seen before. Severn is impressed with the amount of musical talent in the community, including the abundance of musical youth. He believes that the local school districts are providing exceptional music education to their students and the jazz orchestra can give younger musicians something to aspire to. Severn said he is pleased to have the chance to be a part of the festival and hopes to see it continue and expand in years to come. We know we will have a world class production," Tallman said. "We just need the people to come out and support the music and the event. We hope the people will come with the mindset to support who they know and expose their ears to something new. I think many music fans underestimate the value they bring to a live musical experience. The people's presence makes the difference between an OK event and a magical and memorable musical experience. For more information about the Downtown Billtown Music Festival visit www.billtownblues.org or caclive.com/index.php/music/DowntownBilltownMusicFestival. ” - Julie Reppert

Sun Gazette

Inaugural music festival to showcase melting pot of talent September 16, 2012 By DAVID THOMPSON (dthompson@sungazette.com) , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save | Post a comment |             Showcasing the melting pot that is the Williamsport area's music scene is the point of an upcoming downtown music festival. The inaugural Downtown Billtown Music Festival is being planned from 4 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Community Arts Center, where eight homegrown blues, bluegrass, jazz, gospel, soul, indie, metal and classic rock acts will perform. Hosted by the Billtown Blues Association and Community Arts Center, the event will be held in conjunction with Daniel Pearl World Music Day. We find good music everywhere we go (in the area)," said Bonnie Tallman, blues association secretary. "First Fridays, shows at Brandon Park, the local acts that have been performing at the Capitol Lounge or opened for shows at the Community Arts Center and the Billtown Blues Festival - if you put that together, you'll see there is so much talent here. I just marvel at what a spectacular place Williamsport is in terms of music and musical opportunities," she said. "Plus, there is the beauty of the city, the river and the Community Arts Center. It's a wonderful place. Scheduled acts include blues musician Doug McMinn, who will be accompanied by the area's top blues musicians, and the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra. Alison, Richard and Joseph Paul of Alison Wonderband will cover a variety of genres, while Kimberly Adair and Soulful will perform gospel and soul. Other performers included metal artists Jared Mondell and 44 Mag., popular bluegrass band Stained Grass Window and indie folk musician Mal Scoppa and Tall Tales. Classic rock band Clyde Frog will close out the show. The idea for the festival grew out of a benefit concert held several years ago at the arts center, Tallman said. We stuck our toe in the water and invited a number of different performers representing different genres of music," she said. "We received an enormous amount of positive feedback for having a lot of variety at the same event. Tallman said she hopes people attending the show to see a specific performer will widen their musical horizons by being exposed to other types of music. That's what we're hoping will happen," she said. "We encourage people to expand their musical knowledge and horizons and enjoy other performers on the bill. Tallman said the organization presented the idea to Rob Steele, arts center executive director, and discovered Steele need no convincing. He was on board immediately. The (blues) association approached Rob and asked if we could use the venue and his technical support," she said. "That was like a 30-second conversation. He didn't even bat an eye. He immediately embraced it. Steele said he relishes a chance to partner with the blues association. It is a true pleasure, indeed an honor, to collaborate with the Billtown Blues Association on this amazing festival," Steele said. "The BBA is a venerable and dynamic organization with a rich history and an unmatched commitment to promoting music in our area. Steele agreed the area contains a wealth of musical talent and that more should - and will - be done to showcase that talent. The incredible Billtown music scene is quite simply a sword rusting in its scabbard," Steele said. "It is our fervent hope the Downtown Billtown Music Festival will become a highly prized annual event in our community. The boundless depth and breadth of talent and heart in our music community is a cause for celebration - and we intend to make it a celebration to remember. This is to celebrate local talent and we want (the performers) to feel like they are being celebrated," Tallman said. "I'm extremely excited about it. World Music Days was established in 2002 to honor award-winning Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl, who was brutally killed while working in Pakistan. Pearl loved music and used it to bring people together wherever he went. World Music Days was launched to unite musicians throughout the world and celebrate Pearl's passion for sharing music with people of all cultures. The Downtown Billtown Music Festival will be among the events, Tallman said. ” - David Thompson

Sun Gazette

'Voice of My Soul' Uptown Music Collective teacher releases first album March 29, 2012 By JULIE REPPERT (jreppert@sungazette.com) , Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save |             More than eight years after beginning the recording process for her first album, Uptown Music Collective teacher Kimberly Adair released "Voice of My Soul" on Jan. 7. A CD release concert and signing will be held at 6:30 p.m. April 21, in the Capital Lounge at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St. She will perform with her band, Kimberly Adair and Soulful. The 35-year-old singer performs gospel, jazz, soul and R&B, but has personally dubbed her sound "inspirational jazz. Article Photos PHOTO PROVIDED Adair, a native of Egypt, Miss., and the oldest of four children, said she was born into a very musical family. My mom plays piano and sings, my dad plays the bass guitar and sings; my grandmother - she was the Mahalia Jackson of the community. So, I just grew up around music from my birth," she said. She began singing when she was 5 years old and started playing piano at age 7. She also played clarinet from the sixth grade through high school and in her teen years, taught herself how to play the drums. They (her family) allowed me to explore the different instruments and decide what I wanted to do," she said. "I was never forced into it. It's just something that I love doing. Adair lived in Memphis for 10 years, where she attended a year of medical school and taught elementary science for four years. She moved to Williamsport in 2009 with hopes of working in the mental health field, but also missed teaching and had always wanted to have the chance to teach music to young musicians. I was offered a position at the Uptown Music Collective and I jumped on it, and it's like my dream job," Adair said. "I don't feel like I'm going to work every day, I just love it. Just being able to share my love for music. I think that's what makes it so fun because music is so versatile. She teaches voice and piano at UMC, as well as Robert M. Sides. Adair loves to watch her students perform and says she is "all smiles" when she watches them up on the stage. It's amazing to look at what we go through in the weekly lessons and then they get up there on that stage and just bring it! Never giving up on her dream of completing her album, which she began recording at the House of Blues in Memphis in 2003, she made a decision to give it another go in 2010. So many obstacles came our way, financially, because we are an independent label. The financing and the timing - it kind of fell apart," she said. "In 2010, I made a decision. I just prayed to God and turned it over to God and I allowed Him to guide me in the right direction. I started from scratch and from May 2010 until October of last year, that's how long it took after we started over. The album was recorded on her own independent record label, Meant 2 B Music, with the same lineup of songs originally planned at the album's inception in 2003. I feel very good about it (the album). I'm glad I did it because I'm very satisfied with the end product," she said. Adair had a lot of help putting her album together, from producers to musicians and five background singers, three of which are from Williamsport. A few of her family members are represented on the album as well. Her sister sang background vocals, her father, Mitchel, played bass on some of the songs and her cousin Walter "Groove" Cunningham played saxophone. A lot of people helped me out," she said. "I was very blessed to have this group of people because they did it because they enjoyed the music and they believed in me and I am very thankful for that. She said her favorite part about the recording process was being able to be creative and do her own thing. Having full creative control of the project and just being there and being with the other musicians and producers - it was just fun," she said. Adair said she is in the process of setting up tour dates across the country which may include shows in Baton Rouge, La.; St. Louis, Mo.; Memphis, Tenn. and San Diego, Calif. Even though it's tiring (touring), it's exciting because it's something new and I've always wanted to do it," she said. Through her musical travels, she has performed twice at the Memphis Grizzlies games, BB King Blues Club in Memphis, she came in first place twice at the Apollo Theater in New York, the Village Underground in New York, Trinity Broadcast Network on the Praise the Lord show and many others. There's just a passion for it (music)," she said. "And that passion never dies, so it's just something inside that motivates me to continue with it. Music never gets boring. For more information about Kimberly Adair and Soulful, visitwww.meant2brecords.com.   ” - Julie Reppert

Sun Gazette

Local woman faces tough judge of talent March 22, 2010 By SHAWNA T. TURNER sturner@sungazette.com Save |             Growing up in a musical family with a guitarist father and a piano-playing mother, Kimberly Adair always loved music. As a child, she entertained fantasies of performing at the Emmy Awards one day. On March 3, Adair came one step closer to that dream when she placed first at the Apollo Theater's amateur night - a feat not easily achieved as the Apollo's audience is traditionally a tough judge of talent. The audience was great and I had a lot of support from here. I teach at the Uptown Music Collective and a group of my students came and one of them had a sign, 'We love you, Kim,' " Adair said. Article Photos SHAWNA T. TURNER/Sun-GazetteKimberly Adair is on a journey toward her dream of performing. She recently took a big step toward that dream, placing first in a talent competition at the famed Apollo Theater in New York City. Adair sang Aretha Franklin's song, "A Natural Woman," and quickly knew she met the audience's approval. When I walked off stage, I could hear everybody in the audience (cheering) 'Kimberly, Kimberly.' They didn't do that for the other people. That was great," Adair said. Performing at the Apollo is a dream that many entertain, but only a select few realize. I have always wanted to perform there since I was little and watched it on TV. The audition came up last October and I went there and they were taking 300 people a day on Saturday and Sunday and I was number 171 on that Saturday," Adair said. Adair's journey at the Apollo is not finished. She has to go back for another performance on March 31, hopefully followed by two more performances in her quest of the $10,000 prize in October. If I'm chosen to go forward, I'll go to the next level, which is in May. After this win, the competition for the $10,000 is in October," Adair said. Going forward, Adair is hopeful the journey will help her out in her overall goal of finishing an inspirational jazz album, "Voice of My Soul," that she has been working on. Adair also has her own record label, Meant 2 B Records, that she hopes will get picked up by a larger label one day. It has been the tradition of the Apollo not to make stars, but be a part of the process of becoming a professional entertainer. Many times, people just pop in from the music industry. The Apollo is working as promoters," Adair said. Adair's soulful approach to music is seen in everything she does. When I write, it is a combination of jazz, mostly soul and gospel, all tied into one," Adair said. Regardless how Adair does going forward, she has joined a fraternity of talented performers that have graced the Apollo's stage. Some music greats who have done the same are Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, James Brown, Ben E. King, Jackie Wilson, The Isley Brothers, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Fat Joe, Lauryn Hill and Dru Hill, just to name a few. ” - Shawna T. Turner

— Williamsport Sun-Gazette

Community Sing scheduled Sunday September 10, 2009 Williamsport Sun-Gazette Save |             The annual Mayor's Community Sing will begin at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Brandon Park Bandshell. The rain location will be the Community Arts Center. The event will feature bands, dance groups and other talented artists. Scheduled performers include the following: Suzanne Revak-Fedele, the Milissa Augustine Dancers, Banned Together, Johnny J. Blair, Paige Cunningham, Frank Fedele, Heaven Sent, Larry Manson, Suzie Showers, Olivia Gnoffo, Gerald Abney, Emily Yoder, Jeanna Stiadle and Zak Wagner, Audio Box, Gwen Baier, J.R. Scott, Kimberly Adair, Danny Kimble and Sandy Barrett, Laura Eister, Brenda Kinney, Morgan Valley Band, Alexis Griess, Mishia Spring, Zac Potter, YG Cappa Kids, Steve Hunter, Millie Hill, Johnny "Elvis" Esposito and David Hines. The event will be hosted by city mayor Gabriel J. Campana and the masters of ceremonies are Frank Fedele and Bill Kane.   ”

Sun Gazette