RED ALERT : LIVE EVENTS in support of Entertainment and Arts Workers

 

Live Events Industry Has Organized Movement for Buildings

 And Venues Nationwide to Light up Red in Support of

Entertainment and Arts Workers

PHILADELPHIA LOCATIONS WILL INCLUDE THE SUZANNE ROBERTS  THEATRE, THE PENNSYLVANIA

CONVENTION CENTER, THE KIMMEL CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, LIVE NATION VENUES, AND MORE

  Philadelphia members of local chapters of event, stage, and venue organizations are banding together and imploring the US Congress to offer economic relief to the Live Events Industry by passing the RESTART ACT (S.3814.) Shuttered since March 2020, putting millions of people out of work, the industry is organizing a national ‘Red Start’ campaign on September 1, 2020 when buildings, venues and iconic locations in Philadelphia and nationwide will light up red from 9 pm  to 12 midnight to raise public awareness that the Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival and to create congressional pressure to act now. The North American event comes on the heels of a similar event held on August 11 in the UK  when over 700 buildings were lit, calling attention to the same plight facing the Live Events Industry there.

 

SUMMER MUSIC FEST: A Night At the Movies

Artistic Director Keith Baker on keyboard leading the 5 piece band, various singers and musical groups have joined the fun over the years. This year, of course, the theatre closed its doors to the public in March due to the Corona virus pandemic. Keith Baker and his crew were not to be deterred. They’ve scheduled a three-part Summer Fest which can be accessed online after purchasing a ticket. I’ve just seen the second one, A Night At the Movies, and it was remarkable. Keith Baker, co- founder and Artistic Director, hosted the concert live from his living room and interviewed the soloists. Rebecca Robbins, Sean Thompson, Demetria Joyce Bailey and guitarist, Neil Nemetz and violinist Claudia Pellegrini before they performed. When Rebecca performed San Francisco in her living room, she was in one of five zoom squares surrounded by the band. With her gorgeous soprano voice she lifted her champagne glass voice high to match her voice! Sean Thompson has a soothing pure voice that is a pleasure to listen to as he sings Moon River and Unchained Melody. Demetria Joyce Bailey sings Stormy Weather and Goldfinger and if you close your eyes you could picture her in Porgy and Bess… a phenomenal voice. The 5 member band is frequently featured as you see and hear 2 guitars, a keyboard, a drum set and a violin. Although this is a virtual event, every soloist is featured in a visually unique and appealing way in a well-designed zoom arrangement. 

The last concert of the series a Broadway Summer Spectacular is scheduled for September 2, 4, 6.  It will feature Broadways bests from composers like Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.               

      

SUMMER MUSIC FEST: A Night At the Movies

Bristol Riverside Theatre is continuing its 25 year tradition of its Summer Music Fest. Held annually, these music events not only raise funds to help keep the theatre afloat during the regular theater season, but delight the audiences as well. With Co-Artistic Director Keith Baker on keyboard leading the 5 piece band, various singers and musical groups have joined the fun over the years. This year, of course, the corona virus dictated that the theatre close its doors in March due to the pandemic. Keith Baker and his crew were not to be deterred. They’ve scheduled a three-part Summer Fest which can be accessed online after purchasing a ticket. I’ve just seen the second one, A Night At the Movies, and it was remarkable. Thanks to Keith Baker and his production team, this BRT virtual presentation is one that everyone will be talking about for virtually days on end.

Keith Baker, hosted the concert live from his living room and interviewed the soloists Rebecca Robbins, Sean Thompson, Demetria Joyce Bailey and guitarist, Neil Nemetz and violinist Claudia Pellegrini before they performed. When Rebecca performed San Francisco in her gorgeous soprano voice, she lifted a champagne glass voice high to match the high notes she achieved at the song’s end. Sean Thompson had a soothing, pure voice that was a pleasure to listen to as he sang Moon River and Unchained Melody. Demetria Joyce Bailey's deep throaty voice was mesmerizing as she sang Stormy Weather and Goldfinger.  . In this virtual event, every soloist was featured from a different visual perspective. The zoom arrangement was well designed and unique.  The last concert of the series, a Broadway Summer Spectacular, is scheduled for September 2, 4, 6.  It will feature Broadway's bests from composers like Stephen Sondheim, Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.