The third time is a charm – that’s what organizers of the third and latest installment of Pajama Jam, Pajama Jam III, have in mind as they finalize preparations for their latest event.

Introduced to the community in March 2015 at its namesake, The Pajama Factory, 1307 Park Ave., Pajama Jam is a multi-performer event dedicated to provide up and coming musicians a comfortable space to grow their talents and respective prowess as entertainers. The Jam offers a “low pressure, stimulating, supportive environment in which to gain exposure, and gain valuable performance experience,” said event organizer Cliff Stevens. This year’s event is set for 7-10 p.m. Oct. 21.

Nevermind that Pajama Jam was a charm from its inception; event organizers Mike Wrench and Stevens are looking for ways to refine and improve the Jam experience in its third edition. “As with anything that is just getting off the ground, it grows in fits and starts, with bumps and hiccups along the way. But we can absolutely feel the positive energy flowing, and the community building,” Stevens said of the event. “So as long as we keep doing the best we know how, learning and improving along the way, it can only continue to get bigger, better, and gain even more momentum,” he added.

This momentum is just as much a function of the talent involved as it is the format of the event. Pajama Jam III will differ from previous incarnations in that it will feature a 45-minute performance by a headlining band, followed by a half-dozen 15-minute performances. Slated to headline is On The Other Hand, with performers Samantha Frome and Chloe Taylor also on the bill. To cap off the night, a 30-minute stand up comedy routine will be performed by The Comedy Shop. Other special guests will be featured too, including the board of representatives from the Williamsport Community Concert Association, who are planning to appear on stage briefly in order to share more information about the opportunities they offer to hear great music at the Community Arts Center.

Pajama Jam III will mark the first time that stand up comedy will be featured as part of the line up. For Stevens, its inclusion is his vision of an ever-evolving event, but more importantly, it is what he feels that we as a society could use in light of current events. “Given the kinds of negativity and intensity of so much that’s been flying around the airwaves these days, what could be better than great music and hilarious comedy to lift our collective spirits?”

No small factor in previous success of the Jam is that it is free of charge. In order to offer this perk to attendees, certain sacrifices must be made, and much has to happen behind the scenes. “Mike and I have grown pretty close as a result of my having reached out to him to see about his interest in helping me turn this crazy Pajama Jam idea into reality, and so we are in constant contact organizing all these shananaigans via text, Facebook, phone and even occasional in-person meetings in various locations around town before the event,” Stevens said. Asked what the typical day-of preparation is like, Stevens said “We get together way early, set everything up, test it, test it some more, and then just have a good time shooting the breeze, talking about music, our lives, families, and fantasies while we get ready for everyone to arrive.”

Pajama Jam is an all-volunteer, grassroots, “bootstraps” undertaking, with all accepted donations going to charity and to modest rental fees to secure the venue for future events. Hope Enterprises was chosen to be the charitable organization to which donations will go at Pajama Jam III. In addition to entertainers and performers, the Jam will again offer food and drink from two of Williamsport’s most unique food and beverage vendors, Taco Bill’s Taco Madness and Way Cool Beans.

Time slots are still open for interested performers and acts for Pajama Jam III. To register for consideration for inclusion in the event, visit bit.ly/pjfjam3. For more information on Pajama Jam, visit www.pajamajamming.com or www.facebook.com/pajamajamming. Pajama Jam III also can be viewed via live stream at bit.ly/pjflive.