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)
