The Uptown Music Collective will present "Hunger Strike: A Benefit Concert for Meals on Wheels" at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.
The concert marks the fourth consecutive year of benefit shows done by the UMC and is a collaboration between the Collective and the CAC.
Proceeds will benefit the Meals on Wheels program done through the STEP Office of Aging.
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The show's title is inspired by the song "Hunger Strike," which was a track on the 1991 collaborative album by Temple of the Dog, featuring members of the grunge-era bands Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, before they were world-famous.
The show will be divided into three sets - one of Pearl Jam's songs, one of Soundgarden's songs and a set of female rock performers like Melissa Etheridge, 4 Non Blondes and Sara McLachlan.
"I really love the energy and overall sound of the music we will be performing in this show," said Dave Brumbaugh, UMC executive director and producer and music director for the show. "Pearl Jam is an interesting combination of somber Celtic overtones combined with high-energy rock and Doors-like sensuality. I also find Soundgarden very appealing; I love singer Chris Cornell's voice and the band's interesting harmonies, as well as their use of tunings and time signatures."
Nearly 40 students will perform songs such as, "Jeremy" and "Alive" by Pearl Jam, "Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman" by Soundgarden and "Come to my Window" by Melissa Etheridge.
"The Uptown Music Collective's culture is one that delivers student character, integrity and citizenship, while they are on the path to excellent musicianship," said Rob Steele, executive director of the Community Arts Center.
Many Collective shows are held at and supported by the Community Arts Center and the students enjoy the opportunity to perform on the big stage in front of their family, friends and the community.
"Performing on a stage as great as the CAC is not an opportunity people come by every day," said Shelby Lynch, 16, of Montgomery Area High School. "The Collective shapes you as a musician, certainly, but also shapes you as a well-rounded individual."
Ethan Early, 17, of Williamsport Area High School will play guitar in the show and also helped with design.
"The Community Arts Center stage is an amazing place to perform," Early said. "It's like listening to your favorite album in real life, except you're the one playing the music."
All of the students enjoy the benefit shows because they understand the importance of giving back to their community - something the Collective emphasizes to its students.
"In today's economy, a lot of programs are falling between the cracks, but I think it's important that the UMC is instilling the values of generosity and community involvement through their benefit concerts," said Nick Ripley, 17, of Montoursville Area High School. "The relationship between good music and a good cause is strong and growing. Most importantly, we area hoping to reach as many people as possible with our message of care for the Meals on Wheels program through musical efforts."
Student directors for the performance are Levi Stover, Greg Jones and members of the leadership committee are Early and Janaya Daniele. Jared Mondell, marketing and admissions manager for the UMC, came up with the idea for the structure of the show.
Raffles and other fundraising events also will take place over the course of the evening, all of which will benefit Meals on Wheels.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door and are available at the Uptown Music Collective, 848 W. Fourth St.; the CAC box office; Alabaster Coffee Roaster and Tea Co., 410 Pine St.; and K&S Music, 1116 W. Southern Ave., South Williamsport.
For more information about the UMC, visit www.uptownmusic.org or call 329-0888. For more information about the STEP Office of Aging and the Meals on Wheels program, visit www.stepcorp.org or call 323-3096.
