Arts
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August 15 - September 4, 2015
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High school kids to rock Chandler BY TIM J. RANDALL
The Chandler Center for the Arts will showcase youth talent during “Plugged In” on Saturday, Sept. 12. “‘Plugged In’ is a signature youth concert for our annual tradition of free summer concerts at the center,” said Chandler Center for the Arts General Manager Michelle Mac Lennan. The Chandler Center for the Arts held “Plugged In” in 2014, but venue officials wanted to expand the scope and identity of the event. So organizers reached out to Steve Berg, owner of Rock n Roll High School, which has locations in Gilbert and Glendale. “Chandler Center leadership reached out to me with the intent of making ‘Plugged In’ better and more entertaining for the participants and the audience,” he said. This year’s program will feature eight bands and two soloist acts playing to the crowd and providing great music across multiple genres. “We wanted a diverse blend of music, and provide the opportunity to showcase youth bands,” Berg said. While the final show will be an entertainment event and not a competition, musicians will battle it out for a spot on the stage on two nights—Saturday, Aug. 22, at Hard Rock Café and Saturday, Aug. 29, at Alice Cooperstown. Bands and soloists will perform two songs (original or cover) and, according to Berg, will have “an impartial panel of judges, comprised of local music
scene members and music industry professionals, rating bands based on criterion including professionalism, originality, performance and band presentation, musicality, ‘star power’ and audience response.” The roster of bands performing for the right to appear in the final eight and two soloists will be determined by submissions to Rock n Roll High School before Aug. 21. A competition like “Plugged In” is nothing new for Rock n Roll High School. “I started the business over three years ago, because my son was a drummer, and while he attended Gilbert High School, there was no forum open to him to perform. He had hours and hours of lessons, but never had a chance to play at venues or in front of an audience. We needed to provide an organizational structure to put bands on stage,” Berg said. Rock n Roll High School has events all year around and books the talent it grooms in great venues across Phoenix. “Nobody else is doing this anywhere else in the country,” said Berg. “We provide opportunities for youth bands to be created, practice under professional supervision and deliver outlets where they can perform.” For “Plugged In,” the band finalists will have 20 minutes to play, with soloists having 15 minutes. In addition to the bands receiving $100 and soloists $50, in-studio recording will be provided by Green World Studios. “We
The signature youth concert, “Plugged In,” is set for Saturday, Sept. 12, at Chandler Center for the Arts. Submitted photo
love to bring attention to bands and this will be a great atmosphere,” said Berg. Having the event at Chandler Center for the Arts provides a special environment for youth musicians. “Chandler Center has been great to work with,” said Berg. Mac Lennan echoed this sentiment. “Partnering with Rock n Roll High School has been a great way to inspire and motivate the next generation of young aspiring
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Tim J. Randall is a freelancer for the SanTan Sun News. He can be reached at news@santansun.com.
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musicians while also serving as an educational opportunity.” Those interested in performing or sponsoring the event can contact Steve Berg at steve@rrhs.biz or (480) 2063149. For more information, visit www. rocknrollhighschool.biz.
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