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Utah Music Festival Chooses Ogden Amphitheater to Host Event |
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Written by Chaundra Wilson
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Friday, 01 August 2008 09:44 |
From singers to dancers, recent television has shown the world that Utah is awash with artistic talent and in September, the Utah Music Festival will showcase the vast and varied talent of Utah’s musicians.
On September 6, 2008, the Ogden Amphitheater will be filled with Utah’s local musical and artistic flair. “We hoped for musicians from Logan to St. George and everywhere in between,” says co-founder and co-director of the festival, Jared Christensen. “We are hoping for a large spread—anywhere from 15 to 20 musical groups from any genre,” predicts Christensen.
Christensen, who is also owner and creator of TheBestofOgden.com projects that the event will last from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. for family entertainment. A “meet the musicians” gathering and more live music will follow for adults at a local Ogden, night-life hot spot, Rumors, which is directly across the street from the Amphitheater and in the lobby of the Ben Lomand Hotel on the corner of 25th and Washington Blvd.
“We want to create a really engrossing atmosphere for the average person,” says Jason Rodriguez, co-founder and co-director of the festival. “We want to show the average person what is in their own backyard.” Rodriguez feels that the festival is a means to uncover local musicians, which he deems as an underutilized and under appreciated local resource. “We need to raise awareness about local artists and musicians,” agrees Christensen.
“Locally, I feel that there is not enough promotion for these people, so we are giving musicians an opportunity to promote themselves,” says Rodriguez, a member of one of the scheduled acts—Soulshakers Music. Other acts listed to perform are the Ogden group Winged Foot, a band fusing Rock and Reggae music; and The Smash Brothas, a hip-hop act also from Ogden.
“It sounded like it was going to be really big and I really wanted to be a part of it,” says Roots Rawka, a rapper scheduled to perform and a local radio personality on the KRCL Friday Night Fallout Show on 90.9 FM. “I know a lot of the artists that are performing there and would like to be considered on the same level as them,” Rawka says.
“I think it is going to make a splash here and hopefully they can get a good crowd and continue to grow,” says Zen Gardens, performer for the Smash Brothas.
Christensen and Rodriguez hope to develop better promotional opportunities and networks for artists in Utah. “Musicians and fans from Salt Lake will visit other acts from Salt Lake and musicians and fans from Logan will check out other groups from Logan,” Christensen says, “this festival allows everyone to unite and see other groups from all over the state.”
The ability to network throughout the state was attractive to Robbie Burnz, a local producer and performer in the group Mister Mention. “We are trying to expand to places north of Salt Lake,” says Burnz, “we love some of the artists from that area but haven’t had a chance to go there ourselves.”
Although music is the primary focus of the festival, other forms of art will be on display at the festival. “We have visual art, some Graffiti-type artists, and some different kinds of dancers,” says Rodriguez. “Musicians whether they are full time or semi-professional need exposure, but a true musician and artist likes being surrounded by diversity in music and art,” Burnz says
The Utah Local Music Festival is still enlisting support for the event. Anyone interested in supporting this event should contact Jared Christensen at (801)678-4804, Jason Rodriguez at (801)389-8027 or visit the festival website at utahmusicfest.com |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 05 August 2008 19:16 )
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Tuesday, 29 July 2008 21:40 |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 01 August 2008 12:14 )
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