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For Immediate Release
Extown, April 10, 2017 - TEAM (Town.Exeter.Arts.Music) will be introducing a new arts and music festival in Swasey Parkway on Saturday, May 20th, with live performances, artist vendors, local food, and interactive activities for kids. The home grown non-profit organization has been building a steady momentum over the last two years with several concert series, festivals, and children’s programming centered around talent from the seacoast community. According to TEAM executive director Scott Ruffner, the Exeter Arts & Music Fest will be a culmination of the group’s initial efforts to bring more vibrancy to the downtown area. “We’re very excited to have secured the parkway, which is such a perfect location and amazing asset to our town. These types of landmarks were originally gifted and designed to be an extension of local culture and venues for our own musicians and performers. It’s a natural and logical progression for the bandstands we have to once again serve their intended purpose.” TEAM will be working with several community partners as well to help place focus on their mission of keeping arts and entertainment funding local, bringing professional talent to the forefront while also inspiring emerging artists to remain in the area while pursuing a career. The Southern District YMCA will be donating a one year membership to a drawing that will occur at the fest. The president of the organization, Rob McGregor, sees this collaboration as a perfect fit, stating that “TEAM has worked diligently to bring together local artists and musicians to give the entire community dynamic programming. The YMCA looks forward to working closely with them to promote music and arts and strengthen Exeter and our region.” The Green Alliance will also be an integral part of the event, showcasing TEAM’s commitment to bringing a new sustainable element to the seacoast economy and paving the way for other towns to embrace local art and music in the same manner many have done within the food and craft beer industries. They will be hosting an “eco-village” at the fest promoting businesses from the seacoast who may not be part of the arts scene, but still produce locally sourced and crafted products and merchandise. There will also be a “local food court”, featuring several Exeter eateries including 3 Brothers Marketplace and Laney & Lu Café. The music line up will feature some of the region’s top bands, but all will have direct connections to Exeter. Two of the acts, Cold Engines and Gretchen & The Pickpockets, are recent New England Music Award winners. Rockspring, fronted by Exeter's own Chad Verbeck, will be providing some roots and bluegrass sounds to the fest, while critically acclaimed recording artist Qwill will bring his unique blend of soul and electronica. The Kenny Brothers will kick off the festival weekend on Friday, May 19th, with a free 5pm concert on the iconic bandstand in downtown Exeter. At the same time, Dan Searl will be playing a solo set in the 2nd Floor Gallery above Exeter Town Hall as part of the Seacoast Photographers annual show. The Opined Few will close the weekend's festivities with a live set at the town hall on Saturday night at 7:30pm. The festival already has 20 artist vendors lined up to showcase their work, but has room for more. The deadline for submission is April 20th. The festival will start at 11am and end at 6pm, and have a suggested donation of $10. TEAM is still looking for event sponsors and volunteers, visit www.TeamExeter.com for more information. |
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