Steamtown Original Music Showcase plays out again
by stacy brown (staff writer) Published: September 1, 2009

In the end, John "Guido" Phillips knows the countless hours involved in organizing the annual Steamtown Original Music Showcase will be time well spent.

"It is a lot of work, a nightmare sometimes," Mr. Phillips said, describing how he cannot afford to allow the most minute detail about the showcase to elude him. "But, in the end, it's all worth it," he said.

The fourth annual showcase pulls into Scranton Sunday and, with it, a variety of cultural and musical influence to Northeast Pennsylvania.

The showcase is departing from last year's two-day format and returning to a one-day affair across seven downtown venues. "I've decided to go back to the grass roots - just one day - because, with the economy the way it is, it's easy to understand that the population and the economy isn't yet strong enough for a two-day event," Mr. Phillips said.

Lots of bands and venues

About 90 local and out-of-town bands will perform during the showcase at Whistles Pub and Eatery, Kildare's, The Bog, The Backyard Alehouse, Trax, Blues Street and The Colosseum.

A complete schedule can be found at the event's Web site, www.steamtownshowcase.com.

"The showcase is two things to me," Mr. Phillips said. "It's a huge networking environment for artists to meet other bands and promoters to capitalize in different markets. It is also a way for the public to see what is being played in their area."

Popularity growing

The first showcase was held at Tink's Entertainment Complex four years ago and close to 1,000 people attended. The turnout convinced Mr. Phillips that he was onto something and subsequent plans for the next two showcases included two-day events spread across various venues.

About 1,700 people attended the second and third years, Mr. Phillips said, adding that reverting this year to a single-day affair doesn't mean there will be less talent or impact.

"It's still a great event for local and regional musicians to strut their stuff and to get to know many of the other people in the music industry from the area," said Randy Shemanski, editor of Times-Shamrock-owned Electric City weekly. Mr. Shemanski will be among several radio, print and music personalities speaking at the showcase.

This year's lineup will have a host of genres, including indie, blues, jam-based, jazz and straight-ahead rock.

"We try and give people a lot of different things to consume and enjoy," Mr. Phillips said.

Among the local bands set to appear are: Dealer in Wares, And the Moneynotes, Nowhere Slow, Cabinet, Panacea, OurAfter, The Five Percent and Tom Graham. Additionally, bands from New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., and other locations also will be on the bill.

The festival will include speakers and panels as well as radio and record producers, Mr. Phillips said.

Cover charges vary for each venue, but a special hopper pass will be available for just $10. The pass will allow entrance to all seven venues.

"Hopefully, the showcase will last for years to come and keep bringing music fans back to Scranton every year," Mr. Shemanski said.

Contact the writer: sbrown@timesshamrock.com If you go

What: Steamtown Original Music Showcase

When: 7 p.m. Sunday

Where: Seven venues throughout downtown Scranton - Whistles Pub and Eatery, The Bog, Blues Street, Kildare's, The Backyard Alehouse, Trax and The Colosseum.

Details: Ticket prices vary and are available at the door of each venue. Special hopper passes for entrance to all venues are available for $10 and can be purchased at www.steamtownshowcase.com, where a complete schedule is available.

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