Arts and Culture

Uptown Music Collective returns to Price for encore tribute Feb. 10

LOCK HAVEN -- On Feb. 10, in partnership with the Clinton County Arts Council and Schlesinger Communications, the students of the Uptown Music Collective will return to the Price Performance Center on the campus of Commonwealth University-Lock Haven to present a special encore concert of "It Came From the ’80s: New Wave to Pop Rock" entitled "It Came From the ’80s...Again!"

The performance will feature 27 students, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years old, performing some of the most iconic hits of the 1980s from legendary bands like Talking Heads, The Police, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Eurhythmics, The Clash, Blondie, REM, Hall & Oats, Dire Straits, Huey Lewis and the News, The J. Geils Band and many more.

This concert was met with high praise and standing ovations when performed at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport last fall. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the CCAC student scholarship funding.

“We consider this collaboration as the next step in rekindling a strong relationship with Commonwealth University and the community,” said Steve Getz, CCAC Board President, commenting on the importance of holding this event at the Price Performance Center. “This is another way to bring outstanding music to Lock Haven while exposing students and parents to the Uptown Music Collective and the opportunities they offer. This event will also help support several educational programs the CCAC offers throughout the year, along with our student scholarship fund.”

“The students are extremely excited to perform this music one more time,” said Jared Mondell, assistant executive director of the Uptown Music Collective. “They had an absolute blast with it the first time last fall... plus we get to bring a Collective performance back to Lock Haven, which is always a welcomed experience for our organization!”

The 1980s marked the emergence of the distinctive New Wave genre, characterized by its eclectic and avant-garde style, melding rock and pop with punk, funk and electronic music elements. New Wave produced bands that sought to break from the mainstream, prioritizing artistic expression and experimentation. This genre stands as a pivotal movement that shaped the future of music, introducing revolutionary soundscapes and iconic imagery. Conversely, ’80s Pop Rock saw a surge of anthemic tunes and infectious rhythms, creating many timeless hits. At the same time, it was an era in which music videos became a powerful medium, propelling artists to new heights and introducing the iconic loud clothing of the ’80s.

"It Came From the 80’s... Again!" features Collective students who have been diligently preparing for this event for more than three months.

Along with the music, there will be a professional-grade light and sound show organized by the students themselves. As with all Uptown Music Collective performances, the students are not only the performers but also the show’s directors. A group of younger students, or “Tech Monkeys,” will serve as stage technicians and spotlight operators.

The cast for the show draws from the Uptown Music Collective’s much-heralded “Special Performance Group 1.”

This show is directed by Uptown Music Collective senior Jossian Lilley (Loyalsock Township High School) and Duncan Larson (Gap Year).

The show’s leadership committee consists of UMC students Matthew Bellino (Danville Area High School); Izzy Butters, Chase Cowden and Scarlet O’Brien (Loyalsock Township High School); Connor Evans and Stephanie Nappi (Gap Year); Tixo Bower, Gabreon Godin, Grace Godin, Abby Jamison and Owen Miller (Williamsport Area High School); Brendan Kuriga (South Williamsport Area High School); Calistra Mahoney (Pennsylvania College of Technology); Carter Rodgers (Muncy Junior-Senior High School); and Gianna Waldman (Montoursville Area High School).

“’80s Music has always been a staple in my life, in all genres,” Miller said. “Rock, pop, punk, funk and many more, but especially the new wave and pop music we will play at the Arts Center. I grew up listening to these awesome ’80s bands like Tears for Fears, The Clash and Simple Minds. All of these know how to develop a story and convey such emotion into their music through intricate rhythms, melodies and tear-jerking lyrics at times. I’m so excited to recreate these stories with my friends for everyone on stage at the CAC!”

Tickets for the performance, which are $20 in advance and $25 at the door, are available at the Schlesinger Communications or the Clinton County Art Council Facebook pages and uptownmusic.org/news-and-events.

"The CCAC and Schlesinger Communications work well together because each organization has unique skills to market and promote this type of event," Getz said of the partnership.

We also share the same passion for great music performed by amazing musicians, no matter their age or genre of music."

Paper tickets are also available at Schlesinger Communications during regular office hours.