Rising Stars Music Competition

Big Changes for 10th Annual Music Competition

This year marks the 10th year of presenting local music for Rising Stars Music Competition. To celebrate this landmark anniversary, organizers have decided to make some exciting changes to the program. Rising Stars is scheduled to take place September 15th at Alex R Thomas Plaza in Ukiah. The event has had a very successful pairing with Ukiah Main Street Program’s End of Summer Show & Shine Classic Car Show. The plaza is filled with music and vendors while historic School Street is filled with an array of amazing memory making classic cars.

“In the past, we had musicians grouped by genre on a strict schedule with time constraints and equipment constraints. Being the 10th year of putting this show on, we wanted to find a way to thank and recognize the musicians for giving their time and talent.” States organizer, Mary Chadwick. “We decided to drop the competition element of the program and create a day where the musicians can let their hair down and enjoy showcasing their talents. There will be no judges, no timers counting down and the equipment restrictions will be lifted. It’s a day for the musicians to fellowship and enjoy each other’s skills. With the more relaxed format of the show, you never know who will be on the stage!”

Within hours of the format change announcement, several acts had already opted to join the party. Regulars like Josh Madsen, Doug Johns, Young Bengy, Dirt Filthy, Jonas Anderson and November Rose (with Hilary Marckx) will be joining the 2017 Champions, Weird Year in rocking Alex Thomas Plaza. Chadwick goes on to say “There is still room for more acts. We have a few crowd favorites that are checking their schedules. The final list will be announced on 94.5 Kwine August 15th! Its going to be a blast!”

Vendors will bring their wares to the plaza. Some of the vast choices for food will be Pizza by Slam Dunk Pizza, Cowlick’s Ice Cream by U-Top It Frozen Sweets & Treats, Hot Dogs by Rod’s Dogs, Hawaiian Shaved Ice by Sugar Mama and many other choices to please the palette. Along with delicious food offerings, visitors will find Metal Creations by Gaston Forge, Candles from Partylite by Scott, Tupperware from Sue’s Tupperware, and other vendors yet to be determined.

Presented by 94.5 Kwine, Max 93.5, Community First Credit Union and City of Light Recording and Sound, Rising Stars has helped raise over $20,000.00 for local non-profits for the last 10 years. This has all been made possible through the generous support of local community sponsors. Some of the accomplishments of this volunteer crew has been donating multiple guitars to Guitars for Troops and their recent donation of a GPS tracking unit for Mendocino County Sheriff’s K-9 Program.

Both Non-Profit and For-Profit Vendors are welcomed to apply for a booth at these two combined events. Vendor applications are accepted on a first come first served basis with no duplication in vendor type. Applications can be downloaded or filled out at http://www.risingstarscompetiton.com The booth fees are $50 for For Profit Businesses and $40 for non-profits.

September 15th promises to be a day of celebrating local music at the 10th Annual Rising Stars Music Showcase. The Alex R Thomas Plaza will be the place to be with the Ukiah Host Lions Pancake Breakfast starts at 7am, the Ukiah Farmers Market will be taking place from 9am to 12pm, The End of Summer Show & Shine Classic Car show runs from 7am to 3pm and Rising Stars starts at 10am and ends when the music stops! Make plans now to attend the party!

Press Release: Mary Chadwick 707-272-6514