Summer concerts and family fun will benefit the arts.
The 34th annual Somerfest will be held July 20-22 on the grounds of Philip Dressler Center for the Arts, 214 S. Harrison Ave., Somerset.
Hours for Laurel Arts’ largest fundraiser are 7 p.m. to midnight July 20, noon to midnight July 21 and noon to 10 p.m. July 22.
“Arts funding is hard to come by,” said Mike Oliver, Laurel Arts executive director. “We started out small and keep adding new acts. Last year we had 10,000 attend over the three days.”
The event features entertainment on two stages, food vendors, crafts, art and a special children’s area.
Parking will be available at Somerset Area High School, 645 S. Columbia Ave., and shuttles will be available to Somerfest.
The first evening’s big kickoff, the Somerfest parade, has been moved to 11 a.m. July 21 to accommodate the large number of Shriners units involved.
“There will be more than 20 Shriners groups,” Oliver said.
“The parade is bigger and better.”
The music will commence the evening of July 20 with folk singer Randy Myers and end with the classic rock of Mr. Bickle.
Myers also will perform July 21.
The Volk brothers, from last year’s youth musician showcase, also will entertain on the lawn stage with their band, Split Resistance.
“We have a mix of styles,” Oliver said. “Any music lover would be hard-pressed to find something they didn’t like.
The children’s area will be open July 21-22 with free activities and entertainment by Ray Owens, a one-man variety show that offers storytelling, sing-alongs and magic.
“This is the first year we’ve had him perform,” Oliver said.
“He’s from the area.”
A youth musician showcase will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. July 21 on the lawn stage. The winner will perform a set that evening.
All acts must be approved through an application process, and applications must be completed by 5 p.m. June 29.
Only musicians ages 20 and younger will be accepted.
Entertainment for July 21 also will feature the Laurel Arts dancers, Mediterranean music with Ishtar and a Saturday Night Time Warp featuring an acoustic set with Stare Gary and rock with The Johnsons, Diamond Grime and Nixon Pit Crew.
“The Time Warp is something different,” Oliver said. “These are bands that were popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s in the Somerset area.”
Entertainment for July 22 will feature the Laurel Highlands Chorale, Somerset County Community Band, the Irish band Tree and classic rock with Bullfighter and CircusMutt.
The grand finale of Somerfest will once again be Beatlemania Magic, the Beatles tribute band.
Music at Laurel Arts doesn’t end with Somerfest.
From June to September, Soundstage, a monthly open mic night with a hosting band, is held outside under the tent.
July 13 will be Bluegrass Night, Aug. 3 might see the return of One Track Mind, which was rained out in June, and guests for Sept. 1 haven’t been determined.
If you go ...
What: 34th annual Somerfest.
Where: Philip Dressler Center for the Arts, 214 S. Harrison Ave., Somerset.
When: 7 p.m. to midnight July 20, noon to midnight July 21 and noon to 10 p.m. July 22.
Admission: $5 adults, $3 for senior citizens and $2 for children.
Information: 443-2433 or www.laurelarts.org.
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