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1 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CITY OF PALMDALE NEWS RELEASE CONTACT: John Mlynar PHONE: 661/267-5115 DATE: October 9, 2017 Mosaic Stage Performers for Kaleidoscope: Music & Art Festival Announced PALMDALE – The City of Palmdale has announced the lineup of performers for the Mosaic Stage at the second annual Kaleidoscope Music & Art Festival, coming to the Palmdale Amphitheater, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 am to 6 pm. The Mosaic Stage is dedicated to an “unplugged” style of performance. Auditions, which were coordinated by City staff and volunteers, were held at the Palmdale Playhouse in September. “The auditions were amazing and showed the depth of talent that is right here in our own backyard,” said City volunteer and Mosaic Stage Manager Michael Ross. “The stage is evolving into what some might call a singer/songwriters paradise---a place where songwriters can showcase their most personal and intimately written songs.” During the audition process, City volunteer Anthony Cortez of Cortez Media and Gabriel’s House Media Director, set up professional camera equipment and offered free headshots to performers. “Anthony provided an invaluable service to these performers,” said Recreation Supervisor Annie Pagliaro. “Quality headshots are not always affordable for many musicians, yet they are often required as part of a performer marketing package and ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 needed to submit to any venue looking to book performers. We don’t just want to showcase performers at Kaleidoscope,” Pagliaro explained. “We also want to be a support system to them so that they can take advantage of other opportunities to perform that may come their way.” The Mosaic Stage performers are: Slice (singer/songwriter) - 10:30 am Luis Echeverria, known by his stage name Slice, is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Lancaster. His music style is deeply rooted in Americana influences, incorporating elements of rock, folk, country, R&B and pop. His debut album Tales of Modern Times Vol. 1 represents Slice’s life experiences over the past year. Written while living abroad, the album tells the stories of people, places and events that have emotionally impacted not only the singer but also the people who inspired the songs. Tales of Modern Times Vol 1 is set for release in October 2018. Black Eye Affair/Jimmy Long (singer/songwriter) - 11:30 am and 4 pm Black Eye Affair is an Americana and alternative music act with pop sensibilities based in the Antelope Valley. As the musical vehicle for singer- songwriter Jimmy Long, Black Eye Affair features acoustic guitar driven songs with clever lyrics and catchy melodies. The debut album, Bridges Burned & Other ---PAGE BREAK--- 3 Such Disasters, is slated for release this month. For more information on Black Eye Affair, please visit www.blackeyeaffair.com. Jessica Mae Ross (singer/songwriter) - 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm Jessica is an up and coming singer-songwriter originally from Los Angeles and now residing in Palmdale. She loves the arts and her strongest passion is for music. In the styles of pop-rock and acoustic, Jessica writes songs about her experiences and the world she observes, in hopes that her lyrics will touch people and give them a few more songs to rock out to. Megan Tibbits (singer/songwriter) - 1 pm Megan was born into a family band called “Living Truth” and toured the country for twelve years, singing and playing instruments in a variety of venues. Ignited by her immersion in music, Megan began singing harmonies on albums by age six, playing piano by age seven, writing songs on guitar by age twelve, all the while studying harp, oboe, and saxophone. After graduating with a music degree from Cornerstone University, Megan joined the performance company “The Young Americans” and spent two years performing and teaching music in Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States. She then decided to make the move from her hometown of Caro, Michigan to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. In 2014, Megan made her television debut on ABC’s “Rising Star” where she advanced to the Top 12. She was also named “Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year” at the L.A. Music Awards and most recently was selected as the Idle ---PAGE BREAK--- 4 Tuesdays Recording Studio Program Artist of the Year and released her debut album, Until I Fly. Gene Loiacono (singer/songwriter) - 1:30 pm and 5 pm Born in Los Angeles, Gene relocated to Palmdale with his parents in 1954. After high school he spent most of his time traveling. He worked his way around the world before returning to Palmdale where he has resided since. Known to always have a guitar close at hand, Gene enjoys playing folk and country tunes along with some of his own songs written over the years. Gene began playing publicly 10 years ago, occasionally at open mics and other events that highlight singer/songwriter/poetry artist. Dylan Dixon (singer/songwriter) - 2 pm and 5:30 pm Dylan Dixon is a Palmdale native and graduated from Pete Knight High School. He has always been involved in music, from playing flute and saxophone in elementary and middle school, to singing and playing guitar now. Dylan started singing and writing songs at 19 years old, and is now pursuing music and songwriting as a full-time career. A short list of his inspirations and influences include Jason Mraz, The Tallest Man on Earth, Green Day, John Mayer and Jimmy Eat World. James Sterrett-Bryant (American classics) - 2:30 pm James Sterrett-Bryant, a veteran who served in the U. S. Air Force during the Vietnam era, is a singer of international stature and a familiar name in the Southern California classical music community. Mr. Sterrett-Bryant has performed throughout the ---PAGE BREAK--- 5 United States, Canada and Europe. He is a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts School of Music where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Vocal Performance, after winning the Marie A. Lovelace Scholarship for Voice. Nationally, he has performed as soloist with Opera Ebony, the Queensboro College Choir in New York, the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, VA and the Music Festival in Yachata, OR. He has won gold medals along with performing as a soloist in the 2001 through 2013 National Veterans Creative Arts Festival stage shows. He has sung the National Anthem for organizations that include the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, the American Legion Auxiliary Awareness Assembly in 2004 and the VA Voluntary Service National Advisory Committee 59th Annual Meeting in 2005. Additionally, in 2005 he sang for the Southern California Motion Picture Council. In 2006 Sterrett- Bryant made his Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts recital début. In 2009 he made his soloist début with the Mississippi Orchestra in their premiere performance of William Grant Still’s composition Plain-Chant for America and presented a recital entitled, William Grant Still: Arias, Art Songs and Spirituals, as part of the William Grant Still Tribute Conference, in Natchez, MS. Regional soloist performances include the Bakersfield Orchestra, College of the Canyons Orchestra and the Loma Linda University Orchestra. Locally he has performed for the Antelope Valley Chamber of Commerce, the City of Lancaster Annual Walk of Light’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. In addition to his prestigious list of recitals and live performances, Mr. Sterrett-Bryant is a soloist on three recordings: Mass in A Major by César Frank, Mass in D Major by Antonín Dvořák and Mozart Lecture Series with Robert Winter. He has also released a non-traditionally arranged ---PAGE BREAK--- 6 collection of Negro spirituals CD entitled, How the Spirit Moves Me. Mr. Sterrett-Bryant’s programs include classical, Broadway, European and American art songs and the compositions of African-American composers. Sindy Lopez (contemporary singer) - 3 pm Miss Tia (contemporary singer) - 3:30 pm About Kaleidoscope Kaleidoscope Music & Art Festival is a unique event dedicated to the arts, both visual and performing. Kaleidoscope will also feature live chalk artists, artisans, visual and performing arts, Art of the Brew craft beer featuring Transplants Brewing Company, Lucky Luke Brewing Company, Bravery Brewing Company and Kinetic Brewing Company, Brushes & Brews with Tipsee Artist, Fresh Made Market culinary & apothecary vendors, food and much more. Performing on the Tapestry stage will be Grammy® nominee Lisa Haley & The Zydekats, Stone Soul, The High D Boys, Paddy’s Pig and Megan Tibbits. Featured on the Mosaic stage will be a line-up of regional and local singer/songwriters performing both cover songs and original music. The Palmdale Amphitheater is generously sponsored by AVTA, Hunter Dodge Jeep Ram, Waste Management, Coca-Cola, American Medical Response, Logix Smarter Banking, AV Mall, Valleywide Dental, Heritage Sierra Medical Group, Hilton Garden Inn, Staybridge Suites, Opportunities for Learning, Lancaster JetHawks, Ventura Graphix, and Vince’s Pasta & Pizza. ---PAGE BREAK--- 7 -30- Communications Department 38300 Sierra Highway Palmdale, CA 93550 www.CityofPalmdale.org