Posted 11:35 pm Sunday, July 15, 2012
Send to Kindle
AllStar Showcase Highlights Local Music, Art and Film
By TAYLOR GRIFFIN
Staff Writer
Booming music was the backdrop to good times during the second annual East Texas AllStar Showcase downtown in front of Liberty Hall on Saturday.
Locals had the opportunity to show their best in music, art, and short films all afternoon and well into the night.
“It's your one-stop shop for entertainment downtown,” Trent Spradlin, the event's organizer, said. “People get a true taste of Tyler here.”
While last year's extravaganza hosted only live music and comedy, this year's event was stretched even further to add a more assorted group of bands, local artists displaying their best, as well as the winners from the “Show Us Your Shorts” film festival.
“With the success of the first one, there was no reason to not continue for another year. There was a lot of support from all the sponsors,” Spradlin said. “We all banded together and made it 10 times bigger this year.”
The music lineup this year included newcomers Maegan Brooks, Sideshow Tragedy, Backseat Molly, The Young Ones, Manny and The Gringaderos and The Six String Boys. Returning bands from last year were Ramoth Gilead the Really Bad, Something Blue, and Uncle Lucius headlining.
A silent auction featuring displayed art donated by locals was held inside the Liberty's lobby and benefitted the theatre.
Staff Writer
Booming music was the backdrop to good times during the second annual East Texas AllStar Showcase downtown in front of Liberty Hall on Saturday.
Locals had the opportunity to show their best in music, art, and short films all afternoon and well into the night.
“It's your one-stop shop for entertainment downtown,” Trent Spradlin, the event's organizer, said. “People get a true taste of Tyler here.”
While last year's extravaganza hosted only live music and comedy, this year's event was stretched even further to add a more assorted group of bands, local artists displaying their best, as well as the winners from the “Show Us Your Shorts” film festival.
“With the success of the first one, there was no reason to not continue for another year. There was a lot of support from all the sponsors,” Spradlin said. “We all banded together and made it 10 times bigger this year.”
The music lineup this year included newcomers Maegan Brooks, Sideshow Tragedy, Backseat Molly, The Young Ones, Manny and The Gringaderos and The Six String Boys. Returning bands from last year were Ramoth Gilead the Really Bad, Something Blue, and Uncle Lucius headlining.
A silent auction featuring displayed art donated by locals was held inside the Liberty's lobby and benefitted the theatre.
Anne Payne, manager of Liberty Hall, was immediately on-board, as last year's event was a huge success. The showcase was fun, family-friendly and perfect for young people who don't have the opportunity to hear live music, said Ms. Payne.
“It's good for the community. Plus it turns this area into an awesome block party,” she said.
Spradlin said the purpose of the event is to bring East Texas artists from all areas of art to one place for the public to enjoy.
“Tyler will never stop growing. With that being said, the marketing and promotion this city gets is great,” he said. “This city has so many great aspects like the music, art, culture, and history. It's pertinent that each facet gets as much exposure as possible.”
Art greatly contributes to the uniqueness of a city like Tyler, Spradlin said.
Hailing from College Station, The Six String Boys described their style as Texas country and southern rock mixed with audience involvement and high energy.
“We're all a bunch of jokesters, and we get that energy on stage as well,” the band's front man Josh Spivey said. “We try to make sure that high energy comes out and into the audience.”
While they have never played in Tyler before, they always like to get out there on the stage and show what they've got, Spivey said.
“It's good for the community. Plus it turns this area into an awesome block party,” she said.
Spradlin said the purpose of the event is to bring East Texas artists from all areas of art to one place for the public to enjoy.
“Tyler will never stop growing. With that being said, the marketing and promotion this city gets is great,” he said. “This city has so many great aspects like the music, art, culture, and history. It's pertinent that each facet gets as much exposure as possible.”
Art greatly contributes to the uniqueness of a city like Tyler, Spradlin said.
Hailing from College Station, The Six String Boys described their style as Texas country and southern rock mixed with audience involvement and high energy.
“We're all a bunch of jokesters, and we get that energy on stage as well,” the band's front man Josh Spivey said. “We try to make sure that high energy comes out and into the audience.”
While they have never played in Tyler before, they always like to get out there on the stage and show what they've got, Spivey said.
Local artist Mason Buchanan is relatively new to the art scene. Even though he has only been creating for about a year, parts of his portfolio were on display along with many other artists' creations. He thought the venue was an excellent way to get the public interested in not only his art but also other participants' pieces as well.
“It gets people more involved in art coming out of college students,” he said. “It's not like the regular galleries, and it really opens it up for some really great pieces.”
“It gets people more involved in art coming out of college students,” he said. “It's not like the regular galleries, and it really opens it up for some really great pieces.”
