This fall 10,000 Maniacs will celebrate their 31st year of making music together. Part of that celebration includes the release of the band's new album, which will be made possible not just through the hard work of the band members, but also their listeners.
10KM is utilizing a PledgeMusic crowdsourcing campaign to raise funds to release the new album without a record label.
In a recent promotional video about the release of the new album, founding 10KM member Dennis Drew said, "We're releasing the album ourselves, on our own terms, and we want to connect with you directly through PledgeMusic.com. ... We'd like your support to help us pay for the final recording, mixing, mastering artwork, manufacturing, promotion and help in getting this music to every set of ears desperate for a ray of hope in an otherwise hopeless world."
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Dusten Rader
PledgeMusic.com connects listeners with musicians allowing a fanbase to fund artists' projects. Fans who make a $10 pledge receive an all-access pass to a special fans-only PledgeMusic website. A pledge also secures the right to download the new album before it's released. Pledges are incremental all the way up to $10,000. Each increment includes special bonuses such as merchandise, rare items, a viola lesson with Mary Ramsey and a private acoustic house concert.
With only eight days left in the campaign, 10KM has received 305 pledges to reach 76 percent of the goal. If the band reaches its goal, 10 percent of the money received will benefit Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo.
For more information visit pledgemusic.com/projects/10km.
10KM isn't the only band utilizing a crowd funding campaign, nor is PledgeMusic the only platform for a campaign. According to NPR's Frannie Kelley, last year Amanda Palmer, of the Dresdin Dolls, raised more than $1 million via Kickstarter.com. And, A House for Lions is using Ignition Deck to host its own campaign via its official website ahouseforlions.com.
HIGHLIGHTS
Big Band Christmas Classics At SUNY Fredonia Are Tonight: Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia is looking to give audience members a night to remember when it presents "Big Band Christmas Spectacular" at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall.
"Big Band Christmas Spectacular" showcases 10 of SUNY Fredonia's student singers and dancers backed by The Little Apple Big Band, under the direction of Bruce Johnstone, director of jazz studies at SUNY Fredonia. The concert features instrumental numbers, vocal solos, group numbers and dance routines.
Tickets are available through the SUNY Fredonia Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 673-3501 or online at fredonia.edu/tickets.
"It's A Wonderful Life ... A Live Radio Play" Starts Friday: "It's A Wonderful Life ... A Live Radio Play" by Joe Landry is a live 1940s radio presentation of the classic Christmastime favorite "It's A Wonderful Life."
In this version, five actors play the 45 characters that tell the story of a fateful Christmas in Bedford Falls. The audience will hear a dramatic reading of an original script based squarely on the movie script. The 1946 radio studio of WBFR and the five actors assembled for this Christmas Eve transmission of the "Playhouse of the Air" offer a new format for conveying the heartwarming story of George Bailey and how he lives his truly wonderful life.
The show is suitable for all ages. Performances are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, Friday, Dec. 14, and Saturday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Sunday and Sunday, Dec. 16. For reservations call The Little Theatre Box Office at 483-1095.
Live At The Met Season Features "Un Ballo in Maschera": The 1891 Fredonia Opera House continues the 2012-13 season with Giuseppe Verdi's classic drama of political intrigue and thwarted romance, "Un Ballo in Maschera," on Saturday at 1 p.m.
Led by principal conductor Fabio Luisi, "Un Ballo in Maschera" features some of the Met's leading Verdi stars in the central roles of the opera's love triangle: Marcelo Alvarez as the ill-fated King Gustavo III; Dmitri Hvorostovsky as his best friend and eventual rival, Count Anckarstrom; and Sondra Radvanovsky as Amelia, Anckarstrom's wife and the object of the king's secret passion. Kathleen Kim sings the coloratura role of Oscar, Gustavo's page, Stephanie Blythe is Mme. Ulrica Arvidsson, a fortune-teller with ominous news for the king.
Tickets are $20, or $15 for students, and may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office, by phone at 679-1891 or online at fredopera.org.
Winter Concerts By JCC Music Ensembles Start Tuesday: Jamestown Community College's music ensembles will present two distinctly different concerts on Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 13.
JCC's choir, concert band, vocal jazz ensemble and jazz ensemble big band will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., the JCC rock ensembles, directed by Bill Eckstrom, will present Winter Jam. Bands, ranging from rock to acoustic sets are featured. The concert will be fully staged with sound and lighting by Steve Gustafson.
Admission to each concert is $4 for the general public; $3 for area students and senior citizens; and $2 for JCC Faculty Student Association members. Tickets can be purchased by calling the JCC box office, 338-1187, at the theatre door prior to performances or online at campusstore.sunyjcc.edu.
HAPPENINGS
To include an upcoming show or event in this column, email drader@post-journal.com or call 487-1111 ext. 253 by Monday.
Tonight
Blue Grass Jam: 7 to 10 p.m., Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron. Area bluegrass musicians are welcome to sit in and play.
Friday
Infinity Student Open Mic: 7 to 9 p.m., Infinity Cafe, 115 E. Third St. in Jamestown. Infinity students will showcase their work. Community members are also encouraged to play, but must keep all performances family-friendly.
Movies At The Reg: 8 p.m., "Beasts of the Southern Wild," 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown.
Brian Hanna: 8-11 p.m., Miley's Old Inn, 845 E. Second St. in Jamestown.
Saturday
Jamestown Thunder's Community Drum Circle: Noon to 2:30 p.m., Miraglia Art Gallery, 108 E. Second St. in Jamestown. All are welcome, and extra drums are available. For more information contact Rich Schuler at 484-8121.
Movies At The Reg: 8 p.m., "Beasts of the Southern Wild," 116 E. Third St. in Jamestown.
Willow Creek: 8 p.m. to midnight, Celoron Legion, 26 Jackson Ave. in Celoron.
Ryan Melquist: 8-11 p.m., Bemus Point Golf Course, 72 Main St. in Bemus Point.
Wednesday
Local Author Book Signing: 6-7 p.m., Fluvanna Free Library, 3532 Fluvanna Ave. in Jamestown. Gail Black, owner of the Sugar Shack in Westfield, and author of "Asses And Angels," will have books available for signing and will be sharing some of her jellies and syrups with those who attend.