The brains behind October's zombie invasion of Jamestown have planned a party for the day some say the world will end.
WAKE UP! Productions will host the "End of the World Party" at 8 p.m. Friday at the Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center in Jamestown. The show will feature an artistic presentation by a brother-sister duo, Daniel and Kaylea Stoeltzing, live entertainment by Crickets Make Math and Peopleareloudmovers, and catering and refreshments by Diane Scott. Admission is $8 at the door.
According to hosts Taylor Scott and Vince Liuzzo, the event plays off the Mayan Calendar's end date: Dec. 21, 2012.
"It's very thematic and topical," said Liuzzo. "It's something that people have been talking about, and there are some who really believe that it's going to happen. We went with the apocalypse concept for the End of Days Zombie Run (in October). And, we're basically piggybacking off that theme, because it's pertinent right now. Whether you take it seriously or you think it's a joke, you still know about it. So, this is kind of a tongue-in-cheek presentation with the tagline of, 'If you don't wake up the next day, at least you'll have fun the night before.'"
At the event, a presentation of work by media artist Kaylea Stoeltzing will be on display. She works with paint and canvas, acrylic and is a print maker.
"She has work all over town. People who have seen local art openings and displays will recognize her very unique take," said Liuzzo.
Daniel Stoeltzing's aspect of the show will include a performance by his band Crickets Make Math.
"He does this one-man-band thing," said Scott. "He plays keyboard and guitar and uses a computer to loop."
"It's this electronic foundation layered with jazz and folk influence," added Liuzzo. "It's music you can dance to and even talk over. So, you can have a good time with the people you're with or get into the actual music and presentation. Watching him perform in itself is an attraction because he's playing multiple instruments."
The second artist featured is Peopleareloudmovers, which is the work of Western New York electronic musician Jeremy P. Dahlgren.
"I've known Jeremy forever, and he's been doing this for as long as I can remember," said Scott.
Creating a dichotomy between visual and audio artforms is a format that Scott and Liuzzo plan to stick with for future events because it has worked well for them in the past.
"Anytime we present music you can almost count on a presentation of media art," said Liuzzo.
"Or a performance piece, like the flash mob we did with the Michael Jackson 'Thriller' dance at the Zombie Run," added Scott.
Scott and Liuzzo, 2008 Jamestown High School graduates, started WAKE UP! Productions to broaden the idea of live entertainment in the area. According to Liuzzo, the group's first event, the End of Days Zombie Run, was wildly successful in that more than 400 people signed up to participate, and at least 900 more attended to spectate.
"We reached a lot of people," said Liuzzo. "And, as a business entity that was our first official presentation. WAKE UP! Productions is trying to focus on showcasing media art, music or performance art and also to present alternative, unique events such as the Zombie Run. We'd like to bring a big-city atmosphere to Jamestown - something that people will come from out of town to attend. The ultimate goal with our events is to establish the greater Jamestown area, especially downtown, as a destination for entertainment."
This event was made possible with the help of the Downtown Jamestown Development Corporation and the Gebbie Foundation.
The Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney Renaissance Center is located at 119-121 W. Third St. in Jamestown. For more information call 640-6060 or visit facebook.com/wakeuppro.