Thanking Mayor William Samaras and the Mayor’s Holiday Fest Planning Committee and all the generous sponsors for helping end youth homelessness in our community! from all the Staff and Students at CTI’s YouthBuild of Greater Lowell Program 155 Merrimack Street, Lowell MA 01852 978.459.0551, www.commteam.org #LowellYouthHousing A Message from Mayor Bill Samaras and Karen Frederick, CEO, CTI Youth homelessness is a persistent problem in the City of Lowell. Community Teamwork estimates that there are over 100 young people in Lowell each year who are experiencing homelessness for a variety of reasons including family conflict and abuse, sexual identity, pregnancy, addiction or mental health issues, contact with the juvenile justice system or aging out of foster care. To help combat this issue and to provide support to these young people in our community, Mayor Bill Samaras is continuing the fundraising effort started last year and we hope that you will join with us to help make it a success once again! All proceeds from the event will be donated to Community Teamwork and their efforts as the lead agency for the Merrimack Valley Youth Consortium that works to prevent youth homelessness. This program has been working with teens to help them reunite with their families or find safe affordable housing on their own. In many cases, it is simply a matter of helping a young person with a security deposit or to clear up past debts that can save them from spending years couch surfing, sleeping in their cars or in places not fit for human habitation. Thank you for your support., Mayor William Samaras Karen Frederick City of Lowell CEO, Community Teamwork Thanks to our Lineup Emily Desmond Kevin Wall Take Two Marsha Macres & Friends/Jazz Punishers Mickey Kanan & George Bisson Whisky Duo John Powida Love Train Peter Lavender Nico Rivers and The Black Grass Bradley Copper Kettle & Friends blindspot FunRazrs LINEUP ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE blindspot blindspot is a female-fronted alternative rock band from Boston,. They are influenced by artists such as U2, The Killers, Paramore, Kings of Leon, and Neon Trees. Their unique sound, passion, and drive make them stand out against other musicians of their age. blindspot has opened for internationally recognized artists such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Gin Blossoms, Candlebox, Plain White T's, Buckcherry, Puddle of Mudd, Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots, Finger Eleven, Fuel, and Saving Abel. They are constantly striving to gain as much exposure as possible in order to expand their fan base and have people hear their music. Look out for them because they want to change the world. www.blindspotmusic.org www.facebook.com/blindspotMA @blindspot_music www.youtube.com/blindspotmusic smarturl.it/ blindspotSpotify Bradley Copper Kettle & Friends Plays Hi-Energy Gritty Folk Rock. A mix of Grateful Dead, My Morning Jacket and the quirkiness of Jonny Lang. https://www.facebook.com/bradleycopperkettleandfriends Emily Desmond This Lowell native began her education at Berklee College of Music in 2012, studying songwriting with a focus on vocal technique. Here she honed her craft and studied with multiple internationally acclaimed artists, writers, and professors. After the release of her 5-track EP Commencement, Emily received much praise and response from the Boston singer- songwriter scene for her lyrics, which range from witty & honest, to gut-wrenching & sincere. She has received recognition from the Lowell Sun and Boston Magazine, Mix 104.1, a nomination for "Best Female Artist" from the Interna- tional Acoustic Music Awards, and Honorable Mention for "Best Folk Song" from the USA Songwriting Competition. Desmond has opened for multiple well-known acts such as Rachel Platten, Vance Joy, Andy Grammer, Third Eye Blind and Rob Thomas. https://www.facebook.com/emily.m.desmond FunRazrs The FUNRAZRS are a 10 year old band based in Lowell. They have enjoyed popularity throughout the Merrimack Valley providing the classic rock genre of music. The composition of the band is all friends with various points of connection be it music, sports, children, etc. The common theme is music and there is over 100 years of collective professional musical experience amongst the members. They have assisted the largest and smallest of organization raise funds for the most worthy of causes through the donation of their time and talents. At the same time they have provided entertainment at weddings, organizational parties and night clubs over the course of the same 10 years. The members of the band are Don Belley-drums, John McQuaid-guitar/vocals, Rich Sarmento- lead guitar/vocals, Paul Belley-saxaphone/vocals, and Leo Sheridan-keyboard/bass/vocals. Jazz Punishers Jazz Punishers are a versatile and lively Boston-area jazz quintet of accomplished musicians including Jason Macres on saxophones, Marcia J. Macres on vocals, Jim Zaroulis on keyboards and piano, Ed Spargo on bass and Steve Bankuti on drums. Their quirky name is representative of the band members' sense of humor and light- heartedness about the music they love to play. They play a blend of classic jazz standards from John Coltrane to Ella Fitzgerald, many with a fresh twist, contemporary jazz, and even some R&B. Their sense of sophistication sans snootiness makes for a great jazz experience. To learn more about Jazz Punishers musicians and hear music www.jazzpunishers.com. Join us at Westford PCA on 12/1 Peter Lavender Peter Lavender and The Limbo Souls have come up with another fine CD with Sugar. Their ability to use soul, funk and R&B as a base that they expand into wider musical expression is uncanny. While this music could eas- ily find a home on any radio station that plays traditional R&B material, it is also easy to imagine it finding a home among pop and rock fans, too. BESTLOCAL ALBUM 2012. http://howlmag.com/peter-lavender/ Love Train R&B-rock-soul band featuring John Wadkins, Lori Moscone Wadkins, John Styklunas, Steve Thorsen and Dan Styklunas. Marcia Macres & Friends Marcia is a sassy redheaded songbird and business owner with a multi-faceted musical background. Tonight she has gathered some of her local girlfriends to form a group of female singers to get you all in the holiday spirit. Singing along is highly encouraged! Marcia is Co-Director of "Chick Singer Night Boston" - the world's longest running talent showcase high- lighting female singers/songwriters in 16 cities across the US and in Sweden. The Boston chapter is a non- profit organization raising money to benefit music and arts programs that empower girls/women to "find their voice". Since 2004, CSN Boston has donated over $26,000 to local Boston area music-related organizations, venues and community empowerment programs. The next Chick Singer Night Boston show is on 3/9/19 at the Westford Parish Center for the Arts (PCA). She is also a powerhouse lead-vocalist for Boston-area jazz band "Jazz Punishers" (performing at Westford PCA on 12/1/18). When Marcia is not singing, she is continuing her entrepreneurial dreams with her own Market- ing Consulting company "Marketing by Marcia" (simplifying marketing for small businesses, bands, venues, etc.). chicksingernight.com/chapters/boston jazzpunishers.com marketingbymarcia.com https://www.facebook.com/ ChickSingerNightBoston @ChickSingerNightBoston John Powhida John Powhida, a 2011 Rock and Roll Rumble Winner, is a singer/songwriter living in Boston. John is a multiple Boston Music Award nominee and his songs have been featured in episodes of My Name is Earl and Men in Trees. You may have seen him perform with his beloved Boston rock and soul combo, The Rudds, or even as guitarist with rock n roll icon and author Bebe Buell. Powhida's main boogie now John Powhida International Airport, a potent 6 piece rock, disco, soul, pop, fusion entertainment unit of the highest order. www.johnpowhidainternationalairport.bandcamp.com Nico Rivers & The Black Grass Nico Rivers is a Boston-based singer/ songwriter with a knack for transformation. Since hitting the road in 2011, Rivers has released 3 EPs and toured throughout the US & Europe including stops at many festivals and events including SXSW, SS Cape May, Club Passim’s Campfire Festival and many more. In 2016, Rivers began working with the backing group, The Black Grass. The formation of the group, as well as the songs are under a con- stant state of evolution. https://www.nicorivers.com Simplicity An Acoustic Duo with a Twist... featuring Mickey Kanan and George Bisson, both of whom appeared last year at this event. Mickey Kanan is a well known vocalist in the local music scene, having performed with Gary Hoey on numerous occasions, and has sung backup on albums for Lita Ford. She currently performs with the local band Blackheart. She has also been in numerous bands over the years and performed in many charity events using her vocal talents. She brings her 25+ years of talent to the stage along with George Bisson who has also been in the local music scene for 25+ years. George is well known for his extraordinary LINEUP ORDER SUBJECT TO CHANGE talents on guitar. He really knows how to make a guitar gently weep. He has played in many local bands including Jet City, Higher Ground and Left 4 Better. As well as performing in Acoustic shows and Karaoke throughout the area. The two of them together, are looking forward to being a part of this Amazing event. Take Two Mike Gacek has teamed we a few great performers over the past 15 years.—this time with Ken Lemire— all of them bringing their own special talent to the show! Combined with Mike's vocals, and songwriting, the results have never been anything less than spectacular! https:// mikegacek.com/take-two Kevin Wall Kevin Wall began his musical journey at the age of 8 as drum- mer and singer for the group Frye.