Community Corner
Tri-Cities Musicians Hit All the Right Notes
The League of Volunteers highlights Newark, Fremont musicians Sunday as part of its 22nd Annual Gala Celebrating the Arts.
Popular radio tunes of today and yesterday filled the auditorium at the this weekend as Tri-Cities musicians showed off their chops for the ’ (LOV) 22nd Annual Gala Celebrating the Arts.
According to Executive Director Shirley Sisk, Sunday’s show was part of a concert series organized by LOV and the Newark Arts Council.
“This is a time during our concert season when we honor and showcase local talent as much as possible,” Sisk said.
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alum Lora McHugh took the stage Sunday. McHugh plays guitar, performs covers of popular artists like Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars and composes her own songs. She said she plans on recording her own music soon.
“I have been singing my whole life,” McHugh said. “I love performing in front of other people.”
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Last summer, McHugh won the Fred Jueneman/Newark Arts Council 2010 music scholarship after she auditioned for the award. According to LOV’s July/August 2010 newsletter, McHugh has performed in a variety of venues from the Alameda County Fair to the Hayward Zucchini Festival.
In addition to launching her recording career, McHugh studies nursing at San Jose State University.
“It means a lot that I can give back to this community,” McHugh said. “A lot of what I’ve learned is in Newark, from the arts, choirs, drama productions. It feels really good to drive down the street and sing.”
Sunday’s concert also featured a Fremont cover band, the Squeaks. Band member Lelan Fernando attends American High School, and he says it’s a good experience to perform at this Newark venue.
“Performing and getting good feedback is the best feeling in the world,” Fernando said.
Veteran musician Michael Bartle headlined Sunday’s event with a cabaret-style set. His musical tributes cover a diverse line-up of artists, from Elvis to Willie Nelson.
Bartle told Newark Patch that all California public schools are struggling with difficult financial decisions, including saving arts programs.
“You want to keep kids off the streets, you want to keep kids out of crime, give them an outlet to express their creativity,” Bartle said. “I guarantee you when you push the arts for kids, any art, painting, drawing, drama, acting, singing… it will help keep kids off the streets. I really believe that.”
More information about the musicians:
