Middle, High School Bands to Compete in Ridgefield BandJam 2015, 4/26

The best middle and high school bands around have made it through the semi-finals and will rock out at The Ridgefield Playhouse before a panel of industry pros -- i95 DJ Ethan Carey, Broadway star Linda Eder, singer/songwriter/producer Vaneese Thomas and bassist Doug Wimbish -- to compete for the title of "BandJam 2015 Winner" on Sunday, April 26, at 4 p.m.

Middle School bands who will compete are GRaviToNiK, Abby and the Roadsters, Distorted Truth and Painting Elephants. In the High School category, it will be Short Change, The Bothers, Darkest Shade and Clueless.

What began as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit performing arts center has become a much-anticipated annual competition that raises significant funds for the Playhouse. This year's BandJam is powered by Guitar Center, sponsored by Music Shed, Pepsi, i95fm, The Enchanted Garden and Hal Prince Music and Entertainment, with support from Ridgefield Music; video production is by pda films.

Now in its sixth year, Ridgefield BandJam was the brainchild of some enterprising students who decided to take action after learning that The Ridgefield Playhouse was struggling in the economic downturn (2008). The students created a benefit event that would satisfy their love of music plus provide support to the Playhouse; hence "Ridgefield BandJam" was born. RidgefieldBandJam.com, a website developed by the kids, has all the details of how it works.

For tickets ($20, $15 students), call the box office at 203-438-5795, or go to ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.

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