CITYFAIRE TO PRESENT NATIONAL RECORDING ARTISTS

CityFaire, a community celebration of the arts, is pleased to announce its national entertainers for 2001:

8 PM Friday, August 3 The Iguanas

On their way to four August opening dates with Dave Matthews Band, The Iguanas will get CityFaire dancing with their lively combination of Tex-Mex, rock and R&B. The Iguanas made three recordings with Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville records over eight years, and most recently released Sugar Town on their own Blowout Records label. Sugar Town showcases Latin music, rock 'n' roll, and swamp pop driven by twin saxophones, guitar, accordion, bass and drums. The CD features "Dear Walter," inspired by a late-night TV Mexican psychic, "Latin Kings," a commentary on an FBI crackdown on young gang members and the irresistible six-note accordion melody of "La Guera Felix."

2 PM Saturday, August 4 Charlie Robison

Charlie Robison blends down-to-earth songwriting with an energetic live show that leaves no doubt of his Texas roots. Robison, the pride of Texas country music, returns wit and grit lyrics to the stage. His most recent recording, Step Right Up on the Lucky Dog/Columbia label, includes the singles "I Want You Bad," a cover of the NRBQ hit, and "The Wedding Song," described as a "wincingly honest look at love in the real world." Charlie Robison is presented by WQMX.

8 PM Saturday, August 4 Dirty Dozen Brass Band

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has boldly forged the traditions of New Orleans jazz with the modern influences of bebop, funk, R&B and pop. Founded in 1977, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has performed in more than 30 countries on five continents, has been featured often on National Public Radio, and has recorded with jazz greats Dizzy Gillespie, Danny Barker, and Branford Marsalis, among others. They have received broad critical acclaim, including a "Jazz Album of the Year" from CMJ and five star ratings from Downbeat and Jazz Times.

2 PM Sunday, August 5 The Persuasions

The Persuasions will perform music from the award-winning hit children’s album "On The Good Ship Lollipop." Long known for their innovative a cappella music for adults, the Persuasions perform engaging doo-wop hits for children, families, and the young at heart. "On The Good Ship Lollipop" was named the Amazon.com #1 Children's Album of 1999 and was awarded the 2000 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award and the 1999 Parents' Choice Gold Award.

3:30 PM Sunday, August 5 The Persuasions

The Persuasions will continue to delight the CityFaire audience with doo-wop versions of Frank Zappa, the Grateful Dead, and more. The entire family will delight in this lively concert that continues CityFaire’s celebration of National Kids’ Day.

6 PM Sunday, August 5 Tommy Dorsey Orchestra with Akron’s own Dolores Parker Morgan

Tommy Dorsey’s big band orchestra teams up with Akron’s own legendary jazz singer Dolores Parker Morgan. Morgan’s big band career spanned the golden age of jazz, including performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1947 and 1948. Dorsey’s orchestra and Morgan will perform jazz and swing favorites for the entire family in CityFaire’s closing event.

In addition, CityFaire features live regional performing artists on three stages, including popular acts such as The Twistoffs, Anne E. DeChant, Harmonia: music from the heart of Europe, and many more.

CityFaire will take place on August 3, 4, and 5, 2001. The hours are 5 PM-9 PM on Friday, August 3; 12 PM-9 PM on Saturday, August 4, and 12 PM-8 PM on Sunday August 5. The event, now in its second year, is presented on Main Street in downtown Akron. In addition to three stages of performing artists, CityFaire features a gourmet Food Market featuring 24 area restaurants, a visual art market with over 50 artists and activities for children and families.

CityFaire’s other attractions include sky sculptures and colorful banners suspended from downtown buildings that transform downtown Akron itself into a work of art and a fantastic puppet theatre created by area children and University of Akron art professor Mark Soppeland. New this year, teams of area students from Cuyahoga Falls High School, Ellet High School, Firestone High School, Our Lady of the Elms High School, and St. Vincent/St. Mary High School will create art using VW bugs as their canvas, courtesy of Dave Walter Volkswagen.

Admission to CityFaire is $6 per day and $12 for a weekend pass. Children 5 and under are free. Sunday, August 5 is National Kids Day, and children 12 and under will be admitted free with an accompanying adult. For more information, please visit cityfaire.com or call 330-762-9755 ext. 305.

CityFaire is a program of United Disability Services of Akron; its founding partners are Akron Community Foundation, the City of Akron, Downtown Akron Partnership and United Way of Summit County.

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