Electric Youth: Debut Concert at THE BLACK BOX

Electric Youth (EY) 2015, the international touring ensemble of talented singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will debut at THE BLACK BOX in downtown Franklin on Saturday, January 10, performing two shows at 7:00 and 9:30 p.m.

Electric Youth is pictured in Todi, Italy during the group's 2014 summer concert tour of Austria and Italy

Backed by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, Electric Youth delivers a fun, high-energy evening of family entertainment with an extensive range of contemporary pop, classic rock, Broadway and country hits for audiences all ages. The EY shows at THE BLACK BOX will feature fully choreographed performances of Adele, The Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Jason Mraz, Frank Sinatra, Styx and more.

Selected annually by audition, the group is chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence, and triple threat accomplishments in voice, dance, and acting. This season’s ensemble of performers, ages 14-17, studies multiple dance disciplines, voice, and acting at FSPA. Electric Youth 2015 includes Adriane D’Amato of Foxboro; Madison Asgeirsson, Kendra Dombroski, Shaina McGillis, Lauren Szczepanowski and Melissa Wyner of Franklin; Michael Fajardo of Hopkinton; Sam Evans of Medfield; Maddy Williams of Medway; Katie Gray of Milford; Kylee Rollins of North Attleboro; and Jenna McDermott of Wrentham.

The EY singer-dancers are backed by Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison.

“The band that tours with EY really raises the level of experience for our singer-dancers and audiences alike,” says Director Raye Lynn Mercer. “These musicians have performed with A-list entertainers, and the music is first-rate. The arranging team for Electric Youth, including several of the band members, writes custom arrangements for EY that allow the group to take classic songs and make them their own.”

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Mark Poniatowski on bass, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp.

Electric Youth has released six professional albums and toured Europe 11 times, with performances at England’s Arundel Festival, Disneyland Paris, professional theaters in Bristol, London and Windsor, and such renowned venues as Sanremo’s Ariston Theatre and Vienna’s Konzerthaus, Musikverein and Schonbrunn Palace. EY has also headlined Fourth of July shows for U.S. troops and their families stationed in Italy at Camp Ederle, Camp Darby, and Aviano Air Force Base.

The ensemble has performed on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, on Fox-TV and WBZ Radio, and at Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, Mechanics Hall, the Smithsonian Museum Theater and the United Nations. EY’s music, including the 2014 album, Power Chord, is available at amazon.com and iTunes. Electric Youth 2015 will tour England and France this summer.

Tickets for Electric Youth In Concert at THE BLACK BOX are $26, with $18 tickets available for children 12 and under at the first show only. Tables may be reserved for larger parties of 8 and 12. To purchase tickets, visit www.theblackboxonline.com, stop by the box office at 34 Main Street in Franklin, or call (508) 528-3370.

THE BLACK BOX is located at 15 West Central Street in downtown Franklin. Light pub fare and cash bar are available. For more information about Electric Youth, visit www.electricyouth.com.

Electric Youth to Perform Free Outdoor Summer Concerts

Just back from a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy, Electric Youth (EY) will perform free outdoor summer concerts on Wednesday, July 30, from 6-8 p.m. on Franklin Town Common and on Thursday, July 31 from 6:30-8 p.m. on Norfolk Town Hill.

Electric Youth’s 11th European tour featured shows in Vienna, Melk, Obergrafendorf and Steiermark, Austria, including a benefit concert at Vienna’s historic 19th century Odeon Theater and workshop with students at the Amadeus International School. Performances in Italy featured a return Fourth of July show for U.S. Troops stationed at Aviano Air Force Base, multiple shows in Lignano and Bibione along the Adriatic Coast, a concert in the medieval Umbrian hilltop town of Todi, and shows in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany and at Lake Como. 

Electric Youth shows deliver high-powered family entertainment with exciting choreography and impressive vocals for audiences of all ages. This season’s wide-ranging repertoire includes hits by Aerosmith, The Beatles, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Carrie Underwood. 

Electric Youth performing during the group's summer 2014 13-concert tour of Austria and Italy

Trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), Electric Youth is backed by an eight-piece band of Boston musicians who've performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison. 

Electric Youth 2014 debuted at Showcase Live, Patriot Place in February and returned on June 13 to perform a Bon Voyage concert. EY recorded the group’s 6th professional album, Power Chord, at Mansfield’s MockingBird Studios in May. As with EY shows, the studio album includes unique renditions of timeless hits. Electric Youth’s music is available on iTunes and CD Baby. 

Electric Youth members are chosen annually by audition for superior musicianship, stage presence and triple threat accomplishments in voice, dance and acting. Many members are preparing to pursue a career in the performing arts, while all are gaining valuable life skills through their participation, extensive training and travel experiences with the ensemble. Electric Youth 2014 includes Madison Asgeirsson, 16, Kendra Dombroski, 15, Ali Funkhouser, 18, Graham Hancock, 17, Jocelyn Jones, 15, and Shaina McGillis, 15, from Franklin; Michael Fajardo, 15, from Hopkinton; Sam Evans, 14, from Medfield; Maddy Williams, 15, from Medway; and Jenna McDermott, 15, from Wrentham. 

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Bill Miele on bass, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Raye Lynn Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Choreographers include Mercer, Casey Andrade, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp. 

For more information about Electric Youth or the EY summer Concerts on the Common, call FSPA at (508) 528-8668 or visit www.electricyouth.com.

Electric Youth To Perform At Showcase Live - Bon Voyage Concert for European Tour

Electric Youth (EY), the international touring ensemble of singer-dancers trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA), will perform at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxboro on Friday, June 13 at 7:30 p.m. The event is a Bon Voyage Concert for Electric Youth, coming just days before the ensemble departs on June 19th for a three-week concert tour of Austria and Italy. The group’s 11th European tour will include a return Fourth of July engagement at Aviano Air Force Base to entertain U.S. Troops and families stationed abroad. 

Electric Youth is backed by an eight-piece band of Boston musicians who’ve performed, recorded and toured with such music legends as Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B. King, Diana Ross, The Temptations and Van Morrison. EY’s show offers high-energy family entertainment, delivering fully choreographed performances of classic rock, contemporary pop and Broadway hits for audiences of all ages. Audiences at Showcase Live will hear two full sets featuring the best of Aerosmith, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, Carrie Underwood and more. 

The 10 singer-dancers of Electric Youth 2014 are trained at the Franklin School for the Performing Arts

The 12-concert tour will feature shows in Vienna, Melk and Steiermark, Austria, including a performance at Ehrenhausen Castle, benefit concert at Vienna’s historic 19th century Odeon Theater and workshop with students at the Amadeus International School. Performances in Italy will include multiple shows in Lignano and Bibione along the Adriatic Coast, concerts in Todi and Montecatini within the Tuscany-Umbria region, and at Lake Como. 

Prior to departure, Electric Youth will wrap up the group’s 6th professional album. The ensemble and musicians have already laid tracks at Mansfield’s MockingBird Recording Studio. As with EY shows, the studio album will include unique renditions of timeless hits.
“Several of the band members also write arrangements for EY that allow the group to take classic songs and make them their own,” says Director Raye Lynn Mercer. 

Electric Youth has launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign to help cover costs associated with the album’s mixing, mastering and distribution. Visit www.kickstarter.com and search the group’s project to learn more. 

Electric Youth 2014 debuted at Showcase Live on February 28. Selected by audition annually, EY members are chosen for superior musicianship, stage presence and triple threat accomplishments in voice, dance and acting. This season EY features 10 performers, including Madison Asgeirsson, 15, Kendra Dombroski, 15, Ali Funkhouser, 17, Graham Hancock, 17, Jocelyn Jones, 15, and Shaina McGillis, 15, from Franklin; Michael Fajardo, 15, from Hopkinton; Sam Evans, 14, from Medfield; Maddy Williams, 15, from Medway; and Jenna McDermott, 15, from Wrentham. 

EY’s show band features Kenny Hadley on drums, Arnie Krakowsky on tenor saxophone, Artie Montanaro on trombone, Walter Platt on trumpet, Bill Miele on bass, Ken Reid on baritone saxophone, Mark White on guitar and Mercer on piano. Under the direction of Mark Poniatowski, musical arrangers for Electric Youth are Rick Hammett, Jeff Perry, Walter Platt, Poniatowski, Mark White and Ben Whiting. Choreographers include Mercer, Cheryl Madeux, Nick Paone and Kellie Stamp. 

Tickets for the Showcase Live concert are $18 for Loge Sets and $28 for Premium Seating. To purchase tickets, visit www.electricyouth.com. Please call FSPA at 508-528-8668 for table reservations for larger parties. Doors open at 6 p.m. for best seat selection and dinner, featuring Showcase Live’s menu of distinctive cuisine and kid-friendly fare. Prospective FSPA students are encouraged to contact FSPA for information about complimentary tickets, available through the school’s All Access Pass program.

Electric Youth to Rock Showcase Live

Electric Youth 2014 will debut at Showcase Live, Patriot Place, in Foxboro on Friday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. This annual fan-favorite performance offers high-powered family entertainment with music for all ages. Accompanied by an eight-piece band of world-class musicians, EY will deliver a fully choreographed show with an extensive repertoire of classic rock and contemporary pop music. Hear the best of Aerosmith, The Beatles, Beyonce, Kelly Clarkson, Michael Jackson, Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra and more. Don't miss this exciting evening of timeless hits and non-stop entertainment! 

Electric Youth performing

Ticket prices are $18 for Loge Seats and $28 for Premium Seating. Tickets can be purchased at www.electricyouth.com. Call (508) 528-8668 to reserve a table for large parties. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for dinner and best seat selection.

Culinary Cabaret 2014

CALLING ALL FOODIES!

Don't Miss the Fantastic and Flavorful Culinary Cabaret 2014! 

Mark your calendars for Culinary Cabaret 2014, to be held on Friday, March 7 from 7-10 p.m. at Clarke Luxury Showroom in Milford! The third annual signature food and wine event showcases the culinary and performing arts, featuring inspired cuisine and creative cooking demonstrations by area chefs and culinarians. 

Culinary Cabaret

Electric Youth will headline the evening's entertainment. Savor fine wines and delicious appetizers and dishes from Artistry Kitchen, Culinary Underground, Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse, J & L Catering, Not Your Average Joes - Westborough, Prezo, Tavolino, Whole Foods Market, 3 Restaurant and more. 

Clarke features a kitchen-theater classroom and gallery of designer kitchens, providing an award-winning setting and inventive backdrop to eat, drink, learn and celebrate. Enjoy a special evening out with family and friends! 

Tickets are $75 and are available for purchase now at www.fpaconline.com. Proceeds will benefit Electric Youth and the ensemble's 2014 European concert tour, featuring a July 4th performance for U.S. troops.

Electric Youth Fundraiser

Pour Richard’s Wine and Spirits

  is holding a wine tasting fundraiser for

Electric Youth

Friday, November 15th, from 7-9 PM

At 14 Grove Street, Franklin

Electric Youth is an international touring ensemble of young triple threat performers, trained exclusively at the Franklin School for Performing Arts. They are currently preparing for a summer 2014 tour of Italy, Germany, and Austria. Among many other performances, EY will be entertaining the troops at the US Air Force Base in Aviano, Italy on July 4th. The Defense Dept budget currently does not include Independence Day festivities. Please help these young performers support our troops and continue to serve as youth ambassadors. 

Pour Richard’s is Franklin’s newest source for interesting wine, craft beers, and spirits. They have a strong belief in connecting with their community, and are excited to host this event.
Come taste an extensive selection of wine and beer appropriate for holiday entertaining. Tickets are just $10, with 100% of proceeds to Electric Youth. Pour Richard’s will also donate 20% of their profits from this evening. We hope to see you there!