Oak Ridge, Tenn. – (June 2, 2008) – It’s time to get your groove on, and the Secret City Festival is just the place to party. With great acts like The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie and Mary Wilson of the Supremes in concert during the evening hours, and Jada Blade and Blunt Force Trauma hitting those high notes during the day, there’s something to appease all music lovers. This year’s festival takes place June 20 – 21 at AK Bissell Park.
The Turtles, known for their hits “Happy Together,” “She’d Rather Be With Me,” and “Elenore” among others, are scheduled to perform on Friday night, June 20. According to Joye Montgomery, entertainment coordinator for the Secret City Festival, The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie are well known across the country for putting on a fun and energetic performance.
“I’m very anxious to see The Turtles,” Montgomery said. “I’ve heard some very exciting things about their show and the energy they bring to the concert stage, so I’m really looking forward to their performance.”
Opening for The Turtles is local performer Dave Landeo. Landeo’s acoustic/electric rock act provides the ultimate live entertainment, as he interacts well with his audience and performs a wide variety of music, including original work and cover songs.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, takes the stage Saturday evening, belting out crowd favorites such as “Baby Love,” “Stop in the Name of Love,” and “You Can’t Hurry Love.”
As testimony to the success of the Supremes, Wilson shared the stage with Mick Jagger, Ringo Starr, and George Harrison in January 1988 when the Supremes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seven years later, the Supremes were given their own exhibit for the museum opening in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1994, the Supremes were honored with their star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Opening for Mary Wilson is a band that captured the hearts of the crowd at the 2006 festival, LB1 featuring Larry Blair. LB1 has been on the regional scene for many years, and is a Secret City Festival favorite. His vocal stylings keep the audience engaged and dancing, and he will really get them geared up for a Motown performance by Mary Wilson.
Wackenhut and Netgain are sponsoring the Friday night concert by The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie. Pro2Serve and Croet are sponsoring the Saturday night concert featuring Mary Wilson of the Supremes.
Combo concert tickets are still available for $30 for both concerts through June 13 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center front desk, by visiting www.SecretCityFestival.com, or by calling (865) 482-4432. Individual concert tickets are also available at $20 each. After June 13, all concert tickets will be sold individually.
The Pavilion will play host to many exciting entertainment acts during this year’s festival. Friday’s lineup includes the opening band “Time Machine,” who will perform directly after the festival’s opening ceremonies; the return of the Secret City Talent Show; and “Blunt Force Trauma,” winner of the Battle of the Bands competition.
On Saturday, the “World Dance Celebration” will feature dance arrangements including bellydance, folk, oriental cabaret, veil, and fusion style dancing. And lots of music will be heard from the Pavilion stage as the Knox Pipes & Drums, Ensemble Swing Time, Bossman Blues, Nancy Brennan Strange, Jada Blade, and the VIP Band all take the stage to keep festivalgoers entertained.
The Oak Ridge Community Orchestra will once again hold its Open Rehearsal, during which anyone can “sit in” as the orchestra goes through one of its regular rehearsals. And the PuppetoneRockers, a fun and unique group of puppets, will entertain kids of all ages with their musical performance.
Other festival activities include the largest multi-battle World War II event in the southeast with approximately 200 re-enactors, an expanded children’s area, arts and crafts vendors, antique dealers, Manhattan Project tours and more.
The 6th Annual Secret City Festival is presented by the City of Oak Ridge, the Oak Ridge Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Arts Council of Oak Ridge. This year’s festival sponsors are B&W Y-12 and the City of Oak Ridge, and the media sponsors are The Oak Ridger, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, WBIR-TV, Comcast, and BBB Communications. For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.SecretCityFestival.com or call the information line at (865) 425-3610.
Contact: Nicky Reynolds