Magnetpalooza

RIVERGODS, DOGBITE HEADLINE
“MAGNETPALOOZA” BENEFIT CONCERT
JUNE 5 AT THE HYGIENIC ART PARK

The Regional Multicultural Magnet School is fortunate to have some well-known and popular musicians as part of its “extended family,” and they will take to the stage from 2 p.m. to 5  p.m. June 5 at the Hygienic Art Park for Magnetpalooza, a music festival to benefit the school and celebrate its 20th Anniversary.

“Last summer when I was enjoying local music at the Hygienic, I thought of the Bridge Street Concerts that Neil Young does to benefits his son’s school,” said Magnet School teacher Sue Goldstein. “I realized that RMMS has amazing musical connections. And I thought how wonderful it would be to put on this benefit in the beautiful Hygienic Art Park.”

Thus Magnetpalooza was conceived. The very talented RMMS Chorus, under the direction of Kevin Salley, was invited to be the opening act, and Goldstein was indeed able to recruit some excellent bands to follow.

Rivergods, an original roots-rock, Americana-tinged outfit, includes musicians Mike Palazzolo, Trevor Chandonnait, Dan Spano, Nancy Parent and Ben Parent. Nancy and Ben are RMMS parents. (Not a typo!)  Founded in 1997, Rivergods continue to enjoy critical acclaim and a loyal fan base around southern New England.

Dogbite defines its repertoire as “Rockabilly, blues, country-western fake jazz, folk music, standards and original material.” The bank’s influences include Doc Watson, Django Reinhardt, Townes Van Zandt, The Waterboys, Dwight Yoakum, Elvis Presley, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Eddie Cochran, and many more. The group includes Micky Williston, Kevin Salley, Hugh Birdsall and Jim Fitzgerald. Both Sallley and Birdsall are teachers at the Magnet School.

Paul, Cathy & Friends are an eclectic group of musical friends who combine folk and Celtic and whatever else the “friends” bring to the performance. “Paul” is Paul Carolan, director of the Magnet School, and “Cathy” is his wife, Cathy Smith-Carolan; Friends are Lynn Rose, Richard Schenk and Kevin Salley.

Other RMMS friends who will be performing are Carl Franklin, a songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist; Dr.K, a/k/a Kevin Salley, the school’s music director, who plays soulful original music; and Nikki Rollins, an RMMS parent who sings gospel and jazz.

Admission is a donation, with a suggested figure of $5 per person or $10 per family. Larger donations are welcome, too. All proceeds, including those from the sale of food and non-alcoholic beverages, T-shirts and an eventual CD of the concert, will go to the Regional Multicultural Magnet School Education Foundation, which funds innovative education programs at the school.