Music Workshop’s free concerts for youth, the Soundwaves Concert Series, announced its second season bringing five interactive performances to The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts. Concerts will be held July 18, 25, and 26, involving performances by the Playing for Change Band and Ron Artis II & Band. The concerts are emceed by local high school student Melanie Rosales Del Cid, who will facilitate a conversation between the artists and the audience during the performance. The concerts will be recorded and shared as educational content to Music Workshop’s network of over 11,300 teachers, reaching over 4.3 million students in all 50 states and 99 countries.
With a unique fusion of influences and talents the Playing for Change Band, which currently consists of 11 musicians from 10 countries, carries music from the streets to the stage to people’s hearts. These musicians come from many different countries and cultures, but through music, they speak the same language. The Playing For Change Band is now touring the world and spreading a message of love and hope to audiences everywhere.
Ron Artis II uses his music to express his joy and love for life. His talent and music have taken him around the world performing and collaborating with artists like Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro, Booker T Jones, Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce), and G Love, among others. A multi-instrumentalist who grew up in Hawaii in a musical family, Ron speaks and sings from the heart.
Soundwaves Concerts aim to share the connection between music and life. According to Amy Richter, the Founder and Executive Director of Music Workshop, “Our goal at Soundwaves Concerts is to use the stories and artistry of musicians to promote the connection between music and important life skills.”
From the 2022 season, audience member Andra said, “We loved it! The music was fabulous, we loved how they interacted with the audience, and also the questions from the emcee were fun as well. It was a casual performance and so fun. I love this program, thank you for the opportunity to see this free concert.”
Soundwaves 2022’s inaugural season artists included Pink Martini, DJ Prashant, Thunderstorm Artis, and Portland Cello Project. Click the link to see a segment of the 2022 Soundwaves Concert featuring Pink Martini.
The concerts are free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Ages 8 and up are invited and children must be accompanied by an adult. For tickets and more information, go to TheReser.org.
Funding for this project comes from the Elizabeth B. McGraw Foundation.