An assorted collection of music accompanied by light shows will provide the background for tomorrow's Halloween Block Party.
Musical acts ranging from country-rock to hip-hop will perform on two stages set up at separate ends of Court Street.
It's a good mix
said Jonathan Holmberg, chairman of the Athens Clean and Safe Halloween Committee. We've got everything from country-rock to rap to blues ... I always try to get as diverse a lineup as I can ... You want everyone who is there to enjoy it.
Holmberg said he uses the Halloween stage shows as a way to support the local musicians who play at Jackie O's Pub and Brewery, where he works, and other local bars.
I like to think of it as a showcase of local bands Holmberg said. Seventy-five percent of the bands I pick are (Ohio University) students or from Athens to keep up the local connection.
Two OU alumni, David Alexander and Brandon Thompson, will perform on the North Stage at the intersection of North Court Street & East State Street. Alexander and Thompson, also known as DJs Time Traveler and B-Funk from the Dave Rave dance parties, will be the first DJ act to be included in the block party as a headlining performance.
We have something special planned
Alexander said. We have a full stage show planned - it's probably one of the most involved and exciting shows at Halloween.
Alexander and Thompson plan to bring the energy and atmosphere of Dave Rave, the popular dance party that plays to sellout crowds at The Union, to Court Street. The smoke machine, strobe lights and lasers used during Dave Rave all will be present in the Halloween stage performance.
We will have all the equipment we have at Dave Rave
Alexander said. It will be the full Dave Rave experience.
The DJs are counting on their
contribution of electronic music to encourage dancing and high spirits on Court Street.
We're coming to bring the party
Alexander said.
In order to keep the crowd involved with their show, Alexander and Thompson asked David Young, keyboardist for local funk band First Street Heat, to emcee their set.
They asked me to be the emcee and hype man
Young said. I'll be doing the crowd involvement chants and introducing the band and saying anything that needs to be said.
Young also will be performing later in the night with the Pink Floyd cover band Any Colour You Like, the last act of the night on the North Stage. The group is comprised of musicians from local bands including The Porters, Hell Naw, and Elemental Groove Theory.
This is the most diverse the shows have ever been. It's all over the place
which is great
Young said. There's something for everybody.
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