2010 entertainment schedule

Triad Communications Showmobile Stage

10:00AM – 11:30AM  Chardon Polka Band more info>>

11:45AM – 1:15PM LO-Watt Radio (Americana/Roots Music/Rock) more info>>

1:30PM – 3:30PM Ashley Brooke Toussant (Indie-folk singer-songerwriter) more info>>

4:00PM – 6:00PM The Speedbumps (Alternative Folk) more info>>

also performing:

11:00AM – 2:00PM (magic show at 1:15PM)  The Great Brad (Magician)

NOON – 4:00PM  Bill Roddy (Juggle Art Painting)

2:00PM – 6:00PM  Michael Roy Baldridge (Folding Paper Art)

musician bios

Chardon Polka Band

Now, over five years later, the band continues and its fan base grows. In the small town of Chardon, Ohio, long haired Jake Kouwe and his oom-pah gang are local celebrities. The Chardon Polka Band has an eccentric and always unique roster.

Despite the band’s gruff appearance, these delightfully different guys are both friendly and outgoing. They are  among the area’s most recognizable performers at local parks, festivals, parades, parties and fund-raisers, and perform regularly at local nursing homes. The polka band now has a faithful fan base, ranging from senior citizens to small children, teens, and twenty-somethings.

The band’s range of style is as equally eccentric as its’ members. The Chardon Polka Band plays traditional polkas reminiscent of “The Lawrence Welk Show”, a style that has endeared them to traditional polka fans, but sometimes morphs into punk-rock renditions of the same songs, modified to bring in a younger audience. They throw in comedic renditions of oddball favorites, zany originals, and even a Polka-Rock covers of anything from Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” to Queens “Fat Bottomed Girls”!

Lo-Watt Radio

Lo-Watt Radio is a unique sound out of Akron, Ohio featuring the songwriting of Mike Harvan and the multi-instrumental pickin’ prowess of Glenn “Doc” Blankenhorn. The rhythm section of drummer Joel Eric Geiser and bassist Ron Cerosky makes sure the groove feels right. They mix country, bluegrass, folk, blues, and rock into a footstompin’ blend of musical bliss. Ranging from acoustic folk ballads to swampy electric barn-burners, the songs include the themes of love, loss, loneliness and alien abduction. Their first record is due out this summer.

Ashley Brooke Toussant

Ashley Brooke Toussant, a Folk Musician who comes from Canton, Ohio, delivers a sound that has nothing but raw emotion. One becomes acquainted to the Ashley Brooke Toussant experience through her live shows. In an era where people expect of their music to be so loud as to simply drown in it, Ms. Toussant offers a quiet alternative. The listener is forced to pay attention to her unique and interesting sound.

The Speedbumps

The Speedbumps released its sophomore LP "Apple Tree" in early 2009. Artists ranging from Nick Drake and Iron and Wine to Wilco and Radiohead influence their sound. The band has shared the stage with several national acts, including OKGO, Andrew Bird, Anathello, Chrissie Hynde and Matt Nathanson among others.

“Apple Tree” is the follow-up to their debut album, “Back to Burlington”, released in 2005. The Speedbumps maintain the high level of songwriting and instrumentation demonstrated on their first album, and in the process has found an incredible emotive outlet shown on tracks that display the diversity in Urycki’s thematic songwriting.

What separates the Speedbumps from other bands - is the complexity and uniqueness of its sound. Incorporating a combination of hollow-bodied instruments that reflect the classical, jazz and modern age, the band produces alternative acoustic music with a folk-style feel. The vast musical influences and individual talent of Urycki, Kristoff, Hawkins, Bonnis and Adams combine to form an honest, intelligent and organic sound that is delivered in each song and performance.

The Speedbumps
Erik Urycki -- Guitar, Vox
Sam Kristoff -- Cello, Saw
Patrick Hawkins -- Drums, Percussion
Craig Adams -- Wurlitzer Piano, Nord Electro 3, Banjo
Andrew Bonnis -- Upright Bass, Ukulele, Vox