June Lake Jam Fest bands, The Storytellers and Lightning Dan & the Crawdads, will perform for students at Mammoth Elementary and Lee Vining Elementary on Friday morning to start Jam Fest weekend.

June Lake, CA – August 30, 2023 – June Lake Loop Performing Arts Association (JJLLOOPPAA), the nonprofit organization that sponsors June Lake Jam Fest, has announced two school assemblies featuring two bands performing at Jam Fest on Jam Fest weekend. Jam Fest is the group’s popular fundraising event being held from Friday, September 8^th to Sunday, the 10^th. The assemblies will take place at Mammoth Elementary and Lee Vining Elementary on Friday.

“Some of the extraordinary musicians that perform at Jam Fest each year are invited to come to June Lake a day or two before the start of Jam Fest weekend to perform at school assemblies located in the rural and remote communities of Mono County,” stated Janet Hunt, Founder and Coordinator of Jam Fest, and Executive Director of JLLOOPPAA.

“These assemblies have become very popular with the students and school staff who have little to no opportunities to experience live music. These inspiring performances are now an integral part of Jam Fest weekend and further the mission of JLLOOPPAA to provide access to the arts.”

Visiting Mammoth Elementary is The Storytellers, a prominent progressive bluegrass band that will be performing at Jam Fest on Saturday at 4:00 PM. The band has been a fixture at regional bluegrass festivals and county fairs. They recently completed a year-long residency at Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and earlier this year was the first bluegrass band to perform on the large stages at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) tradeshow in Orange County, CA.

According to Hunt, she handpicked The Storytellers for the Mammoth Elementary assembly due to the band’s unusual and impressive rapport with their audience.

“The Storytellers’ surging popularity has a lot to do with the fact that they’re more than a simple band,” stated Hunt. “They’re an act. They communicate on stage with their audiences in a way that few bands do. Their stage banter and humor bring their audiences in close. I’ve seen them do it for thirty people. I’ve seen them do it with three hundred people. They’re perfect to talk to these kids.”

Visiting Lee Vining Elementary on Friday is singer Tanya Ellis and guitarist Eric Raaen of the Orange County-based band Lightning Dan & the Crawdads, who will be performing as an acoustic duo. Ellis, who serves as Executive Assistant of JLLOOPPAA, has recently been recognized by the organization for her years of service as a volunteer.

“Who better to go talk to and sing for the kids than Tanya Ellis,” said Hunt. “Tanya is one of three individuals for whom we’ve named three youth arts grant awards for. Hers is the music grant. She is kind and dedicated and soulful. She and Eric are high caliber performers who are playful and fun. The kids are going to love them.”

Lightning Dan & the Crawdads will be performing at Jam Fest’s Friday night afterparty at T-Bar in the Loop.

JLLOOPPAA provides cultural enrichment by supporting the creative and performing arts in Mono County. They do so by sponsoring and funding a range of educational, exhibitive and performing arts opportunities and events, supporting emerging local talent, enriching the creative economy, and enliven the artistic values of the community.

Learn more about June Lake Jam Fest:
https://www.junelakejamfest.org

Learn more about JLLOOPPAA:
https://www.junelakearts.org

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Media Contact

Janet Hunt
June Lake Loop Performing Arts Association
1-760-648-0454
info@junelakearts.org