Community Unity Event

Guests at Community Unity Day enjoyed a full afternoon of entertainment! Click on the links below to learn more about each performer.

Great Country WGTY 107.7's Street Team will be broadcasting at the event from noon to 2 pm with prize giveaways!

Special thanks to the performers, who are donating their time, and to Noteworthy Music of Gettysburg, who will be providing the sound system and technical support for the performers.

Jessica Gondwe
Jessica Ekira Kara Gondwe was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba to a Malawian father and American mother. She moved to Gettysburg as a toddler when her father, the late Dr. Derrick Gondwe, was hired to teach Economics at Gettysburg College. She discovered her love of dancing at 8 years of age at the Debbie Lewis Dance Studio in Thurmont, Md. At age 9 she had her first encounter with the kkk. At that young age she asked her mother, "Why are they hiding behind those sheets? Are they ashamed of themselves?". At age 15 she enrolled in classical voice lessons at the Peabody Preparatory School in Baltimore, MD. where she was already training in ballet, modern, jazz and tap dance. She also studied with voice Professor Kermit Finstadt of Gettysburg College. After high school she auditioned at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia in both dance and classical voice and received scholarships in both areas. She was awarded a full scholarship to study voice with Dr. Nathan Carter for one year at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Her vocal performances include the French Embassy in Malawi, Africa as well as invitations to weddings and special events. Currently she is finishing her dance education degree in Philadelphia.

Orrtanna and the Barnstormers

Musicians Catharine Roth, Slim Harrison and Tom Jolin will team up for a performance of “old time” music. The traditional musicians all sing and perform on many instruments. Catharine plays the autoharp, mountain dulcimer and guitar. Slim plays the fiddle, banjo, mountain dulcimer, guitar and is a well known traditional dance caller. Tom plays the hammer dulcimer, banjo, button accordion, guitar and also makes instruments. ORRTANNA, Catharine and Tom, have performed for 32 years. THE BARNSTORMERS, Slim and Tom, have performed for over 26 years. Their light hearted performances are filled with lots of humor….sometimes purposely.

The Getaway Drive Band

The GetAway Drive is from Long Island New York. Over the past year, TGAD has toured the east coast twice over and numerous other weekend tours. Playing with national acts from all over to the smallest clubs, the band has seen it all. Check them out at www.myspace.com/thegetawaydrive.

Starfell

Starfell is a "Screamo" genre of music from the York/Hanover area. They just completed their 1st demo cd. The band has been featured at the Yankees Club, The Hanover Library and various other places around the York/Hanover area. Starfell is currently in production of their first cd (release date unannounced). On their website, www.myspace.com/starfellrock, you'll find four songs recorded that will be featured on their first completed cd. To contact Starfell via internet you may do so by their myspace page or at dkuhn182@yahoo.com.

Fire City Jazz Band

Learn more about the Fire City Jazz Band on their website: www.firecityjazzband.com.

The Jackalopes

The Jackalopes are a group of 5 young musicians from Gettysburg, PA. The group pulls from a variety of genres, including blues, classic rock, and reggae. Sophomores Caton Sollenberger and Peter Wolfe and junior Andrew Small are the founding members of the band, with Jacob Godman and Megan Alder joining forces in later years, both of whom are juniors. All of the members attend Gettysburg Area High School and reign as the winners of the 2005 Battle of the Bands. They hope to make progress in their music and continue to entertain in various events in the area. For more information, visit their website at http://www.gburgband.bravehost.com/index.html.

Jesus Contreras

Jesus Contreras is a local veterinarian originally from Torreon, Coahuila Mexico. He has been playing the guitar since he was 15 years old. Music is his passion, especially romantic Mexican music and American Country music. He created a Mexican Popular Music Band called Forastero (vist www.freespaces.com/forastero for more information)

The Willys

The Willys are a power-pop band from Gettysburg that have been making music for over a decade. They are finishing work on their fourth cd of all original music, due to be released this winter. The title cut from the cd - Butterteeth, has already been released by SBS Records out of Decatur, GA. The Willys have been featured in 98.5 The Peak's Battle of the Bands for the last two years. They have also opened for national recording artist, Blessid Union of Souls as well as playing with numerous local acts. For more information about the band or their upcoming cd release, contact them using email at band@thewillys.com or through their myspace site www.myspace.com/gettysburgwillys.

Grand Finale Performance by the cast of For the Glory

For the Glory is the Broadway Musical about the Civil War playing at the Majestic Theater in Gettsyburg, and the cast has agreed to perform the grand finale at the Community Unity Event. For more information about the musical, visit www.fortheglorythemusical.com.

Entertainment

Quotes






	Gettysburg Recreation Park September 2, 2006 noon - 5 pm