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The Palm Beach Post

Bands compete for gigs and Lake Worth Playhouse’s benefit

BY JULIUS WHIGHAM II | THE PALM BEACH POST | SEPT 9, 2012

A guitarist performs during the Battle of the Bands competition at Lake Worth Playhouse. The competition was organized by LULA Lake Worth Arts through a partnership with the Lake Worth Playhouse.The sound of songs from Nirvana, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and similar acts filled the Lake Worth Playhouse on Sunday afternoon to the delight of music and art lovers who had gathered there for the inaugural Battle of the Bands.

Eight bands participated in the competition Saturday and Sunday at the Lake Worth Playhouse. The four finalists competed Sunday for the reward of cash and playing engagements. The event was held to raise money for the LULA Lake Worth Arts program and the Lake Worth Playhouse, as well to showcase local musicians and artists.

The stage was adorned with paintings by local artists. “We’ve put this program because we wanted to (incorporate several) disciplines of the arts,” said Tracey Smith-Coffey, coordinator for the LULA Lake Worth Arts program. “We have photographers here. We have bands. We have visual artists.”

The playhouse had been thinking of staging a battle of the bands for some time, said Stephanie Smith, its executive director.

“It was perfect partnership because we have the venue and LULA is very involved with the artists,” Smith said. “We thought it would be the perfect way to come together and make it happen in a successful way.

The music drew a strong response from concertgoers, many of whom were fans of the band and wanted to show their support for the playhouse.

“I think they’re all excellent,” concert-goer Peter Wein of Wellington said. “I love the Playhouse.

It is a unique venue that’s been around forever. I want to be able see my kids and my grandchildren to be able to come here.

Lake Worth resident Tony Dearth, the leader of the participating band In Surrender, said this weekend’s event was a great opportunity for local musicians to showcase their talent.

“This is awesome. Nashville, there’s as venue every other corner — New York, L.A., Chicago. There’s just happening venues everywhere,” Dearth said. “For the city go out of their way, to create a venue is just awesome.”

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