The Clarks to rock State before taking hiatus
The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown will be rockin’ to the sounds of The Clarks, the hugely popular Pittsburgh-based rock band, on Saturday, Nov. 4. The performance will be one of the last opportunities to see The Clarks for a while because band members plan to take a hiatus.
This marks the second consecutive year that The Clarks have committed to do a benefit concert for Conn-Area Catholic School in Connellsville.
Connellsville native Scott Blasey, lead vocalist and guitarist for The Clarks and now a Dallas, Texas, resident, said he loves coming home to Fayette County to do a concert, and the State Theatre is one of his favorite venues to play.
He also has a special fondness for the school because he has many friends and family members who attended Conn-Area Catholic School. His aunt Marlene Scarry taught first grade there for many years.
“The concert is a community event. It’s for the kids and the adults,” said John Coleman, event chairman.
“If I were a parent, I would not be afraid to let my child attend the concert. The music is clean – not offensive,” added Coleman, a Connellsville resident who works as an investment adviser at Parker-Hunter in Uniontown.
Coleman said he got involved with fund-raising efforts because his wife, Susan Brooks Coleman, and many of her nieces and nephews attended Conn-Area Catholic.
Blasey said he knows that kids comprise a large part of The Clarks following, and he is very conscious of song lyrics.
Now that Blasey is a parent, he said his awareness has increased. Blasey and his wife have a 20- month-old daughter, Sofia. The couple is expecting their second child in December. Blasey said that is one of the reasons why band members decided to take a temporary hiatus.
In addition to his family obligations, Blasey is spending time recording songs for his solo CD titled “Travelin On,” which is scheduled for release in March 2007. He said The Clarks plan to begin touring again at a later date.
Mary Dreliszak, a Conn-Area alumnus who is in charge of publicity for the event, said last year’s concert was a very successful fund-raiser for the school.
“We just love The Clarks, they put on a great show” added Dreliszak, who is employed as manager of program development for the challenge program.
About 1,400 people attended last year’s event, which raised $25,000 for the school. Sister Catherine Meinert, school principal, said the proceeds were used for local tuition assistance. Every student received $100 credit toward their tuition, and families with multiple students enrolled received additional credit.
The students participate in the fund-raising by selling T-shirts and souvenir programs. The event is underwritten by the Coal Baron restaurant, the Rev. Edward McCullough, of St. Aloysius Parish, Healthland Pharmacy, Nemacolin Woodlands and Americhol.
This is the fourth year for the fund-raising event, which was initiated by an all-volunteer committee that has a sentimental attachment to Conn-Area Catholic School.
In addition to fund-raising for the school, the committee decided that 10 percent of the total profit would be donated to another non-profit fund for local needy residents.
Because of escalating fuel costs, a special reserve fund will be established this year to offset high costs for people struggling to pay their energy bills.
Rev. McCullough of St. Aloysius Parish in Dunbar came up with the idea when gasoline prices soared this summer.
The doors for the concert will open at 6:30 p.m. when an opening act will perform followed by The Clarks at 7:30 p.m.
Two guitars signed by The Clarks will be given away during the show.
One will be raffled, and the other auctioned off, with Sister Catherine and the Rev. McCullough taking the bids.
To purchase tickets for the show, call the box office at the State Theatre Center for the Arts at 724-439-1360.