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What Chris Belsito's on and where you can get it

Last year local musicians like Chris Belsito and Craig West talked about the fact that it wasn't here. This year seven local original music acts will be on it and loving it. So what's the buzz? Rotaryfest's Second Stage.
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Last year local musicians like Chris Belsito and Craig West talked about the fact that it wasn't here.

This year seven local original music acts will be on it and loving it.

So what's the buzz?

Rotaryfest's Second Stage.

Rotaryfest Second Stage will be on from 5 to 11 p.m. Thursday, July 14 in the green-space north of the Civic Centre.

The Lop lops Lounge and Gallery and Lucidia Inc. sponsored event will showcase talents of local originals – musicians and their music.

Rotaryfest Second Stage: Who and when 5 p.m. - Amanda Pierosara and Laura Alopaeus with Lester Creek 6 p.m. - Stumpy Coldwater 7 p.m. - Startlefish 8 p.m. - Catherine Taddo 9 p.m. - Chris Belsito 10 p.m. - BigSuit 11 p.m. - Gates of Winter

Rotaryfest's Second Stage is an evolution of Tiny Bubbles stage that was set up last year in front of Memorial Gardens.

In 2004, the entertainment lineup in Clergue Park didn't represent any of the many original music creators from the community on the main stage.

Tiny Bubbles and Planetary Pride stepped up to fill in the gap left by Rotaryfest organizers on July 16, 2004.

As a result, Tiny Bubbles stage was set for local original musicians to critical and popular acclaim.

This year local music super supporter Stephen Alexander of Lop lops joined forces with award winning communications industry giant Jeff Elgie of Lucidia Inc.

Together, they have picked up the local original music ball and thrown it on an even larger, louder, prouder venue.

"The Second Stage has the potential to be the spark that sets that fire, waking the community up to the great music that is being created right next to them," says Chris Belsito.

And Craig West of Startlefish agrees with Belsito, saying this is the biggest event Startlefish has ever been a part of.

"To my knowledge, there has never been an all original musical event of this scale in Sault Ste. Marie and if this event is successful, then it sends a message that original music is valid and worth supporting," says West.

As West points out in his blog, the concert will run from bluegrass with Lester Creek's strong history backing up newcomers Amanda Pierosara and Laura Alopaeus to serious heavy metal from Gates of Winter.

In between these two extremes and brought together by a love of original music are another five incredibly talented purveyors of local culture and diverse musical ethnicity.

"Not only can original music entertain, it leaves a legacy for the community," says Belsito. "It bonds a community. Most of all, it is created by members of the community."

The concert is free but don't leave your wallets at home.

Most of these bands have CDs, t-shirts and other merchandise available so you can enjoy local original music anytime and show your support with a t-shirt or sticker as well.