Final installment of “Music Under the Stars” to showcase Southeast Tennessee talent
Exterior of the Museum Center at 5 Points.
Photo by John David Clark
Music and culture collide one last time at the Museum Center at 5ive Points.
5ive Points is closing out its “Music Under the Stars” concert series on Oct. 28 with a tribute to Motown and jazz. Museum board of trustees member Andy Jensen said the local inspiration of the concert series is what makes it special.
“The program is new this year,” Jensen said. “We launched this concept primarily because of all the musical talent in Cleveland, Chattanooga and Southeast Tennessee. We’re trying to be a platform for new and developing artists.”
By featuring Motown and jazz music performed by Southeast Tennessee musicians, Jensen said the concert will display the talent and culture of the region.
Executive Director at 5ive Points and lead coordinator of Music Under the Stars Janice Neyman said she related the concert series to the museum’s mission.
“We stick very [closely] to our mission: telling the story of the Ocoee region,” Neyman said. “That’s why we’re always looking for talented people who are local so that we can promote individuals throughout our community. Working with the community is what’s important for us.”
Showing the new local talent is at the center of Music Under the Stars. Shane Morrow, the founder of Chattanooga’s “Jazzanooga," a nonprofit dedicated to honoring and performing jazz and other similar genres, selects the performers.
Jensen said the concert will spotlight a handful of artists who will cover Motown classics.
“[Morrow] is bringing a hand-picked group of musicians up for the show. It’s going to be Motown with an element of jazz,” Jensen said. “It will serve as a journey through Motown. We’re going to see two or three different vocalists and a band to support them. [Morrow] has collaborated with our host, Jermaine Purifory, to create an incredible selection of Motown classics.”
A previous Music Under the Stars event at the Museum Center at 5 Points.
Photo courtesy of Museum Center at 5 Points
Jensen added that Morrow is an accomplished pianist and will be performing—as will Purifory, the host for the event as well as a past Voices of Lee member and American Idol contestant.
Morrow, Purifory and other artists will be playing musical selections from a variety of Motown and jazz artists, from Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross and the Supremes to Michael Jackson and the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin.
Neyman said he wanted to praise the quality of music at the event and express his excitement about bringing excellent music to Cleveland.
“[The concert is] a chance for people to come downtown to enjoy Cleveland. They don’t have to go fifty miles to enjoy talent that you often don’t get to see around here,” Neyman said. “We are creating an experience for people that they just can’t get here often.”
The concert is Sunday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Museum Center at 5ive Points located at 200 Inman St. E. The concert is indoors and will feature free drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
Admission is $30 for members of the museum and $45 for non-members. Tickets and membership status can be purchased at the museum’s website.
This event is also an opportunity for Lee students to earn service hours on Oct. 27 and 28. Email Neyman at jneyman@museumcenter.org for more information.
