Pictured in Juice are, left to right, Cole Butchen of Ridgefield, Zack Morgan of Redding, Evan Bloch of Ridgefield, Nathan Sobel of Redding, Max Day of Ridgefield, and Ali Sicinski of Ridgefield. —Jeff Butchen photo
The judges have spoken. In the April 27 BandJam 2014 at the Ridgefield Playhouse, Juice won in the high school category, and Dysfunctional 4 earned top honors in the middle school category.
Eight finalist bands performed before a panel of celebrity judges in a near sold-out house. This was the fifth year of the professional caliber contest, a Playhouse fund-raiser that was the brainchild of Ridgefield students.
Pictured in Dysfunctional 4 are Weston Middle School students, front row, left to right, Grant Hoffman, Wil Rosenthal, Gabe Toth, and Daniel Lucas with judges, back row, i95 DJ Ethan Carey, masterful guitarist Paul Pesco, Broadway star Linda Eder and singer/songwriter/producer Vaneese Thomas. —Jeff Butchen photo
This year’s BandJam raised about $15,000 for the Playhouse. Each winning band received a grand prize of a $500 gift certificate and Rock Show membership from the Guitar Center, two hours of studio time at Enchanted Garden and a $50 Ridgefield Music gift certificate. Grand prize-winning bands will also have their names inscribed on the Ridgefield BandJam plaque displayed in the lobby of the Playhouse. And, of course, there are bragging rights to the title of BandJam 2014 winner.
For information on upcoming events, call the box office at 203-438-5795 or visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org.