September 1, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, please contact:

Barbara Hollander, SAMA-Altoona Coordinator

(814) 946-4464

Travis Mearns, Public Relations Coordinator

(724) 238-6015

BLUE MONDAY SEASON CLOSES OUT WITH STREET PARTY

            Altoona – The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona’s second season of Blue Monday closes on Monday, September 10 with a special street party featuring the music of Perry Sheesley, Dermy Myers and Ed O’Brien. Blue Monday is an informal evening celebrating art and music. The program runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and includes hors d’oeuvres and libations. Cost for the program is $20 per person. For reservations or information, please call the Museum at (814) 946-4464.

            Sheesley, a skilled musician who plays guitar, banjo and mandolin, is a veteran of the local music circuit for nearly 40 years. He currently plays in the rock group, Totem, and has fronted groups such as Lickity Split, The Source, and Vibe. Sheesley and Myers formerly played together in the band, Northstar, and have done extensive acoustic work together. Myers was the lead guitar player in the ‘80s premier oldies band, Stillwater. The addition of O’Brien on guitar is sure to bring added excitement to the evening. All three performed to a capacity crowd at SAMA-Loretto’s Bluegrass Jam in 2005.

            SAMA will have two exhibitions on view at the time of the event, including Artists in Our Midst, the annual juried exhibition by Art in Common members. Also on display will be From the Conemaugh to the Three Rivers: Vintage Photographs of William H. Rau. The exhibition includes 30 photographs by Rau, the official photographer for the Pennsylvania Railroad in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

            The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 Eleventh Avenue. The Museum is a handicapped-accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. weekends. For more information, call the Museum or visit www.sama-art.org.