The Lee Chamber of Commerce announces Friday September 23 through Sunday September 25 as Founders’ Weekend 2011. The 17th Annual celebration of the town of Lee features food and venders, entertainment as well as the first ever Lee “Idol” singing contest at the Berkshires newest entertainment venue, the Spectrum Playhouse.

As always, Lee Founders’ Weekend is family friendly, admission free, something for everybody. Friday evening, September 23 kicks off the ever popular “Taste of Lee,” with area restaurants and local food vendors lining Main Street with everything from clam chowder to crab cakes, pizza, butternut squash bisque, fried dough, and so much more…. A street food lover’s paradise.

Friday evening will also feature David Grover at 5 pm on the Lee Library Lawn at Franklin and Main Street, sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union. The Housatonic Philharmonic takes the stage on the steps of Dresser Hull on Main Street at 6:30 pm, sponsored by Trustco Bank.
Friday at 8 pm is the first round of the “Lee Idol” where singers/musicians of all ages who live or work in Lee have the opportunity to showcase their talent at the new Spectrum Playhouse at 20 Franklin Street. The finalists will be part of the finale concert on Saturday, September 24 at 8pm. The winning act will receive a $100 cash prize, donated by an anonymous donor. Entries must be made by Wednesday, September 21 at 5 PM.

A maximum of 15 acts will be included. All acts must be appropriate for all ages. All acts must be able to sing at least two songs. Solo singers as well as singing groups are welcome to enter. Due to the technical set-up of the venue, only acoustic performances will be allowed. Singers are able to accompany themselves on their own instruments. For more information and to enter the contest, call Chris Collins of the Lee Cultural Council at 413.281.1662.

On Saturday, September 27 at 11 AM, the Lee Chamber of Commerce presents the Lee “Hometown Parade,” with former parade organizer Also Pascucci beholding the honor of Grand Marshall. Following the parade Robin O’Herin sings the Blues in front of Cakewalk Café, and Terry a la Berry plays the library lawn at 1:00pm.

Sunday’s highlights include the full Eagles Band performing under the tent in the park at 1:00 pm.

Festival Latino takes over the town park at 4 PM with authentic Latino cuisine, music and entertainment! A true celebration of a new generation of Americans living and working in Lee!
Throughout the 3-day period, look for sidewalk sales, restaurant specials, craft vendors, live music, raffles, bounce houses, face painting, children’s activities and a host of other things to do.

Visit www.leefoundersweekend.com for a complete schedule of events. Or phone the Lee Chamber of Commerce at 413-243-0852 for more information.

More Details on “Lee Idol”

As part of the Lee, MA 2011 Founder’s Day Weekend on September 23 and 24, The Student Educational Fund (SEDF) and the Lee Cultural Council (LCC) are presenting the first ever “Lee Idol”, a contest of singers/musicians of all ages who live or work in Lee, MA. All entrants will have an opportunity to showcase their talent on the stage of the new Spectrum Playhouse at 20 Franklin Street in Lee on Friday, September 23 starting at 8pm. The finalists will be part of the finale concert on Saturday, September 24 at 8pm. The winning act will receive a $100 cash prize, donated by an anonymous donor. On Friday, three local celebrity judges will determine the top three finalists. On Saturday, the audience will choose the winner by secret ballot.

Council co-chair Bob Lohbauer says “The Lee Cultural Council is pleased and gratified to have a hand in what we see as the early stage of the Town of Lee’s emergence as a center for the public display of creative energy and celebration of the arts. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with SEDF and lending a hand to the 2011 Founder’s Weekend.”
“The Student Educational Development Fund’s goal is to forge an alliance between students with Learning Differences and the greater Lee community,” adds Michael McManmon, SEDF Founder, “This event integrates both together and will be lots of fun!”.

SEDF and LCC thank the Lee Chamber of Commerce for including this inaugural ‘Lee Idol’ event as part of Lee’s Founder’s Day Weekend. Thank also go to Cutting Edge Video of Lee, MA, for providing sound equipment and technical services as a sponsor for the event.

HOW TO ENTER:

Entries must be made by Wednesday, September 21 at 5 PM. A maximum of 15 acts will be included. All acts must be appropriate for all ages. All acts must be able to sing at least two songs. Solo singers as well as singing groups are welcome to enter. Due to the technical set-up of the venue, only acoustic performances will be allowed. Singers are able to accompany themselves on their own instruments. For more information and to enter the contest, call Chris Collins of the Lee Cultural Council at 413.281.1662.

WHEN:

Friday, September 23 at 8pm-First Round
Saturday, September 24 at 8pm-Finale Concert

WHERE:

Spectrum Playhouse
20 Franklin Street, Lee, MA, 01238

TICKETS:

Free with a suggested donation of $5 per evening. Proceeds go towards producing the event and supporting the missions of SEDF and LCC.

ABOUT SEDF:

The Spectrum Playhouse is a recently re-purposed church at the center of Lee: the former St. George’s Episcopal Church. It is part of the Berkshire Visual and Performing Arts Center (BVPAC) project of the Student Educational Development Fund (SEDF), a not for profit 501 (c) 3 organization whose mission includes providing visual and performing arts opportunities for students with Learning Differences. www.sedfund.org

ABOUT LEE CULTURAL COUNCIL

The Lee Cultural Council supports public programs that promote access, education, diversity, and excellence in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences.

2011 Schedule

Friday September 23, 2011
Founders Weekend begins!
10 am to 8 pm Main Street Sidewalk Sales
3 to 5 pm Creative Lee Annual Art Show featuring work by Lee artists in the Lee Library Gallery. Open House with refreshments and music.
5 pm David Grover to perform on the Library Lawn. Sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.
5:00 to 8:00 pm “Taste of Lee” all along Main Street.
6:30 to 8:00 pm Trustco Bank sponsors The Housatonic Philharmonic on the stelps of Dresser Hull
5:00 to 8:00 Kids Carnival at Carr Hardware
5:00 to 8:00 pm Rock Climbing QWall at Lee Bank
8:00 to 10:00 Lee Idol” at the Spectrum Playhouse. Round 1 Auditions. Sponsored by the Lee Cultural Council and SED Fund
Founders Fun, Specials and Entertainment at all of Lee’s Restaurants.

Saturday September 24, 2011
9 to 4 pm First Congregational Church Tag Sale, Fellowship Hall
10 to 3 First Congregational Church Tours
10 to 3 First Congregational Church Cookie Sale
10 to 6 pm Sidewalk Sales down Main Street
10 to 2 pm Annual Creative Lee Art show in the Lee Library Gallery
10 am to 5 pm Craft Vendors all day throughout town
11 am Lee Chamber of Commerce Hometown Parade down Main Street!
12 to 2 pm. Lee Youth Association Open House. Hotdogs and drinks, pumpkin painting and more kid fun!
1:00 pm Terry a la Berry performs on the Library Lawn, sponsored by Applegate Inn
1:30 Robin O’Herin (www.robinoherin.com) singing the blues in front of Cakewalk
2:30 pm Moonshine Holler performs on the Library lawn.
Also: Lion’s Club Eye Mobile, park driveway
Berkshire Health Systems Health Van, park driveway
Lee Boy Scouts, Troop 3 grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and sausages at Kelly Funeral Home
Lee Cub Scouts, Pack 45 selling popcorn at Lee Power
Lee Historical Society display of Lee memorabilia and sale of articles related to Lee, and a raffle
Lee Visiting Nurse Association health counseling table at Carr Hardware.
Literacy Network of the Berkshires Information Booth at the Library, all day.
Lee Historical Society display of Lee
4:00 to 8:00 Festival Latino in the Park. Food, music, dancing… multi-cultural celebration!
8:00 to 10:00 pm “Lee Idol” Finals at the Spectrum Playhouse, Franklin Street

Sunday September 25th, 2011
Lion’s Club Eye Mobile, park driveway
1:00 pm The Eagles Band performs in the Specturm Playhouse