San Francisco-based artist to perform in Orange City August 18: Megan Slankard has appeared on TLC's "What Not to Wear." She's performed with Dire Straits founding member David Knopfler. Her CD "Freaky Little Story" earned her a spot on the Top-10 Rock Bestseller List on CDBaby.com. And she's performing for Onstage Orange City Thursday, August 18 at 7 p.m. in Windmill Park. Sponsors are D & L Plumbing & Heating, and Community Bank of Alton & Orange City. The evening also includes a motorcycle show, a fundraiser meal for Big Brothers Big Sisters, free ice cream and a family film.
ORANGE CITY – “She forges a distinctive sound with her smooth and courageous vocal dynamics, intelligent and diverse song styles, and sheer infectious enthusiasm.”
That’s Megan Slankard, San Francisco-based acoustic pop artist. She’s coming to Orange City Thursday, Aug. 18. Slankard recently won the People’s Choice Award in the 10th annual Independent Music Awards for her song, “The Happy Birthday.” In ’09 she earned the Top 5 artist in the Famecast.com Competition and in ’07 was selected as a semi-finalist in Discmaker’s Independent Music World Series and in the International Songwriting Competition.
Though only in her 20s, Slankard has independently sold over 25,000 CDs while performing across the U.S. and Europe.
The free concert will begin at 7 p.m. at Orange City’s WIndmill Park, part of the Onstage Orange City series. Sponsors of the evening are D & L Plumbing & Heating, and Community Bank of Alton & Orange CIty.
Slankard self-produced her first CD at age 18, and recently finished her fourth CD with help from David Bryson (Counting Crows) and Jerry Becker (Pat Monahan). The new release, “A Token Of The Wreckage”, is an edgy alt-rock recording, brimming with Slankard’s stories and unique perspectives.
Megan and her music have appeared on TLC’s “What Not To Wear”, which generated purchases by TV viewers that placed her CD “Freaky Little Story” on the #5 spot on Amazon.com CD sales charts and on the Top-10 Rock Bestseller list on CDBaby.com.
Slankard also co-wrote and performed on the title track of Dire Straits founding member David Knopfler’s new record. She has toured three times through Germany and England, as support for Knopfler, and performed at the international festival InGuitar in Zurich.
According to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, her vocal style “is so distinctive that simply naming influences (Ani DiFranco, Alanis Morissette) doesn’t do it justice. Her vocal melodies are immediately arresting, she uses hip-hop phrasing and whisper-to-roar dynamics like a pro, and she never lets her impeccable technique eclipse the emotion she pours into her performances.
“Nearly everyone who encounters this attractive and sophisticated singer-songwriter agrees that she has ‘star’ written all over her.”
The free concert will be held at 7 p.m. at Orange City’s Windmill Park, sponsored by the Orange City Arts Council.
The evening will include a motorcycle show from 6 to 8 p.m. and a meal of hot dogs, pop and chips, beginning at 5:30, sponsored by the Orange City Chamber Merchants. A freewill offering will be received for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Orange City Area Health System and Sanford Health will provide free ice cream treats in honor of community appreciation day.
At dusk – approximately 9 or 9:30 p.m. – the Orange City Park and Recreation Department will show the movie Yogi Bear.
Concessions will be available during the concert and the film. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
For more information, contact the Arts Council at OCArts@orangecityiowa.com or 712.707.4885. Slankard’s website is www.meganslankard.com.
