Grouplove Headlines 2nd Annual Stars + Stripes Festival to Benefit YMCA

With the incredible success of last year’s sold out inaugural event, Neon Gold Records returns to the Island for the 2nd Annual Stars + Stripes Festivalon July 7th, 2012 at to benefit the .

This year’s event will feature emerging superstars Grouplove, South African pop sensation St. Lucia, fast-rising singer-songwriter Alex Winston, summertime Vineyard band the Sea Monsters, and Island teens Katherine Reid and Nate D’angelo

Derek Davies and Lizzy Plapinger, founders of Neon Gold Records, created this annual event as a product of their love for music and the Island. "Our experience spending our summers as kids together on Martha’s Vineyard played such a crucial role in helping us become who we are today, that we feel it imperative for us to continue the Stars + Stripes tradition annually,” said Davies. “It presents us with the perfect opportunity to give back to the island community that has given us so much, and we're thrilled to be bringing it back for a very special second year.”

The youth programing and the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center at the YMCA both speak strongly to Davies and Plapinger. “We believe the YMCA is positively impacting the lives of teens and children, just as the Island changed our lives during the summers of our youth,” said Plapinger.

The YMCA currently serves over 25% of the year round population and has the highest community participation rate of any YMCA in the nation. To celebrate the Y’s incredible impact on Island youth, Davies and Plapinger are once again providing the opportunity for local teens from the YMCA’s Studio 57 to open the festival and perform in front of an audience of 500.

Tony Lombardi, director of the Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center is thrilled about Stars + Stripes returning for a second summer. "Two teens will be performing as openers for the festival. Nate D'Angelo who has a rye, warm folk-style voice will perform one song. Katherine Reid, has a lovely voice and will also sing one song. This is their first time on a large public stage at an event such as this. Opportunities such as this abound for our kids and are another reason to support the efforts of the Y," said Lombardi.

Last year, Davies and Plapinger visited the Teen Center before its completion to meet with teens interested in the music industry and talk about their experience starting a business.

“We look forward to visiting the brand new Teen Center this year and helping to inspire Island youth the way the Island inspired us,” they said.

As a result of the , they presented the Y with a check for $32,000.  “We can't wait to top that number this year," they said.

Lombardi explained, "As part of the YMCA, The Alexandra Gagnon Teen Center depends heavily upon the support of our community. We try to provide as many free events and activities as we can for all our kids. The Stars and Stripes Fest will help, not only all of the important outreach efforts to all of our community, but will also assist our teens with Y memberships, and assist with operational costs of the center.”

For Plapinger and Davies, the Stars + Stripes Festival is a real labor of love. “We are so happy to partner with the Y, as we feel it embodies a beautiful crossroads of our love for music and the Island.”

The 2^nd annual Stars + Stripes Festival takes place Saturday, July 7^th at Flatbread Company, 17 Airport Road, Edgartown, MA. Doors open at 9 pm. 21 years and older. General Admission $30 in advance and $35 at the door. There are also $1,000 sponsorship packages available