Raise Your Voice Festival set for May 18

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
The annual Raise Your Voice Music and Arts Festival returns May 18 to Schooner Youth Center in Monessen.
Presented by Monessen Communities That Care, the Mon Valley Opioid Coalition and Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, the festival takes place from noon to 7 p.m. and will feature local music, artists and vendors.
This year’s diverse performance lineup includes AKID, Urban Doctors, Vibe Syndrome, Emily Behm, Monica Monie Reed Kramer, SunDown and more.
Mayor Matt Shorraw established the festival eight years ago as a California University of Pennsylvania music student following a performance with his classmates at the Monessen Civic Center.
The event is also sponsored in part by ArcelorMittal and the Monessen/Rostraver Rotary. Festival organizers thanked the Schooner Center Board and Orchard Church for use of their space at 701 Schoonmaker Ave.
The event is free and open to the public. All proceeds from vendor space rentals will benefit the Monessen Communities That Care Youth Council Scholarship Fund.
Comprised of Monessen High School students, the CTC Youth Council participates in career and skill building activities and youth delinquency prevention programs. As leaders among their peers, council members advocate for healthy youth development in their communities.
Interested performers, vendors, artists or other participants are encouraged to email raiseyourvoice.monessen@gmail.com.
A full performance schedule will be announced prior to the event. For more information, search “Raise Your Voice” on Facebook or call Teresa Seh at 412-735-6454.