PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (May 8, 2018)— As Dollywood’s Season of Showstoppers continues, a refreshing new performance group visits during May, but as talented as they are, it’s their instruments that may catch guests’ attention.
Vocal Trash, which performs in Dollywood’s new Plaza at Wilderness Pass May 9-11 and May 16-24, is best described as “music with a message.” This environmentally-minded cast combines high-energy singers, drummers and dancers to captivate Dollywood audiences with a meaningful experience they won’t soon forget.
“In a day and age where family entertainment is becoming more and more difficult to find, we feel Dollywood is the perfect opportunity to present a positive family-friendly experience for everyone,” group co-founder and performer Steve Linder said. “We are honored to be part of such an admirable brand for good, clean fun and have always considered Dolly herself to be a positive force for the community based on her history of giving back to those who need it.”
Vocal Trash has played to crowds across the nation, presenting their own unique take on recycling and conservation through their “upcycled” musical instruments. The group’s instruments all come from items that most people would consider refuse. Vocal Trash, however, wants to remind audiences that many items have a second useful life. Interestingly, the group really only began to have this revelation after it was formed.
“When we first put the idea together, it was conceived as a vehicle to present a unique and entertaining show,” Linder recalled. “In other words, it was a career move, a way to sustain a living through a unique and entertaining show. It wasn’t until countless fans approached us about the ‘green’ factor and educational possibilities, that we realized the potential of what we had. Ultimately, this made us aware and more conscious of the environment and recycling endeavors. So, once again, Vocal Trash the group raised awareness even for its own members. We’re now ‘musical environmentalists.’ What we are is bigger than who we are.”
The Vocal Trash ensemble uses a tool box bass and an upright milk urn bass. Their percussion section consists of metal trash cans, PVC pipes, pots and pans, and water bottles and jugs, among other landfill-rescued items. The group combines breakdancing, singing, comedy and more to create an experience guests have never seen before.
The band’s message also includes their THINK Program. Utilizing song and dance, the curriculum provides useful methods to teach young minds that their imagination can help them find meaningful ways to reuse items that normally would end up in a landfill. With the number of school groups traveling to Dollywood in the spring, Vocal Trash’s performances are perfect for visiting students.
“Vocal Trash encourages both children and adults to use their imagination in a meaningful and lasting way as it relates to ‘eco-friendly living,’” Linder explained. “We incorporate items that would normally end up in a landfill into every performance, showing how objects that, at first glance appear to be trash, could be made into something useful. We really feel that we’ve created a powerful tool to reach young minds and make recycling cool. We know that this effort helps to steer young minds towards the sustainable direction needed to help one day save our planet.”
For more information about Vocal Trash and Dollywood’s Season of Showstoppers, please visitwww.dollywood.com or call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD.
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About The Dollywood Company: A highly-awarded and widely-recognized leader in the amusement industry, The Dollywood Company consists of the 150-acre Dollywood theme park; the 35-acre Dollywood’s Splash Country; Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa; and Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins. As unique as its namesake and owner Dolly Parton, Dollywood is the 2010 Applause Award winner, the theme park industry’s highest accolade; winner of more than 30 Golden Ticket Awards; and recipient of 26 Brass Ring Awards for Live Entertainment (more than any other theme park in the world). The park is located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which celebrated record attendance in 2017. Dollywood was named a top three US theme park by USA Today in 2014 and 2017, and TripAdvisor recognized Dollywood as a top-20 worldwide theme park in 2015. Dollywood is open nine months a year (late March through early January) and offers rides and attractions, shows, and crafters authentic to the East Tennessee region. Dollywood’s Splash Country, recognized by the Travel Channel and TripAdvisor as one of the country’s most beautiful water parks and named 2009’s Must-See Waterpark by the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions, operates from mid-May to Labor Day. The 300-room Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, which received the 2017 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, provides guests spectacular mountain views and family-friendly amenities next door to Dollywood theme park and Dollywood’s Splash Country. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Cabins offers luxurious cabin accommodations overlooking Dollywood. For more information, call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD or visit dollywood.com. Operating days and hours vary.
Media Contacts:
Pete Owens: Director of Communications, (865) 428-9486, (865) 755-7972 or [email protected]
Wes Ramey: Public Relations Manager, (865) 428-9484, (865) 640-3805 or [email protected]
Amber Davis: Publicist, (865) 428-9601, (865) 591-1002 or [email protected]
Ellen Liston, Publicist, (865) 428-9629, (865) 919-7001 or [email protected]
For B-roll, photography and more information, visit the Dollywood Media Room athttp://www.dollywood.com/Media/Media-Room