Framework Festival Spotlight’s Allentown

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Framework Music and Arts Festival
Re360 Warehouse
May 7, 2016

Photos and article by Randy Jarosz

Framework Music and Arts Festival is in the books. The inaugural fest organized by Adam Valen and Max Kovalchuk of Nevada Color and Jared Gulden and Dan Evans of Emerson Jay transformed a warehouse space used by real estate company RE360 into quite the make shift music venue. With top of the line lights, stage and sound you would have thought the space was a permanent venue. In fact Mike Roth, CFO of RE360 referred to the space as “STAGE RE” because the space reminded him of Stage AE.

The idea came about when Evans, a marketing/leasing agent at RE360 suggested the spot for a concert. That idea ballooned into a creative event to spotlight the Allentown neighborhood of Pittsburgh during a time of resurgence.

“I think Framework had a positive impact on the community. I know there are several people working hard to build up Allentown, especially Joe Calloway, owner of RE360. Jonathan (Vlasic), owner of Alla Famillia restaurant, also told me that he was very glad to see an event like this happen in Allentown. Being that things like this typically don’t happen up there, he was very pleased to see a large crowd of young people come into the community and give business to the startups that are working hard to make a name for themselves,” said Evans.

“Seeing it all put together was the biggest highlight for me. Dan, Jared, Adam, and myself put a ton of work into creating a pop up venue that looked legitimate. We’re all happy we pulled it off and things ran smoothly thanks to our wonderful staff, vendors, artists, musicians, and everyone else involved,” Kovalchuk added.

Along with Nevada Color and Emerson Jay, Suits and Ukes, Andre Costello and the Cool Minors, Wreck Loose and Donora were on the bill. Not to mention artists also had their work on display.

“The event was definitely a big help to the mission of rebuilding Allentown and attracting young professionals to the area. Attendees got to see the area and the new business that have been popping up along Warrington Ave. It was definitely good for the community to familiarize people with the area on a large scale,” said Evans.

Nevada Color

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Donora

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Emerson Jay

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Andre Costello and the Cool Minors

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