Recognizing and honoring the 2022 Winners of PHL LIVE Center Stage.

WHEREAS, PHL LIVE Center Stage is a music initiative established by Councilman David Oh as Chairman of the Committee on Global Opportunities and Creative/Innovative Economy; and

WHEREAS, PHL LIVE Center Stage provides local musicians with exciting opportunities to be discovered and promoted and to achieve success here in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, PHL LIVE Center Stage’s performances and Award Show are structured across 10 different genres of music, bringing diverse musicians together. The 10 different genres are Rock, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Classical, Gospel, Country/Folk, World, Pop, R&B, and DJ. In addition, a “People’s Choice” Award is selected as an 11th category; and

WHEREAS, This year’s finalists performed live in prominent local venues: Clef Club of Jazz, Settlement Music School, Philadelphia Folk Song Society, Sweeney’s Station Saloon, World Café Live, City Winery, Kung Fu Necktie and Yesha Ministries Worship Center; and

WHEREAS, The final winners for each genre, announced in December at World Café Live during the 7th Annual PHL LIVE Center Stage Award Show, were decided by judges who are considered experts in the industry; and

WHEREAS, The “People’s Choice” award is voted on by the audience; and

WHEREAS, The winning artists from each genre receive top prizes such as $1,000 cash, studio recording time, professional photography, and opening at major concerts; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Rock category is Velvet Rouge; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Hip-Hop category is Eli Capella; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Jazz category is The Crowd Pleasers; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Classical category is Artem Borisov; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Gospel category is Frantastic Noise; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Country/Folk category is The Hoppin Boxcars; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the World category is Soloway Band; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the Pop category is Dom & Jesse; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the R&B category is Ty Avery; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the DJ category is Yazir Da Deejay; and

WHEREAS, The 2022 winner of the “People’s Choice” category is Sofia Farrell; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the 2022 Winners of PHL LIVE Center Stage.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of the resolution be presented to Sonny Ho of Dunkin’, the leading sponsor of PHL LIVE Center Stage 2022, as evidence of the gratitude of this legislative body.

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