Merry Mojo Concert for people of all ages

The Merry Mojo Holiday Concert, which will feature entertainment for people of all ages, is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center at Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton St. The event will give the public a chance to view artwork created by local young artists and watch stage performances by a variety of young musicians who are either current students or graduates of Fort Scott High School.

Fort Scott natives Alex and Austin Ward, the organizers of the event, are the frontmen for The Noise FM, an alternative rock group now based in Lawrence. The band will perform along with several other young musicians during the event.

"It's a showcase of talented local young artists and musicians," Austin said. "It gives them a chance to showcase poetry, artwork and song. And we just wanted to find an excuse to play Fort Scott again."

The event is similar to one that was created in the 1990s by FSHS art teacher Ellen Kendrick. FSHS graduate Sterling Braun organized last spring's event based on Kendrick's original idea. According to Braun, the event gives area residents a family-friendly activity to enjoy.

The event is important to the Fort Scott area as it continues to provide several art and music options for local residents, which is why The Noise FM chose to be a part of it, Austin said.

"We used to play Fort Scott quite a bit, and even though we moved, we knew it was important to keep coming back at least once or twice a year ... to keep music alive in Fort Scott," he said. "We want to make sure music is available to residents."

Other musicians scheduled to perform during the event include The Branchy Boys, which consists of local resident John Kendrick and his sons, Jackson and Sam, who will perform western and bluegrass music; the FSHS Drumline; current FSHS student Addi Brown and former FSHS student Trent Pruitt; and Panda Circus, a band similar to The Noise FM that consists of FSHS graduates Quentin Cheney and Erin Zingre.

The Noise FM consists of Alex Ward on guitar and vocals, Austin Ward on drums, and Oliver Mosier on bass. The band originally formed in 2005 when members of two Fort Scott bands, the Pond Monkeys and Army of Prawnz, joined forces to create a new band. The Noise FM has recorded three albums and continues to perform shows throughout the Midwest.

Tickets for the event cost $5 and can be purchased by calling FSCC at (620) 223-2700.