The Ridgefield Playhouse introduces the next generation of musicians with BandJam 2021 competition on June 6

Ridgefield Playhouse | May 19, 2021

Get ready as The Ridgefield Playhouse introduces the next generation of new musicians to the world!  The Ridgefield BandJam competition is back with some of the most talented local area middle and high school bands competing for the title of BandJam 2021 winner! 

On Sunday, June 6 at 4pm, things heat up when Premier Rock Guitarist – Richie Scarlet performs as special guest with BandJam finalists on The Playhouse stage before a live audience!  The “Bandjammers” will face a panel of judges from the music industry including:  “American Idol” finalist Kimberly Locke, i95FM’s Ethan Carey, founder of Entourage Talent: Wayne Forte, multi-platinum record producer Aaron Accetta & more!  

The event is hosted by Christine O’Leary and includes a performance by the Richie Scarlet Band. A world-class musician, Scarlet has played with most of America’s best loved artists, including Alice Cooper, Sebastian Bach, Ace Frehley of KISS, Mountain, Chubby Checker, and many more.  

The Ridgefield Playhouse BandJam competition is open to area Middle School and High School bands. You do not need to attend Ridgefield Schools to participate. Bands will be grouped in two categories: High School (grades 9-12) & Middle School (grades 8 and below).  Presented by Mountain Dew, with school sponsors School of Rock Ridgefield, Bach 2 Rock, Lagond Music School and Hubbels Music School, with support from Guitar Center, Calzone Case Company and i95fm, this is the most exciting regional band competition going!

This year, the event, which is part of the Bruce Bennett Nissan Family Series and HamletHub Community Events Series, will also be livestreamed to watch from the comfort of your own home.  Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org for tickets and entry details.

What began as a charity event for The Ridgefield Playhouse has become a much-anticipated competition giving middle school and high school students the chance to perform on The Playhouse stage!  100% of all proceeds from this event will go directly to support The Playhouse.

This event embraces the missions of The Playhouse – to entertain, enrich and educate our community and surrounding areas and to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds.  Since its beginning in 2009, BandJam has given local students the opportunity to participate in a professional music competition in front of celebrity judges and music industry insiders. 

The feedback these young musicians receive is invaluable as they pursue their musical dreams.  More importantly, it has helped promote music education for kids.  Musical training helps build confidence, improves students’ school work, builds imagination gives them a sense of achievement. BandJam can also be a first step in helping young musicians on their road to a professional career.  Recently, Ridgefield High School freshman Jimy Bishop (2019 BandJam participant with Freedom Rockets) wrote and released a song titled “Take It to the Streets.”  The song is currently #27 on the New Music Weekly Top 40 Chart and #36 on the New Music Weekly Hot 100 Chart.

For more information or to purchase touchless print at home ticket ($20) go to our website or, you can visit or call the box office (203) 438-5795.  The Playhouse is currently doing socially distanced, limited capacity seating. Concession/bar can be ordered via our mobile site so that you can pick it up on the way in, or get notified when it is ready for you to pick up once in the theater.  The Ridgefield Playhouse is a non-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT and is committed to keeping the arts alive and available to all.

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