VCU musicians perform alongside Worlds course

By Patrick Kane
University Public Affairs

When Demitrus “Demie” Carter, a Virginia Commonwealth University alumnus and employee of the admissions office, saw an email about performing during the 2015 UCI Road World Championships, he submitted his performances “to see if they would pick me.”

On Wednesday, Carter was among the commonwealth of Virginia employees who took the stage to share their musical talents at the State Employee Zone, singing selections by John Legend, Amy Winehouse and Jill Scott.

“I think it’s amazing. It’s really good to appreciate the state workers,” he said. Carter’s voice earned him airtime on “American Idol” earlier this year.

State employees from across many departments were drawn for live music, a food truck court and other activities in the shadow of the James Madison Building.

More musical Rams will take the stage Friday during racing action.

I thought it would be a great gig opportunity, a nice way for an artist to get involved in the race.

“I thought it would be a great gig opportunity, a nice way for an artist to get involved in the race and also a cool way to give back to both my local community as well as the international community coming into town,” said Ariel Unser, an alumna who works as a clinical research assistant on the MCV Campus. She will perform on acoustic guitar – “mostly in the genre of indie or folk rock,” she said – at 1 p.m. during the men’s under-23 road circuit race.

The VCU Peppas pep band will start the day at 11:15 a.m., as cyclists compete in the women’s junior road circuit competition. The employee zone is located only yards from the challenging Governor’s Street climb. The James Madison Building is located at Governor’s and Bank streets. Employees must bring ID to enter.

 

For a schedule of performances and food cart listing, see: http://www.vabike2015.virginia.gov/assets/employee-zone-brochure.pdf.

 

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