When the Steamtown Original Music Showcase made its debut in Scranton, Pa. five years ago, it was a small, yet successful music event. That Showcase in 2006 was held at one site – Tink’s Entertainment Complex – and drew slightly more than 800 people in one night.

In the five years since, the event has nearly tripled in attendance while expanding to seven venues throughout the city. Showcasing local music, select national acts and music industry professionals, the Showcase has become a staple of the Scranton entertainment scene each Labor Day weekend. 2011 will be more of the same as the Showcase returns on Sept. 2-4.

With music clinics covering a wide range of topics, the Showcase is more than just a live music event. Industry professionals lend their expertise to help anyone from up-and-coming musical acts to seasoned veterans of the music world. Clinic panelists who have appeared in the past include Breaking Benjamin drummer Chad Szeliga, Ed Brennan of Wind Up Records and Ariel Hyatt, CEO of Ariel Publicity.

More than 40 acts performed seven different venues throughout the city in 2010, when a Showcase-record 2,364 people attended the one-day event. Notable local acts that have played the Showcase in previous years include Pan.a.ce.a, Graces Downfall, Nowhere Slow, OurAfter, MIZ, Underground Saints, Spitcan, Family Animals, Cabinet, Motionless in White, K8, Tom Graham and The Can't Help It's. Among the national acts to play the Showcase are Dive, Hierosonic, Super Bob, Loving the Lie, Stuck in Kaos and Zac Lawless.