This free festival will be filled with multiple stages of entertainment. Art in the Heart Downtown Art Show & Sale, Wine Down Tasting Experience, Generation Next Youth Talent Competition, Jazz Juniors educational activities, jazz exhibits and more will be there. Other festival highlights includes the Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition, ‘Round Midnight Jazz Jam, Jazz Talks, Sunday Jazz Brunches and other exciting activities.
This year the Jazz Festival offers free performances from renowned artists such as the Sonny Fortune Quartet, Basia and Tito Puente Jr. and his Orchestra.
The parade will be on Sunday, May 30 at 1:30 p.m. The parade in the streets led by JB Scott’s Swingin Allstars! Festival attendees are encouraged to bring their instruments and parasols to participate in this spirited celebration through downtown Jacksonville!
On Saturday May 1, 2010, there is a free, family-friendly event for those of us who love the silver screen and the glamor that comes with it. Catherine Bell, who plays Denise Sherwood of Lifetime Movie Network’s “Army Wives” and Alex Meraz, he plays Paul of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” will be there. The little ones have not been forgotten either, Barbie will make an appearance as well as Spiderman.
Bring your own chairs for the movies and live entertainment since the event takes place on parking lot asphalt. Hats and sunscreen might come in handy to, but coolers are not allowed.
Here is the schedule:
10 a.m.: Official kickoff – Food and arts/crafts vendors open
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.: Outdoor children’s movie on digital LED screen
11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Celebrity meet-and greet with Catherine Bell (Denise Sherwood of Lifetime Movie Network’s “Army Wives”)
12-3 p.m.: Celebrity meet-and-greet with Alex Meraz (Paul of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”)
Character meet-and-greet with Barbie
Character meet-and-greet with Spiderman
1:30-3 p.m.: Live entertainment by Shrimp City Slim – Based out of Charleston, Gary Erwin and his band will perform their specialty of Lowcountry blues and original songs
3:30-5:40 p.m.: Outdoor PG-13 movie on digital LED screen, introduced by Meraz
6-7:30 p.m.: Live entertainment by Tinsley Ellis – Named one of today’s premier blues/rock players by Billboard magazine
8:30-9:45 p.m.: Live entertainment by Buddy Guy – Winner of five Grammy Awards and 23 W.C. Handy Blues Awards, Guy will perform from his musical repertoire of electric blues
Around 9:45 p.m.: Fireworks will follow after Guy’s performance
The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. at the former Myrtle Square Mall site, between 23rd Avenue North and 27th Avenue North, Myrtle Beach.
The 24th Annual Rivertown Music & Arts Festival will be held May 1, 2010 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. in historic downtown Conway, South Carolina. This festival contains a lot of fun for the whole family with great live music, lots of art and a variety of food. Live performances will ranging from jazz to gospel to steel drums. Performances take place all day from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Festival-goers are encouraged to their own chairs. There’s also a Classic Car Show.
Artists, crafters and merchants will offer an assortment of wares including pottery, wood, glass, photography, jewelry and paintings 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Gourmet food, hotdogs and local cuisine will tempt visitors in the food court area from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Don’t miss the Chicora Car Clubs Rivertown Music & Arts Festival Car Show from 10:00-4:00 which is sponsored and hosted by Palmetto Chevrolet on 4th Avenue.
The Main Stage on Laurel Street hosts a fabulous line up of local talent including local big band favorite-The Stardusters, Jazz Guitarist-Jay Lynn, The Authentic Band, the Sally Woody School of Dance, the Conway Superstar Winners, the contemporary bluegrass stylings of-The Spots and funk-infused rock quartet-Ten Toes Up closes the festival at 7:00 p.m.
For more information contact Conway Main Street at 843-248-6260
The Charleston Jazz Festival will take place on Saturday, May 8th at the Charleston Music Hall. Kim Waters, Kenny Lattimore and Daniel Davis will be preforming. Join us for the first year of this annual event!
Charleston jazz lovers are in for a treat this spring when local music enthusiast, concert promoter, and producer Steve Simon, the CEO of Steve Simon Presents, brings the first annual Charleston Jazz Festival to the Charleston Music Hall on Sat. May 8.
Headlining the event is award-winning jazz saxophonist Kim Waters with support from R&B vocalist Kenny Lattimore and 20-year-old jazz and hip/hop inspired violinist Daniel Davis. Waters is known for his sultry saxophone melodies, with inspiration coming from the likes of Duke Ellington and George Duke. Lattimore has been in the R&B scene for over a decade and brings his smooth vocal tunes, originals, and tasteful classics. Local jazz violinist-turned-musical star Daniel D. has opened for major players like Kanye West and has performed for President Obama. He and his violin create soulful versions of contemporary songs, like “Billie Jean” and Kanye West’s “Stronger.”
My Morning Jacket will be playing at Family Circle in Charleston on April 28th. Don’t miss this high energy rock band!
Although they first emerged in 1998 as devotees of Neil Young’s country-tinged classic rock, My Morning Jacket steadily widened their sound throughout the following decade, embracing everything from neo-psychedelia to Americana, funk, prog, and reggae. By the time Evil Urges arrived in mid-2008, they had successfully molded themselves into Kentucky’s answer to Wilco, with unexpected detours and sonic experiments adding complexity to the band’s alt-country roots.
My Morning Jacket’s de facto leader is vocalist/guitarist Jim James (birth name: James Olliges), who founded the band in 1998 alongside his cousin Johnny Quaid (guitar), Two-Tone Tommy (bass), and J. Glenn (drums). Headquartered in James’ hometown of Louisville, KY, the young group released its debut on Darla Records in 1999, with keyboardist Danny Cash joining the lineup one year later. Although The Tennessee Fire only found modest success in the U.S., the debut effort became a genuine smash overseas, particularly in the Netherlands. My Morning Jacket responded by launching a tour in Europe, where they were featured in a Dutch documentary film and received accolades from the Dutch music press. A Christmas EP was released in 2000, but it was My Morning Jacket’s follow-up effort — 2001′s At Dawn — that helped exponentially expand their audience at home. Jim James recorded his vocals in a grain silo, and the resulting reverb-heavy sound became a hallmark of the band’s early work. Upon the album’s stateside release, James’ best friend from childhood, Patrick Hallahan, was enlisted as the band’s new drummer.
My Morning Jacket maintained a grueling tour schedule throughout the early 2000s, hitting the road with such acts as Guided by Voices, the Doves, and the Foo Fighters. They also made the jump to a major label (RCA/ATO Records) for the 2003 release of It Still Moves, but the frantic pace had already taken an irreparable toll on Quaid and Cash. Tired and burnt out, the members announced their departure in January 2004. Keyboardist Bo Koster and guitarist Carl Broemel joined soon after, and the group continued to tour as a unified five-piece. My Morning Jacket’s energy remained, and their sound took an experimental turn on 2005′s Z. Produced by John Leckie, the album did away with the heavy reverb that blanketed the band’s earlier efforts, while the addition of synthesizers and reggae influences introduced audiences to My Morning Jacket’s experimental side. Tracks from Z were also present on Okonokos, a live album released in 2006, and the band’s sonic experimentations continued with Evil Urges. Arriving in June 2008, the album showcased James’ expanding vocal range, his bandmates’ fascination with Prince, and My Morning Jacket’s eagerness to challenge the boundaries of alternative country-rock. -Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
Tim McGraw will be playing at the North Charleston Coliseum and Performing Arts Center with Lady Antebellum and Love And Theft. The concert will take place on May 13th, don’t miss out! Great music for a great cause. Here’s some more information about the Southern Voice tour.
Throughout the outing, McGraw and premier tour partner Outback Steakhouse are teaming up to raise funds to support The Neighbor’s Keeper Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and Operation Homefront. Funds will be raised through in-restaurant promotions in each of the tour cities, sales of an exclusive Tim McGraw t-shirt and more. Operation Homefront supports active military, veterans, wounded warriors and their families nationwide by providing them much needed resources in their time of need. In addition, McGraw will donate a portion from each ticket sold to The Neighbor’s Keeper Fund , a charitable fund he created with his wife, Faith Hill. The Fund seeks to strengthen communities by contributing to diverse projects with primary emphasis on children’s initiatives. Frito-Lay’s Fritos brand corn chips will contribute to local charities in 34 markets via The Neighbor’s Keeper Fund. For information on tickets and the full itenerary please visit http://www.timmcgraw.com/#tour-dates.html
With 7.8 million spins at radio, McGraw was the most-played artist of the decade. “Southern Voice,” the title track from his latest CD, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Songs chart last month and the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart in October 2009. McGraw will perform at the Daytona 500 Pre-Race Show, the pre-race extravaganza leading up to the start of “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway, on Sunday, February 14th. The Daytona 500, which is the season-opening event to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the biggest stock car race in the world, will be broadcast live on FOX, with pre-race coverage beginning at noon EST and the race starting at 1:00 p.m. EST.
McGraw has sold over 40 million units and dominated the charts with 31 #1 singles. He’s won three GRAMMY® Awards, 14 Academy of Country Music Awards, 11 Country Music Association Awards, 10 American Music Awards, three People’s Choice Awards and numerous other awards. McGraw, who co-starred with Sandra Bullock in the hit film The Blind Side, is currently shooting Screen Gems’ Love Don’t Let Me Down in Nashville with co-stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Garrett Hedlund and Leighton Meester.
The Rocket Summer will be playing with the Goo Goo Dolls at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on April 24th. Robby Takac of the Goo Goo Dolls – Pictured
“The Rocket Summer is the rock solo-project of Bryce Avary, and is based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Avary is known for his unique talents as he plays every instrument on his records as well as produces them. The Rocket Summer’s live shows are uplifting, energetic and emotionally charged. Avary’s music has unique emotional qualities that has created a loyal and rabid following of fans around the world.
Bryce became interested with music around the age of 11, when his father bought him his first guitar from a pawn shop. He then started playing drums and various other instruments. After being in a high school “indie rock punk” band inspired by Pavement, Archers of Loaf and Weezer, Avary began performing local acoustic shows as a teenager in Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton. As Avary’s local fan base grew, he released his first EP at the age of 16 in limited release during 1999. Distributing the EP himself under the name The Rocket Summer (the name inspired by Ray Bradbury’s short story) to local stores to be sold on consignment, his music appeared on The Adventure Club segment of the KDGE radio station, and quickly became the most requested local band on the program that year. With increased interest in the music from local, national, and international magazines and the EP selling in 5 continents, in 2003 Bryce produced and released his debut album Calendar Days. The album title comes from a line in the song “TV Family”. Using a $15,000 budget, the album was recorded in Kansas on the label The Militia Group. The album was critically praised as being extremely uplifting, and included varied music (for example, the track “What We Hate, We Make” which includes the 6th grade choir that his younger sister was in from Texas). The album sold well throughout the United States and Japan.
In November 2004, Bryce began working on his second album Hello, Good Friend – the album title coming from the song “Never Knew”. This album included more piano central songs than his previous album. The Rocket Summer has toured the US and Japan extensively and has gained a large fan base. Although not immediately obvious in his lyrics, Avary is a Christian and lets his faith and stories influence his lyrics and his music. Avary says that his faith is the most important thing in his life. He has always said that TRS music is for everyone which is why The Rocket Summer hasn’t ever gravitated toward being a christian market type of band.
He signed with Island Def Jam Records for his third record, Do You Feel, which was released on July 17th, 2007. The first single from the album is So Much Love. The Rocket Summer has released the music video for So Much Love. On September 5th, 2008, the music video for Do You Feel was released. The music video for Do You Feel was co-directed by Bryce Avary with director Nate Weaver. The video was funded by Avary. The video for Do You Feel featured stories of real people with “real issues” such as homelessness, addiction, disease and abuse. The video also featured cameos from artists Andrew McMahon of Jack’s Mannequin, Matt Theissen of Relient K, Josh Farro and Jeremy Davis of Paramore, Mike Herrera of MxPx, Forrest Kline of Hellogoodbye, Alex Gaskarth of All Time Low and Jonathan Cook of Forever The Sickest Kids.
While Avary writes and produces his albums while playing every instrument, he is also known for his hard work ethic on the road. The Rocket Summer has toured the US, Canada, The UK, and Japan numerous times and have been responsible for taking now popular bands such as Paramore, The Plain White T’s, The Format and Phantom Planet as support acts.
The Rocket Summer has headlined many sold out tours in the US, Canada, The Uk, and Japan. The Rocket Summer has also played many worldwide festivals such as Glastonbury Festival in England, T in the Park Festival in Scotland, Summer Sonic Festival in Japan, Oxygen Festival in Ireland, Austin City Limits, SxSw, Bamboozle and Cornerstone. The Rocket Summer toured with the Vans Warped Tour in the summer of 2007 for two months. Although Bryce records all of his own instruments for his records, he tours with a band made up of mostly high school friends.
In January 27, 2008, The Rocket Summer played a series of dates in the UK including major cities such as London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff, with The Secret Handshake and Between the Trees supporting. Before The Rocket Summer’s set every night, Jamie Tworkowski spoke briefly about To Write Love On Her Arms. Without even having an album released in the UK, these dates sold out weeks before the tour began. Beginning March 14, 2008, The Rocket Summer co-headlined the Alternative Press tour. It started in Houston, Texas and ended in May in Cleveland, Ohio. Also co-headlining was All Time Low, with The Matches, Sonny, and Forever The Sickest Kids supporting The Rocket Summer returned to the UK with a headlining show beginning on June 28, 2008 in Yeovil and ending on July 16, 2008 in Birmingham. The Rocket Summer returned to the United States for a headlining fall tour with support from The Secret Handshake, Phantom Planet and The Morning Light. After conclusion of the tour, Bryce Avary took some time off to write a new record. He recorded the new album at Ocean Studios in Burbank, CA from February-April. Bryce produced the record with CJ Eiriksson, who also engineered the album. Some of the tracks were mixed by Neal Avron. The album, titled “Of Men and Angels” is expected to be released in 2009 by Island Def Jam.”
The City of Jacksonville is once again presenting Starry Nights which was well-known as one of Jacksonville’s most popular outdoor events for more than a decade, combining the wonderful sounds of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and an exciting variety of top entertainers. This event creates a festive downtown atmosphere in Metropolitan Park with the beautiful St. Johns River serving as the perfect backdrop.
Here are some of the concert dates and performers.
April 10 – Styx
Styx transformed from a suburban Chicago basement in the early 1970s to the virtual arena rock prototypes by the late 1970s and early 1980s, due to a fondness for big rockers and soaring power ballads. Styx’s mainstream success began with “Lady.” Most of their subsequent releases throughout the late 1970s earned at least platinum certification and spawned such hit singles and classic rock radio standards as “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man,” and “Fooling Yourself.”
April 24 – Idina Menzel
Featuring Broadway powerhouse Idina Menzel, the Tony award-winning “Elphaba” from the international blockbuster “Wicked.” With a diverse repertoire of classic pop, musical theater favorites (including hits from “Wicked” and “Rent”) as well as songs from her album “I Stand,” Idina Menzel demonstrates why she is one of the great vocal performers of our time. Catch her this spring on the FOX television series “Glee!”
April 24th – Conductor Matthew Kraemer
Recognized for his “musical sensitivity” and “energized sense of interpretation”, conductor Matthew Kraemer begins his tenure as associate conductor of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra in September 2009. In this role he will appear on each of the orchestra’s major series, including subscription weeks, Pops, and Family concerts. He will play a vital role in the BPO’s award winning education and community engagement programs, in addition to assisting Music Director JoAnn Falletta during her Kleinhans Hall weeks, recording sessions and on tour. The 2009-2010 season will also mark his third and final year as associate conductor of the Virginia Symphony. Upcoming season highlights include an all Mozart program and The Music Man with the BPO, Strauss’ Don Juan and Stravinsky’s Firebird with the VSO, and performances with Philippe Quint, Ben Folds, and Chris Botti. He will also debut with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Baltimore Symphony orchestras in the spring of 2010.
It’s time for Savannah to “Go Green” and celebrate its Irish heritage and culture. On Saturday, March 13, 2010 it’s time for the annual Irish Celebration in Emmet Park – Tara Feis.
This is a great event for the whole family with irish music, dance food and fun. This year, Cathie Ryan Band will be performing.
For more information about the event, visit http://http//www.savannahga.gov/arts
Click here to read more about St Patrick’s Day in Savannah
