We’ve planned, cancelled, postponed and waited. Now it’s time.
A cooperative weather forecast promises a near perfect evening for today’s opening concert for the 2013 Sand in the Streets summer outdoor series.
Originally scheduled for June 6 with Suicide Blonde, the season opener was postponed until today — the originally scheduled second concert date — and North Tower is on tap to bring the expectant crowd to its feet for a 10th anniversary celebration of the series.
Suicide Blonde’s schedule was clear for June 27, so basically there will be three concerts in three consecutive Thursdays, weather permitting: North Tower today, Suicide Blonde next Thursday and Breakfast Club July 4.
“We’ll basically follow the plans we laid out for the June 6 show,” said Adrian King, executive director of Pride of Kinston, which has promoted the series since its first concert in 2004.
“We’ll invite the season sponsors to the stage to be recognized, cut a 10th anniversary cake and offer it to the children in the audience, and recognize the new CSS museum, with Sarah Risty-Davis, site manager, offering an update on the center.”
Opening remarks will be given by Joe Tyson, Mayor Pro Tem and chairman of the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism and Development Authority, a stalwart supporter of Sand in the Streets since the first. Rick Vernon, DownEast Today host, will emcee the event, sponsored by Perry Management.
North Tower began in 1975 as an a cappella vocal quartet at UNC and the Old East dormitory where some of the founding members lived. Their intricate four-part harmonies and strong vocals earned praise throughout the Triangle area, and that hallmark tradition continues. The band has been one of the south’s great party bands for more than 30 years, providing oldies, beach, top 40 and funk. Brass, vocals and a wide ranging repertoire all contribute to making an entertaining performance.
“We’re looking forward to a great opening of the series,” King said. “We thank the weatherman. We thank North Tower. We thank the sponsors. And we thank the audiences.”
Sand in the Streets 2013 Schedule
Today, North Tower
June 27, Suicide Blonde
July 4, Breakfast Club
July 18, Four Knights Band
Aug. 1, Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos
Aug. 15, Spare Change
Aug. 22, Band of Oz
6 to 8 p.m. at Pearson Park, except for July 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. with fireworks
Free to the public
Info: Pride of Kinston, 252-522-4676, ext. 2020 or adrianking@downtownkinston.com
Sand in the Streets 2013 Sponsors
The Free Press
Kinston-Lenoir Tourism Development Authority
Kinston-Lenoir Parks & Recreation
Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi
R.A. Jeffreys Distributing
Realo Discount Drug Stores
Kendall Hill
Spirit AeroSystems
King’s Restaurant
*McDonald’s
Lenoir Memorial Hospital
The little bank
First Citizens Bank
*Self Help Credit Union
Perry Management
Corporate Resources
*Dr. Courtney Mitchell, dentist
M3 Consulting & Services
*The Ladder Man
Chick-fil-A
US Cellular
Riverside Bicycles & Outdoor Sports
Christopher’s Restaurant
TACC 9
(*new this year)