2013 Downtown Concert Series
Presented by
Pride of Kinston, Inc.
June 6 — Suicide Blonde
Formed in 2006, Suicide Blonde, which was rained out in 2012, returns to kick off the season as self-described “children of the 80’s” who have united to bring back the spirit of the 1980’s with its mullet hair dos, the Trans-AM, listening to AC-DC, David Bowie and the Cure.
The Suicide Blonde concert will acknowledge the 10th anniversary of Sand in the Streets/a birthday party.
Visit the Suicide Blonde web site...
June 20 —North Tower
UNC fans will like this: North Tower, founded in 1975 as an a capella vocal quartet, traces its roots to University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and the Old East dormitory where some of the founding members lived. They shared a common appreciation of intricate four-part vocal harmonies and quickly earned praise for their performances throughout the Triangle area. The focus on strong vocals became a hallmark of the North Tower tradition which continues.
Visit the North Tower web site...
July 4 — Breakfast Club
• Concert to be followed by fireworks!
Independence Day will feature the Breakfast Club in its second appearance on a Sand in the Streets stage. Formed in 1993, the Breakfast Club is the longest running, most recognized ‘80’s tribute band in the United States…creating entertainment that embodies the enigmatic, creative and buoyant spirit of the MTV generation of the 1980’s. This show plays from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm following by fireworks over the Neuse River. The show is to be styled “New Citizens Day” acknowledging individuals who receive their citizenship in the United States earlier in the day at Kinston’s historic Harmony Hall.
The Breakfast Club concert will honor Citizenship Night.
Visit the Breakfast Club web site. Sample music available...
July 18 — Four Knights Band
Four Knights Band was founded in 1996 with four musicians since expanded to six members. With a wide range of styles including R&B, Motown, Oldies beach music and a bright horn section, Four Knights have toured all over and has become the Pepsi band under the sponsorship of Jeff Minges and the Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi. The distinctive sounds please audiences of all varieties.
The Four Knights Band concert will be Pepsi Night courtesy of Jeff Minges and the Minges Bottling Group/Pepsi.
Visit the Four Knights Band page on Reverbnation. Sample music available.
Aug 1 — Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos
For fans of the blues and Cajun music, Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos, take to the Pearson Park stage to offer a program of the blues, Cajun, zydeco and New Orleans jazz and funk. The band was formed in 1990 after Melton returned to North Carolina following an extended immersion in Louisiana Cajun culture. He went to work to combine both passions: music and Cajun food, founding the first edition of the Wicked Mojos and in 2008 opening Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse, hot Cajun restaurant. He and his three partners give lively performances featuring music with a Louisiana soul.
The Mel Melton & and the Wicked Mojos concert will be called the Lenoir Memorial Hospital/Good Health Night.
Visit the Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos MySpace page. Sample music available.
Aug 15 — Spare Change
Spare Change got started in 2002 as a four piece band made up of a group of friends. Traveling throughout the southeast, they grew into one of the most popular bands in the region, especially among young music lovers with their diverse portfolio. With six musicians and unique instruments from the mandolin to the violin, these musical artists bring something refreshing and exciting to their fans. The 2013 performance marks Spare Change’s sixth concert on a Sands in the Street stage.
The Spare Change Concert will be the Red Cross Recognition Night.
Visit the Spare Change web site. Sample music available.
Aug 22 — Band of Oz
In what has become honored tradition, the Band of Oz concludes the 2013 Sand in the Streets series with its particular style of music which brings fans back year after year. A group of young musicians got together in 1967 as a part-time band playing frat parties and high school proms all over the South. The band with its beach music patina takes its music, featuring a full horn section, to more than 200 venues a year. It has been a guest on most of the beach concerts in the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia.
In line with another tradition, the Band of Oz concert kicks off the United Way Fall campaign.
Visit the Band of Oz web site. Sample music available.
To listen to the sample music clips, you will need to have Adobe Flash installed on your computer. Flash Player is a free download. For more information, please visit the Flash Player web site...
Kinston-Lenoir Co. Parks & Recreation
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Pride of Kinston • 327 North Queen Street • Kinston, NC 28501• (252)
522-4676
Located in the Kinston Enterprise Center
Artist Bruce D. Ziegler has generously made available to Pride his portrait of
downtown Kinston as signature for Pride's website.