RTP-area local music and culture

[Heather LaGarde <heather AT barnstarvintage.com>]

The INDEPENDENT very kindly gave us another GET OUT: Music Worth 
Leaving the House For listing this week stating "It could get loud and 
will definitely get pop-rocky down by the river" with THE BREAKS and 
VELVET in Saxapahaw this Saturday.

The Breaks craft their pop missives in the tranquil burg of Pittsboro, 
NC; a stone’s throw from Saxapahaw and Chapel Hill, where the bulk of 
the band plied their trade throughout the 80’s and 90’s. The music 
leans heavily toward the “New Wave” and “Power Pop” sounds of the late 
70’s and early 80’s. Skewed Pop narratives from the basement of '79. 
Sounds like Velvet Underground with Nico, Sparks, Cheap Trick and Gary 
Numan in a good way. For pictures and additional show dates visit: 
www.thebreaksrock.com

The critically acclaimed rock trio, Velvet, is known for lovely 
Southern pop with a little growl behind the melody, great live shows, 
which wed musical artistry with a refreshing sense of fun.  Muscular, 
cohesive rock with a lot of punch and no pretension documents stories 
of longing, love, recognition, and freedom from the burdens of the 
world.  Full of vibrancy and earnestness, don't miss them! 
http://www.velvetpop.com/index.htm    Bands play from 6-8 on the 
Haywagon Stage next to the meadow amphitheater .

The Farmers' Market is at its peak with everything good under the sun - 
come on out, support your local hardworking farmers and treat yourself 
to something delicious, fresh and lovingly grown! - Blueberries, Wine, 
Flowers, Tomatoes, Jellies, Chutney, Honey, Tarts, Fresh Organic Breads 
and Baked Goods, Pork, Sausage, Eggs, Squash, Watermelon, Cantaloupe 
and More.

And The Barbecue Joint will be with us serving great fresh entrees for 
hungry picnicers.  Delicious dishes for everyone to enjoy!

FOR THE KIDS- The temperature is supposed to drop this weekend and 
we'll have lots of games and sprinklers set up to keep people cooled 
down in the shade.  Bring your suits - The Fantastic ZipBoat is up and 
running along with the Giant Slip-N-Slide, sprinklers games and arts 
and crafts for the children! Created and run by Saxapahaw's local 
quality of life organization CERES, with thanks to the Saxapahaw 
Rivermill, Anderson Homes, Great Outdoor Provision Company, and 
Southern States for helping make the kids activities possible!

The Saxapahaw Rivermill Farmers' Market, Music Series and Kid's 
Activities take place every Saturday from 5-8pm through August 26th.
ONLY 4 MORE DATES THIS SEASON!!!!   All events are in downtown 
Saxapahaw outside next to the Post Office and across from the Saxapahaw 
Rivermill. It's a beautiful day out and all are welcome.  A complete 
summer schedule, lists of bands, farmers, directions, pictures, maps 
and events can be found at www.rivermillvillage.com/farmers.html

AND

You're invited!!!
An Evening of Celebration

On Friday, August 4th, the Alamance County Arts Council is throwing a 
party all around Alamance County to celebrate their 50th Anniversary.  
Its four parties all rolled into one! The evening begins at 7pm with 
simultaneous events in Burlington, Elon and Mebane.  Those events will 
end at 9pm and then everyone is invited to continue to celebrate, 
around Court Square, in downtown Graham, until 11pm. 

Burlington will host The Rhythm Brothers led by "Big" John Thompson, 
formerly of The Embers and The Band of Oz. The performance will take 
place at the Burlington Downtown Depot on Webb Avenue or in the 
Paramount Theater if it rains.  The Rhythm Brothers have quickly become 
one of the South's most popular bands.  Big John's unique bass voice 
can be heard on such classics as Ocean Boulevard, Southern Belles, 
Lipstick Traces and Over the Rainbow. In 2002 Big John recorded One in 
a Million which rose to # 1 on the Beach - Rhythm & Blues Top 40 Charts 
and stayed there for 22 weeks. Other recently recorded hits include, My 
First, My Last, My Everything, Heartache Tonight, Good to Go and Your 
Grace. Big John was the recipient of the 2004 CAMMY Lifetime 
Achievement Award, held at The Alabama Theater in Myrtle Beach, SC.  
Look for the giant beach balls and wear your shagging loafers-there 
will be a dance floor!  

The sounds of the Caribbean will be heard on the Lawn of the Performing 
Arts Center on the campus of Elon University (or in McCrary Theater if 
it rains) with steel drum musician Mickey Mills and Steel.  Born and 
raised in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies, Mickey Mills first 
started playing the steel drums at the age of 12 as a soloist with the 
Solo Harmonite Steel Orchestra.  In 1970 he moved to New York where he 
worked with artists such as Mick Jagger, Ralph McDonald, The Mighty 
Sparrow, Johnny Mathis and Lord Kitchener.  Mickey, who cites Bob 
Marley as one of his major influences, is no stranger to such well 
known New York establishments as The Village Gate and Madison Square 
Garden. Mills combines reggae, soca, calypso, and rock in his high 
energy performances. Donít miss this opportunity to spend a leisurely 
summer evening by the lake, enjoying great live music.

Clay Street in downtown Mebane will magically become the site of a 
Buskers Festival.  Buskers are entertainers who generally perform on 
the street or in public squares.  The evening will include performances 
by Flow Circus, a one man big top; Frank Jeffreys, stilt walker; The 
Spin Man who amazes audiences with basketballs; Josh Lozoff, street 
magician; and  Noel Brandon, as ìSpiral the Hoop Dancerî.  Music will 
be by Tracy Thornton, steelpanist.  There will also be a ribbon cutting 
for the many new businesses that have opened recently on Clay Street.  
What a spectacular night out for the whole family!  In case of rain the 
fest will be held at the Mebane Community Center

Choose the party that suits your taste or move around from party to 
party. Every site will be visually exciting, with special decorations 
and a sampling of the Arts Councilís 50th Anniversary J Seward Johnson 
Sculpture Exhibition. However you plan to party, do join the entire 
Alamance County community, starting at 9pm, around the square in 
downtown Graham, for our Grand Finale, with a live musical  performance 
by special guest, Liquid Pleasure.  In case of rain the music will be 
moved to the Graham Recreation Center.

After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, the 
band LIQUID PLEASURE, has become a multi-cultural icon. Sometimes when 
they are traveling on the road, the guys get in a nostalgic mood, 
remembering the times past. ì The Spinners were even scheduled to warm 
up for us once, back when we were still playing the college circuit 
heavily, with groups like Hootie and The Blowfish and REM", said 
veteran member, Melvin Farrington. The mainstay for this band has from 
the beginning been the dance and show circuit.

LIQUID PLEASURE is for people who love a variety of good music and 
appreciate hearing it performed live, by a great dance and show band.  
In the early years the band was paired with stars like, Chuck Berry, 
Eddie Floyd and Ben E. King and later, Whitney Houston, The Four Tops, 
The Temptations and Aretha Franklin. Definitively, LIQUID PLEASURE has 
always been a hot ticket!  They performed for former President Bill 
Clinton's Inaugural Ball and that of current North Carolina Governor, 
Mike Easley. The Ravens Football team had a Super Bowl blast in 2000 
with LIQUID PLEASURE at the helm and they are the regular choice for 
entertainment at the Panthers house. LIQUID PLEASUREíS mesmerizing 
choreography, synchronized with the bandís great blend of music 
promises to create an unforgettable evening.

The night will conclude with a celebratory fireworks presentation at 
10:30pm.  The display will be designed by Hale Artificier of High 
Point.  This company was just written up in Our State Magazine for the 
great shows they produce around North Carolina. 

Bring the whole family and make it a fun night out in Celebration of 50 
years of the arts in Alamance County. All the parties are free and 
provided for your pleasure by the Arts Council and the businesses and 
individuals who so generously supported this celebration.   For more 
information contact the Alamance County Arts Council at 336-226-4495.




For more information about Saturdays in Saxapahaw please contact 
Heather LaGarde 336 376 5694
heather AT barnstarvintage.com
www.rivermillvillage.com/farmers.html

If you would like to be removed from this list please reply with 
"remove" in the subject line.  We apologize for any inconvenience.