Cary, NC – Good news for rock fans out of Koka Booth Amphitheatre this week – REO Speedwagon and Pat Benatar will split the bill at a show here on Thursday, September 2. Tickets go on sale this Friday. (more…)

Cary, NC – Dave Mason, co-founder of the legendary rock group Traffic, will perform at the 2010 Benefit Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, May 1, at Booth Amphitheatre.

He joins headliner Cheap Trick, along with the Georgia Satellites and the Atlanta Rhythm Section for the one-day music event.

The benefit concert is a stop on Mason’s North American touring schedule, the latest segment of his epic music career spanning nearly 40 years.

Dave & Jimi

Mason has played and recorded with notable musicians including Jimi Hendrix, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and George Harrison, as well as stints touring with Fleetwood Mac. Hit singles include “We Just Disagree”, featured on the platinum selling album “Let it Flow” and the famous track “Feelin’ Alright” from his days with Traffic.

The show will also feature performances by Yes drummer Alan White’s White Sox All-Star Band, featuring Spike Edney and Jamie Moses of Queen, former Journey and current Trans-Siberian Orchestra vocalist Jeff Scott Soto, electric rock violinist extraordinaire Geoffrey Castle, progressive rock bass guitarist Bernt Bodal and Jimi Hendrix Revisited star Randy Hansen. Performances at the show will honor past Rock Hall Inductees including The Beatles and Queen.

GET TICKETS

Tickets for the May 1 concert are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the Booth Amphitheatre box office. A limited number of upfront reserved seats are available for $85, with remaining reserved seats priced at $55 and lawn seats priced at $40. Kids 12 and under will be admitted to the lawn free of charge. Music fans can visit www.rockhallbenefit.com for more information.

Cary, NC – An interesting aspect of being part of CaryCitizen is that I learn about the different musical groups that perform in our diverse town - for charity.

Recently a friend asked that we add an event to the CaryCitizen calendar.   I found out that it was SAS’s own VocalMotion – performing their 18th annual production called “Oh, What a Night!”.  The group volunteers their time and talents and instead of charging admission, they request that the audience make donations to their favorite cause – The Arc , a foundation dedicated to helping children with disabilities.

Oh What a Night!

This year’s performance runs from Thursday Feb 25th- Sunday, Feb 28th.  Like the new hit show “Glee,” this groups sings and dances during their shows.  Some of the music featured includes: “Born to Be Wild”, “Sing a Song” and “The House is Rockin’” as well as more recent hits from Jason Mraz, and a crowd pleasing medley from the Musical Jersey Boys.

About The Arc

The Arc of Wake County provides advocacy, referrals, recreational opportunites and community education services for children with developmental disabilities and includes over 250 individual and family members.

Would you like to know more about what’s happening in Cary?  Check out our Calendar of Events.  If you have an event you would like us to add to the Calendar, email Lindsey Chester.

The Moonlighter's Band performing

CARY, NC –Charlie Chiklis, founder of the Moonlighters, passed away last August, but his legacy lives on. The band will be celebrating his life and his music by offering a free concert in Cary on March 5th. While there is no entrance fee, donations will be collected throughout the evening to be given in Charlie’s memory to the American Cancer Society.

“We’re excited about coming together and using music to remember Charlie,” said Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator with the Town of Cary. “From the stage to the dance floor, we hope to capture his spirit and end the night with large donation to the American Cancer Society.”

The Moonlighters are a premier dance band with a broad repertoire of music including swing, foxtrots, waltzes and all Latin tempos. In addition, the band has an impressive library of beach/shag, soft rock and country music arrangements. Their smooth blend of brass, woodwinds and percussion appeals to all age groups who like to dance or listen. This is the band’s third consecutive appearance at Cary’s Herbert C. Young Community Center.

So get ready to foxtrot, swing and waltz as big band Charlie Chiklis and the Moonlighters perform Friday March 5th at 7:30 at Cary’s Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave. With their extensive experience and powerful aptitude for sensing the mood of an audience, they deliver performances that make every event memorable.

For more information on the Charlie Chiklis and the Moonlighters free swing concert visit the Concerts section of www.townofcary.rog or call (919) 469-4061

If you want to know what’s happening in Cary, check out the Cary Citizen calendar. Or if you know of an event we should add, email Lindsey Chester.

Cary, NC -  When you are in a band, how do you know whether or not you will be able to pull off a song?  You pretty much know about the “third time through”. Hence, the name Third Time Thru. In the second of our series about local dad/mom bands, I had the opportunity to spend some time with Alan Ayers and Glenn Simon of the band. (more…)

Cary, NC – Sure, we’re the seventh largest town in North Carolina. And, yes,  we’re featured as a Top 10 place to live in glossy magazines. But who knew we were cool? (more…)

CARY, NC – The Town of Cary will kick it up a notch on Friday, February 19 when the Cajun flavor of New Orleans is celebrated with the Dukes of Dixieland ensemble. They perform at the Herb Young Community Center as part of the Marvelous Music Series.

“We look forward to celebrating the music that makes New Orleans distinct,”said Performing Arts Coordinator Sarah Preston. “Everyone is invited to come out for a fun cultural experience.”

Dukes of Dixieland concert is the third performance in this year’s Marvelous Music Series 10th anniversary season which draws national performing artists to the area. The Dukes of Dixieland was the voters’ top choice in a season fashioned from previous ticket holders votes.

Who are the Dukes of Dixieland?

Richard Taylor: leader and drummer. Began as a rocker, then moved on to R & B. He has recorded with Chess Records. He moved to New Orleans in 1964 to work with Al Hirt.

Jamie Wight-: trumpet. With annual visits to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival, he finally moved to New Orleans in 1993. One of the original members of the Dukes, he plays many instruments including piano and trombone.

Ben Smith- trombone and vocals. Originally form New Orleans, he began his career playing in the streets at age 9. For 10 years he was a highlight at  Disney World’s Main Street USA.

Earl Bonie- clarinet. Long time New Orleans resident he has played in the famed Blue Room with the Bill Clifford Orchestra.

Scott Obenschain- piano. Started playing Dixieland in high school with gigs including Busch Gardens and the M.S Celebration.

John Lutz- bass. He was interested in New Orleans jazz since high school while listening to the original Dukes of Dixieland. He trained at the University of New Orleans under Ellis Marsalis and Bill Huntington.

What to expect:

The Dukes of Dixieland blow traditional jazz and Dixieland into the 21st Century, weaving strands of pop, gospel, and country with authentic New Orleans sounds. They have maintained their preeminent position in their art for four decades, and are the oldest continually-performing jazz ensemble in New Orleans.

From the original group founded in 1949 by the Assunto brothers to the current musicians who keep the sound alive and growing, the Dukes have kept their determination to bring their audiences the very heart and soul of New Orleans- authentic Dixieland jazz.

The Dukes of Dixieland have continued to be on the leading edge of technology, recording the first digital Dixieland jazz album and, most recently, the first Dixieland jazz digital video disc. They continue to stay current with the new release of 2 CDs:  Deep South Blues and Fabulous, Symphonic Jazz .

The Dukes of Dixieland will share their authentic jazz and Dixieland sounds at the Herb Young Community Center, off Academy Drive in downtown Cary beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 (adults), $16 (seniors 55 and older) and $56 (family & friends four-pack). Tickets are available at the Community Center or through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (919) 834-4000; tickets will also be available at the door.

For more, visit concerts at www.townofcary.org, or call (919) 469-4061.

More Events Around Town

Something’s going in Cary everyday.  Check out the CaryCitizen Calendar and see what’s coming up.

Have an event you’d like posted? Email Lindsey Chester.

Stan Cox and Jerry Cuomo of Mind the Gap at Koka Booth's Maripolooza Charity Event

Editor’s Note: Today, we start a new series about Neighborhood Bands. We’re talking about Dads and Moms who are rockers. The phenomenon is sweeping the town as our kids age up. Seems like every neighborhood has sprouted a band. And the part-time musicians, Sultans of Swing all, are a pretty interesting bunch. First in the series is Mind the Gap, a bunch of IBM and other engineering types who donate all their proceeds to charity.

Cary, NC – “Mind the Gap” is a British saying used as a public announcement when people are stepping from a train or subway.  It is a warning to watch your step (no one in the band is British – but they enjoy a good pub lunch).  MTG considers “the gap” a metaphor for life. (more…)

Cary, N.C. – Lots going on in Cary this weekend if you have snow-induced cabin fever.

CARY TOWN BAND IN CONCERT

There will be a free performance of  “Wintering in the Middle East” by the  Cary Town Band on Friday, February 5 at the Cary Senior Center, 7:30 p.m.  Heat will be provided.  The band will take you on a mid-winter tour of the Middle East.  They are promising exotic sights and sounds of Egypt with a march, a waltz, and the Ballet Egyptien.

Then, they will move on toward the east with Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and The Sheik of Araby.  To the north in Turkey, there’s Mozart’s Turkish March and a rub-down with Allen’s Turkish Towel Rag. Farther east find yourself in a Persian Market à la Ketelbey.  It’s a mid-winter musical caravan you won’t want to miss.

EXCUSE ME MISS, MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?

On Saturday, February 6 there will be a Daddy-Daughter Dance (for ages 4-12)  at the Cary Senior Center Ballroom, 6-9 p.m.  Event photography begins at 5 p.m. with the dance beginning at 6 p.m.  The town tells us that registration has been filled, but if you don’t have your tickets yet, contact the Town of Cary.  Having three daughters, these were some of my fondest memories.

WINTER PIANO RECITAL

On Sunday, February 7 the Glenaire Auditorium will be the site of the Cary-Apex Piano Teachers Association Winter Piano Recital at 2 p.m.   The recital will feature the students of CAPTA members.

Get out of the house this weekend…you know you need it.

More events on the Calendar.

Richard Tayor of the Dukes of Dixieland

Cary N.C.  - Enjoy the Dukes of Dixieland and their authentic jazz and Dixieland sounds on Friday, February 19, 2010, 7:30 p.m. at the Herb Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave. in downtown Cary. The Dukes of Dixieland are a part of the Marvelous Music Series’ 10th Anniversary season, the season of favorites. Individual tickets are $18 (adults), $16 (senior 55 and older), and $56 (family and friends four-pack); purchase tickets at the community center or via Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000.  Online and charge-by-phone fees apply for Ticketmaster orders.  For more, call (919) 469-4061 or the Concerts section of www.townofcary.org.

CONTACTS: 
Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator, (919) 462-3969
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Officer, (919) 460-4951

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