By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor
EverEmber, a Christian rock band, takes to the main stage at Music in the Streets on Friday for a 40-minute set, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Music in the Streets runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Washington. After its street performance, EverEmber moves to the Turnage Theater for a show that begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person at the door.
EverEmber features Aaron Collins on guitar and vocals, Andy Bowen on guitar and vocals, Alex Bowen on drums, Chelsea Mizell on keyboard and vocals and Nathan Engelhardt on bass.
Other entertainers scheduled to perform include J.B. Mayes, In One Accord, a drum circle, Mike Birmingham (Irish music), a barbershop chorus/quartet ensemble, Living Waters (a praise band) and the Music in the Streets Shaggers. Sylvan Learning Center will be set up at the Music in the Streets Child’s Corner.
Back by popular demand, N.C. Army National Guard’s rock-climbing wall will be part of Friday’s lineup. The wall is slated to be set up at the intersection of Main and Respess streets, according to an e-mail from the Washington Harbor District Alliance, organizers of Music in the Streets.
The drum circle, to be set up in front of attorney Stephen A. Graves’ office on Market Street, is open to anyone who brings his or her own instrument to the event.
“Music in the Streets is doing something a little different in August. We are trying to create a drum circle. We would love your input and participation. This would be an excellent opportunity to publicize your school’s music and arts programs. It would be a great time to interact with the students right before school starts back. Posters, banners, or flyers would be welcome,” writes LaVon Drake, a Music in the Streets organizer, in an e-mail sent by WHDA to the Washington Daily News.
“At about 7 pm – 9 pm on Friday August 20, we plan to have some of our local musicians create a beat. Anyone that wants to participate in this impromptu creation of rhythm is welcome to join. I personally would like to hear rhythms from various genres of music and different cultures represented. Dancing is definitely encouraged, as long as it is kept family friendly,” she wrote.
The August segment of this year’s Beaufort County Idol competition takes over the main stage, located at the intersection of Main and Market streets, at 7:30 p.m.
To date, this year’s Beaufort County semi-finalists are Molly Hardison, Penny Wilson, Sherman Hoggard, Jonah Taylor, Elizabeth Williams, Hayley Foy, Sarah Hardison, Destiny Tyson, William Conner, Kasey Tooley, John Furlough and April Spear.
Sometime in October, the semi-finalists will compete in the vocal competition’s grand finale at the historic Turnage Theater.
For information about auditioning in upcoming Idol competitions, contact organizer Vail Stewart Rumley at 252-946-2072 or by e-mail at vsrumley@earthlink.net.
After Friday’s event, other Music in the Streets events take place Sept. 17 and Oct. 22.
Entertainers interested in performing during Music in the Streets events should contact Marc Brunon at Notes Cafe, 143 N. Market St., or by calling 252-940-4688. Any vendors or nonprofit groups interested in reserving a space (a 10-by-10 space), reserving a larger space or selling food at Music in the Streets events should call Beth Byrd, Washington Harbor District Alliance director, at 252-946-3969.