Monsters join Music in the Streets
Published 9:14 pm Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Thanks to a last-minute cancellation, Friday’s Music in the Streets will get into the spirit of Halloween.
Monsters on Main will perform a few scenes from its original production.
Beth Byrd, director of the Washington Harbor District Alliance, said the night might have another bit of Halloween fun from MITS favorites Item 9.
“They do a special set of kind of goofy things about zombies that they’ve written themselves,” Byrd said of the alternative rock band.
As one of the event organizers, LaVon Drake scouts and books most of the acts. She said there was something special about Item 9’s zombie song.
“Dang Old Zombies” is a song based on the band’s experiences at MITS and the response they received from the crowds that gathered.
Greenville bluegrass act Saint James and Friends will take part in MITS. Drake said the band performs familiar traditional and secular tunes.
Also slated for Friday is Lo Lock, a group out of Williamston.
“This will be their second performance in Washington. They performed Labor Day at the Union Alley Coffee House,” Drake said.
Several area musicians involved in a songwriting group in Greenville referred Tim Meineke and Friends to Drake. Based on his reputation, Drake said, she expects a great show from the guitarist.
“I’ve heard really good reviews, and he’s really excited to be here,” she said.
The Tyler Helms Band is another Greenville act coming to MITS. Helms played as a part of a duet at MITS a few years ago. He is bringing his newly formed four-piece band to town Friday.
The final act is Farmville teen band I Forgot. The band played in Washington during Labor Day, and Drake said it is a highly energetic group.
“They’re another young group that’s got very supportive parents, and we’re really fortunate to have them,” she said.
James McCollum Amusements for Kids will return with a Zrider, castle-bounce slide and obstacle course for children after having a great debut at last month’s event, Drake said. The music festival will have one scheduled interruption: the Smoke on the Water Parade of Pigs is scheduled to roll through downtown during the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. performances.
Friday will mark the end of the MITS season until April 2014. As soon as the show wraps up, Drake said, the search for 2014 acts will begin. By April of this year, she had booked every 2013 MITS and started a waiting list.
Drake recommends bands interested in playing at MITS go to the festival’s Facebook page for more information.
Smoke on the Water makes the October MITS a favorite for local musicians, she said.
“It’s another opportunity for local musicians to get to showcase for people outside of the community,” she said. “And visitors will be able to leave with good memories of Washington.”