Musicians from all over the country will be connected to a global audience through Dare County Arts Council’s July Courthouse Sessions, which will feature a very special virtual concert called Music Unites Us on Tuesday, July 14.
Music Unites Us is a benefit concert supporting Dare County Arts Council’s upcoming North Carolina Veterans Songwriting Workshop, which is free for veterans, active-duty military and their families.
Local, regional and national musicians will participate in Music Unites Us, including NASCAR icon and philanthropist Kyle Petty, world-renowned guitarist Tim Reynolds, gospel singer Mary D. Williams, Karl Werne, Jamie Trent, Ron Capps, Mike Lille, Tony Rosario, Shawnee Kilgore, Jana Pochop, Jonathan Byrd, Ray Scott, The OBX Shredders, Ruth Wyand, Bill Rea, Joseph Bell Tyson, Marcy Brenner and Lou Castro, and Jonny Waters.
Dare County Arts Council Executive Director Chris Sawin was on OBX Today with Sam Walker on News Talk 92.3 WZPR to discuss how the live event came about.
Click the player below to listen:
“Dare County Arts Council is a vital hub for culture in our community,” said Outer Banks musician and veteran Jonny Waters. “I am always honored and happy to help them out in any way I can. I am looking forward to working as a co-producer and performer for the veterans fundraising concert, as I know firsthand how therapeutic music and songwriting are for me as a veteran; music is medicine and I can’t wait to share that with other veterans! The virtual Courthouse Sessions have brought entertainment and happiness to our weary and confined community, and I am so glad to contribute some of my music to the series.”
- Click facebook.com/darecountyartscouncil/live to watch.
For the month of July, musicians will takeover Dare County Arts Council’s Facebook page on Tuesdays at 8pm and perform as a series of Facebook Live events.
Below is a list of the scheduled July performances:
- Tuesday, July 7: The Blue Crab Boys
- Tuesday, July 14: Music Unites Us Benefit Concert
- Tuesday, July 21: Tshombe Selby
- Tuesday, July 28: Shelli Gates
“I appreciate the efforts of the Dare County Arts Council in creating the opportunity for musicians to offer entertainment during the COVID-19 crisis,” said Metropolitan Opera singer and Outer Banks native Tshombe Selby. “Representing Elizabeth R & Company, I will be performing a buffet of music; patriotic, Nina Simone, musical theatre, an aria and more. Over the past six years I have been fortunate enough to receive generous support from Dare County residents, and I hope you’ll join me via broadcast, in lieu of an in-person appearance.”
All of these concerts are part of the Dare Digital Arts program and are free and open to the public.
While sharing their talents, most of the musicians will include virtual ways you can tip them. During Music Unites Us, Dare County Arts Council will provide donation links where viewers can make donations to help fund the North Carolina Veterans Songwriting Workshop.
There are two openings left for the North Carolina Veterans Songwriting Workshop, which will be streamed live on Zoom the weekends of July 11-12 and July 18-19. Those interested in participating can register online and find more information about the workshop at DareArts.org/veterans.
The Dare Digital Arts program’s presenting sponsor is TowneBank, who is committed to celebrating the arts while supporting new initiatives that are safe, meaningful and innovative.
Music Unites Us and the Veterans Songwriting Concert were organized in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council, North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Come Hear North Carolina initiative, the USO of North Carolina as well as Dare County partners Outer Banks Community Foundation and The Dare County Veterans Advisory Council.
A special thank you to the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series, JAM Media Solutions, East Carolina Radio, Bearded Face Productions and Graham Outten Music for supporting The Courthouse Sessions.
Please email Dare County Arts Council’s Executive Director Chris Sawin at DareArtsInfo@gmail.com with any questions.
For more information, please visit DareArts.org or call 252 473 5558.
Dare County Arts Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization dedicated to encouraging the arts in Dare County through advocacy, enrichment and opportunity.