Ch-ch-ch-changes
Our heads are swirling with not one, not two, but three changes to previously scheduled events. Let’s get the bad news about the most looked-forward-to seasonal opener out of the way first:
Open Mic Postponed
Open Mic Night at American Fish Company will not start on March 4, as originally anticipated. Likewise, bands will not begin playing at AFCO until pandemic-related conditions improve. Stay tuned…
A New Jetport Concert
Now, for the good news: the next Bennie With the Jets at the Cape Fear Regional Jetport will lift off on Saturday, April 24, with high flying LunaSea Rockers and Dave’s Not Home on one crazy drive-in afternoon. Gates open at 1pm; rain date May 1. Tickets for this concert, which was previously scheduled for April 17, will go on sale this Monday, February 22nd!
Southport Plein Air Festival
Keep-your-fingers-crossed news: the 2021 Southport Plein Air Festival is planned to take place on Friday and Saturday, June 18-19, if public parks and buildings reopen after Memorial Day (the original dates in May were casualties of pandemic-related restrictions). We have a great program planned, including performances by Gullah storyteller Aunt Pearlie Sue. We hope to know in six weeks if we can expect to go forward. Early registration for artists is currently underway.
Live from R&B’s House Band
Just when you thought the talent showcased during the Live From R&B’s House livestreaming events on Thursday nights couldn’t get any more amazing, producers Ronnie and Beverly Weinstein have upped it up a notch. Performers are now backed up by one of the most gifted and engaging quartets playing in the area.
In their first public appearance together as the R&B House Band, guitarist Mike Mitchem, bassist Erik Schonher, drummer Scott Pease and Dr. Ronnie, himself, on keyboards simply knocked it out of the park with singer Sandra Waddell on January 28. You can see the performance here -– don’t miss them going forward!
Spread the News!
Up Your Arts is now on Instagram! Following UYA’s mission to support and enhance the creative and performing arts throughout the greater Southport area, we’ve expanded our social media presence to include Instagram. Follow us over there for visual stories, updates and more!
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
We bid a fond farewell this month to two long-time members of the UYA board of directors, Diana Johnson and Bruce Bland, who have recently stepped down after serving since 2018. Their absence will be acutely felt. Not only we will miss their smiling faces and unwavering support for our mission, but it will be very hard to fill their shoes –- Bruce as board secretary, Diana as board vice chair and community outreach director, and multiple committee memberships for both. We can’t thank them enough for their many contributions.
So Much to be Thankful For
Which reminds us: have you seen the special New Year’s toast on our website yet? In grateful recognition for years of support, Up Your Arts paid tribute to the community luminaries who donated “time, treasure, or talent” to the UYA cause since our founding in 2017 – more than 450 people, businesses, and organizations! If your name is in lights on that list, bravo! Thank you so very much for your help, you continue to make it all possible.
Step Right Up, Your Skills are Needed!
So, if you aren’t on that list, don’t miss this golden opportunity to be recognized this year! Sign up to volunteer or contact our volunteer coordinator Amy Russo. She will get back in touch with information about all the different ways you can help us achieve our mission to promote and enhance creative and performing arts in the greater Southport area.
We know your time is even more precious than money, so we would never ask you to do more than you tell Amy you want to do. And there’s such a variety of things that need attention — whether it involves a two-hour happening, a one-day event, or an ongoing project – you may find yourself signing up again and again.
Be a Slacktivist: Give with a Smile!
You can now support UYA when you shop on Amazon simply by using AmazonSmile! When you use Amazon Smile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of what you spend doing your regular shopping on your favorite charity. For every $20 you spend, Up Your Arts can get $0.10. It may not sound like a lot, but every penny adds up!
Set Up on Desktop:
- Visit smile.amazon.com
- Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials
- Under ‘pick your own charitable organization’ enter ‘Up Your Arts’
- Find Up Your Arts and click Select.
- Start shopping!
- Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile
Set Up on Mobile:
- Download the Amazon App
- Open the app and find ’Settings’ in the main menu (☰)
- Tap on ‘AmazonSmile’ and follow the instructions to turn on AmazonSmile while shopping from your phone
Thank You!
Thank you for catching up with us and stay safe!
Until the next one…
Sign up. Show up Stay In. Celebrate and enjoy!
The folks at Up Your Arts