The Wilmington Wine & Chocolate Festival, in collaboration with the new Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County, announces the live entertainment for February 4 and 5 at Wilmington’s Historic Coastline Event Center.
FROM A MERMAID TO A MUSICAL MASTER
Drawing on local acts from various genres, the new Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County has arranged for and will coordinate the live entertainment for Saturday and Sunday. The performances will open with Saturday the ethereal Cindy Rhodes on dulcimer and close on Sunday with local legend Geraldo Frazier on keyboard. In between a musical mélange of jazz, folk and vocals will delight those enjoying the Festival Marketplace.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 11AM-6PM.
11:00 am - Cindy Rhodes, Dulcimer
Mermaid Morrigan aka Cindy Rhodes is an award-winning artist and classically-trained musician who composes what she calls "mermaid music," an ethereal concoction of sound waves created by the grounded tones of the piano and the airborne tones of the hammered dulcimer.
1:00 pm - Laura McLean, acoustic guitar and vocals
Wilmington native Laura McLean is the fluid lead guitarist of Calamity and Someone's Sister. Her repertoire runs from folk to rock to hiphop, to faux Hindu versions of Bobby McGee and Dylan/Julia Childs versions of What's Up.
3:00 pm - El Jaye Johnson, Jazz
From guitar, to keyboard, to trumpet to singing and dancing, Leonard "El Jaye" Johnson has earned the title of "One-Man-Band. A versatile musician, he's in his element with smooth jazz, R&B, blues, funk, reggae, beach music or old school swing.
5:00 pm - Doug Irving, Jazz (solo, possibly duo)
Equally engaging on the bass and trombone, Doug Irving is one of the Cape Fear area's most sought after musicians.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5, NOON-6PM
1:00 pm - Epik, Contemporary Jazz
This up and coming local band features Daniel Barrett on keyboard, Guy Williams on drum, and Jonathan Bishop on guitar.
3:00 pm - Elijah's Best, Jazz/ Funk
The local ensemble features Elijah Boney and his musical partners performing a smooth blend of jazz and funk.
5:00 pm - Grenoldo Frazier
A consummate performer, Grenoldo Frazier's genius as a singer, pianist, and composer has enthralled audiences on Broadway, across the United States, and in Europe.
Tickets for the Saturday and Sunday Showcases are $12 in advance or $15 at the door, subject to availability. Tickets may now be purchased securely online at WilmingtonWineAndChocolateFestival.com or at area Harris Teeter Food and Pharmacy.
What can be better then a weekend of wine and chocolate in Wilmington? How about the fact that the proceeds from this popular event are used to address the unmet needs of senior citizens in our community? The Wilmington Wine &Chocolate Festival is produced by the Volunteer Older Citizens Action League (V.O.C.A.L.), a non-profit organization dedicated to serving seniors and supporting senior services.