by: Melanie Clark

UNCW’s Summer Nights Under the Stars
Concert series every Saturday in June
$18-$69 ($18 for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute members, $28 for non-members, or $69 member s season tickets and $99 for non-members. OLLI membership is $20 per semester.)
(910) 962-3195

One of the most exciting elements to hearing local music is having choices that span a variation of genres. After a sun-soaked day at Wrightsville or Kure beaches, the opportunity to hear soothing sounds among relaxing sunsets presents itself at every corner of the city. Enter: UNCW’s Summer Nights Under the Stars concert series.

Now an anticipated addition to the ongoing concert series taking place all over town (Mayfaire Music on the Town, WECT Sounds of Summer and Downtown Sundown), UNCW’s weekly showcase dabbles in everything from romantic piano melodies to classic rock ‘n’ roll. Presented by the UNCW Division of Public Service and Continuing Studies, the fourth annual event will be held every Saturday in June at the UNCW Cultural Arts Building Theater beginning this weekend, June 6th. Local performers abound, and a wine-and-hors d’oeuvre reception will take place before each show.

Emily Carpenter, a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, who sponsors and organizes the concert series, is particularly excited about the new features this year. “It is the first year we’ll be doing a reception before each event. In the past we’ve reserved that just for opening and closing night, but people love them so much, we’ve decided to have it be standard for each performance.”

The concert series offers a relaxing evening full of great music, delicious appetizers and friendly company. “No other place in town can offer a professional performance, plus wine and hors d’ouevre for $18! What a deal,” Carpenter ensures. Here’s a look at the June lineup.

June 6th
Soul Serenade with Grenoldo Frazier and Rhonda Bellamy
Grenoldo Frazier (pictured) is an accomplished actor and composer who has starred in the Broadway hit “Hello Dolly.” Rhonda Bellamy is known as a local radio host in the Wilmington community for WAAV but is also an accomplished singer. Together, the two bring to life the literature of 20th-century black America through the repertoire of poetry, prose and song.

June 13th
The Port City Trio
A Wilmington favorite, the popular trio will be performing classic hits including the music of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and other favorites from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s. Classic tunes will transport time and place for the evening.

June 20th
Romantic Piano/Classical Music
UNCW music professor Elizabeth Loparits and accomplished pianist Juan-Pablo will play the enchanting melodies of Chopin, Gershwin, Grieg and Rachmaninoff.

June 27
The Schoolboys
The Schoolboys aren’t only UNCW faculty members, they also offer a throwback to the classic rock ‘n’ roll songs we never get sick of hearing. The five piece will be performing popular songs by James Taylor, The Doobie Brothers, Chuck Berry and others. Dancing won’t be discouraged, I am sure.