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SALUDA—The Top of the Grade Concert series will return this summer to the Ella Grace Mintz Stage at McCreery Park on the second Friday evening of each month.

Mark your calendars for June 14, July 12, and August 9 for evenings of great music in the newly renovated amphitheater at McCreery Park. The shows start at 7 p.m. and wrap up as the sun sets over the railroad tracks at 9 p.m. These free community events are made possible through a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

The series starts with David Childers and the Serpents on June 14. Born and raised in Mt. Holly, N.C., David Childers has written hundreds of songs and recorded nearly 20 albums on various record labels. David and his band, The Serpents, have played extensively in North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee for more than 20 years. They have played numerous festivals such as MerleFest, Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, AmericanaFest, Albino Skunk Fest, McMenamins Great Northwest Music Tour, Mountain Stage, and more. Childers has a folk rock and country music sound with lyrics rooted deeply in his Southern heritage.

On July 12, Bob Sinclair and the Big Deals take the stage. The band describes itself as “front porch swing music played by happy people. The Big Deals are kind of like country or jazz or swing, but not really. It’s what happens when friendship, southern storytelling, musical talent and string quartet sensibilities combine.” The band’s music matches the vibe one feels in historic downtown Saluda.

The series concludes August 9 with Queen Bee and the Honey Lovers, an Asheville dance band that performs swing, classic jazz and Latin music. Vocal-driven with an infectious groove, the Honey Lovers are guaranteed to put a grin on your face and a tap in your toes.

The Top of the Grade Concert series is overseen by the Saluda Downtown Foundation, Inc., with support from the City of Saluda. The Saluda Downtown Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts, beautification, historic preservation, cultural development, and economic development in downtown Saluda.

 

Submitted by Lynn Casey