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Saluda performances begin June 13

 

SALUDA—The Top of the Grade Concert Series is returning to Saluda this summer, with live music on the Ella Grace Mintz Stage in McCreery Park on the second Friday of each month.

Each show begins at 7 p.m. and is made possible through a grant from the Saluda Community Fund of the Polk County Community Foundation.

“We’re so excited about the 2025 series, especially with two Saluda residents performing,” said Lynn Casey, executive director of the Saluda Downtown Foundation, which organizes the concerts. “These concerts are a wonderful community event, and we’re grateful for the support from the Polk County Community Foundation.”

The series kicks off June 13 with the Lillie Syracuse Trio. Syracuse, joined by Chris Rosser on keyboard and vocals and Jeff Sipe on drums, brings a full sound with a mix of original songs and covers by artists like Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt and Norah Jones.

On July 11, Saluda native Michael Flynn takes the stage under his creative moniker, Slow Runner. His set blends genres from dreamy synth-pop to confessional folk, always grounded in strong lyrics and emotional depth.

Local talent returns on August 8 as R. Shayne Floyd performs with his band, featuring songs from his 2025 release, Heights of the Land. Listeners of WNCW may recognize his work, both new and from his earlier days with the bluegrass band River Boy.

The series wraps up on September 12 with The Wilder Flower, a trio made up of Danielle Yother (guitar), Molly Johnson (banjo), and Madeline Dierauf (fiddle). Their sound blends modern influences with Appalachian and bluegrass traditions, featuring rich harmonies, tight instrumentation and storytelling through song.

The Top of the Grade series is presented by the Saluda Downtown Foundation, Inc., with support from the City of Saluda. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to arts, beautification, historic preservation, and economic development.