Neck of the Woods presented by ARTS Wake Forest
The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts welcomes the return of “Neck of the Woods” this Friday, July 19, at 7 p.m.
Presented and sponsored by ARTS Wake Forest, Neck of the Woods is a variety performance series featuring emerging local artists. Each show is different and may consist of several performing arts acts, including actors, dancers, musicians, comedians, writers and spoken word artists.
Featured Performers
Friday’s Neck of the Woods will feature The Motley Tones, spoken word magician Antino Art, jazz and soul pianist/vocalist Lydia Salett Dudley and jazz and gospel performer Ronald Williams.
The Motley Tones came to be in 2010 when a talented group of musicians, musical theatre actors and street performers decided to lend their talents to the world of piracy. Today, they sing a wide variety of delightfully harmonious and oft-times amusing sea shanties and have a very popular local street show.
This dynamic group sings an eclectic mix of period and not-so-period maritime tunes, sea shanties, madrigals, love songs and children’s songs (to help avoid the “arrrrrr” rating). Equally comfortable at pirate festivals, corporate functions, pubs and even children’s birthday parties, don’t be surprised if you get “roped into” some of their antics on stage and off.
Antino Art is a genre-breaking performance artist who merges visual magic with spoken word poetry to create moments that move audiences. Hailing from Raleigh by way of South Florida, he has brought his award-winning performances to venues across the country for over a decade, from the legendary Green Mill Poetry Lounge in Chicago to Pike Place Market in Seattle to the Improv Comedy Theater in Miami. He is a published poet, full-time writer and the founder and director of an eclectic troupe of traveling magicians called the House of Flying Cards.
Lydia Salett Dudley is a jazz/soul pianist/vocalist. She is a native of Cleveland, Ohio who received her musical influence from her mother who was the pianist at her Baptist Church. She studied under and was influenced by Ed Paolantonio, Dr. Stephen Anderson and Dr. Ira Wiggins which culminated in her graduate degree from North Carolina Central University.
Lydia has collaborated with national and international artists resulting in recordings comprised of arranged jazz standards, popular and smooth jazz songs. She has performed at various festivals, private and public events. One of Lydia’s most memorable opportunities was having the privilege of performing alongside various female recording artists at the childhood home of Nina Simone in Tryon, NC, which was declared a national treasure. Lydia has several recordings including original compositions that are available in CD format and download.
Ronald Williams is a native of Wake Forest and graduated from DuBois High School in 1959. He holds a BA Degree in Music Performance from NC Central University. Ronald was the accompanist for The Martin Luther King Jr. All Children’s Choir for seven years. He also served as the Choral Director and Pianist at three Baptist churches in North Carolina.
Ronald has had the opportunity to perform for four NC Governors – James B. Hunt, W. Kerr Scott, Terry Sanford, and Beverly Purdue. He was also invited to play for former President of the United States Bill Clinton. Ronald has been a volunteer at the Hillside Nursing Center since 1998. He enjoys sharing his musical gift with those who welcome a spiritual uplifting.
Area residents are invited to come out, enjoy a truly unique and entertaining community event and show your support for our local artists. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including a variety of beer and wine.
Tickets
Tickets are $5 (plus tax) and may be purchased online at www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods or at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St.
For more information, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods or call The Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458.