Monday, May 20, 2013

Beach band helps symphony celebrate 4th

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to the red, white, and blue with Celebrate America! at South Park's Symphony Park on July 4th. The patriotic program will also include an opening set by Lake Norman area beach music band, Lakeside Drive - and really, what's more American than beach music?

Although Lakeside Drive gigs each weekend from Cornelius to Belmont to Monroe, the Symphony Park show marks its first inside the city limits, reports sax player Jason Barker (pictured above with band).

At its heart a horn-driven beach music sextet whose singles have charted on multiple beach music charts, Lakeside Drive is also a working band that plays a mix of popular oldies, rock, R&B, soul, and disco - everything from "Stagger Lee" to "Rolling in the Deep." It'll be interesting to see what makes it into their 45-minute set during the symphony gig.

The group also writes original music. Its debut album should be out around the end of summer. You can read more about the group online here and stream music here.

Tickets for Celebrate America! are $10 for adults. Children under 18 are admitted free. Lakeside Drive takes the stage at 7 p.m.