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.
Friday’s Neck of the Woods will feature a music performance by 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 variety of delightfully harmonious and oft-times amusing sea shanties. 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 – both onstage 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 for over a decade brought his award-winning performances to venues across the country, 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.
Jazz and soul pianist/vocalist Lydia Salett Dudley received her musical influence from her mother who was the pianist at her Baptist church. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lydia studied under and was influenced by Ed Paolantonio, Dr. Stephen Anderson and Dr. Ira Wiggins which culminated in her graduate degree from NC Central University. She 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.
Wake Forest native Ronald Williams graduated from DuBois High School in 1959. He holds a BA Degree in Music Performance from NC Central University. The accompanist for the Martin Luther King, Jr. All Children’s Choir for seven years, he has also served as the choral director and pianist at three Baptist churches throughout 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 US President 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.
Neck of the Woods tickets are $5 (plus tax) and may be purchased online at www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods-presented-arts-wake-forest<https://www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods-presented-arts-wake-forest> or at the Renaissance Centre Box Office, 405 S. Brooks St.
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.
For more information, call the Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458.
